Which strings feel the nicest?

[Annoying Twit]

So, which strings feel the nicest? Either by type (e.g. flatwound), brand, or even actual strings (e.g. RotoSound RS66ld). I'm not interested in sound or how long they last, just curious about actual feel while playing.

I realise this will be highly subjective. But I'd be interested in hearing comments. Surely a lot of the 'feel' of a bass is down to the strings.

[Ou7shined]

For me it starts with nickle. Anything else feels harsh.
Nanowebs are my string of choice these days and now that I've gotten over the slightly frictionless feel of them, again most everything else feels spiky in comparison. Oddly enough there is little difference in the feel of the nickel and the steel nanowebs.

Edited December 3, 2013 by Ou7shined

[KiOgon]

TI Jazz Flats = no contest IMO, not cheap but so nice & last for a very long time

[Ou7shined]

There's a thing. I do like the sound of TI flats but they feel too compliant.

[Annoying Twit]

One problem with finding strings that feel nice is that it's not often possible to try out the more specialist strings without purchasing. And going through a wide range of strings by purchasing could be expensive. A USA Fender I tried today might have: Fender® USA Super Bass 8250M, Nickel Plated Steel: .045, .065, .085, .110 Taper Wound Gauges (according to [url=http://forums.fender.com/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=54246]here[/url]). What are the stock strings on a Squier Affinity p-bass? I tried to search, but just found huge numbers of pages recommending that people change them.

I'm not sure what the source of it is, but there is a very definite difference in feel between Squier Affinity basses and Fender USA. Some of that is a better action possible with better construction/fretwork. But, surely once there are no sharp frets etc., the strings must be a major part of the 'feel'.

I've googled, and there seems to be a lot of opinion that TI Jazz Flats are very good strings and feel very nice. E.g. http://basschat.co.uk/topic/197248-ti-jazz-flats/ But as with many questions of feel, clearly that's subjective. My 'experiment' bass is my sixer, but that would boost the cost of trying TI Jazz Flats even more. Ou7Shined, what do you mean by 'compliant'? I like strings that feel a bit stretchy or rubbery, and don't like strings that are too stiff, or feel a bit like 'bars' not strings. 'Compliant' might be a good thing for me, depening on what you mean.

[redstriper]

[quote name='Annoying Twit' timestamp='1386109251' post='2296032']
I like strings that feel a bit stretchy or rubbery, and don't like strings that are too stiff, or feel a bit like 'bars' not strings.
[/quote]

TIs it is then - but round or flat wound?

[Ou7shined]

[quote name='Annoying Twit' timestamp='1386109251' post='2296032'].... Ou7Shined, what do you mean by 'compliant'? I like strings that feel a bit stretchy or rubbery, and don't like strings that are too stiff, or feel a bit like 'bars' not strings. 'Compliant' might be a good thing for me, depening on what you mean.
[/quote]
Yep TI's are quite rubbery (or floppy). But there's rubbery and there's rubbery. If you prefer extra compliance (rubberyness) then they may well be for you but if you've never tried them before then I doubt you'll have experienced much quite like them. I have TI's on 2 of my basses and they do sound great but for me their compliance makes them best for lazy, plodding bass lines.

[Jonnyboy Rotten]

I got a set of D'addarios on my Ibby SR300 and as it was my first bass I didnt know any better but my guitary mates said they were a good brand. I have a set of DR black beauties on my P bass and they feel great. Like they are coated in smooth teflon or summat.

[lozbass]

TI Jazz rounds are very compliant and are very light gauge - they're expensive but very well made and feel extremely comfortable (to me). They're nickel and wound onto a round core - this is a principle component in their compliance. I think the Gallery are doing a good deal on TI rounds (and flats) at the moment

[Dandelion]

La bellas flats for me, but I have never tried the Tis.. The La bella feel really supple and compliant. and glassy smooth..

[Annoying Twit]

[quote name='Ou7shined' timestamp='1386112226' post='2296097']
Yep TI's are quite rubbery (or floppy). But there's rubbery and there's rubbery. If you prefer extra compliance (rubberyness) then they may well be for you but if you've never tried them before then I doubt you'll have experienced much quite like them. I have TI's on 2 of my basses and they do sound great but for me their compliance makes them best for lazy, plodding bass lines.
[/quote]

I've been thinking about this post for a while, and while in some ways it seems that TI flats should be for me, I'm really not aiming for just lazy plodding bass lines. I wish there was a place I could go and try them out. The only way I get to try out quality strings is to try out expensive basses in shops, and find out what strings they come with stock. (Note mention of Fender strings earlier up). I've also seen comments elsewhere on this forum that the low B string for TI flats is just a bit too floppy, and I wouldn't enjoy that I think. That leaves my four string, which at the moment I've made the decision not to £&$% with.

I need to go somewhere where I can try out some more quality strings.

Slightly OT for this thread, but at the 'bass bashes', is there ample opportunity to (carefully and respectfully) try out other people's gear? I can imagine that many would be very hesitant to let people touch their pride and joys.

[BigBassBob]

In terms in feel I've always found GHS Boomers to be very pleasant under the fingers. That said, my favourite strings are DR Sunbeams for feel, tone and lifespan.

[Ou7shined]

If you bough a set and didn't get on with them you could always whip them off again and sell them on here for a few quid less. You will be wiser for the experience and one step close to finding out which strings are best for you.

You could always put up an ad for a used set in the wanted section on here too.

I have never taken a bass to a bash where I've not wanted people to have an oportunity to try it out. That's kinda the whole point.

[Matt P]

whatever the Flats are that are on my Precision, they're a random used set that the previous owner (Dodge bass) found in the cupboard, there were a few ideas at the NE bass bash and the general thought was that they could be Roto's (the Steve Harris sig ones maybe.)

one day i'll get round to taking some pics and ask for the wisdom of Basschat to determine what they are.

Matt

[6v6]

[quote name='Annoying Twit' timestamp='1386231096' post='2297375']
I've been thinking about this post for a while, and while in some ways it seems that TI flats should be for me, I'm really not aiming for just lazy plodding bass lines. I wish there was a place I could go and try them out. The only way I get to try out quality strings is to try out expensive basses in shops, and find out what strings they come with stock. (Note mention of Fender strings earlier up). I've also seen comments elsewhere on this forum that the low B string for TI flats is just a bit too floppy, and I wouldn't enjoy that I think. That leaves my four string, which at the moment I've made the decision not to £&$% with.

I need to go somewhere where I can try out some more quality strings.
[/quote]

I've got TI flats on two basses, and they are great, sound and feel awesome, but they are quite bendy.

I found the trick is to raise the action a little, have a bit more relief on the neck than you would with less compliant strings, and play with a fairly light touch.

If you like playing with a super low action, or you play hard fingerstyle you might find them frustrating, but otherwise they are very good.

[tredders]

Another vote for TI flats. I think I've got them on 4 of my basses, and anything else just feels "wrong" now. Love 'em.

[discreet]

The first time I used La Bella flats the smooth feel and colour reminded me of a slow-worm I had as a pet in 1969.

[goblin]

I like the feel of Elixir Nanowebs, I think I've got nickels (bass came with them so I'm not sure!). They're a lot better than the last set of coated strings I tried (Roto Nexus)

[uncle psychosis]

I love the feel of flats, but I can't *quite* get on with the sound. I'm hoping that pressurewounds will be a halfway house.

[WarrenD]

If I chose a particular string based solely on feel it would be D'Addario XL Nickel. Nickel rounds feel very smooth anyway but these ones, I would say, are the smoothest.

[JapanAxe]

I was going to start a thread about the feel of round-wounds, but then I found this thread. I don't want to hijack the thread, but has anyone found a particularly smooth-feeling round-wound set? I like flats but I don't think they would suit my new Pawn Shop Mustang.

[Jus Lukin]

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Edited February 19, 2022 by Jus Lukin

[BassBod]

DR Sunbeams. Like normal strings, but nicer. TI flats are great..but a bit too floppy for me.

[Dandelion]

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1386278047' post='2298297']
The first time I used La Bella flats the smooth feel and colour reminded me of a slow-worm I had as a pet in 1969.
[/quote]

Yes thats it!!!

They feel like slow worm / Millipedes..

[Conan]

[quote name='Dandelion' timestamp='1387361311' post='2311005']
Yes thats it!!! They feel like slow worm / Millipedes..
[/quote]

More millipede than slow-worm IME... and I used to have pet slow-worms too!

Call me a masochist if you like (I can take it... ) but I like the rough feel of Roto 66s... keeps my finger-ends tough. They can be a bit hard on the frets though.