What kind of strings do you use?

[precision punk]

Rotosound Swing on my American Standard P bass

GHS Precision Flats on my H1 P bass

 

[bassistkll]

GHS nickel Boomers on both of my Carvin 4-bangers, Carvin nickel rounds on my Ibanez 5-banger, original equipment Fender nickel rounds on my P. IMO rounds have more overtones than flats. If I need a more basic fundamental tone I can always roll off the highs when using rounds, but I can't dial in enough highs to get a more modern tone using flats.

 

[Davo-London]

TI flats on Godin A4 fretless
DR Sunbeams (nickel) on Jaco Jazz fretless
DR Sunbeams on Cliff Bordwell Ball Bass fretted

Davo

 

[McG]

Dean Markley Blue Steel medium lights on a 1990 Ibanez SR800 with EMGs. Great sound and the longest lasting strings I've ever found.

 

[mav]

String history review
GHS Boomers, can't remember highly recomended by music store
Rotosound Flat, bowed my neck high tension
Fender nickel, felt weird
Labella Flats, too high tension, bowed my neck
TI Flats, liked a lot, low tension
Webstrings nickel, lacking any real caracter
Webstrings SS, eat you frets, sticky feel
Chromes flatwounds, clanky
Dunlop nickel, lowish tension, nice feel, cheep too!

 

[rholler]

I've always preferred the GHS "PressureWound" strings myself. They have nearly the same brightness as the "Boomers" line, but with a little less string noise. Sadly, the PressureWound version isn't nearly as widely used, so very few retailers carry them.

 

[ncinbox]

Different strings thru years.. started with Galli Rock Star Nickel Wound - my very first strings on a very first bass, it was Action Bass (made in 80's in GDR)
then turned to Warwick Black Label
and now Rotosound Swing 66. these last are just great - they sounded awesome on a record and give a good tone while onstage.
Generally I prefer steel.

 

[Rockmusician]

I am currently experimenting with different strings. I have a deal with Curt Mangan Strings so I usually use them (stainless steel). I sometimes use DR Marcus Miller Fatbeams. Recently, Bruce Hall (REO Speedwagon) recommended that I try Dean Markley's. I bought a set and put them on my Alembic. I really liked the tone. Not a fan of Rotosound, Elixir, Fender or Ernie Ball strings.

 

[Bassmanhopkins]

D'addario Pro steels

Fantastic strings, so bright and they have yet to dissapoint me in any way yet.

 

[jonathan_addams]

Ernie Ball Hybrid Slinkys - stainless steel.

On my MIM Jazz.

 

[schmittzil]

nylons....no....round wounds all the way.

 

[adamb1026]

Currently Fender 7250's on my Fender Jazz. Liked the sound of them when I first purchased my bass, but will soon be experimenting with D'Addario's 105 - 50 Nickel Wound

 

[canadian_man_44]

Too bad we can't change our original selections on the poll. I've changed strings since then(as well as basses). I was running Fender 7150's on a Washburn T25. I'm now using D'Daddario Chromes on a USA Fender Precision Deluxe. Absolutely loving the flatwounds. The Chromes are fairly bright for a flatwound and I can get a very nice slap/pop sound out of them by adjusting the mids and highs on the three band EQ.

 

[Jepling]

Elixir Nanoweb Medium Electric Bass Strings on my P bass. Super smooth and has changed my tone for the better.

 

[thetawaves]

Ernie Ball Coated have lasted me astonishingly well. I was skeptical (had Ernie Balls break with boring regularity) but these are really very good.

 

[thesilence]

Just made the switch to Flats (Chromes) and absolutely love them probably will not go back to roundwounds

 

[Proki]

Chromes. I'd just like to add how funny I think it is that they're called "Chromes" considering how dull they are. Also I don't think "chrome" describes the mellow sound very well.

 

[BioDriver]

DR Nickels all day, every day!

Thinking about Sunbeams for my Thumb's next change, but that won't be for a while.

 

[toneuc]

Im not to familiar with strings, and am not sure on what type to get. I own a Mexican P-Bass, and i need new strings. Im looking for a nice tone, bright sound, not a flat dull sound. Anyone have any suggestions?

DTEK,
I'm not to familiar with many string types either. When I was using my P-Bass (Mexican), I had Fender Round Wounds. I hated the sound. Although I primarially use a Jazz Bass now, I just bought some EMP Cleartone (45-105) strings for my P-Bass which I've ignored too long. They're perfect! So, I have my Jazz Bass with the warmer tones for my jazz feel, and these Cleartones on my P-bass. They are bright and sound great to me. Like I said, I'm not an expert but I've been through a few brands of strings. Hope that helps, or you get better advice.

 

[JJ4Bass]

I use Chromes or LaBella flats (pricey, but sound good) on my vintage P basses. I liked the Half Round & Ground wounds for a while, but was doing old school R&B & Blues. Currently playing in a wedding band & doing a WIDE variety of styles & switched back to round wounds.

Can I get feedback on coated round wounds? Do they really last longer? Are they any easier on the old finger tips? Any particular brands better than another?

Inquiring minds want to know.