Growly, flexible, mid heavy B string (stainless)

GK Growl

GK Growl

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Dec 31, 2011
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#1
First, I have a nickel allergy so I'm looking for stainless steel rounds only.

I need some help guys and gals. I'm using D'Addario Flexsteels on all my 4 string basses and love them (yes, I know they are discontinued but I have a huge stash). They are really aggressive sounding with good mids and have a nice flexible feel. I've tried several Flexsteels 5 string sets and maybe it's bad luck but the B has been less than stellar on all the sets I tried. I've tried the D'Addario Prosteels and while they are nice and zingy, they lack mids and they don't flex like the Flexsteels. I've currently got some Dunlop Super Bright stainless steel on order hoping these might be close to the Flexsteels in sound and feel.

Does anyone have any other suggestions? From past experience, all the DR sets I tried do not have the mids these Flexsteels do. Slapinfunk suggested Labella RX stainless too.
 
#2
GK Growl said:
First, I have a nickel allergy so I'm looking for stainless steel rounds only.

I need some help guys and gals. I'm using D'Addario Flexsteels on all my 4 string basses and love them (yes, I know they are discontinued but I have a huge stash). They are really aggressive sounding with good mids and have a nice flexible feel. I've tried several Flexsteels 5 string sets and maybe it's bad luck but the B has been less than stellar on all the sets I tried. I've tried the D'Addario Prosteels and while they are nice and zingy, they lack mids and they don't flex like the Flexsteels. I've currently got some Dunlop Super Bright stainless steel on order hoping these might be close to the Flexsteels in sound and feel.

Does anyone have any other suggestions? From past experience, all the DR sets I tried do not have the mids these Flexsteels do. Slapinfunk suggested Labella RX stainless too.
Click to expand...

I'm also a big fan of the Flex Steels. Don't know about the standard .130 low-B, cause I use .135T low-B which I got from Jason just a month before he posted that they were discontinued.

I also have bought Dunlop SB SS for replacement when it's time to take off the Flex Steels, but too bad the standard 5 string set only includes .125 low-B, whereas I couldn't get the 6 string set (which comes with .130 low-B) or the .130 single locally, and there's no .135 gauge available to choose.
 
#3
Rotosound Swing Bass? Probably not as flexible as the Flexsteels but they do have some bounce and flexibility plus grindy growly mids.
My second choice would be DR Fatbeams which are flexible like the DR Hi Beams (both round core) but with a lot more mid content. They are the closest I've come to a Rotosound-like tone without using Rotos. They have great longevity too. I've had a set on my Fender AVRI 62 Jazz for months and they are still bright!
Hope this helps,
Brent
 
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#4
Maybe try Fodera strings? After seven months, I'm amazed that these strings still sound great on my 4 string MIM Fender and 5 string MIA Fendet Precision basses.

For me, these string took about six weeks to settle in and become mellower. Now they play with PBass pillowy awsomness.
 
#5
BrentSimons said:
Rotosound Swing Bass? Probably not as flexible as the Flexsteels but they do have some bounce and flexibility plus grindy growly mids.
My second choice would be DR Fatbeams which are flexible like the DR Hi Beams (both round core) but with a lot more mid content. They are the closest I've come to a Rotosound-like tone without using Rotos. They have great longevity too. I've had a set on my Fender AVRI 62 Jazz for months and they are still bright!
Hope this helps,
Brent
Click to expand...
I was a long time user of Rotosound Swing Bass 66 Stainless Steels, which went back as far as mid 1980s, before finally discovered that I like the Flex Steels better (though it was too late due to the discontinued thing). I can assure you, definitely not probably, that they are very different in terms of flexibility when comparing the same gauges or even comparing my last custom gauges of both: 130-105-80-55-35 Swing 66 SS vs. 135-105-80-60-45 Flex Steels, being the mostly thicker/larger gauges of Flex Steels are still way much more flexible, easier to bend or to pop than the smaller gauges of Swing 66 SS.

DR Fatbeams and Hi Beams were also on my list of Flex Steels replacements. But just as OP, I opted for the Dunlop first, due to info that the Dunlop are constructed using smaller diameter of hex core just as the Flex Steels and also due to the more affordability of the Dunlop. But for sure one day I'm getting the DRs.

Currently I have the Dunlop in my possession already, but haven't put them on since my Flex Steels are still on their top notch.
 
#6
Aidil said:
I was a long time user of Rotosound Swing Bass 66 Stainless Steels, which went back as far as mid 1980s, before finally discovered that I like the Flex Steels better (though it was too late due to the discontinued thing). I can assure you, definitely not probably, that they are very different in terms of flexibility when comparing the same gauges or even comparing my last custom gauges of both: 130-105-80-55-35 Swing 66 SS vs. 135-105-80-60-45 Flex Steels, being the mostly thicker/larger gauges of Flex Steels are still way much more flexible, easier to bend or to pop than the smaller gauges of Swing 66 SS.

DR Fatbeams and Hi Beams were also on my list of Flex Steels replacements. But just as OP, I opted for the Dunlop first, due to info that the Dunlop are constructed using smaller diameter of hex core just as the Flex Steels and also due to the more affordability of the Dunlop. But for sure one day I'm getting the DRs.

Currently I have the Dunlop in my possession already, but haven't put them on since my Flex Steels are still on their top notch.
Click to expand...
Yes that was my initial thought. The Rotos have the grindy/gowly midrange requirement of the OP but not the flexibility. I too have been using Rotos since the late 80's.
I had a set of Flexsteels and really liked the feel. I bought the 100-45 set and probably could have gone to the 45-105 set without issue. I put the set on my 62 Jazz and just felt it wasn't the right combination. Perhaps too aggressive? I couldn't get over how long they stayed bright though! Even though they are discontinued I'm sure you could find a supply somewhere.
Cheers.
 
#7
@GK Growl

Well, my Elixir .130 growls like a mofo, especially through my Cirrus. It had a nice grind on my old Ibanez BTB 6'er, too, so perhaps for your bass? The flexibility is fairly tight, though, but the clarity and grind are gorgeous.

This was a few years ago, with the Ibanez, as it cut well with the Elixirs. Proof of me is at 1:26. :p
 
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#8
@GK Growl

Come to think of it, even though they're coated, don't get the nickel-plated Elixir (regular ones)...the steels might work for you, though. I just thought of another great string that has everything you're looking for, and I think they're very underrated:

La Bella Stainless Steel Round Wound Series Bass Strings - 5 String Set

I used these for years, before I chose the longevity of Elixir, but LaBellas have really nice growl, string life, and flexibility. Also, I used a GK 1001RB-II with these strings. :)
 
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