Author Topic: Strings on basses (Read 346 times)

briant · « **on:** February 15, 2008, 09:15:25 PM »

So what do we all use? I would think that there are long threads about this somewhere but lets bring it to the top and start anew.

I've been using DR Bootzillas for years now because they last a long time for me and sound fantastic the whole time. I really fancy the sound of Rotosounds and a few other string makers but they tend to go dead and sound lifeless after even as much as one 3 hour gig.

Thoughts? This is very general... there are obviously no right or wrong answers here. Discuss.

82daion · « **Reply #1 on:** February 16, 2008, 03:36:28 AM »

I've been using DR Hi-Beams and Lo-Riders for the past six months or so and love them for the same reasons you do. The tone is excellent, they last for a very long time, and they're reasonably affordable.

Their customer service is great, too-I bought a pack with a dead D string straight out of the envelope, and they sent me a replacement free of charge.

I intend to try some Alembic strings in the future, for the sake of experimentation.

5stringho · « **Reply #2 on:** February 16, 2008, 04:53:12 AM »

I agree with Chris. I've been using Hi-Beams for several years. They're durable, sound wonderful, are reasonable, and the thing I like the most, they're fairly low-tension. Very comfortable to play. I'm happy to hear they have great customer service, too, but I buy them by the box and have never had a problem with them! Matter-o-fact, I just sent Mica a set to install on my new Bass. Have 'em on there from the start! I used Lo-Riders on a coupla instruments for a while, but I still prefer the stainless Hi-Beams. Just a Quality package overall, IMHO.

Have fun, Mike, tho =]

81distillate · « **Reply #3 on:** February 16, 2008, 09:18:25 AM »

DAddario Pro Steel 180 set with a .040 G string instead of the .035.
I like DAddarios better under my fingers and the tone lasts just as long as the DR's.

georgie_boy · « **Reply #4 on:** February 16, 2008, 11:38:04 AM »

I've just ordered 2 sets of Pro Steel 180's, but with the 35 G
I'll give my opinions shortly

G

glocke · « **Reply #5 on:** February 16, 2008, 01:03:27 PM »

I used to use Kem smith strings, they sound great, and feel great, but didnt last very long. A few years back a restrung all my basses with TI Jazz flats, than switched back to Alembic rounds wounds. They sound pretty good, but I really like the sound of the TI jazz flats, probably go back to those next string change.

keurosix · « **Reply #6 on:** February 16, 2008, 06:33:12 PM »

I have a set of the DR Lo-Rider Stst roundwounds on my Modulus Graphit 5 string, and they sound great for a rock 5 string bass with frets. They have no silk wraps on the ends. I sortof miss that cuz all my other strings had them, but maybe there's something extra to the sound without wraps. More harmonic content? I have the stock Alembic sets (pressure round nickels) on my Europa fretted 6 and Epic fretless 5. I would like to try the TI Jazz flats on the fretless, and the TI powerbass set on the Europa. Anyone have any experience with the powerbass set?
Kris

keurosix · « **Reply #7 on:** February 16, 2008, 07:25:00 PM »

Also, I did use Ken Smith Rock Masters stst round wound sets with the taper wound B string for years on my Modulus 5. While I liked the sound of these strings, the taper wound B string does not sit at the same height over the bridge saddle in relation to the other strings. To set it up without buzzing on an Alembic, the bass side of the bridge had to be raised too high for the E and A string, and it even felt lower to my right plucking hand. In fact, when I bought the Europa from G-Guitars, they put a set on for me, but I took them off within a week. They just didn't feel right with the Europa. I put on the stock Alembic CX-3 elliptical wrap set which sounded and felt much better. The Alembic set is really a smooth even sounding string, not too bright, not too dull, and they tend to stay lively for a really long time. It's a round wound string with a non-round wrap similar to a pressure wound string. They're really a good match to the Alembic electronics. I think they would record really well, too (Haven't tried that yet).
Kris

David Houck · « **Reply #8 on:** February 16, 2008, 08:56:35 PM »

TI Jazz Rounds.

mike13 · « **Reply #9 on:** February 16, 2008, 11:22:22 PM »

Roto Flats

jacko · « **Reply #10 on:** February 17, 2008, 04:06:34 AM »

I've been using DR's colour coated sets for quite some time on my Rogue and Epic and I've just got round to changing the MK to Black Beauties too...

Not only do the colours contrast perfectly with the woods, the strings feel superb - just the right tension for me - and sound excellent.
Aside from the original Alembic strings, I also tried DRs Marcus Miller Fat Beams which were also excellent, and I tried some rotosound Jazz flats on the fretless rogue but the tension was so great they felt like cheesewire. I have Labella deep talkin flats on my fretless kelly dragonfly and they give a nice 'almost upright' thump.

Graeme

briant · « **Reply #11 on:** February 17, 2008, 11:05:52 AM »

I typically have those DR colour coated strings on my Stingray 5 - black strings on a black bass looks great. :-)

811952 · « **Reply #12 on:** February 17, 2008, 11:56:54 AM »

Interestingly, I, being a hardcore Roto and Blue Steels user, have really been digging Fender flatwounds on my SI of late.

I'm using the 45-95 set, and they give me everything I need/want for Rock to Blues to Jazz. I don't pop with them, though, as they just don't sound good doing that, but really for everything else, I'm sold.

Also, I've been playing bass from the soundboard quite a bit lately, and the flats make it much easier to fit the instrument into the mix without having to EQ-out all my definition..

My bridge filter stays put in about the 1/3 open position, volume full. Neck filter is about half-open, volume 3/4. I mostly am getting my tone changes from the bridge Q-switch and tiny tweaks to that filter.

And they're cheap strings, which means something to me these days!

John

malthumb · « **Reply #13 on:** February 17, 2008, 02:19:51 PM »

I currently use Ken Smith Rock Masters on my two Alembic basses, DR Black Beauties on my Roscoe fretless, and DR Fat Beams on my Marchlewski 5 and modded Fender Jazz.

I may go to the Black Beauties on my Alembics. They sound so good on my Roscoe that I just have to give 'em a spin on my 'bics. The black strings also look great on an ebony board. My Roscoe is unlined ebony and from a distance looks like it is stringless as well as fretless.

Peace,

James

jazzyvee · « **Reply #14 on:** February 17, 2008, 04:42:41 PM »

I'm curious about the colour coated strings Jacko. Is the coating hardwearing and last the life of the string?

I've always used the Alembic strings on my SC but on the Elan I have think I have Fodera strings on. I think I'd like to try a lighter gauge on the SC so that I get a better feel of the strings higher up the neck.

How light could I go on a short scale base without losing the meat on the bottom end and some of the string tension?
Jazzyvee