Has anyone used any of the German Optima 24K plated bass strings? If so, which ones and what did you think? These are an offshoot of the Maxima strings that Entwistle had used at one point. I have a project I would like to use them on for cosmetics if they are any good.
https://optima-strings.com/shop/en/guitar-bass/electric-bass/unique-24k-gold/ (https://optima-strings.com/shop/en/guitar-bass/electric-bass/unique-24k-gold/)
Thanks!
-Carl
Hi Carl,
I used them for quite some time with my former WHO tribute band.
They sound great, but are rather expensive and they wear out very quick.
I am more satisfied with Rotos RS66LD which JE also used and which keep
the piano sound quite longer than the Maxima/Optimas.
Just my opinion.
Greetz
Oliver (Spyderman)
FWIW, I often use Optima Gold and Optima Maxiflex Gold guitar strings. Other than the cost, I love them. And they seem to last longer than the GHS Boomers I also use.
Bill
Quote from: senmen on February 25, 2026, 03:12:35 AM
Hi Carl,
I used them for quite some time with my former WHO tribute band.
They sound great, but are rather expensive and they wear out very quick.
I am more satisfied with Rotos RS66LD which JE also used and which keep
the piano sound quite longer than the Maxima/Optimas.
Just my opinion.
Greetz
Oliver (Spyderman)
Thanks. I love the Roto strings but for this project, I wanted to do gold. :-)
Quote from: lbpesq on February 25, 2026, 09:06:06 AM
FWIW, I often use Optima Gold and Optima Maxiflex Gold guitar strings. Other than the cost, I love them. And they seem to last longer than the GHS Boomers I also use.
Bill
THanks. Any issues with them going dead fast? They won't be played much on the one they are going onto.
I'll be watching this thread as I have been considering trying them but the cost makes it hard to justify without having good reviews to give confidence in buying them.
slightly deviating...
in the early 2000's i ownd a steinberger XL-2 that was apparently haz-lab(?) equipped. i always put rotosound RS-66s on my fretted basses, so that's how i set it up. that stienie was the only bass i ever owned that was too over the top with rotosounds on it. so i put a set of maxima gold rounds on it and it tamed the sound perfectly. i don't recall them wearing faster than the rotos and i used to thrash that bass. dunno how that translates to alembic but there ya are. hth
I've had them on a bass before - specifically a MIJ Precision that was black with gold hardware.
They looked awesome, but ultimately I didn't love them enough to keep them on for very long.
Quote from: g-dude on March 03, 2026, 10:23:00 AM
I've had them on a bass before - specifically a MIJ Precision that was black with gold hardware.
They looked awesome, but ultimately I didn't love them enough to keep them on for very long.
Thanks!