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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
#222
BassGod said:
Hot Roded,

No problem, glad to be of service :cool:

The Nickel Lo-Riders IMO are the better string over Fender. The Lo-Riders will last a lot longer, and from what i remember the Fenders were harder on my fingers. I just felt the Lo-Riders had a overall better tone than the Fenders. Hmm, it's hard to describe, but I really think you will like the Lo-Riders. Especially if you like that mid-low tone. :)

Peace,
Graeme :bassist:
Click to expand...

Thank you for all the information Graeme.
I was already almost decided to try the Lo-Riders, Now I know I am going to give them a try. I'll put my impressions here after I have played them for sometime, I keep my strings for a long time anyway.
 
#223
My strings of choice:

For my Ibanez TRB105, I favor Dean Markley SR2000 lights (gauged 45-100, with a 125 B). I currently have D'Addario XL's on it (gauged 45-100 with a 30 C, tuned EADGC), since I wanted it restrung EADGC and those were the only 6-string sets available in the store so I could get the C.

For my Samick Fairlane 6, my strings of choice are Ken Smith Burners roundwounds gauged 45- 100 with a 125 B. The stock strings on that bass were GHS Boomers (gauged 45-130), which I didn't like. I didn't like the tone or the feel (I definitely don't like the 130 B. The 125 is my sweetspot.)

The Smith's give the bass a nice sound and a unique (to my ears at least) slap tone. Also the Smith strings feel very smooth (especially when I do slides) and the tension's just right. Last a long time too.
 
#226
GHS Brite Flats, 52-103. They start off as a heavy-guage round, and are ground 1/3 of the way down, as opposed to 1/2-way down like the "D'addario 1/2-Rounds" I used to get. They can be just a tad 'sticky' until you get 'em burned in- then they're smooth and thunky, but still have some detail. And they're less noisy than rounds! I cheat, you say? Even Bruce Lee advocated a good poke in the eye over heroics!

Well, where was I? I also found Rotos go dead too quick, but that can be a personal chemistry issue. I know a guy who ruins the finish on all his basses 'cause his sweat is pretty strong, caustic stuff!

Anyway, the GHS have nice, authorative tone since they're pretty meaty. And with the HZ p'ups and some on-board EQ in my Schecter Stiletto (Elite 4), there's enough 'bite' there for most players who like a little 'twink' in their plank.

Rog.
 
#228
I bought in installed DR's nickel Lo-Riders for both my basses. The only thing I can compare these strings with are the original Fender the basses came with, but it is better in every aspect: tone, playability, sustain, and the B-string on my Jazz 5 is much more consistant, not loose like the Fender and gives a better tone and less fret noise.

I kept the same guage I had before (45-105 for the 4 and 45-125 for the 5 string), and didn't have to do the any setup.

I fingerpick and do not slap, I like big bottom and I am happy with these strings.

Thanks to everybody who gave their impression on various strings, that did help me.
 
#229
HotRoded said:
I bought in installed DR's nickel Lo-Riders for both my basses... tone, playability, sustain, and the B-string on my Jazz 5 is much more consistant... I like big bottom and I am happy with these strings...
Click to expand...
I was a tremendous fan of DR strings, but they staunchly refused to wind anything bigger than a .135 and I was determined to use a low F# (and eventually a C#), so I had to go elsewhere.

if you like DR, you will love SIT!

I'm certainly not suggesting you change brands, particularly if you've found something you like, but I would definitely recommend these as an alternative should you decide to investigate that possibility.

from the lows,

Stew
 
#230
bryan bailey said:
I hate being undicided about strings, any one try/use nickle low rider DR's? And if people use them tell me how are they compared to other nickel roundwound steals
Click to expand...
I like the nickle Low Riders better than the Stainless. They sound fatter and smoother to me. Also tried Ernie Balls and D'Addario; XL and Slowwounds. The Slowwounds didn't stay on very long, they seemed to iritate my skin(?) but the XL's are OK. I liked the Ernie Balls a bit more than the XL's but not as much as the Low Riders. The DR's have alot lower tension and just sound smoother, fatter and still have better harmonics and tones than the others. I have a Lakland 55-94 Classic on the way this week and will put them on that as well, though I am curious how some TI Jazz Flat might sound.
 
#231
rmars said:
I have a Lakland 55-94 Classic on the way this week and will put them on that as well, though I am curious how some TI Jazz Flat might sound.
Click to expand...

In a word: Beautiful. They are smooth and easy to play. When I played in a hard rock band they cut through the mix enough that the guitartist noticed. He even liked them. :p
 
#234
Ibanez SRX700 - SIT Powersteels (heavy)
Ibanez SR400 - SIT Powersteels (heavy)
Ibanez AEB - whatever came from the factory (havent changed them yet, only owned the bass a couple months)

i tried several other brands of strings (ain't we all???) and had issues with almost all of them. either longevity or durability or both. broke a few DR's while playing (i do play pretty hard, but i didnt think it was THAT hard), and couldn't get EB's to last for some reason...

i really like the sound of the SIT's. cant really explain why, i just do.

my $.01, FWIW
 
#239
I found a set of Rotosounds last week for a really great price. Hands down the worst string I've ever played. I usually play Elixers. I hate the sound of new strings but the Elixers sound great after they have settled in for about a week. The coating is no gimmick either. It really does allow the string to sound better longer. I had a set on a bass that I played 2-3 hours a day every day and after about 5 months they finally started to go dead. The coating also lets the string feel very slick even after playing on them for months.
 
#240
I thought I would update this as I have settled on strings (sorta). For flats I play only TI Jazz Flat's or D'Addario Chromes (TI's on the Precision mostly). Rounds I use either Fender Superbass or D'Addario XL's. They are the best rounds for based on the sounds I have in my head and the basses I play. Won't live without them :)

Dan
 

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