Optima Gold Strings

[gregduboc]

I'm really thinking of ordering an Optima Electric Roundwound 24 Carat Gold string set for my bass.  
Has any one used them? Any reviews, opinions or pictures will be highly appreciated.
 
Greg

[eligilam]

I just strung up both my '74 Fender Jazz and '91 Rickenbacker 4003 with those.  Soundwise, they have a really clear, harmonic-rich tone, great for pick playing, slap, tap, etc.  Feelwise, the tension is good.  However, in my opinion, they are a little grabby on the fingers (which may improve once they've been broken in a little bit).  
 
When I got them, I had been allured by the promise of longer lasting new-string sound that I'd heard about on the internet here and there...So far, they still sound new about a month in, but it's still too soon for me to tell if they'll outlast other brands.

[terryc]

I agree with eligilam, they are expensive but I got them as an Xmas present.
They do feel more abrasive on the finger tips but they have a great attack response. To my ears they sound even brighter than stainles steel so maybe back off the high end on your amp or turn the filter back a touch.
They have been on for 5 months and still sound bright(regular gigs and nightly practice)

[jazzyvee]

I'd be surprised that such a small amount of gold plating applied to the strings would have any noticeable affect the tone considering the mass of the remaining material that the string is made of. I could expect less corrosion from perspiration and a cosmetic benefit. I remember when I was touring a lot I had loads of problems finding guitar strings that would resist corrosion from my fingers and tried all kinds but settled on Elixir as they lasted the longest and had a slightly warmer tone. I don't use them at all when I'm not touring at all as I prefer the feel of XL's. Maybe gold plated guitar strings would have been another option but I never came across them.
 
 
Jazzyvee

[slammin]

I have a set on my Peavey Cirrus 4 and also had a set on my Persuader.  The set on the Peavey have been on for almost a year and though I don't play it much, it's never in a case and the strings are still very bright.  I just now re-strung my Persuader with DR Black Beauties and I like the feel of them more than the Optima Golds, but it's due to the very low tension of the DR's more than anything.  Also, the Golds I had on the persuader were quite a bit heavier guage than these DR's.  Overall, the Gold's are great strings and look awesome on the Peavey and if these DR's don't last, I will replace them with the Golds.