What is your favourite brand of strings? (Survey)

[BigRedX]

Out of interest what do you intend to do with the info?

IMO the brand is less important than the actual string itself. I would be interested to know if the votes for Thomastik were for anything other than TI Jazz Flats.

I use different strings from different makes on different basses, and each string is picked on it's own merits and suitability for the bass.

For instance La Bella Hard Rocking Steels are great with my Gus basses but they didn't suit the Yamaha BJ5B at all. Also just because I like round-wound steels from a manufacturer doesn't mean that I'll like their Nickels or flatwounds as well.

[Jazzneck]

Have voted La Bella - 1953 Flats for my bitsa P and 54 P alike - BOOOOOOOM!
AEB1 - super long scale flats from Bruce Johnson which I think he gets from D'Addario.
MM Stingray has D'Addario Nickel RW Heavies but on the Mustang, Hofner and Bullet I use Status Black Nylons.

Edited August 9, 2012 by Jazzneck

[chrismuzz]

Been playing with D'Addario Prosteels for a couple of days now... A bit of a rougher feel on the fingers compared to Elites, but nothing like Warwick Reds! Mega mega bright too, and I got a proper 'piano tone' on my .125 B string, even on a 34" bass. Mega impressed! The gig tomorrow will be the true test, and then I'll see how long they last me... Might end up being a convert!

[clauster]

I voted Elites as they've been my string of choice for more than 20 years, but recently I've had a couple of sets of Rotosounds from the local music shop and they've been really good. Might be changing allegiance soon.

[EssentialTension]

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1344505531' post='1765483']
Out of interest what do you intend to do with the info?

IMO the brand is less important than the actual string itself. I would be interested to know if the votes for Thomastik were for anything other than TI Jazz Flats.

I use different strings from different makes on different basses, and each string is picked on it's own merits and suitability for the bass.

For instance La Bella Hard Rocking Steels are great with my Gus basses but they didn't suit the Yamaha BJ5B at all. Also just because I like round-wound steels from a manufacturer doesn't mean that I'll like their Nickels or flatwounds as well.
[/quote]
This hits the nail on the head.

I use TI Jazz Flats but wouldn't use any other Thomastiks.

I use La Bella 760 flats but would never use hard rockin steels.

[PlungerModerno]

[quote name='gjones' timestamp='1344468643' post='1765220']
Back using roto swing bass after I got a free set on this very forum and realised you don't get that punch from any other strings.
[/quote]

They are really good. Even if the steel ones eat frets! (if you fret lightly and have stainless steel frets it should be fine).
The sound vicious when you run them fully open.

[tauzero]

[quote name='JellyKnees' timestamp='1344429250' post='1764284']
if they did double ball end steels in my prefered guage I'd probably have them on my headless too, but they don't so I'm sticking with Elites on that for now as I haven't found a better dbe string.
[/quote]

Have you tried the Status dbe strings? I've got those on the headless and I think I'll be continuing with them. I use Elites for just about everything with a head though.

Guitar - I use D'Addario 10s and because I like a nice low action I get Mark D Phillips to file my nuts.

[steve-bbb]

[quote name='JakeBrownBass' timestamp='1344378859' post='1763807']
Elixir for me.

They sound great and last the longest out of all the 'coated' strings i've used. Plus, everything else feels too rough to nowadays!
[/quote]

i usually buy rs66 swing bass sets but couple of weeks ago out of economic necessity i got a set of the roto's for half the price of the swingbass

rough as a badgers thingy!

think i'll wait and stump up the cost of the swing bass in future - buying online is fine but when you have a great music shop in town i prefer taking my custom there and supporting them so the choice is limited to ernie balls or rotosound lol

Edited August 10, 2012 by steve-bbb

[PlungerModerno]

[quote name='steve-bbb' timestamp='1344603205' post='1766970']
i usually buy rs66 swing bass sets but couple of weeks ago out of economic necessity i got a set of the roto's for half the price of the swingbass

rough as a badgers thingy!

think i'll wait and stump up the cost of the swing bass in future - buying online is fine but when you have a great music shop in town i prefer taking my custom there and supporting them so the choice is limited to ernie balls or rotosound lol
[/quote]

If you keep it local for some stuff - there's a better chance they'll be there should you need them. Not at 11.35pm when you need them but they might be faster than a courier.

[stoker]

Love Rotos. Always used them and always will. Great tone for the money I think.

[bremen]

I have two basses that I use on a regular basis and use different strings on each - D'addario Chromes on my Precision and GHS Pressurewounds on my fretless. Seems unfair just to vote for one.

[steve-bbb]

[quote name='stoker' timestamp='1344604908' post='1767008']
Love Rotos. Always used them and always will. Great tone for the money I think.
[/quote]

i thought the tone from the regular rotos was good if only marginally less bright and zingy than the swing bass but on my bass the tension of the rotos seemed noticeably more than the swingbass (35inch/trb) - maybe it was all down to the tension - they do seem 'less rough' now theyve been on a couple of weeks though

[Shockwave]

Used to be Dean Markley Blue Steels, then had Rotosound for a while. Then Optima Golds, Then Status (Which were very good). But I have settled on Elixirs, very consistent quality. Great customer service and a fantastic sounding, long lasting string.

[deaky]

Rotosounds are the best in my opinion. I've been using the Swing 66s both nickel and steel and the tone is great plus they keep in tune no bother.
The customer service has also been fantastic.

Edited August 10, 2012 by deaky

[Mabrothrax]

It used to be rotosound, but nowadays I'm an (other) Optima Gold lover

[Dad3353]

Rotosound TruBass Black Nylon-taped, so not really comparable for things like 'zing'. They last literally years. I don't (can't...) play 'slap'...

[chrismuzz]

Just voted D'Addario after using them last night. The Prosteels are mega bright which suits my aggressive clanky driven tone really well... And they seem to put out less low end than any other strings I've tried... This is actually a good thing for me!

[Spike Vincent]

Wondering if it's a coincedence that Fender strings have the same coloured ball end system as Daddario?

[BassTractor]

[quote name='chrismuzz' timestamp='1344707216' post='1768247']
they seem to put out less low end than any other strings I've tried... This is actually a good thing for me!
[/quote]

Oh, man! Now you've done it.
I for one will miss you!

best,
bert

[chrismuzz]

[quote name='Spike Vincent' timestamp='1344708638' post='1768272']
Wondering if it's a coincedence that Fender strings have the same coloured ball end system as Daddario?
[/quote]

I'm sure D'Addario advertise the coloured ball end system as a unique thing


[quote name='BassTractor' timestamp='1344718987' post='1768456']
Oh, man! Now you've done it.
I for one will miss you!

best,
bert
[/quote]



Don't worry, it's only a good thing because I can get more headroom than ever out of my amp

[Mog]

Dean Markley Blue Steels. A fresh set every second gig.
I'll use D'addario EXL when I can't get Markleys.

Edited August 11, 2012 by Mog

[SlapbassSteve]

Roto Swingbass all the way, 50% for the tone and 50% for that sexy red silk. However if Elixir ever bought out a set of their coated lovelies with red silk ends my loyalty would be severely tested...

[RhysP]

I voted for LaBella as I use Slappers & Deep Talkin' bass rounds on my Zons.

However, when I bought my Spector Euro 5LX a few months ago it was strung with Dean Markley Blue Steels & I love them so I'll be using those from now on - just as soon as I can find somewhere in this country that stocks them......

[icastle]

[quote name='SlapbassSteve' timestamp='1344725611' post='1768578']
Roto Swingbass all the way, 50% for the tone and 50% for that sexy red silk. However if Elixir ever bought out a set of their coated lovelies with red silk ends my loyalty would be severely tested...
[/quote]

...any prizes for guessing your favourite colour..?

[Hamster]

I've used DR Sunbeams for several years and have sworn by them.

I've just bought my first set of TI Jazz rounds to put on my P/J.

Fabulous is all I can say.