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Relieving Pandemic Stress - Trying out some new strings!
- Thread starter LoTone
- Start date
I like elixir stainless steels. They last 6 to 12 months for me, but they're also 50 dollars a set. I just put some rotosound 66's on two of my basses because I got them on sale. I used to use hi-beams exclusively and still like how they sound, but my sweaty hands just seem to kill uncoated strings extremely quickly.
I only play stainless - I really detest nickel strings for me. I have read they are the string that does everything fairly well. In my opinion and in my hands they do nothing well. I even run SS rounds on my electric guitar.
For rounds I love Fatbeams. I like Rotos too but they are inconsistent. Pro Steels and Super Brights are good too. My favorite string of all time are GHS Flats though, the light gauge 3025s. Fantastic string! I have them on 3 basses and use them for about everything.
For rounds I love Fatbeams. I like Rotos too but they are inconsistent. Pro Steels and Super Brights are good too. My favorite string of all time are GHS Flats though, the light gauge 3025s. Fantastic string! I have them on 3 basses and use them for about everything.
Hard to say. I think I bought the remaining stock at my local music store. The Schecter CV5 has the GHS, but Labellas are on my ESP fretless 5 (excellent) and DePinto Belvidere (semi hollow body long scale). The DePinto used to be a bit too bright, now it's Beautiful. It seems like GHS-Schecter was a good choice because these seem to have a bit more brightness, but again my experience is limited. Before this I was trying LaBella low tension flats and they are perfect on my Moses neck PJ (classic flat sound) and Sterling By EB stingray 5 (super punchy!) But I had to change my Epi Jack Casady back to DR Blues nickel alloy because it works with those singing highs and taking them away made a thud machine. No need for a thud machine.
Due to expense, hard to try a ton of strings - however, my top two are the EB Super Slinky's and DA XL 170's, with the DA's coming out on top. I just keep coming back to them, due to their consistent, even tone across the tonal spectrum - bass-mids-highs. But, JMO of course. It's nice having a wide array to choose from, for sure.
I voted pure nickel. They last a long time and can cover all the bases. I also like nylons tape wounds & stainless steel rounds on my Jazz
Although I have mainstay strings, from time to time I really enjoy trying out something different. Like putting high quality round wounds on a Hofner, or TI Jazz flats on the Jack Casady. Both of those basses are very sensitive to the type of string you put on them, and you get noticeable tonal differences. That's good to know because it expands your knowledge of what you can do with them.
It's often like getting a new bass for the price of a set of strings. I found, after many years of being foolish, that's it's wise for me to store strings that've tried in 1 gallon zip lock bags, just in case, or for the next time I want to hear what they do.
It's often like getting a new bass for the price of a set of strings. I found, after many years of being foolish, that's it's wise for me to store strings that've tried in 1 gallon zip lock bags, just in case, or for the next time I want to hear what they do.
moon-bass
They call me El Jefe .. El Jefe del groove
Same here. Variety is the spice of life! I used to be 100% SS rounds, but a while back went to nickel plated and now I prefer the warmth of pure nickel. I also did some pandemic string testing and pulled a set of TI flats out of a bag and now I have flats on several of my basses. Then, a few months ago, I bought a bass that had LaBella gold nylons on - yet another game changer! I am now a huge fan. They won't replace pure nickels, but definitely found my number 2.
I am amazed more manufacturers don’t offer pure nickel strings. I couldn’t be given a set of nickel-plated strings, popular or not.
@Root 5 I hope you don't mind me asking?
What makes you like the Pure Nickel strings more than the Nickel-Plated strings?
1) they last exponentially longer, virtually impervious to tarnish.
2) Versatility. I can cover any genre with them.
3) Nickel-Plate today isn’t the standard because it’s the best, it happened because the price of nickel sky-rocketed in the 1960s and manufacturers looked for an alternative.
moon-bass
They call me El Jefe .. El Jefe del groove
They sound better as well. Less "zing." Price-wise they aren't much more than nickel plated. Plus, they are easier on the frets.
I haven't taken all my nickel plated strings off all my basses, but on the basses that I am keeping rounds on, I am putting pure nickels on when I change strings.
- Jan 30, 2004
- 6,985
- 7,161
- 5,346
- 61
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Mike Lull Custom Basses
I put a new set of Rotosound Swing Bass 66’s on my P-Bass a few months ago, and I’m still loving them!
- Jan 30, 2004
- 6,985
- 7,161
- 5,346
- 61
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Mike Lull Custom Basses
I love experimenting with strings!!!
I voted for Alloy 52 because I’m a huge fan of GHS Pressurewounds. I also like nickel plated roundwounds.
I haven’t had a set of stainless steel roundwounds on any of my basses for decades. A bunch of us were talking about Rotosound Swing Bass 66’s here, so I bought a set.
I’ve been enjoying their tone for the last few months, so when they go completely dead, I’m going to replace them with a set of GHS Super Steels.
I voted for Alloy 52 because I’m a huge fan of GHS Pressurewounds. I also like nickel plated roundwounds.
I haven’t had a set of stainless steel roundwounds on any of my basses for decades. A bunch of us were talking about Rotosound Swing Bass 66’s here, so I bought a set.
I’ve been enjoying their tone for the last few months, so when they go completely dead, I’m going to replace them with a set of GHS Super Steels.
Follow up. Went with the TI flats. Why not?
Had to lower my neck pickup a turn due to pole piece flippity floppity but they sound nice and feel nice. They replaced XL Chromes so you know there was a tension difference. Put a grin on my smug pandemic burnout face. Thanks for the motivating post.