Quality rounds for Danelectro Longhorn?

Feb 25, 2007
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The current set of D'Addario XL I have on is now on its last legs and I need suggestions on a similar replacement. The XL sounded good (not great) when I put them on, but the lifetime was not impressive, and they are not dying gracefully.

I look for a string with similar tension (not less), good fundamentals, some bite in the mids and better life expectancy. I do not know if I would prefer SS on it. Nickels work well, that I know.

Please note: while it is a MIK "Pro" model with slightly bigger tuners, they are still smaller than typical bass tuners, so Sunbeams and strings "sensitive to cutting" is a no-no.
 
In my experience, no roundwound strings last what you'd call a long time; which is one reason I don't care for them a lot. I tend not to use them unless they give me exactly the sound I want on a particular bass - my Gibson Thunderbird, for example. And, because I'm allergic to something in D'Addario's finishing process, I never use them at all, if I can help it. That said, I usually put EB Hybrid Slinkys on a new bass, and then go from there if I'm after a particular sound. But, they've stayed on a few of my basses. Lots of people don't think they last long at all; but somebody here will say that about every roundwound string that's mentioned. For me, they sound pretty good, and I've always managed to get my money's worth out of them. In fact, they happen to be what's on one of my Korean Dano DC Pros right now. I'm pretty happy with them - until I can put some light, Dano-gauge flats on it, anyway.. As for "strings sensitive to cutting" - I think you'll find that, if you put the right-angle bend in the string before you cut it, the problem will pretty much go away; no problems with the DRs on a couple of my basses, anyway...:)
 
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In my experience, no roundwound strings last what you'd call a long time; which is one reason I don't care for them a lot. I tend not to use them unless they give me exactly the sound I want on a particular bass - my Gibson Thunderbird, for example. And, because I'm allergic to something in D'Addario's finishing process, I never use them at all, if I can help it. That said, I usually put EB Hybrid Slinkys on a new bass, and then go from there if I'm after a particular sound. But, they've stayed on a few of my basses. Lots of people don't think they last long at all; but somebody here will say that about every roundwound string that's mentioned. For me, they sound pretty good, and I've always managed to get my money's worth out of them. In fact, they happen to be what's on one of my Korean Dano DC Pros right now. I'm pretty happy with them - until I can put some light, Dano-gauge flats on it, anyway.. As for "strings sensitive to cutting" - I think you'll find that, if you put the right-angle bend in the string before you cut it, the problem will pretty much go away; no problems with the DRs on a couple of my basses, anyway...:)

Thanks! I have never tried the Slinkys on any bass. Might give them a shot.
I have used Sumbeams a couple of times. Did not care for rubbery feel or that they went dull quickly. And though I followed the instructions to the letter (and I am good with tools!), both sets had the wrapping coming loose on the A string after a few weeks on a backup bass. Given this seems fairly common, I will not spend more money on Sunbeams. I still love the LoRiders, on other basses!
 
I recently restrung my Longhorn with short scale GHS Bass Boomers. I like the sound I'm getting with them but no idea if they are the optimal roundwound for this bass. Time will tell. The silk wrapped ends reach well past the tuners from the end of the string towards the nut so no issues with cutting them anyway. I've used Boomers a lot on several different basses, pretty happy with them overall.
 
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I have to apologize - I saw the Pro, but missed the Longhorn. Ernie Ball, as far as I know, doesn't make short scale strings. With the exception of a headless Kramer Duke and a Warmoth Mini P-Bass, all my short scale basses use medium scale/long scale strings, have flats or tapes, or God-knows-what on them. The Warmoth has DR Sunbeams, and the Duke has GHS Boomers. The Duke sounds really good with them, but IMO, 50-107 is getting a little big for a Longhorn. That said, I also have a new MIK Longhorn - with the D'Addarios on it. I have allergy problems with D'Adds (something in their finishing process), and never use them if I can avoid it; so they will come off real soon. I'm one of those people who think Danos really sound best with the original Dano-type strings, so I'm going to replace them with La Bella Dano-gauge flatwounds. They also make Rounds for a Longhorn; LB-760-ND is the number. Pretty light, though; 43-79. You might give them a thought...:)
 
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Getting good strings that last , besides flats was always an issue with me and the Longhorns. I even spoke to the makers of Elixers to see if they would start to produce short scale sets. I have cut off long scale rounds in the past to use on mine, and it was successful although not recommended. I never tried tapes on it, and if I still had mine I would probably give those a shot although the tension may not be high enough for your liking. They retain some high end considering they are a roundwound nylon wrapped string. When I gave my Longhorn to my Granddaughter a couple years ago I put a set of Chromes on it knowing they wouldn't get changed very often, and they have aged nice on the bass. They retain enough high end to work really well on the Longhorn.
 
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Bass.NP_.SN42-351x356.jpg
 
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Before parting with my Longhorn I put a set of D'Addario short scale Pro Steels on and played it for a while. The sound was awesome.
That was interesting. I tried a set of Pro Steels on my passive Precision, and could not get them off quick enough. Weak lows, extremely shy/bland mids and strange highs with lots of finger noise. My P since almost 20 years never sounded worse.
But still, it might work great with a Dano?
 
Please tell me more! What special qualities do you think they have over other brands?

I couldn't tell you specifically about short scale strings. I'm not sure of the brand that I received on the bass secondhand.

The Mod Bar, without doubt, helped my bass immensely. The Labella strings are typically a bit stiffer than many, which I prefer. The bass really came alive with a type of grind that was unexpected.

It really helped me forget that I was playing on a short scale bass.
 
I just put a set of GHS Pressurewounds on my Longhorn. Best so far.. It had on XLs when I got it. I switched to Chromes(my usual), but had mixed results with different amps. I put Pressurewounds on today and voila! A nice string, tone and feel is half way between Half Rounds and Chromes, IMO. Not rounds I know, but I AM in the midst of nailing down strings for my "new" basses. 3 months ago, all I had was the Tbird V in the pic.
 
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That was interesting. I tried a set of Pro Steels on my passive Precision, and could not get them off quick enough. Weak lows, extremely shy/bland mids and strange highs with lots of finger noise. My P since almost 20 years never sounded worse.
But still, it might work great with a Dano?

Yes, it was the most cutting combination of string and bass I ever used. But with some creative EQing, it turned out to be a good combo. If you want something not quite to that end of the spectrum, try a short scale set of GHS Precision flats on it. They sounded pretty good as well.
 
I recently restrung my Longhorn with short scale GHS Bass Boomers. I like the sound I'm getting with them but no idea if they are the optimal roundwound for this bass. Time will tell. The silk wrapped ends reach well past the tuners from the end of the string towards the nut so no issues with cutting them anyway. I've used Boomers a lot on several different basses, pretty happy with them overall.
How do you like your Boomers? Did you go Light Gauge 45-95 or heavier with the 50-107's? I just bought a circa mid 90's blue burst and put Short Scale GHS Precision Flats on it. Sounds OK but not enough bite through the mix. Thanks!
 
Light Guage. Didn't want to overstress the neck, not sure that's an issue, but anyway... Plus wanted strings with small enough ends to fit the holes in the tuners without having to modify them or drill them out.

Been giving it a set or two in the occasional 60's - 80's band I play in, gets a nice punchy sound with a bit of that thump you get with a semi hollow body. Like I said maybe not be the most optimal string choice (how the hell you gonna ever know without personally trying literally dozens of sets of different brands/types) but I like em.
 
Thank you. The hole-fit was a concern and maybe the fit at the nut might be a little oversized with the heavier gauge. No one in town sells short scale bass strings so it'll be kissing frogs on the internet. Boomers on my SB1 and I like em too. Thanks man.
 
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