Oh No! Another Strings Thread! But this time it is about my Series 1 :)

[Deltaphoenix]

Hi All,

I am  loving my Series 1 but know I need to put some new strings on it. I have read through some threads on here about strings. I have also read about doing a set-up when changing strings. Great info for sure but of course I have a few questions.

I typically like a decent amount of zing/brightness in my tone, especially in band/recording settings as over the years I have found that my sitting in the mix tone doesn't sound as great on it's own and isn't my practice by myself sound. Obviously with the filters, I can dial that zing out if desired. As you may guess, I have mostly been into steel roundwound strings before I got into Dingwalls (and used special strings) I mostly used Ernie Ball Hybrid Slinky strings - I like the slightly thicker lower strings. I also experimented with a few coated strings as well.

On here, I see a lot of discussion about Rotosounds - never tried them but I have heard they are pretty bright strings. I haven't tried the Alembic strings but I am open to them - I haven't read a lot about them but I do understand there is a different core. What are the benefits of these strings compared to others (they are definitely a bit more expensive)?

A few other thoughts/questions:
Anybody have Ernie Ball Slinkys on their Alembic and liking it? I have a pack or two of their Hybrid  Cobalt strings (45-105) in my music junk drawer. I have to come to wonder if the cobalt strings would work with or against the Alembic philosphy, that I am going to kind of butcher, around less magnetic interference from the pickups which we all know leads to additional sustain and a more natural string sound.

Have any prior steel rounds players moved to flats with a Series bass because of being able to use the Q to add some brightness back into the sound? I have only played/used flats a couple of times in my life. Obviously their is decent change in how the strings feel but I could see a benefit to having a string the settles into a sound/set harmonic response that is consistent for a long period of time.

I am sure I will have some more thoughts but this should kick us off. Thanks!

[Mark 63]

My Series I came with Pyramid flats (when i got it). They have a lot of ring for a flatwound.

[jazzyvee]

I do like the Alembic strings on my series II bass as that bass is extremely bright sounding and my regular strings, D'addario pro steels, can sound quite harsh when using a bright tone on the bass and using Q.
The good things about alembic strings for me are they are are still bright but not harsh, they are smooth to the touch right out of the pack and that initial brightness stays for a good while longer than the pro-steels retain their initial brightness. The only downside i can think of is that I don't think my fingertips really like them or any other nickel coated strings for that matter. I've avoided nickel strings since my guitar playing days since my fingertips get sore after playing for a while. I'm not sure why they should do that but there you are.  But it's not bad enough to stop me playing and so I stick with them.
I have never used flats before and recently got some Labella Deep talking Nylon flats for my Europa bass. Whilst they are very smooth and low tension and have no finger noise I don't too much like the feel under my fingertips on those either. However I'm trying them out on a gig this coming weekend for the first time.

[growlypants]

I've "only" got a Signature, (!) but have gone from the factory Alembic strings, to D'Addario Chromes.  I freakin' LOVE 'em!

[adriaan]

Well... Over the years I've moved from hex core to round core.Then a Series came into my life with Alembic strings, which are hex core. As much as I liked the sound, my fingers weren't too happy, so I went to DR HiBeams. Next, TI Jazz Rounds. And finally TI Jazz Flats, which are just starting to settle in so they're still fairly bright - but no amount of CVQ boost will make them roundwound bright - though I should say the wood recipe on my bass doesn't particularly favour brightness. What I remember from EB strings on my Spoiler is mostly that they came off after not much playing time - dull roundwounds, not for me. But whatever your string choice, you need to look at the complete package, from the strings you play to the speakers that make the big noises, it all adds up (or subtracts).

[edwardofhuncote]

See... what you actually need is a couple Alembic basses with different strings. Right now, I've got T-I Jazz Flats on the '77 Series I, and T-I Jazz Rounds on the '81 Distillate. I'm covered. 

[Deltaphoenix]

I can’t argue that logic...only my bank account can.

I can see that I am going to do a bit of experimenting in order to see what speaks to me now with this new bass.

[David Houck]

The TI JRs do seem to last a long time.  I don't know how long other strings last since the JRs are all I use, but I have the impression that the high cost can be justified not only in tone and feel but also in string life.  I'm getting ready to change strings tomorrow (just oiled the fingerboard today and letting it sit overnight) and the current set has been on for years.  I practiced for a while today before oiling the fingerboard, and to me the tone still sounds strong.

But the JRs are definitely not for everyone.  Most people find them way too light.

[rv_bass]

Pyramid Gold flat wounds, I use them on all of my Alembics (and my Starfire), lovem’!

[hieronymous]

I started using flats in 2002, before that I was rounds all the way. I would say more than half my basses are strung with flats now. For the most part, I'm not looking for any zing from flats. There's some midrange that's cool - actually, I guess that midrange frequency response can have a lot to do with how you get along with flats. Tension is an issue too - some flats are fairly high tension (LaBellas come to mind, and Chromes too, though you can go with a lighter gauge) - I actually prefer higher tension, it just feels better to me, but everyone's different.

Chromes are known for having more high frequencies. I actually managed to record new D'Addario Chromes with a vintage Telecaster Bass equipped with Alembic Activator pickups. I had the filter turned all the way up, with the baked-in +8 boost, played through an F-2B direct into the board:

https://soundcloud.com/hieronymous-seven/8b4x4

It's an interesting sound, not sure if it helps you at all, but I think it's interesting as a record of what is possible with higher frequencies with flats and the Alembic filter.

[goran]

For me est strings that I love how they feel, last and sound are Labella RX, they just sound perfect on my Series 1, and they are really cheap....

[pauldo]

My 2 cents...
Rotosounds are zingy but I preferred GHS Bass Boomers, they are bright and for me, stayed bright longer than the Rotos.  I periodically tried different strings but always ended back with Boomers for about 20 years.

Recently switched to flats and may never go back to round wounds.

[chrisalembic]

In general I prefer nickel plated strings over steel strings. I like their midrange response and feel. My favourite roundwound nickel strings are Fodera Strings. They feel great, are very balanced, warm and still zingy with highs. They sound and feel great on all basses, also Alembics.
As for flats, TI Jazz Flats are my favourite so far. I also like Labella's but their tension is higher. I have Labella Black Nylons on a fretless, and I am very happy with the result. They are warm and woody, but have more sustain and singing character than steel flatwounds. Dont chew up the fretboard either.     

[Deltaphoenix]

@ David. I will look at the TI JRs again. I do remember thinking that those are small sizes. I have played bass for almost 30 years (with a few breaks in that time period) and what is funny is that a few preferences I decided upon when I was 12 have stuck with me. Thoughts about string gauges is one of them. Over the past 10 years or so I have been much more open to change and there have been awesome discoveries because of that. Maybe thinner strings will be a revelation.

@ rv_bass - I have heard different thoughts about the Pyramid Golds, specifically around the tension. I need to hunt down a tension chart. I do know that I like pretty even tension.

@ goran I haven't played any LaBellas. Definitely on my list.

@ pauldo I haven't played Boomers since I was a teenager. My parents moved us to a very rural area of Kentucky for 10-12th grade. The only place that I could locally buy Bass strings (no real internet eCommerce at this time) only sold Boomers. I guess I was rebelling against Boomers being forced onto me buy switching to EBs as soon as I got back to civilation lol

@ Chrisalembic  I have a Midibass that requires nickel strings and it needs some new ones very badly. I will grab a set of those Fodera strings and see what I think. I have only purchased Nickels for this bass and never really gave it much thought because I am really playing synthesizers with it.

[David Houck]

At the risk of thread hijacking, what is your midi setup?