Which bass strings go dead the fastest?...

[podmornica1]

Rotosound....the best sounding.... for a short time....

 

[BlueTalon]

I expect bass strings to not sound new forever. I imagine that some sets go dead quicker than others. Since I don't like dead strings, and I really like the brightness of new strings, you'd think a set of strings going dead quickly would be a concern to me. But really, I'm far more concerned about one string going dead before the others. Years ago, I used to use D'Addario nickle rounds, and the E string would go dead, noticeably before the others. So I started using a stainless steel E string. It would sound a little out of place for a short time, then everything would settle out.

 

[Brodizzle]

I like my strings the same way I like my jeans - nicely worn in, but not worn out.

I'm not into zingy brightness of fresh new strings; I like the ones that lose the initial newness quickly and stay in that "nicely worn in" state for a long time.

I think I'm with you in preference. So which strings meet your needs so far?

 

[ga_edwards]

i think you'd have to define "dead."

Indeed. One person's "broken in" is another persons "dead".

It makes me laugh when people state they can kill a set of strings in one night, because they sweat so much. Forgive me if I'm wrong - it's been some years since I studied science at school - but I don't think corrosion happens that fast.

 

[nilorius]

Those who You play more often and longer time.

 

[Kipp Harrington]

Most of my basses have different strings and I've noticed that the loss of initial brightness varies wildly from one set to another. Thankfully, I don't really mind dead strings at all but I wanted to know what you guys thought the strings were that are most prone to this. I feel like GHS Boomers and Dunlop Superbrights don't stay bright very long. My DR LoRiders, on the other hand, seem to still have much of their initial tone. Your thoughts?

In my experience, Boomers.

 

[Element Zero]

Indeed. One person's "broken in" is another persons "dead".

It makes me laugh when people state they can kill a set of strings in one night, because they sweat so much. Forgive me if I'm wrong - it's been some years since I studied science at school - but I don't think corrosion happens that fast.

It's not just sweat. Some people have rather oily skin and it releases from the pores when they get hot along with moisture. One of my best friends will kill a fresh set of acoustic guitar strings within an hour and the back of the neck will feel like he just ate some really salty fried chicken. He's not a filthy person either. That's just how some people's body chemistry is.

 

[HolmeBass]

Roto 66"s and Boomers in my experience.

 

[chadds]

Rotos.

 

[sonojono]

Rotosound 66 lose their brightness and snap real quick for me...especially the E.

I just experienced this last night during my recordings. For a sec I thought my E was de tuned but it was the string sounding very lifeless

 

[Geddaric]

I guess I`m the odd man out here, but I`ve had pretty good luck with Roto 66`s. Like all strings, they lose their zing eventually, but I compensate for that on particular songs by switching from finger-style to a pick when I require more zing. I`m always switching from rounds-flats-rounds (thru my various basses) to get a desired sound/tone). And yes, about 6 months and I`m ready to buy new rounds.

 

[Luckydog]

It's not just sweat. Some people have rather oily skin and it releases from the pores when they get hot along with moisture. One of my best friends will kill a fresh set of acoustic guitar strings within an hour and the back of the neck will feel like he just ate some really salty fried chicken. He's not a filthy person either. That's just how some people's body chemistry is.

please tell us you didn't lick the neck of his guitar!?

 

[michael_t]

I think I'm with you in preference. So which strings meet your needs so far?

GHS Pressurewounds, GHS Round Core Boomers and GHS Balanced Nickels.

 

[Spectrum]

In my limited experience, Super Slinkies go dead pretty quick. But they sound great and zingy when new, and they tend to be a bit cheaper than others and easy to find, so one of my basses gets them regularly.

 

[80jazz]

I need to try Roto nickels at some point. I've seen enough fret wear to be scared off stainless for now (I like to bend), and I just got into Slinky recently after using mostly D'Addario since the 90s. I had just assumed they were the poor man's D'Addario for whatever reason, but I found the stiffness to be more even string to string and they definitely have their own sound, and the E and A outer wrap seems thinner giving a smoother feel. I need to eventually hear what all the fuss is with Rotos. I'm sure it will be a familiar sound, as the Ernie Balls were as soon as I first tried them.

The Roto Bass nickels I found to have no character. I am unsure about the Rotos with blue silk (their name escapes me at the moment. I hope someone comes along to remind what they are called).

To keep this at least somewhat on point, I find that the Rotosound Swing Bass 66 strings seem to lose that zing the fastest. Too bad, because when they are fresh their sound is incredible. I put up with it in some cases because they have a 35-90 option. SIT is my other choice in that gauge department, and IIRC they are not bad (I do have a set here I plan on trying on my 1980 Jazz Bass when it is time to change them).

For my fingers, DR seems to have the best life but no 35-90 option means I will not use them across the board for all of my basses (yes, I have called about a 55 string and was told no dice). I do have a set of Nickel Lo-Riders in 40-95 on a TMB 300 and they seem to be an excellent pairing with that particular bass.

 

[JPaulGeddy]

Echoing a lot of posts here, but IME, Rotos lose their zing the quickest, and DRs lose just a bit, then settle into that tone for a long long time. If I were doing a prog/metal/similar gig, I would probably bite the bullet and do a new set of Rotos every gig or two. Used to do that.

 

[Element Zero]

please tell us you didn't lick the neck of his guitar!?

 

[sonojono]

Echoing a lot of posts here, but IME, Rotos lose their zing the quickest, and DRs lose just a bit, then settle into that tone for a long long time. If I were doing a prog/metal/similar gig, I would probably bite the bullet and do a new set of Rotos every gig or two. Used to do that.

I hear Daddy Pro Steels are really good for that music genre. Lasts a bit long too

 

[Nebadon2000]

How did you like the Markbass strings?

The soft touch claim is accurate and although being Hex core they seem more pliable and bend slightly easier than most Hex cores I have used with a well balanced but still taunt tension. [Slightly less than Fenders]

Fresh; the overall sound is somewhat warmer[no zing] than other Nickle's I have used when new.
They are very coherent and articulate; E string tone is deep, tight and focused all strings have a nice articulate grind and bite.

I will see how they progress overtime but as of now I am pleased, are they worth more than twice the price as some excellent production strings [$40] ; maybe not looking at it that way but for $2-4 a month depending on how long they last I am fine with that; a small investment if it makes my playing experience a little better.

 

[Phaidrus]

The soft touch claim is accurate and although being Hex core they seem more pliable and bend slightly easier than most Hex cores I have used with a well balanced but still taunt tension. [Slightly less than Fenders]

Fresh; the overall sound is somewhat warmer[no zing] than other Nickle's I have used when new.
They are very coherent and articulate; E string tone is deep, tight and focused all strings have a nice articulate grind and bite.

I will see how they progress overtime but as of now I am pleased, are they worth more than twice the price as some excellent production strings [$40] ; maybe not looking at it that way but for $2-4 a month depending on how long they last I am fine with that; a small investment if it makes my playing experience a little better.

Sounds good! Your description reminds me of the Fender 7150 pure nickel strings.