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What kind of strings do you use?

Preferred String Type

  • Roundwounds

    Votes: 5,505 69.2%

  • Flatwounds

    Votes: 1,868 23.5%

  • Nylons

    Votes: 142 1.8%

  • Compression, 1/2, groundwound (either or)

    Votes: 258 3.2%

  • Other

    Votes: 178 2.2%
  • Total voters
    7,951
#2,301
At the moment I use:

D'Addario Flatwound 45-100 on my fretless 4 string bass
D'Addario Pro Steels 45-105 on my Ibanez ATK
D'Addario XL Nickel 45-145 on my Ibanez SR 5 string bass

I tried pyramid black (found it horrible, simply the bass was completely dead and unusable), elixir (too much slippery feel) and dunlop...talking about the last... some years ago those strings were so good (especially the SS ones) but in the last years I found a drop in quality so I came back to d'addario.
 
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#2,302
I'm using D'Addario 190 exl 95-40 Stainless Steel on my Maruszczyck but I prefer others in sound. These are well balanced, not rought, tuned and stay ever tuned , but I don?t like on my bass the aequilibrium, mids are not emphatized now after some use are not shining and Low is deep but...boh I prefer others. I don't change them now because these are not bad strings with defaults but I don't like.

The next string would be a Nickel I've found rotosound RB 45 at good price. To the other bass that I use in live and for the Gigs the old dirty and used GHS Bassics sussist until the Virus unlock all our world.

For the short scale I've ordered D'Addario Nickel Light Gauge 40-95
 
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#2,304
gigetto said:
I'm in a big dilemma now, after this quarantine where I've played a lot. Small strings (ex 95-40) are lower but less confortable than normal gauge 105-45 or not? Because after a hour or more the tiny strings like guitar strings are finger killer....
Click to expand...

Gigetto: When it comes to tension, my P bass and I both prefer the 40-100 gauge Sadowsky flats. Also the 45 100 Ernie Ball Cobalt Flats. Both sets are very easy on the fingers no matter how long I play on them.
 
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#2,308
On my Jazzy I'm using the D'Addario Prosteel EXL 220 very good strings not rought at all for stainless and now after some use I like the sound of them. Well balanced in tension not too hard not too soft light gauge. I think that are well long lasting strings no need to tune frequently.

On my Mikro his own Nickel that are cheap but not bad at all.

On my Yamaha A2 aan old set of Bassics GHS that i love used a lot I don't change them until the tone roll off and I'm surprising for the good long lasting.

On my Spirit his normal gauge steinberger double ball strings.
 
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#2,313
michael_t said:
Have you considered Dunlop Flats?

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Click to expand...

Didn't know Dunlop made a set like that. Same numbers as EB Hybrid Slinky Cobalts, which is my preferred set on long scale. Would they fit a SS Jag? I had to remove about 1/4" of silk from the Chromes to get the strings to seat right in the nut...
 
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#2,314
NortyFiner said:
Would they fit a SS Jag? I had to remove about 1/4" of silk from the Chromes to get the strings to seat right in the nut...
Click to expand...

Not sure... According to the manufacturer's specs, the Dunlop "short scale" is 32" in winding length (ball end to silk), which is (supposed to be) the same as the Chromes.

What's the exact measurement on your bass from where the ball end sits to where the string clears the nut?
 
#2,316
michael_t said:
Not sure... According to the manufacturer's specs, the Dunlop "short scale" is 32" in winding length (ball end to silk), which is (supposed to be) the same as the Chromes.

What's the exact measurement on your bass from where the ball end sits to where the string clears the nut?
Click to expand...

32" and a fraction from ball end to nut. So I'd have the same issue with Dunlops as Chromes. Thinking about it, the extra length is probably due to the high mass bridge on my bass; it's thicker at the ball end than a standard Fender type bridge.
 
#2,317
NortyFiner said:
32" and a fraction from ball end to nut. So I'd have the same issue with Dunlops as Chromes. Thinking about it, the extra length is probably due to the high mass bridge on my bass; it's thicker at the ball end than a standard Fender type bridge.
Click to expand...

GHS "short scale" = 32.75" in winding length = better fit on your bass.

The only thing is GHS Precision Flats are a lot more old-school than either the EB Cobalts or the Dunlop Flats, and they only come in a light set (45-60-75-95).

For "brighter flats", GHS Brite Flats (Alloy 52 half-rounds) come in 49-62-84-108 in short scale (32.75" winding).

For "mellow rounds", GHS Balanced Nickels (pure nickel rounds) come in 44-60-80-106 in short scale (32.75" winding).
 
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