124 replies to this topic

[ped]

Pinned. Thanks for dredging up the old info from Basstalk mate.

[Marcus]

Hi Guys,

I've never found anything to compete with the tone, feel and life of DR's (Hi Beams or Fatbeams) I use 45 - 105's and they feel like 40 - 100's in terms of playability.

You can buy cheeper but you can't buy better (IMHO)

They boil up great too.... !!

Mark

[dr.funk]

My first set of Elixirs arrived this morning, can't wait to try them out

[WalMan]

dr.funk, on Jul 10 2007, 10:12 AM, said:

My first set of Elixirs arrived this morning, can't wait to try them out

.....and?

I have to say I started using Elixirs a couple of years back and though they are expensive they just go on forever are even in tone across the neck and keep that tone pretty much until I realise that they are starting to look a little skanky and need changing.

The first set I got were freebies at the Guitar show in Wembley and I was hooked. Next year I bought a box from the Strings Direct stand (or possibly Stringbusters) at a knockdown price. This year no one seemed to be selling the bass strings so I could not stock up again damn them!!!

The box by the way has lasted two years of an average gig + rehearsal a week, and its not that I do not change the strings regularly, its that they hold tone for so long even beating them up quite hard with a plectrum.

IMHO after too many years playing you can buy cheaper, but it really is a false economy unless you find that elusive string that lasts with the sound you want

[Simon]

I spent years searching for the perfect strings until about a year ago i started using DR 40-95 guage. Amazing. Never used any others since!

[Sean]

DR Extra Life are fantastic. Great sound, last for ages and funky colours too. You can find 'em for a good price from US shops on ebay too.

[bass_ferret]

All the stuff copied from bassworld has been moved to the wiki - feel free to edit.

[paul, the]

My attention has been brought to strings again.

I've started looking at flatwounds and D'Addario Chromes (prob ECB81) are the most inviting due to price and availability. However, after further reading, the anti-stinge in me says I should got for TI Jazz Flats considering the amount of time I plan to have them on the bass.

I'm after a warm, flexible, intonation friendly soul/blues/funk thump with the potential for upper register soloing. Is it definitely worth holding out for the TIs?


---

Can anyone give a good link for affordable halfrounds?


Cheers,

paul.

[bass_ferret]

I thought you were going to try the Elites?

[paul, the]

bass_ferret, on Sep 28 2007, 12:51 PM, said:

I thought you were going to try the Elites?

Swings and roundaboots. I have a flats fetish again. Lifespan is also a concern.

[beerdragon]

Yeah that lifespan things a bitch.

[gilmour]

Has anyone tried the DR Fatbeams Stainless Steel Roundwound?

I play mostly funger funk and soul, I've currently got a set of D'Addario EXL 170's, round wound nickel. They feel great, but (I think it's the fact they are nickel) I find the tone a littel thin and over-Zingy.

So I'm considering the above DR Fatbeams - but £37 for a 5 string set - ouch!

[bass_ferret]

Tried TI Jazz Flats again on my fretted GB. Loved them. Funny thing is I tried them before at a different venue and they didn't really cut through enough so I took them off again. Its a funny old caper this.

There is an informative thread on flats here

[BassBunny]

markytbass, on May 28 2007, 07:24 AM, said:

I have been trying some flatwounds on both my basses. I have used Roto's Monal Flats and Roberts Flats. The Roto's 45-105 I found too tight and was tempted to go down to 40-100 but at nearly £30 a set I might wait. As for the Roberts the A-D-G seem ok but the E was too floppy and sounded some what dead. My next stop is probably going to be some Roto Solo55's preasure wound. I don't like steel strings they sound too zingy for me but nickle plated seem ok I have used Rotobass 45 & 50's in the past. They sound like a played in set of steels but slightly warmer and you can slap with them (if thats your thing).

I had the same problem with Roberts strings, the E was dead as a dead thing on dead day.
To their credit i gave him a call and got a replacement E string and a complete new set. Still bloody dead E string though.....

[Linus27]

For years I have used Elite Stadium's 40 - 105 and found them superb. I used to play with a plectrum playing Indie Guitar Punk Pop and they would last a long time. I used to play maybe a couple of nights a week plus 8 hour rehersals for 3 days a week and they would be good for some months. I used to break the odd one now and again but in terms of playability and tone, nothing beat them. You could also tell when they needed changing as the tone just dropped away and the punch vanished.

I now have a Vintage Fretless and going to give their Stainless Steel Flatwound. Not sure to stick with my usual 45 - 105 or try softer and go for 40 - 100.

[ped]

WalMan, on Jul 24 2007, 10:13 PM, said:

.....and?

I have to say I started using Elixirs a couple of years back and though they are expensive they just go on forever are even in tone across the neck and keep that tone pretty much until I realise that they are starting to look a little skanky and need changing.

The first set I got were freebies at the Guitar show in Wembley and I was hooked. Next year I bought a box from the Strings Direct stand (or possibly Stringbusters) at a knockdown price. This year no one seemed to be selling the bass strings so I could not stock up again damn them!!!

The box by the way has lasted two years of an average gig + rehearsal a week, and its not that I do not change the strings regularly, its that they hold tone for so long even beating them up quite hard with a plectrum.

IMHO after too many years playing you can buy cheaper, but it really is a false economy unless you find that elusive string that lasts with the sound you want

Exactly! My friend at Elixir said when people go into a music shop to buy the 'cheapest' bass strings, the person behind the counter will hand them some rotos or something - when actually Elixir's work out MUCH cheaper in the long run.

I have had Elixirs on my basses for some time now. I used to hate getting a new set of strings (used to use Elites) because the bass sounded great for a few days but then I could feel it dying in my hands! I am so glad I found Elixirs because now it is fresh every time - the strings I am using in my video (link in sig) are over a year old, listen how fresh they are!

Cheers
ped

[Bassmouseman]

I use Rotosound swing bass 66 and have for years.
When I got my new bass about 6 months back I tried a load of different strings but eventually ended up going back to the Rotosounds!

[lee650]

Hi there
I used D,adarrio XL'S for a long time, nice warm tone and a great slap sound, but most importantly for you they are fairly inexpensive so if you dont like them its not the end of the world, Rotosound are good quality and well priced although they can tear your fingers to shreds fantastic raw sound for rock. I also tried picato when i started and they are great for the money.
I currently use DR sunbeams which are gorgeous sounding but a bit pricey, but they do last,and dont forget the boiling trick on your old strings itll brighten them up but only for a day or two.
Enjoy your new band, regards-LEE




EDIT - Sorry I think i put this in wrong section of forum

I'm on the verge of joining a band in Uni, that play Blues and Funk - Hendrix, BB King, Howlin Wolf etc, and I've realised that I have yet to change the strings on my bass even though I've had it for 18 months and have been playing with stock strings since.

Basically, I've been playing a lot for the past 18 months but in bedroom, and a few half arsed jams so I've never really cared about the tone of my guitar, but I think its time to buy some decent strings. I simply do not really understand a lot of the technical side of the bass guitar, I basically read tabs and play. so I need advice badly cos I know fook all.

What strings would you more experienced lot recommend? I play a basic Washburn T14 so its hardly packs a nice tone, but because I plan to play slap and 12 bar blues type stuff, I want to treat myself to some new strings that may improve the sound. You have to forgive my stupidity as words like Roundwood or flatwood, or 105 super slinky gauge blah blah have literally zero meaning to me as I havent experimented with other basses, so please treat me like an idiot
[/quote]

[johnnylager]

I've just gone back to Fender Stainless Bass 7350M's (.045, .065, .085, .105) after trying many different kinds. Good life, easy to play. This gadgey does cheap strings... http://stores.ebay.c...trings-n-Things

[Jono Bolton]

johnnylager, on Feb 18 2008, 08:50 AM, said:

I've just gone back to Fender Stainless Bass 7350M's (.045, .065, .085, .105) after trying many different kinds. Good life, easy to play. This gadgey does cheap strings... http://stores.ebay.c...trings-n-Things

+1 Started buying all my strings from him. Massive selection and even with postage (which is usually about a quid) it beats buying anything they have on offer in Ayr (Ernie Balls, or cheapo lengths of cheese wire). If you order early enough in the day - before 3pm I think - you can have your strings the next day too. It cost me £14 for a set of D' Addario XLs the other day, which are my recommendation if anyone still checks this out. I like 45-100.