Your Favorite Strings..After Trying Everything...

[Mattrill]

Been using GHS P Flats since the start of the year. Longest time I've ever played strings without changing... I have played lots of flats, D'addario Chromes, T I Jazz Flats, LaBellas etc. but the P Flats do It for me. Perfect tension, nice and smooth, woody & thumpy tone!

As for rounds, I always go back to Roto Swing 66's and have never really experimented with other brands. I know what tone I can get with Roto's.

My vote goes to GHS Precision Flats

 

[shawshank72]

Dunlop SuperBright Nickel. Incredible strings. These are the first ones I've bought by the case because I know for a fact I won't be using anything else.

As much as you push these strings we might have to start thinking your name is jim dunlop.

 

[shawshank72]

Ernie Ball Flatwounds
Although i like others this is my go to.

 

[dalkowski]

nothing can match the ROAR of a virginal Rotosound.

Strewth!

After going decades believing I wasn't a man if I didn't play rounds, TB made it safe for me to go flat. Medium Chromes on my P and Yammy 5er, medium Fenders on my Allen Woody. Someday I'll have a dedicated rounds bass again...

 

[cheechi]

Lots of mentions of LaBella for flats. I wonder how many chose them over the Roto 77's?

I am far away from having tried all the strings. But Everything I have put Rotos on has kept Rotos. Right now I have 3, and 3 strung with (best guesses) GHS, DR, maybe another DR.

 

[Bajo Clarkko]

SS Rotos on the Fender J Bass, DRs on the Warmoth J Bass, La Bella Flats on the P Bass, Ernie Ball Cobalts on the 'Ray, D'Adarrio Chromes on the Sterling SUB4......

 

[Petethebassman]

In the 34 years I've played I have tried several dozens string brands and types. For now I'm quite happy with TI Jazz flats on '75 Fender P (my main bass), the other P has now Rotosound Swing Bass RS66's and the Hofner beatle bass gets Pyramid Gold flats.

 

[unresolved]

DR Fat Beams on my J; Dunlop Super Bright SS on my 35" bass with dual coils.

 

[boristhespider9]

DR Lo-Riders Steel, Medium on every bass, passive and active. I have never broke one and I don't change them until it's time for a full set-up. The absolute best IMO.

D'adarrio Half-Rounds, Medium for my fretless

 

[scowboy]

Sadowsky Nickels or Dean Markely DR2000's Nickel. But I always go back to the Sadowsky's.

 

[bongostealth]

There is something weird about the BB strings isn't there? I only tried them once and I got a dead string. I use DR a lot and that almost never happens. I wonder if its the winding process or something.

It is quite weird because this has never happened (to me) from any other DR set. Never happened to me from Sunbeams, Fatbeams, etc. Only Black Beauties. DR is aware of the issue...

 

[Sixgunn]

Dunlop SuperBright Nickel. Incredible strings. These are the first ones I've bought by the case because I know for a fact I won't be using anything else.

I really like 'em (but steel for me) too but I wish they had a bigger selection of gauges. I also like DR Highbeams and Lowriders but my go to's are D'Addario Pro Steels.

 

[LoTone]

GHS Pressurewounds overall. However, recently, I have found that Sfarzo Alloy 5109 roundwounds work great on my Fender Road Worn Jazz Bass.

That being said. I will never stop trying new strings. I just love trying out different tones on my basses.

 

[Ric Vice]

You've bought all kinds of strings...tried them..and they were discarded for one reason or another..

What did you end up with as your favorite strings?.....ones that you like and will be buying again when needed? Be they rounds or flats or whatever.....

And....what bass are you using your now-favorites on?

After years of trying to find a flatwound string that works for jazz and pop, Ernie Ball came up with Slinky Flatwounds (5 String) they are great for both styles, easy on the fingers, and perfectly
slappable.

Ric

 

[vmabus]

GHS!
especially tapes and Precision flats

 

[Baird6869]

As much as you push these strings we might have to start thinking your name is jim dunlop.

Mmbongo, JimmyM and I actually own the company.

Kidding of course!

I am rarely a fanboy of gear but these strings really are worth checking out. They are cheap and sound great. The only players that will likely hate them will be those that like high tension. High tension these strings ain't.

 

[rogerbmiller]

For flats I will say DR Legends Hands down. They are pretty low tension and sound melow and broken in right out of the box. They are also smooth as silk. I just love them.

As for rounds I am pretty agnostic and have had lots of great sets. I am quite fond of Hartke Nickels in extra light gauge (.035-.095), love my D'Addarios, and have also had great results with the Musician's Gear brand of strings (both the 4 and 5 string sets). I try to be value oriented in general, but at any price I tend to prefer these strings.

 

[shawshank72]

Mmbongo, JimmyM and I actually own the company.

Kidding of course!

I am rarely a fanboy of gear but these strings really are worth checking out. They are cheap and sound great. The only players that will likely hate them will be those that like high tension. High tension these strings ain't.

Im tempted to try them but am so addicted to flats and i dont like how rounds feel.
But i understand when you find what works and its great.

 

[subsonicbassist]

DR drop down tuning, have them on my fender jazz v and my MM

What tuning do you use? How do the strings feel?

 

[subsonicbassist]

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?)

This post made me hungry, dammit!!! lol