What kind of strings do you use?

[Jay2U]

The Fender 9050ML flats I use have a strange story. Just two weeks ago I installed them on my Ibanez GSR200EX. They forfilled all my expectations... Untill Something happened to the G-string. All of a sudden it was hardened. It produced squeaking harmonics and felt like some hard drawn fence wire. As I do have a lot of facilities at my work, I was able to anneal the strings. I took all four of them off my bass (replacing them one by one). Then I gave them an electrical anneal, by driving a current through them high enough to have them discoloured. After the anneal they were cleaned with scotchbrite to make them shiny again. An extra clean-up with alcohol made them look as new. I re-installed them on my bass. Guess what... They now sound better than before, are stable and very playable. If one of them hardens again, I will have to go back to the 'dAddario chromes.

 

[steddy2112]

I used to use Rotosound swing bass strings up until I got bored one day and decided to use some DR hi beam medium-lights.

Recently went back and got some rotos for the Ric, and just ordered two sets of DR's again lol

Can't get away from them. Lots of clarity and attack. Never thumpy, but not ear piercing either.

 

[ChiliTikka]

I use ghs bass boomers Flea sign. (045-105) set with my basses. Its only 1€ more than normal ghs bass boomers set so....I have used ernie ball hybrid slinkys too but I didn't feel much difference and GHS is a bit cheaper so I'm gonna stick with those for awhile.

 

[Reed.A]

I use DR Hi-Beams on an Ibanez SR500. The strings feel much easier to play than d'addario half wounds, which is what I previously used. But the DR's can be a little rattly, and when I was recording this got to be annoying. But the DR's offer an amazingly clean high end. All in all I think that the DR strings are easy to play but have the occasional rattle. I might try the DR low riders next. Does anyone play these?

 

[Fuzzbass]

I use DR Hi-Beams on an Ibanez SR500. The strings feel much easier to play than d'addario half wounds, which is what I previously used. But the DR's can be a little rattly, and when I was recording this got to be annoying. But the DR's offer an amazingly clean high end. All in all I think that the DR strings are easy to play but have the occasional rattle. I might try the DR low riders next. Does anyone play these?

DR Hi Beams have a round core that makes the string more flexible than hex core strings. Perhaps that's why I used them on my 35" scale MTD 535. When I play Hi Beams on 34" scale basses I have to lighten my touch a little so the strings don't bottom out... that, or raise the action a bit.

DR Lo Riders are hex core and less flexible than Hi Beams. For me, string preference varies from bass to bass, but for the 34" basses I've used them on (Benavente and Fender) I prefer Lo Riders.

 

[kbi the crowing]

I just put on my first pair of flatwounds (GHS). I haven't ever plugged it in yet and I'm already in love.

 

[Rexalot]

I use flats on everything. D'addario Chromes on my stingray, Fender 9050L's on my Fender mim Precision, Thomastik-Infeld jf344 on my Rickenbacker, Pyramid gold flats on my 2 Hofners.

 

[FrankLowend]

How is the durability (off course with good sound, etc) of these strings?

 

[Rexalot]

How is the durability (off course with good sound, etc) of these strings?

These strings can be durable,imo. I've had these on for 7 months now. Some TBers for longer! Do remember that these are flatwound strings so no high end sizzle here!

 

[KsToaDangr]

ernie ball roundwounds on all of my basses

 

[FrankLowend]

I bought these strings and the package arrives last week. Is a stainless steel roundwound set, i must install in the end of this month. Somebody knows these strings already?
This is my first set from RotoSound, in the past i used DR fat beans Marcus Miller, Fender and several times Daddario.

 

[Icky Thump]

I used to use GHS boomers, but ever since i tried Elixers, i cant get enough of em. the coating makes slides certain technical things flow better and they have a great sound for pretty much any genre (IMO). anyone else have any input on these? it seems like most people here prefer DR's and boomers

 

[Pearldiver]

DR Hi-Beams on all my basses except for my Charvels. Those stay with GHS Boomers for sentimental value.

 

[tbink]

Thomastik Fantastik!!!!! "Powerbass"

 

[BassNoob1]

D'addario XL's.

+1

I use them on my Squier P-Bass. The first few days they sound a little twangy, but after they mellow out they sound like strings from heaven.

 

[zachoff]

EB Power Slinkys.

 

[Jaggybass]

Thomastik flatwounds. . just pure wow

 

[iamdenialNJ]

D'addario Chromes = flats

I like my bass to sound like a bass.

 

[Skitch it!]

Elites Stadium's, 15 years, every pack consistent, bright, punchy and softer tension, tried a lot of others previously.

 

[kingbiscuitpant]

I find different strings work best on different basses, while my overall favorites are DR, Dean Markley & in a pinch Ernie Ball/LaBellas (they're tied) on my Steinberger I have Ghs Steels 40-100, my Warwick Corvette 4 has maxima golds 45-105, my acoustic has dean markley flats 45- 105, my Kramer 5 DR flats 45-130, on my fretless frankenjazz Hartke nickels 40-100, on my franken P hartke 45-100 nickels, on my SX ursa 6 I have ernie ball 32-130 nickel (though i'll eventually switch to DR) & on my 8-String D'addario XL's since that was the only set I could find in a coursed 8 string set.