What kind of strings do you use?

[gjooro]

I used to buy a different set every time, I wanted to try them all

Nowadays most of the time I use Warwick red ss strings. They are very cheap, and as good as the rest. IMO there is too little difference between cheap and expensive strings to justify the difference in price.

I would rather change cheaper strings more often than have expensive strings dull for months.

 

[BigThud]

Flats mostly.
Currently :
US Std Fender P-Bass : Rotosound 77 Flats (45-105), very bright and stiff... too bright and stiff.
Squier VM Tele/P-Bass : La Bella DTF 760FS (45-105), awesome, been on that bass since 2008, despite being a through-body bridge...
Squier J-Bass : D'addario XL 45-100 (nickels), sounds good, but my interest for rounds is fading every day.
Hofner HCT-500/1 : PYRAMIDS FLATS ! great match.
Old stock bronze strings on a Fender Acoustic (BG-31 ?), sound bad when fresh, but after 7 years... okay.
Fender RI Mustang Bass : GHS flats 40-95, sound great, but make sure you buy the "medium scale" 34" winding.

Used to use Ernie Balls rounds (45-100 or so), good and the stock Fender rounds.
Fender Flats (old style) were great, I used the ML 50-100 set on my SQ Jazz, rather heavy, but smooth finish and mellow sound... until the E string broke... Don't ask me how or why, it just broke after 2 years or so.

 

[Mike Law]

GHS Precision Flatwound - 55-105

 

[Ninevolt]

Roto swing66 5's 45-130 MTD kingston

 

[AshInAmsterdam]

D'Addario 50-105 here.

I have been toying with the idea of trying flatwounds now I have two basses. Would probably install them to the P-Bass, as the Ibanez is already very dark sounding, and the P is a bit bright for my taste (tend to turn tone to about ¾).

If it doesn't work out I'll be down €30 and have learned something.

 

[InsaneBassninja]

I use now days .145, .107, .80, .60, and 45.

 

[BigThud]

D'Addario 50-105 here.

I have been toying with the idea of trying flatwounds now I have two basses. Would probably install them to the P-Bass, as the Ibanez is already very dark sounding, and the P is a bit bright for my taste (tend to turn tone to about ¾).

If it doesn't work out I'll be down €30 and have learned something.

Give them time to settle, Chromes are bright out of the pack, I'd say most flats need a month to start delivering great tone, you may notice a darker E at first...
But once done... Some people keep flats for 30 years (rare, but some guys here on TB have '70s flats on their bass), let's say 5 to 10 years is not unusual, especially if you have more than one bass. Got a bass with same Labella medium for 7 years.

 

[BigThud]

I use now days .145, .107, .80, .60, and 45.

Sounds like D'Addario's Balanced set. Wish more manufacturers were making balanced tension sets.

 

[michael_t]

Sadowsky Flats (40-60-80-100) on my P.

GHS Pressurewound (44-58-80-102) on my J.

 

[47VevetS]

DR whatevers, and Dunlop SS

 

[Timothy Domingo]

Rotosound Swing Bass 66, thick gauge.

 

[Bluefusion]

D"Addario Half Round's 45 thru 100 set on a Fender P bass fretless.

 

[mycrow]

I was using Elixirs until I discovered how to treat my own strings, now I'm back to using the D'Addario XL165's for my basses and XL125's on my guitars. the stuff I'm treating them with is rather expensive to aquire, but well worth it.

 

[BigThud]

I was using Elixirs until I discovered how to treat my own strings, now I'm back to using the D'Addario XL165's for my basses and XL125's on my guitars. the stuff I'm treating them with is rather expensive to aquire, but well worth it.

What is it, then?

 

[AshInAmsterdam]

What is it, then?

Yeah you can hardly make such a comment without sharing the full story......

 

[mark beem]

DR Pure Blues.

 

[5stringDNA]

Ok, it has been 13 years, so an updated response is in order! Current Choice:
-Stainless round-wounds on hex cores for fretted electric
-Phosphor bronze rounds on acoustic
-TI flatwounds on fretless

 

[Nighthound]

I wonder why so many people don't use flatwounds. Is it because of the lack of treble? Style of music? I been using roundwounds but thinking of trying flatwounds on my short scale bass.

 

[AshInAmsterdam]

I wonder why so many people don't use flatwounds. Is it because of the lack of treble? Style of music? I been using roundwounds but thinking of trying flatwounds on my short scale bass.

I've been thinking of trying flats on my new P. Previously I hadn't even considered it. With my guitars I quickly found the sound I wanted in D' Addario 10-52 nickel plated and so when it came time to change my bass strings I naturally went and got the D'Addario 50-105 nickel plated rounds that matched. They are awesome on my jet King and the P has the factory fit fender strings unless the shop changed them in set up (unlikely I think).

So yeah I thought new guitar, time to try different strings cos if I don't get on with the flats I have a pack of my chosen strings ready to put on anyway.

 

[Optix]

Ernie Ball Cobalt Flats (2816)