Which steels?

[LowEZ]

I've used D'Addario or Ernie Ball nickel 45-105 for the past 30 years. I always preferred the sound of steel but I had always feared that they'd chew up my frets when I was gigging constantly. I've since aged, mellowed and no longer gig and I'd like to go back to steels again but there are so many to choose from. Basically I am looking for the brightest, longest-lasting steels with tension on par with my current nickel 45-105's. DR seems to be a fave of many here, but there are so many flavors that I'd rather hear from real users than marketing material. Thanks much.

 

[clutebass]

If you like the D'Addarios give the pro steels a shot. I am very happy with how mine sound on both my jazz and p basses.

 

[musicman666]

^+1 on the D'Addario Pro Steels...
I like them on my EBMM......too bright for my P though..
DR Highbeams are nice too. Dean Markley Blue Steels are very bright but kinda sticky.

 

[mmbongo]

DR LoRiders. FatBeams if you want them a little lower tension.

 

[CauliColin]

I used DR Lo-Riders for 6 months or so, but put on new Hi-Beams on Monday. Lo-Riders are good, I just wanted something brighter. The Lo-Riders seemed to have my favourite tension nailed, IMO.

 

[Alvaro Martín Gómez A.]

Still haven't found strings that I like more than the DR Hi-Beams in 26 years of playing electric bass.

 

[Jay2U]

...Basically I am looking for the brightest, longest-lasting steels with tension on par with my current nickel 45-105's. DR seems to be a fave of many here, but there are so many flavors that I'd rather hear from real users than marketing material. Thanks much.

Have you considered EB Cobalt strings? I think, together with the pro steels, they are the brightest.

 

[LowEZ]

Have you considered EB Cobalt strings? I think, together with the pro steels, they are the brightest.

Yeah, considered, but it seems Hi-Beams are calling out to me (between user reviews and manufacturer's claims). I'm going to have to try those first.

Thanks all.

 

[Floyd Eye]

Rotos are the most aggressive, Blue Steels are pretty aggressive too.

 

[Jay2U]

Yeah, considered, but it seems Hi-Beams are calling out to me (between user reviews and manufacturer's claims). I'm going to have to try those first.

Thanks all.

Decision made, that was your goal. Hope it's the right string for you.

 

[tylerwylie]

Yeah, considered, but it seems Hi-Beams are calling out to me (between user reviews and manufacturer's claims). I'm going to have to try those first.

Thanks all.

Fat Beams are amazing too, just FYI. Hi Beams with more bottom.

 

[darkstorm]

Dean Markley Blue steel for bright yet full sounding and longer lasting. Rotosound swing66 for best sound overall. But dont last as long as blue steels.