WarrenD

I bought a Tanglewood Rebel 5-string bass in 1999 (well, my Dad did) and never quite got on with it. It had a very weak sound; little punch, dodgy input jack and a thumpy A string despite a few changes of strings. Certainly it was my least favourite bass of the seven I've owned, and the only one I've sold. However, If I had it now, I'd make better of it. I knew nothing about set up back then.

I should say their 'Custom Gauge' set is as most other standard gauges; .105 .85 .65. 45. It's also known as 'Standard .85' on stringbusters.com

Mr. Dread, I think the reason the standard set has an .80 A string is because during the early days of experimentation with John Entwistle, he tried various gauge mixes and decided .45 .65 .80 .105 was most comfortable, so that became the standard. If I'm wrong, I would say the reason is likely to be because .80 .105 are more balanced tension-wise than .85 .105. Cheers!

Hello Sir, You may well find quite an imbalance regarding tension for a drop tuning and this gauge mix. I recommend ordering single strings. If you're happy with EB slinky strings you'll probably like D'Addario XL Nickel too. They are sold as single strings on stringbusters.com. For C G C F tuning try 120-90-70-50, or similar. Cheers!

I'm using Rotosound Swing '66 Stainless Steel on two basses, D'Addario ProSteels and La Bella SS (formerly Hard Rockin' Steels) on the other two electrics. These three makes compare well. I would say the La Bella strings have the strongest low end response. They're not as trebly as the Rotosounds, but heavier for sure. The ProSteels are clear, heavy and simply excellent. I've Rotosound Bronze Bass '44 on my fretless acoustic and GHS phosphor bronze on my fretted acoustic. They're all great strings and I'd use these brands again. Other brands I've enjoyed and are on my usual 'rotation' are Elites, Ernie Ball, Dunlop and Fender.

Hello Ray, I have done this a few times and it can affect the wrapping at machine head part if the distance from peg to nut is different. Tone isn't affected but you're likely to notice a kink from the previous bending point, either around the peg or in between the nut and the peg. The main 'problem' for me has been, as a Swing Bass '66 user, it disturbs the silk winding, rendering it a bit unsightly as the string is fed through another bridge. This is only an aesthetic issue, and a minor one. Cheers.

Hello Sir, I've used Elites Player series strings and a few times and they're very decent, possibly the best nickel strings I've played. I'm more for steel nowadays but I'd recommend trying them. From your list, I'd also recommend trying Dunlop, very good also. Cheers.

Hey all, I don't know whether any of you have experienced this, and it's not really causing a big problem. When I look down the neck of my Warwick Streamer Standard, there's a slight forward bow along the E string (as I intend), however, if I look down the neck along the G string, it's virtually straight. This causes a bit of fret buzz on the lower frets for the G string (frets 1-3). I've adjusted the bridge saddle for the G string, to lessen the buzzing. If such information helps, it's strung with heavy Rotosounds (50.70.85.110), tuned D G C F. The neck has been this way for a few years. Any idea how this could have occurred? Or is it in fact common? Cheers!

Hi all, My strings arrived the day before yesterday, which is nice. They may not be used for a while, as I'm set for all basses currently, but I'll put them at the front of the 'queue'! I'm currently using Swing Bass 50-110 as it happens (tuned down half a step) on my Warwick Streamer Standard. They've been on for two months and sound great. Mind you, I'm currently bandless so just playing at home. Thank you Jason at Rotosound!

Is that everyone then? Mine haven't yet arrived but then they're coming to Sweden!

Sorry what's going on? I'm getting some Rotos for free?

I like Rotosound 66 but I would say Elites are more consistent in quality. However, I prefer the gauge mix Rotosound offer, it's more balanced for tension (45 65 80 105 or 50 70 85 110)) compared to 45 65 85 105 or 50 70 90 110 offered by most other brands....

Hello all, I'm curious about brand popularity and wondered whether anyone here knows the degree to which strings are popular. I posted this on an American website to which the response was D'Addario as the most popular bass string, followed by Ernie Ball, Dean Markley, Fender, Elixir, DR.... in an order roughly like this. Perhaps the order is different in UK or Europe, with Rotosounds higher up the 'ranking list'. Any thoughts?

....although I'm not Swedish. I'm from Surrey but have been living in Sweden since 2008. My name is Warren and I've been playing bass since 1994. Styles? 99% Metal or Death Metal and 1% Folk, something like that. I've never had much of an interest for learning other bands' songs, although I know some (mostly Megadeth, Metallica, Paradise Lost, Alice in Chains....) Basses: Peavey Milestone 1994 Yamaha 5 String 1998 Warwick Streamer Standard 2002 (main weapon) Fender Precision 2005 Acoustic Basses: Gremlin 2005. Ashbury Fretless 2007. Amps: Trace Elliot and Fender. Strings: Mostly Ernie Ball and Elites. I've tried many other brands (Rotosound, Dean Markley, Galli, D'Addario, Warwick, Fender, Dunlop) and I like them all. I'd say the best sound I've ever got was from Dunlop strings. My wife used to work for Fender, which has lead to us collecting a few guitars, although they're seldom used. We've also a Ukulele and a Cello, which I play although I'm a beginner. We've two cats (Ihsahn and Luna) who very much enjoy the sound of the acoustic basses (I should think so too), and our first child on the way, who hopefully will learn guitar so that they come into some use! What do I miss about England? Real Ale! Otherwise I'm satisfied. Hello everyone!