Recently discovered DR sunbeams.....it's 99.9% likely i will never buy any other string... period.
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What kind of strings do you use?
- Thread starter bryan bailey
- Start date
I have been using ultra lite 30-50-70-90 nickle and/or steel for years Ken Smith, DR, GHS. Before you say they have no bottom, the recordings here Link Removed are those strings, flat EQ played on a Jazz copy with EMGs and a custom 4 with 2 Musicman pickups miced.
For the most part I like roundwounds. Lately I've been satisfied with the results of matching string and bass brands with my main instruments. Foderas on my Fodera, Smiths on my Smith, Sadowskys on my Sadowskys, etc. Depending on the music, I switch between SS and nickel sets and between medium, medium-light and light guages. My 'home' setting is the Sadowsky SBS45B set on my NYC 24-5 P/J. Sometimes I like nickel, sometimes steel. If I'm gonna be doing comping/soloing I'll usually put on a lighter guage. On the whole, I used to prefer thinner strings but lately I've been liking the feel and sound of thicker strings.
Here's a more detailed list:
Sadowsky SBS/SBN40B or 45B (nickel or stainless) on Sadowskys
Fodera 28125 or 28120 (usually nickel) on Fodera
Smith TCRML-6 (stainless) on Smith
LaBella 760N5-EXL (nylon tapewounds) on Rob Allen
D'Addario EXL's on Fenders
Pyramid flats on Höfner
Here's a more detailed list:
Sadowsky SBS/SBN40B or 45B (nickel or stainless) on Sadowskys
Fodera 28125 or 28120 (usually nickel) on Fodera
Smith TCRML-6 (stainless) on Smith
LaBella 760N5-EXL (nylon tapewounds) on Rob Allen
D'Addario EXL's on Fenders
Pyramid flats on Höfner
Currently on my basses, I have several types of strings, mostly Roundwound. For years I only used Rotosound Roundwounds. But they really chew your frets over time.
I'm leaning toward only using DR strings - now that I've tried them.
I have Rotosound nickel rounds on my Yamaha Attitude Custom
Flatwound Fenders on my put-together-from-parts P bass
Fender Black Tapewounds on my Lobe Wishbass (yeah, I don't like those strings much - I'd replace them, but I'm trying to sell it)
DR lowriders on my Fretless 5 Wishbass
DR sunbeams on my SR5 HH
DR Coated Peacock Blue on my Spector Euro
Hartke strings on my project bass - but I think I'll change those out eventually for some Flatwounds. I don't really like the Hartke Rounds much.
I'm leaning toward only using DR strings - now that I've tried them.
I have Rotosound nickel rounds on my Yamaha Attitude Custom
Flatwound Fenders on my put-together-from-parts P bass
Fender Black Tapewounds on my Lobe Wishbass (yeah, I don't like those strings much - I'd replace them, but I'm trying to sell it)
DR lowriders on my Fretless 5 Wishbass
DR sunbeams on my SR5 HH
DR Coated Peacock Blue on my Spector Euro
Hartke strings on my project bass - but I think I'll change those out eventually for some Flatwounds. I don't really like the Hartke Rounds much.
I recently put a set of Hot Wire halfwounds on my Spectorcore fretless and I've just had it back from being set up. That bass sings like nothing else now.
Well except my CR4M that is. Flats just didn't have the brightness of tone I like.
Well except my CR4M that is. Flats just didn't have the brightness of tone I like.
TI Jazz Rounds. Smooth, great tone last forever
EB Extra or Hybrid Slinky everyday strings
Rotosound Funkmasters 35 - 90. Can bend 'em all the way around the neck.
EB Extra or Hybrid Slinky everyday strings
Rotosound Funkmasters 35 - 90. Can bend 'em all the way around the neck.
DR Sunbeams on my Geddy Lee Jazz
I have some old Roundwounds on my USA P that came with the bass. Time for change. I have 3 sets of DAddario (.100's) Half Wounds. Anyone know how the string tension is with these? I am deciding between using these or the TI Jazz Flats. Tough choice. I like a nice smooth groove...sometimes play with a pick. Rock--Pop--Reggae--etc
I have some old Roundwounds on my USA P that came with the bass. Time for change. I have 3 sets of DAddario (.100's) Half Wounds. Anyone know how the string tension is with these? I am deciding between using these or the TI Jazz Flats. Tough choice. I like a nice smooth groove...sometimes play with a pick. Rock--Pop--Reggae--etc
I pretty much only use 2 brands: Sadowsky and DR
Always rounds, usually nickel, unless it's DR Hi Beams.
Always rounds, usually nickel, unless it's DR Hi Beams.
I just put a set of Dean Markely Rocco Prestia NPR Round Cores on my BTB 5 stringer. The Bart electronics sounded the sweetest with D'Addario Nickel Wraps but when I put on the Rocco Prestia Strings YOW. The round core must have something to do with it. Man the bass now sounds absolutely ferocious with punch, pop and tone for days. they're a little stiffer but not as stiff as Boomers. Great attack and clarity on the low B which is .125.
D'addario XL's . Tried and true, I play very hard. they last long, stay tuned and don't break. Perfect sound after two weeks of playing. I guess that when you finally find a set of strings that work for you than it's hard to change brands.
Apparently I now like Elixirs, which surprised me. I never would have thought of trying them if they hadn't come standard on a new bass I bought.
When I snagged an Ibanez ATK a few weeks back, I was amazed at how easily it played. Then I went to put a set of DR Fat Beams on it a few days ago, and suddenly the strings were grabbing my fingers and slowing me down again. The DR's came off, the Elixirs went back on, and now I have to order more. Apparently that's all the time it took for me to get spoiled on the smooth feel of coated strings. They sound fine to me, too...plenty of bottom and not as overly zingy as many strings can be at first.
When I snagged an Ibanez ATK a few weeks back, I was amazed at how easily it played. Then I went to put a set of DR Fat Beams on it a few days ago, and suddenly the strings were grabbing my fingers and slowing me down again. The DR's came off, the Elixirs went back on, and now I have to order more. Apparently that's all the time it took for me to get spoiled on the smooth feel of coated strings. They sound fine to me, too...plenty of bottom and not as overly zingy as many strings can be at first.
I voted long ago.. hell, been a long time since I posted here. Too busy playing, I guess... what was I thinking?
Just wanted to chime in and say that I've switched over to Rotosound nylons (.115-.060) on my primary bass and am lovin' em.
Smooth, (finger)noiseless, thumpy.. Only complaint is that the lack on the high end, but for what I get out of them, I'll settle. No one set has been the "perfect" set for me, but these are pretty darned close.
Just wanted to chime in and say that I've switched over to Rotosound nylons (.115-.060) on my primary bass and am lovin' em.
Smooth, (finger)noiseless, thumpy.. Only complaint is that the lack on the high end, but for what I get out of them, I'll settle. No one set has been the "perfect" set for me, but these are pretty darned close.
