I'm currently in love with DR Black Beauties on my Soundgear 6. They seem to be a nice balance between nickel & steel, and there's just something I like about the feel and sound of the coating.
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What kind of strings do you use?
- Thread starter bryan bailey
- Start date
DR Sunbeams, they are nice and mellow for rounds and don’t darken too much as they break in. I play them because I got tired of buying slinkys and stopped buying a random set every time I need strings, which is something I did for many years because they’re just frigging strings.
Depending what's on a good sale when it's time to buy strings, my first choice is Boomers or Balanced Nickels first, then D'Addario XL's, and then Fender 8250's. These seem to hit the best tone/price/string life calculation best for me.
I prefer nickel roundwounds as they're the '3 Bears' answer: For me, stainless is too hot, flats or groundwounds are too cold, and nickels are just right.
Over my time I've tried everything from Black Diamonds to TI's, and generally would prefer a fairly bright string I can afford to change more often than some uber $$ string that really doesn't last any longer than more economical choices. It doesn't do me much good to shell out for TI's when they don't last any longer than Boomers, and the difference in tone goes away that fast as well. I prefer more bangs for the bucks.
It's extremely subjective and personal, but these work best for me.
I prefer nickel roundwounds as they're the '3 Bears' answer: For me, stainless is too hot, flats or groundwounds are too cold, and nickels are just right.
Over my time I've tried everything from Black Diamonds to TI's, and generally would prefer a fairly bright string I can afford to change more often than some uber $$ string that really doesn't last any longer than more economical choices. It doesn't do me much good to shell out for TI's when they don't last any longer than Boomers, and the difference in tone goes away that fast as well. I prefer more bangs for the bucks.
It's extremely subjective and personal, but these work best for me.
Sunbeams. Why? Years of testing and hundreds of dollars led me here.
I like the 'feel' of Sunbeams (soft and supple), the tone is great, and they seem to last for a decent amount of hours.
I use Sunbeams on all my basses for consistency. Even my fretless.
I like the 'feel' of Sunbeams (soft and supple), the tone is great, and they seem to last for a decent amount of hours.
I use Sunbeams on all my basses for consistency. Even my fretless.
My three main sets (all flats):
LaBella Deep Talkin' Bass, 52–110:
These are, for most intents and purposes, the "perfect" bass string, for me, anyhow. They have the right tone and the right feel. Low and low mids in abundance. Their feel is just right IMO.
Rotosound 77, 45–105:
45–105 on standard scale, and 50–110 on short scale. These are a little gnarlier than the LaBellas because they have a more abrasive midrange, and not as much of an overwhelming low end. But they still sound pretty classic when you aren't beating on them. Perfect middle ground flatwound tone between classic and modern. Very stiff strings (especially the D), which is why I use the 105s on standard scale.
Dunlop SS Flats, 50–110:
More modern, brighter, cutting tone, but still have the surface feel of flats. I need to use the 110s to get rid of as much floppiness as possible, because these are definitely more flexible than the other two sets.
I also really like GHS Precision Flats, though I only have them on my '77 Music Man Stingray at this time.
LaBella Deep Talkin' Bass, 52–110:
These are, for most intents and purposes, the "perfect" bass string, for me, anyhow. They have the right tone and the right feel. Low and low mids in abundance. Their feel is just right IMO.
Rotosound 77, 45–105:
45–105 on standard scale, and 50–110 on short scale. These are a little gnarlier than the LaBellas because they have a more abrasive midrange, and not as much of an overwhelming low end. But they still sound pretty classic when you aren't beating on them. Perfect middle ground flatwound tone between classic and modern. Very stiff strings (especially the D), which is why I use the 105s on standard scale.
Dunlop SS Flats, 50–110:
More modern, brighter, cutting tone, but still have the surface feel of flats. I need to use the 110s to get rid of as much floppiness as possible, because these are definitely more flexible than the other two sets.
I also really like GHS Precision Flats, though I only have them on my '77 Music Man Stingray at this time.
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I use nickel roundwounds ( .40 - .95 preferred) and i like them fresh and new as possible always, which means I change them very often......so I use pretty much whatever roundwounds are on sale at local stores and often try strings on clearances......with tolerable exceptions, all new nickel roundwounds sound roughly the same to me in the short amount of time they are on my basses
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I mostly play flatwounds. Every time I try roundwounds, after a while the prominent highs start to bug me so I never enjoy the experience.
Which is kind of weird for someone who started on violin.
Which is kind of weird for someone who started on violin.
D
I'm a strong believer in finding the right type of strings for each bass. This can vary even within basses of the same type. For example I tend to prefer thumpy old school flats on brighter sounding P-basses and pure nickel rounds on warmer sounding P-basses.
One of my favourite strings are Thomastik Jazz Flats and my favourite type of bass is the split coil P-bass but I never mix the two. The strong mid presence from the TIJFs can be a little too much for the mid focused split coil P-bass (for MY taste and MY style of playing).
This means that I use all kinds of strings. Some of my favourite string manufacturers are Thomastik, Pyramid and GHS. That doesn't mean I think they're beyond critisism. GHS/Thomastik both have some strings/sets that I personally wouldn't touch and Pyramid seem to have poor consistency/QC at times. Still, most of my basses have strings from these three manufacturers but I also use strings from Rotosound, Optima, Dunlop, DR, LaBella. In fact, I can't imagine NOT having a P-bass with LaBella DTFs in my arsenal.
The only bass string manufacturer I personally never use is D'Addario. Not because their bass strings are poor quality. As far as consistency/QC goes they're one of the best. I just don't like the metallic upper mid "clank" that D'Addario bass guitar strings are all about. Even their flats have that tone. Lots of people like them but they're not for me and my style of playing. Still, I actually use D'Addario XLs in my workshop unless the customer specifies something else because they're cheap, consistent, most players seem to like them, they're always available and I can't remember the last time I got a faulty set. I guess this is also the reason why D'Addario XLs seem to be factory installed on more basses than any other strings.
It's all about personal taste.
One of my favourite strings are Thomastik Jazz Flats and my favourite type of bass is the split coil P-bass but I never mix the two. The strong mid presence from the TIJFs can be a little too much for the mid focused split coil P-bass (for MY taste and MY style of playing).
This means that I use all kinds of strings. Some of my favourite string manufacturers are Thomastik, Pyramid and GHS. That doesn't mean I think they're beyond critisism. GHS/Thomastik both have some strings/sets that I personally wouldn't touch and Pyramid seem to have poor consistency/QC at times. Still, most of my basses have strings from these three manufacturers but I also use strings from Rotosound, Optima, Dunlop, DR, LaBella. In fact, I can't imagine NOT having a P-bass with LaBella DTFs in my arsenal.
The only bass string manufacturer I personally never use is D'Addario. Not because their bass strings are poor quality. As far as consistency/QC goes they're one of the best. I just don't like the metallic upper mid "clank" that D'Addario bass guitar strings are all about. Even their flats have that tone. Lots of people like them but they're not for me and my style of playing. Still, I actually use D'Addario XLs in my workshop unless the customer specifies something else because they're cheap, consistent, most players seem to like them, they're always available and I can't remember the last time I got a faulty set. I guess this is also the reason why D'Addario XLs seem to be factory installed on more basses than any other strings.
It's all about personal taste.
When I got my main player about 18 months ago, It was strung with Either Earnie Balls or D'addarios, I can't remember. I ordered a set of GHS pressurewounds, a set of Optima golds, a set of Optima Flats and a set of LaBella Deep Talking Flats. For a six string, that's a fortune spent on strings. I chose the Optima Flats first for a simple reason: My bass is orange and has black hardware. The Optimas have orange silks and black ball ends. They fit so well in terms of looks. While I was breaking them in, I wished for a bit more stiffness in the E and B strings. My last six string had the LaBellas on and they are quite stiff in comparison. So I decided to put on the LaBellas next, but first I wanted to finish breaking in the Optimas. I think I'm there now and I very much like the sound. Other relevant basses with flats in my arsenal had the LaBellas, the TI Flats and Chromes.
The LaBellas are quite bassy and have not much going on in terms of overtones, they thump away happily low down. The Chromes are very bright for flats, even after half a year of playing them. The TIs are TIs. Super low tension and singing midrange. The Optima stings are, as far as flats go, very much middle of the road. They are neither stiff nor soft. They do have a little brightness left in them, enough for good definition when picking chords, but they also deliver thump in the low registers.
The box with the strings went into the cupboard and slowly got buried. I have no intention of installing other strings right now. These are pretty much what I asked for.
Plus, they match not only the color as good as it possibly can get, they are also German made strings on a German made bass.
The LaBellas are quite bassy and have not much going on in terms of overtones, they thump away happily low down. The Chromes are very bright for flats, even after half a year of playing them. The TIs are TIs. Super low tension and singing midrange. The Optima stings are, as far as flats go, very much middle of the road. They are neither stiff nor soft. They do have a little brightness left in them, enough for good definition when picking chords, but they also deliver thump in the low registers.
The box with the strings went into the cupboard and slowly got buried. I have no intention of installing other strings right now. These are pretty much what I asked for.
Plus, they match not only the color as good as it possibly can get, they are also German made strings on a German made bass.
Dr high beams or Dr drop down tuning. Also have Dr legend flats on my p bass
Other strings just aren't as good
Other strings just aren't as good
I'll occassionally try different strings just to see "what's out there" and to see if I can find strings I like even better than my favorites. But my favorite strings overall are DR nickel Lo Riders, medium gauge. They're relatively stiff feeling, have nice low mids and don't have harsh highs, are relaltively smooth feeling for a round wound, have sounded fantastic to me on every bass I've tried them on, and easily last me a year or more before I even think about changing them.
A close second are my favorite flats - D’Addario Chromes. They’re a relatively bright flat but mellow out without getting dull and thuddy sounding, they're pretty stiff feeling, have sounded great to me on every bass I’ve tried them on, and like most flats they last forever.
There are some other strings I also like a lot, but those are favorite rounds and flats.
A close second are my favorite flats - D’Addario Chromes. They’re a relatively bright flat but mellow out without getting dull and thuddy sounding, they're pretty stiff feeling, have sounded great to me on every bass I’ve tried them on, and like most flats they last forever.
There are some other strings I also like a lot, but those are favorite rounds and flats.
I was gonna ask about Sunbeams on fretless. I've heard nothing but good.
I’m not super picky but some of my faves:
-DR Pure Blues
-DR Sunbeams
-GHS round core boomers
-D’Addario XL
-D’Addario Chromes (40-95)
Things I look for (with some exceptions of course):
-mellow top end
-midrange punch and growl
-flexible and easy on the fingers
-DR Pure Blues
-DR Sunbeams
-GHS round core boomers
-D’Addario XL
-D’Addario Chromes (40-95)
Things I look for (with some exceptions of course):
-mellow top end
-midrange punch and growl
-flexible and easy on the fingers
This is my new favorite phrase learned from TB.
I used to like playing heavy gauge rounds with a high action. Sounded good. Now I tend to play with Flats or tapes because my ears do not like harsh top end. Because of that, LaBella strings sound great to my ear. I haven't gotten a bad set. I currently am using LaBella Low tension flats and they sound great on my bass. They dont slap well, but then again neither do I, so it works.
BobDeRosa
Commercial User
- May 16, 2012
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