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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
#2,841
For my 70's era jazz Dunlop stainless super brights
Stingray basses- Ernie ball Slinkys nickel
Sadowsky-Dunlop Stainless super brights
Fender Ultra P- GHS Boomers nickel
Elrick Evo- S.I.T. foundations nickel

I always try to find the strings that bring out the best in each particular the bass.
 
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#2,843
michael_t said:
Rotosound Ultramag (Alloy 52 roundwound) 40-60-80-100, plus GHS Progressive 130B (TRBX505)
Ken Smith Compressors (Alloy 52 rollerwound) 40-58-80-102-125T (BB435)
Fender 9050L Flatwound (45-60-80-100) (Highway One J)
Ernie Ball Group IV Stainless Steel Flatwound (40-60-70-95) (Am Std P)
Click to expand...

SIT Power Wound Nickels 40-60-80-100-125 (exposed core) (TRBX505)
Ken Smith Compressors (Alloy 52 rollerwound) 40-58-80-102-125T (BB435)
Fender 9050L Flatwound (45-60-80-100) (Highway One J)
Ernie Ball Group IV Stainless Steel Flatwound (40-60-70-95) (Am Std P)
 
#2,844
DR Hi Beams 45-65-85-105 on 2014 Fender American Special Limited Edition Sandblasted Jazz. (new acquisition)

The rest are unchanged...

SIT Power Wound Nickels 40-60-80-100-125 (exposed core) (TRBX505)
Ken Smith Compressors (Alloy 52 rollerwound) 40-58-80-102-125T (BB435)
Fender 9050L Flatwound (45-60-80-100) (Highway One J)
Ernie Ball Group IV Stainless Steel Flatwound (40-60-70-95) (Am Std P)
 
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#2,847
May Cassidy said:
Just tried DR Hi-Beams on both my Sterling Ray4 and my new Fender Jazz: absolutely exceptional on both and probably the best feeling round wound string I've ever played. Very easily worn in for my playing style and incredibly even. Might get some for my Frankenstein P Bass when I get around to it!
Click to expand...

Funny you should mention DR Hi Beams...

I just played my newly-acquired Fender Jazz in church over the weekend with Hi Beams. I got this bass from a very good friend of mine, who's used nothing but Hi Beams on it for the last 10 yrs. I'm usually not a stainless steel roundwound guy, but I decided to keep them on just to see how they would do.

I was very pleased the way they sounded and felt. Surprisingly smooth in texture for a SS roundwound and surprisingly firm for a round core. I think I'll keep these Hi Beams on for a while.
 
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#2,849
michael_t said:
Funny you should mention DR Hi Beams...

I just played my newly-acquired Fender Jazz in church over the weekend with Hi Beams. I got this bass from a very good friend of mine, who's used nothing but Hi Beams on it for the last 10 yrs. I'm usually not a stainless steel roundwound guy, but I decided to keep them on just to see how they would do.

I was very pleased the way they sounded and felt. Surprisingly smooth in texture for a SS roundwound and surprisingly firm for a round core. I think I'll keep these Hi Beams on for a while.
Click to expand...
Probably half the reason I default to DR strings is because they're so much smoother to the touch than other strings. First guess would be a smaller gauge wrap wire. Could be something in the hand wound tensions, I suppose, but I can't think what would do that.
Anyway, lucky for me, because I despise the buildup gets on my fingers from nickel coatings.
 
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#2,850
factory presets said:
Probably half the reason I default to DR strings is because they're so much smoother to the touch than other strings. First guess would be a smaller gauge wrap wire...
Click to expand...

Yes, the finer texture on DR strings is the result of thinner wires used for the final cover.

After a couple of months with the Hi Beams, I've decided I need something with a stronger mid presence. Rotosound Ultramags (Alloy 52 roundwound) are next in line.
 
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#2,851
factory presets said:
Probably half the reason I default to DR strings is because they're so much smoother to the touch than other strings. First guess would be a smaller gauge wrap wire. Could be something in the hand wound tensions, I suppose, but I can't think what would do that.
Anyway, lucky for me, because I despise the buildup gets on my fingers from nickel coatings.
Click to expand...

Sadowski flats are also very silky and sound great on a Fender. Expensive but worth it...
 
#2,852
Loved, absolutely LOVED the Hi Beams on my Stingray 4.
When I switched to a P Bass they lost a little of the magic for me personally.
On the Precision it’s been Swing Bass 66. But I will admit that I have very aggressive tone goals
May Cassidy said:
Just tried DR Hi-Beams on both my Sterling Ray4 and my new Fender Jazz: absolutely exceptional on both and probably the best feeling round wound string I've ever played. Very easily worn in for my playing style and incredibly even. Might get some for my Frankenstein P Bass when I get around to it!
Click to expand...
 
#2,853
michael_t said:
DR Hi Beams 45-65-85-105 (Sandblasted Jazz)
SIT Power Wound Nickels 40-60-80-100-125 (exposed core) (TRBX505)
Ken Smith Compressors (Alloy 52 rollerwound) 40-58-80-102-125T (BB435)
Fender 9050L Flatwound (45-60-80-100) (Highway One J)
Ernie Ball Group IV Stainless Steel Flatwound (40-60-70-95) (Am Std P)
Click to expand...

A slight change...

GHS Pressurewound L7200 (40-54-76-96) (Am Std P)

DR Hi Beams 45-65-85-105 (Sandblasted Jazz)
SIT Power Wound Nickels 40-60-80-100-125ec (TRBX505)
Ken Smith Compressors (Alloy 52 rollerwound) 40-58-80-102-125T (BB435)
Fender 9050L Flatwound (45-60-80-100) (Highway One J)
 
#2,854
michael_t said:
GHS Pressurewound L7200 (40-54-76-96) (Am Std P)
DR Hi Beams 45-65-85-105 (Sandblasted Jazz)
SIT Power Wound Nickels 40-60-80-100-125ec (TRBX505)
Ken Smith Compressors (Alloy 52 rollerwound) 40-58-80-102-125T (BB435)
Fender 9050L Flatwound (45-60-80-100) (Highway One J)
Click to expand...

One more change...

GHS Pressurewound L7200 (40-54-76-96) (Am Std P)
Rotosound Ultramags UM40 (40-60-80-100) (Sandblasted Jazz)
SIT Power Wound Nickels 40-60-80-100-125ec (TRBX505)
Ken Smith Compressors (Alloy 52 rollerwound) 40-58-80-102-125tw (BB435)
Fender 9050L Flatwound (45-60-80-100) (Highway One J)
 
#2,855
michael_t said:
GHS Pressurewound L7200 (40-54-76-96) (Am Std P)
Rotosound Ultramags UM40 (40-60-80-100) (Sandblasted Jazz)
SIT Power Wound Nickels 40-60-80-100-125ec (TRBX505)
Ken Smith Compressors (Alloy 52 rollerwound) 40-58-80-102-125tw (BB435)
Fender 9050L Flatwound (45-60-80-100) (Highway One J)
Click to expand...

Yet another update... (This should be the last change for awhile.)

SIT Power Wound Nickels 40-60-80-100-130tw (BB435)

GHS Pressurewound L7200 (40-54-76-96) (Am Std P)
Rotosound Ultramags UM40 (40-60-80-100) (Sandblasted Jazz)
SIT Power Wound Nickels 40-60-80-100-125ec (TRBX505)
Fender 9050L Flatwound (45-60-80-100) (Highway One J)
 
#2,858
I'm a flathead through and through, but the last few days I've been thinking of changing things up via TI Jazz rounds 5 string set and using the bottom 4 for D standard. I hear they smoother than the average round. Fair bit of coin down the drain if the detour don't take me any place special but
 
#2,860
Prodigus Filius said:
I'm a flathead through and through, but the last few days I've been thinking of changing things up via TI Jazz rounds 5 string set and using the bottom 4 for D standard. I hear they smoother than the average round. Fair bit of coin down the drain if the detour don't take me any place special but
Click to expand...

I strung one of mine BEAD using the bottom 4 of a 5 string TIJR set and couldn't be more pleased.

Sounds great, easy feeling/low tension and seems to last.

Not sure how tight they might wind up tuning that high with them but seems worth a go.
 

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