Author Topic: Hartke strings (Read 234 times)

smokin_dave · « **on:** April 11, 2012, 03:24:32 PM »

It was a deal I just couldn't pass up.Hartke strings for just $14.00 a set of fiver med.Don't know if any body else has tried them or not and I just became aware of Hartke strings.When they get delivered I'll slap on a set and report back.
Since I'm always short on funds,that's a price I can live with and tell me what you think if anybody has used these strings or not.

S.Dave

811952 · « **Reply #1 on:** April 11, 2012, 05:23:27 PM »

I had three sets gifted to me a few years ago, light gauge 4-string. I regifted them and had an opportunity to play a set on a friend's bass. They seemed fine to me.

John

bassilisk · « **Reply #2 on:** April 12, 2012, 09:52:53 AM »

A number of years ago it looked like they were going out of production so Ash ran a blowout and I picked up a number of sets for very little (I don't remember exactly but I couldn't pass it up) figuring I'd use them as test strings.

Recently I found an occasion to dig into that stash and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised with the set of nickels I put on this bass. I thought they were at least as good as D'Addarios. I don't know how their longevity is, but out of the box they were fine and certainly a good bang for the buck.

smokin_dave · « **Reply #3 on:** April 12, 2012, 10:40:01 AM »

Well that's good to know.Since I've got a full couple of months of shows staring at me,I should be putting them through the paces and see first hand about longevity.
Thanks for the input folks.

S.Dave

benson_murrensun · « **Reply #4 on:** April 12, 2012, 12:21:25 PM »

I bought some on a blowout from Musician's Fiend years ago, they were about $15 for a pack of 3 sets, so I bought 3 packs. I still have some. They seem to be fine, especially for the price!

mario_farufyno · « **Reply #5 on:** April 12, 2012, 04:14:59 PM »

Try the Bassic line from GHS. I don't know if you like their tone (they are slightly brighter sounding than the more popular boomer model), but they feel great for me and they are the most affordable set at GHS.

In fact, I choose them because they have one set (L6000) with a heavier E (0.102) than usual on a 0.040 light set. It is my first choice since I feel string's stiffness balances better that way. And they are cheap as a bonus, I love them!

Have a try, they cost less then US$12,00 at juststrings.com. In GHS's site you can find links to partners sellers at internet and they all offer that set at low costs like that.

yogalembic · « **Reply #6 on:** May 06, 2012, 02:37:52 PM »

These were the worst strings I've ever, EVER played. Period!
I returned them to Sam Ash (3 sets for something like $25.00....yeh, yeh, should've known, but what the hell), and the idiot Sales Mgr. refused to give me my $$$ back.
So, I was so hacked off, that I wrote a persopnal letter to Richard Ash in NYC, laying down the Sales Mgr.'s name and the fact that he was such a prick about it!
Richard gave me a total refund.

smokin_dave · « **Reply #7 on:** May 07, 2012, 01:58:50 PM »

Well, admittedly Hartke's aren't my first choice of string but being severely cash strapped for the time being,I have to say I'm more pleased with these than I thought I would be.
Nope,they are not DR Lowrider's like I really like but so far I have no real complaint's and you can't beat the price.

bigredbass · « **Reply #8 on:** May 07, 2012, 11:00:23 PM »

There's actually only a few string manufacturers, who make their own label strings, then everyone else's with their name on it. Ernie Ball's have always been outsourced, for instance. Alembic's are. Not uncommon at all. The catch is, usually the made-under-contract strings fall into two categories: Somebody wants something special (like Alembic, with those oval'd outer wraps) that are really nice, or something built to a price. Built to a price usually means they won't be like that maker's own label strings, which could be OK or better, or they're just cheaper, to give the reps something else to make money on.

I've tried everything in my time from Black Diamonds to Thomastik, and three weeks from now, they all lose it and sound the same to me. I'm living proof of the Ancient Maxim: Take Good Care of Your Strings, and They'll Go Dead Anyway ! Sheesh . . . . .

J o e y

benson_murrensun · « **Reply #9 on:** May 08, 2012, 10:09:17 AM »

Can you tell when a flatwound string goes dead?
(Just kidding. Partly.)

mario_farufyno · « **Reply #10 on:** May 09, 2012, 06:06:25 AM »

They are some kind of Zombies that never were live...

smokin_dave · « **Reply #11 on:** May 23, 2012, 10:25:57 AM »

And so for my final analysis on Hartke strings is this,you get what you pay for.I know,I know.Cheap usually means...well,cheap.As in cheap material,cheap production,cheap quality,you know,crap.The first set I went through was fairly decent but the second set,wow.Talk about lack of quality control.Two of the five strings sounded like I've had them on for a couple of years.They were so bad I just laughed.Well,I guess I'm back to saving up the cash and going back to DR's.I mean after all,cheap just means a crap shoot with quality which in the long run I just can't afford to gamble.

yogalembic · « **Reply #12 on:** May 23, 2012, 10:56:29 AM »

That's the challenge with bass strings. Guitar strings---sure, $4~5 a set. A little more forgiving in terms of investment in finding a right ones.
With bass, holy cow! Easy to get into $100+ and still not having the right ones.

youtube has been a great help. There is one video where a guy plays a P bass and does a live/splced comparison between 4 different sets of flats. Way great!
I went with the D'Addario Chromes. Fantastic string.

yogalembic · « **Reply #13 on:** May 23, 2012, 10:56:33 AM »

That's the challenge with bass strings. Guitar strings---sure, $4~5 a set. A little more forgiving in terms of investment in finding a right ones.
With bass, holy cow! Easy to get into $100+ and still not having the right ones.

youtube has been a great help. There is one video where a guy plays a P bass and does a live/splced comparison between 4 different sets of flats. Way great!
I went with the D'Addario Chromes. Fantastic string.