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What strings for an L2000?
- Thread starter Bright Midnight
- Start date
I have an L2K coming, so this is an interesting thread to me. I also used EBs for years, and yes, they die pretty quickly. I've been using steel Roto 66s for the last couple of years on my G&L JB, and I like those a lot. I think I'll try the Hi Beams when I do change strings on the L2K for the first time. I did demo a CLF Research L2K and I do think the D'Addario strings it comes with sound good, but I'm curious about those Hi Beams. They keep popping up in different threads.
One thing I'll say is that you'll find hi beams feel more flexible and I don't think they grab your fingers the same way as rotos so expect that to sound a little different. If they are too floppy for you then you'll definitely have a better time on lo riders or original Dunlop steels. Those remind me a lot of rotos. Inversely I'm curious about pro steels because it's probably the last household name string I've never tried. Have fun with your l2000 when it gets there and let us know how those compare to whatever you decide to put on.
G
I don't think I'd like something too floppy. Maybe the lo riders, then, if I don't decide to just stick with Rotos. I will let you know, although it might be a little while before I change strings. I'm jonesing for it
They aren't exactly pool noodle floppy but if you're used to the feel of rotos it'll be a change for sure. I think fat beams are another good alternative. They have a thicker core which helps if you tune down or if you prefer more tension. I haven't tried these yet but I'm kinda wishing I would have tried them instead of hi beams. In my experience I was content with what they did for me but I really liked Dean Markley blue steel and the others I've tried since. The thing I found is that blue steels, lo riders, rotos, everything else that is hex core seems to come off as more focused and tighter sounding and for the bass I have it suited it best. (Dual humbucker Warwick Corvette) I'd really just listen and feel out the pro steels when you get your l2k in and consider how it feels, sounds, and how you like your attack. If you think rounder sounding and growly will work then hi beams would sound great for you. Otherwise I'd try fat beams first and then lo riders or even Blue steels. I was really pleasantly surprised how good they suited my bass. Best of luck and hope I was able to give you some good things to think about.G
I don't think I'd like something too floppy. Maybe the lo riders, then, if I don't decide to just stick with Rotos. I will let you know, although it might be a little while before I change strings. I'm jonesing for it
Not to say that your observations about how you like/dislike the strings aren't valid but I would check the setup on that bass. I always considered EB slinkies to be very middle of the road tension (percieved stiffness) wise. I know too much relief in the neck can make strings seem stiff. Just a thought....
If you get a chance maybe try some EB cobalt flats on that bass. Super great feel, punchy and perfectly even tone.
If you get a chance maybe try some EB cobalt flats on that bass. Super great feel, punchy and perfectly even tone.
I've owned three L2ks and still have two. GHS Round Core Boomers are a great match for them for my purposes. (Not the regular Boomers.) They are not clanky, sound big but defined and not stiff. One has GHS Precision Flats, so you have a lot of options that will work on L2ks depending on your tone target. Mine is big and fat with good punch and sweet presence in the top end. I'm not trying to **** through anything, but be the foundation everything else fits in and on. SITs used to be the factory string and they changed to D'A, which to me is a very uninteresting string (NPS or SS). Just don't work for me.
Well... if I absolutely had to put rounds on my L2000? Yeah, I'd definitely go with GHS Boomers. I'm partial to stiffer strings, myself, so I'd go with the hex cores. But, if you want more flex, less stiff? Round core Boomers, for sure. The Boomers are one of only two round wounds that I've deliberately put on a bass - 'cause I liked them. All my other basses - except for a violin bass that wears Roto Tapes - wear flats. And, truthfully? If it were my L2000, it would probably be wearing the same flats that grace my 4HH Stingray Special; Galli JF4505 Jazz Flats...
Anyone using flats on this bass? How do they feel with the neck pickup only? (I have an L1000). Looking for a great set of flats that bring out the best in the bass *and* have a great texture, not too sticky, like the EB Cobalts, or too slick.
I have a mahogany L2000 that has a much darker tone than my other two.
I went on a rather long (and long-winded) quest to find bright sounding strings for that bass and documented it here:
Brightest Nickel Rounds
I tried to describe tone, tension, flexibility and longevity as fairly as I could and I kept at it for a pretty long while. I haven’t updated it in years.
If you don’t want to be bothered reading such a long thread, here’s a spoiler alert: D’Addario XL.
The bass recently tried on a set of Dunlop Super Bright Nickels and, while they’re not bad and feel about average for rounds of that gauge, I think they’re a little too scooped on that bass. Lots of very bright treble but not so much mid and upper mid. The D’Addarios are still the winners.
I went on a rather long (and long-winded) quest to find bright sounding strings for that bass and documented it here:
Brightest Nickel Rounds
I tried to describe tone, tension, flexibility and longevity as fairly as I could and I kept at it for a pretty long while. I haven’t updated it in years.
If you don’t want to be bothered reading such a long thread, here’s a spoiler alert: D’Addario XL.
The bass recently tried on a set of Dunlop Super Bright Nickels and, while they’re not bad and feel about average for rounds of that gauge, I think they’re a little too scooped on that bass. Lots of very bright treble but not so much mid and upper mid. The D’Addarios are still the winners.
We're those D'Addarios the same as the ones G&L ships them out with?I have a mahogany L2000 that has a much darker tone than my other two.
I went on a rather long (and long-winded) quest to find bright sounding strings for that bass and documented it here:
Brightest Nickel Rounds
I tried to describe tone, tension, flexibility and longevity as fairly as I could and I kept at it for a pretty long while. I haven’t updated it in years.
If you don’t want to be bothered reading such a long thread, here’s a spoiler alert: D’Addario XL.
The bass recently tried on a set of Dunlop Super Bright Nickels and, while they’re not bad and feel about average for rounds of that gauge, I think they’re a little too scooped on that bass. Lots of very bright treble but not so much mid and upper mid. The D’Addarios are still the winners.
I’ve never owned a new G&L so I couldn’t say. That hog L2K is now 39 years old and I can’t begin to guess how many sets of strings it wore before I bought it around 15 years ago.
Posting this yesterday made me revisit that old thread that I started so many years ago. It’s a pretty good read, not so much for my own rambling but mostly for all the generous contributions of other members. Somehow, in 14 pages it never managed to get too far off-topic or deteriorate into petty disagreements. I’m glad I went back and read it again.
My L2K has arrived. I've had it for a couple of weeks, and I do like the strings it came with, but I think I'm going to try D'Addario NYXL 45105s. I want to oil the fretboard anyway, so this seems a good time to try them. Oh, and this bass is amazing!
So, I have the D'Addario NYXL 45105s on my bass, and had one band practice with them. I like them a lot so far. Nice zing, but plenty of thump in the lows. My amp was EQed flat, I adjusted tone with my bass. I need a variety of tones and I was able to get everything I needed very satisfactorily.
Just for the heck of it, I am trying these: 43-107 Custom Light Top/Medium Bottom Tapered, Long Scale, XL ProSteels Bass Guitar Strings | EPS300 | D'Addario
I've never heard of .043, .063, and .107 gauges before, they were only $20 so I said what the heck, I'll give 'em a try.
I've never heard of .043, .063, and .107 gauges before, they were only $20 so I said what the heck, I'll give 'em a try.
Yeah, I've been playing NYXLs for awhile now. I do like them, and I think I'll most likely go back to them, I just wanted to give these unusual gauges a shot. They really are bright, I want to see how they sound in a few days after the new string zing mellows out a bit. I do agree, though. NYXLs are awesome on my own rosewood L2K.
@MrB64 I have GHS Pro Steels on my G&L M2500 Tribute and they are the bomb on this bass!
