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Your Favorite Strings..After Trying Everything...
- Thread starter ZenG
- Start date
depending on the ballpark sound I'm after, and the bass itself, I consider flats vs rounds first... Then material, mostly stainless steel vs nickel... Last is make/model, which matters least (but I do like stiff strings, which varies by manufacturer)...
So far, Pyramid strings delivered most of the time (rounds and flats). Since moving to US, I've been trying more local brands, and I like Daddario overall (XL and Chromes), but leave me wanting more
I'm currently trying DR low riders (hex core nickels), and find them a bit too soft and lacking in mids. I have them on a Pbass, and want more mid punch... I'm trying Labella flats next, see how that goes (never had a P with Labellas!). I also have a set of Fender nickels (pure nickel rounds) that I'm eager to try, and I've never tried GHS, which might come next...
Looking back, I think I'm mostly loyal to nickel, not type or model/make of string
So far, Pyramid strings delivered most of the time (rounds and flats). Since moving to US, I've been trying more local brands, and I like Daddario overall (XL and Chromes), but leave me wanting more
I'm currently trying DR low riders (hex core nickels), and find them a bit too soft and lacking in mids. I have them on a Pbass, and want more mid punch... I'm trying Labella flats next, see how that goes (never had a P with Labellas!). I also have a set of Fender nickels (pure nickel rounds) that I'm eager to try, and I've never tried GHS, which might come next... Looking back, I think I'm mostly loyal to nickel, not type or model/make of string
D'Addario nickel rounds for me, although I've been thinking of giving the DA chromes or tapes a try.
La Bella is what I've been playing the last 3 years,flats and rounds.I have a Precision strung with a set of 760FS flats,a sonic must have for me as I play a lot of blues,soul and classic pop and rock tunes.I also have a Precision and 2 J-basses with SN45 round wounds on them,these strings have a mid range tone that I like,not too zingy!!These cover the modern rock and heavier sounds I need for one of the bands I'm in.
I haven't tried everything (and never will, no money, no time), but done enough research to know what works for me.
Primary J - GHS Pressurewound ML7200 (44-58-80-102) - For a bit of growl and bite but with no zing. Not a true roundwound, but this is as close to rounds as I'm willing to go. (Creamy milk chocolate with almonds)
Primary P (coming very very soon...) - La Bella 760FL (43-60-82-104) - For that classic thumpy low end goodness. (Pure rich dark chocolate)
Secondary J (future) - Fender 9050L (45-60-80-100) - Smooth, mellow, full-bodied with good definition. (Creamy milk chocolate with caramel filling)
Secondary P (future) - GHS Pressurewound ML7200. The same phat low end bliss, but slightly more aggressive and modern. (Dark chocolate with almonds)
The only strings I'm curious about that I haven't had a chance to try yet is the Sadowsky Black Label Flats (40-60-80-100). Based on what I've reading about them, they could be either for J or P. (Dark chocolate with caramel filling?)
Primary J - GHS Pressurewound ML7200 (44-58-80-102) - For a bit of growl and bite but with no zing. Not a true roundwound, but this is as close to rounds as I'm willing to go. (Creamy milk chocolate with almonds)
Primary P (coming very very soon...) - La Bella 760FL (43-60-82-104) - For that classic thumpy low end goodness. (Pure rich dark chocolate)
Secondary J (future) - Fender 9050L (45-60-80-100) - Smooth, mellow, full-bodied with good definition. (Creamy milk chocolate with caramel filling)
Secondary P (future) - GHS Pressurewound ML7200. The same phat low end bliss, but slightly more aggressive and modern. (Dark chocolate with almonds)
The only strings I'm curious about that I haven't had a chance to try yet is the Sadowsky Black Label Flats (40-60-80-100). Based on what I've reading about them, they could be either for J or P. (Dark chocolate with caramel filling?)
Generally DR low riders, but I strung up a short scale bass with GHS flats on the E and A, and octave roundwound A and A strings on the top 2. The flat/round unison A's sound cool and chorus'y, and the top string sounds like a different instrument than the bottom which made for some weirdness. So those are my favorite strings as of right now, and obviously, I've tried a lot of stupid crap.
Dunlop Super Bright Nickels and Fodera Steels. No point using other strings as I have tried almost everything else and these two are the only strings I am comfortable buying by the dozen.
I also love LaBella white copper tapes on my 1974 P.
I also love LaBella white copper tapes on my 1974 P.
Rotosound is the one to choose.. for me.. For basses to do live shows, rehearsals, practise, etc. For a old P or J bass that you use in the studio I'll use La Bella, Thomastik or DR.
I'm still trying everything, but the ones that surprised me the most with how good they sound are the Fender 7250Ms. I also got great results with the SIT Power Wound Nickels. Both are live and warm with the right amount of bite for me. My default strings are the Ernie Ball Regular Slinky.
