Author Topic: Optima 24 Carat Gold-Plated Strings? (Read 1045 times)

lbpesq · « **on:** July 10, 2015, 09:49:03 AM »

I just got an email from Juststrings.com touting Optima Gold strings (24 carat gold-plated) as the finest in the world and lasting 3 times longer than plastic coated strings. Guitar strings are on sale for $27 a set! I know all you bass guys are used to paying in this range and quite a bit more for those cables you use, but, as a guitarist, I seldom pay more than $5 a set, so these are significantly expensive. (I just checked, the bass sets are $67.50 - $90). Not that I'm itching to buy a set, but was just wondering if there is any real advantage to gold-plated strings or is it just hype. Anybody ever tried them, or know anything about them?

Bill, tgo

edwardofhuncote · « **Reply #1 on:** July 10, 2015, 10:07:34 AM »

I'm thinking Flip had those on one of his basses one time... I can see where the gold plating would resist corrosion, but I can't see how they would last significantly longer. Though I have not tried the Optima gold guitar strings, the Thomastik-Infeld strings I do use on my vintage Martins are currently about $25/set, and worth it for my ears.

serialnumber12 · « **Reply #2 on:** July 10, 2015, 10:15:47 AM »

I had a set, that Crispness lasts alot longer than non gold plated strings.

elwoodblue · « **Reply #3 on:** July 10, 2015, 04:04:12 PM »

I like the TI power brights. The top strings have a coating of brass.
It wears some after a month of daily playing, but they continue to sound great even after 6 months.
They are about $15 a set, and worth it every time I hit a note.I see it like putting great tires on the car.
It might be worth trying a set of optimas, but I'd strongly recommend the TI powerbrights if your in an
experimental mood.Effects are supposed to respond well to them, or so goes the hype

Interestingly, I've become fond of EB slinky bass strings for my G&L L2000,
they cost about as much as the guitar strings.

gtrguy · « **Reply #4 on:** July 10, 2015, 04:04:48 PM »

I need the bling!! Anyone got pics?

elwoodblue · « **Reply #5 on:** July 10, 2015, 04:58:59 PM »

TI PB's with gold Jescar-EVO frets

slawie · « **Reply #6 on:** July 11, 2015, 06:07:11 AM »

I stumbled upon a set of Optima Gold Flatwound a good number of years ago.
Those strings were the best sounding and smoothest playing strings I have ever played.
I accidentally gave them away with a bunch of other strings to a music school in Ukraine. They weren't meant to be included in the shipment but inadvertently were.
I have never been able to find another set.
I really think that they are the best strings I have ever played

lbpesq · « **Reply #7 on:** July 11, 2015, 08:57:48 AM »

Curiosity got the best of me. I just ordered a set. At least I found a better price at stringsbymail.com.

Bill, tgo

peoplechipper · « **Reply #8 on:** July 11, 2015, 09:38:42 PM »

24k gold would not corrode or tarnish, only eventually wear away so they should last a long time and the conductivity of 24k gold is second to none so pickups should love them...I did not know such a thing existed so please update us all on them, I am curious and interested; being a goldsmith and all...Tony

elwoodblue · « **Reply #9 on:** July 11, 2015, 10:07:30 PM »

They sure look nice at the Optima website.
I'm gonna have to get onboard. I'm looking forward to hearing what you think Bill.

bassilisk · « **Reply #10 on:** July 12, 2015, 06:15:42 AM »

I had a set long ago and I do remember I liked them, though details elude me. I think I wanted to go with something brighter so I took them off and used them on several other basses before they were finally retired permanently.

I will admit though, the bling factor is tough to beat!

terryc · « **Reply #11 on:** July 12, 2015, 11:59:35 AM »

I got a set for Xmas a few years ago from an ex, they sounded great and didn't lose there zing but unfortunately the G snapped at the ball end(too much popping I expect)
As they were a present I don't know how much they cost but they did look good as well as sound good

jazzyvee · « **Reply #12 on:** July 12, 2015, 12:37:56 PM »

I was curious about them but the price put me straight off. I think they were about ?60 for a 5 string set and I wonder how long the coating would last.
Maybe someone can answer this question. The metal coating on strings e.g. nickel, stainless steel or gold plating is, I assume, an extremely thin layer compared to the mass of the rest of the string, I find it hard to see how it would make a dramatic impact on the tone of the string. So my question is, is the construction of the string different depending on what the external coating is?

eligilam · « **Reply #13 on:** July 12, 2015, 03:12:02 PM »

I had these on both my Ric 4003 and my Wal MKI for about two years each---they lasted about 10 times longer than any non-gold set I've tried. It's expensive up front, but IMO, they last so long that they wind up being a good return on investment.

Also, they look really cool on basses that have gold hardware...

terryc · « **Reply #14 on:** July 13, 2015, 01:40:17 AM »

jazzy..obviously the windings are not pure gold, if they were
a) A set would be as much as a Series 2 !
b) The would not last long at all as gold is the most malleable metal in the periodic table. They would flatten off on the fret side very quickly !
The gold plating is to prevent corrosion from the sweat of your fingers as it is totally unreactive, there is no difference in construction, there still is a core but the windings are gold plated. As I said, it still doesn't stop eventual metal fatigue at stress points(bridge,nut and tuners)but they do stay brighter for a whole lot longer and yes they look very flash on your bass!
I have just done a few gigs so I may treat myself to a set