what strings did you use when you first started playing?

[physics]

D'Addario Chrome flats for me. They seem to be a good compromise between bright rounds and dull flats. Being flats, they feel good, minimize fret wear and string noise. Their higher tension is a plus for me, as I like running a nearly flat neck with very low action.

 

[Pops OB]

And, of course, the guitarist gladly paid to replace the bassist's Rick, right?

I sense a hint of sarcasm and a keen insight into what the result was, lol!

In an ironic twist (40 years later), maybe six weeks ago, during a break, I walk outside and another old friend of the band brought his Rick 4003 and donated it to the band. My friend played it during the next set. After the gig was over, I asked him if they gave it to him for his destroyed 4001, "After all, he owes it to you." He said: "Yeah, you're right! No."

 

[Levin]

Elixirs because my brother and teacher used them, I think they were on my brothers or maybe my cousins bass, and then later on my first bass, a fiver, which I bought from my teacher.

 

[Microbass]

Roto Swings, I always hated them but they were cheap. Then switched to Slinkys but felt they died out really quickly. Then I discovered Slowounds. I maintain to this day these are the best strings I've ever had. Tried Dean Markleys but didn't love them. Once Slowounds were gone and I'd exhausted all my sets, I switched to DR Loriders which were brilliant. I
Currently I'm using D'Addario NYXL and love them.

Why would you hate the Rotos if you were a beginner and didn't know what other strings were like?

They just felt awful, and the sound didn't work for me at all. And they broke so easily - I broke a lot of strings back in the day, I played hard with a thick pick, which wouldn't have helped of course. Thinking of giving them another bash on my fretless tho since the Roto's are still the cheapest of strings out there...

 

[Papajewrry]

What came on it, didn't know better.

 

[ahc]

Back in the prehistoric early 60's, it was flatwounds baby. Probably LaBellas.

 

[buldog5151bass]

The first bass had some unknown flats. When I read that Entwistle used Rotos, I switched to them. Thiry plus years later, they are what I generally use.

 

[GIBrat51]

Honestly? I've no idea what they were. But, it was 43 years ago... and it wasn't my bass. I was usually the band's sound guy/roadie; but I also substituted for the regular bass player when he had to work (in the Air Force, your job comes first..). I didn't have a bass at the time; so, I played his. I'm pretty sure they were flats of some kind; I remember being surprised that they didn't shred my fingers like guitar strings did. But, as for exactly what brand and gauge? I don't think the bass's owner ever said, and I don't remember ever asking. I don't even remember what kind of a bass it was - just a bright red, inexpensive Japanese P-Bass copy of some kind. Wrong handed, too; I'm a lefty...
So, I seriously doubt that any of my basses have the same strings. I guess it's possible; assuming there are strings that haven't changed in almost half a century... As for what strings I use now, and why? I have 19 basses of my own now, and I don't feel there's any need for them to be versatile. So, I try to get a specific sound from each of them; which involves using a lot of different strings. Flat wounds or tapes whenever possible; rounds if I have to. What kinds? Pretty much everything but D' Addarios. Yes, it's a pain in the posterior trying to keep track of what bass gets which strings. It's also a pain trying to find the right strings for the sound(s) I'm looking for. And, it's also kind of expensive. But, it keeps me out of the bars and casinos...

 

[rockinrayduke]

I used to buy flat wound Gibson strings that came in an orange box from our corner drug store in the 60's then when I heard the Ox's tone and found out that he used Rotosounds I started using those around 69 or 70ish.

 

[Basshappi]

The flats it came with. But I quickly outgrew that bass and my next bass got a set of Rotosound 66's which are the string I used exclusively for many years. I still use 66's on my '75 Precision because they are THE sound of that particular bass.

 

[Hamish MacCleod]

Labella Deep Talkin' flats, now use Rotosound 88's, TI Jazz flats, and TI Jazz rounds.
H

 

[Gopherbassist]

Why?

'Cuz they were CHEAP!!!!

So, I've heard of Snarling Dogs, but your post just reminded me of them. I looked at the site, and at the top they've got their Bootsy Collins wah, and at the bottom...

They've got links to porn. I'm guessing they're not doing well if they're linking to that kind of stuff on their website. Either that, or it's a fake site.
Or the webmaster doesn't have taste. Or something, I'm just trying to rationalize what I saw.

 

[Joe Nerve]

And I liked em!

Not sure what made me change.

 

[Mktrat]

So, I've heard of Snarling Dogs, but your post just reminded me of them. I looked at the site, and at the top they've got their Bootsy Collins wah, and at the bottom...

They've got links to porn. I'm guessing they're not doing well if they're linking to that kind of stuff on their website. Either that, or it's a fake site.
Or the webmaster doesn't have taste. Or something, I'm just trying to rationalize what I saw.

 

[edervjo]

Roto 66's, for 30 years, but I switched to Dean Markleys Blue Steel about 3 years ago, sounds great and last a long time! and they are made in the USA!

 

[el_Bajo_Verde]

Green DR Neons!

 

[Gnal]

I started on Rotosound Swingbass 66 Stainless Steel 5 strings 45-130. I did not really know what strings to buy and the guy at the counter at GC told me Roto's were the best. This is was 1997ish.

Today, after trying several sets of flats I have settled on Labella 760FL (or 760FL-B for a 5 string) for my flat wound sounds.

I haven't really settled on a specific round wound set. I seem to like to tone of Stainless but the feel of Nickles, so I go back and forth.

Of the stainless strings I've tried, I like the Exposed core F bass strings the best, the B is solid but surprisingly small (.128) for a typical B. I also liked MTD's Stainless strings with the tapered B, but I'm not too keen on re-slotting a nut to .135, so I've only played them on MTDs.

For Nickles, D'Addario XL's, Elixers, SIT... they all seem fine to me. I've used D'Addario for years on guitar and I trust their quality, so in a pinch those are likely what I would buy.

 

[MD]

I have no idea. Whatever was on the bass in the very early '70's.
That bass today wears LaBella 760N's.

 

[bassist4dalord]

GHS Boomers and D'Addario Nickels. Now I have La Bella Tapes on two of my basses and D'Addario Tapes on the third. I'll eventually put La Bellas on the third. I'm happy

 

[FantasticFour]

My first electric bass came with D'Addario Nickels. I didn't like them at all but was too broke to just throw away a new set of five so I bore with them. I have never bought another set of D'Addarios after that. But I got two G&Ls coming with D'Addarios on them. I bet they won't stay there for long.