bassjim Posted June 19, 2017 Share Posted June 19, 2017 Every now and then I stumble across things that other players have been using for years and swear by but its either stubbornness , scepticism, wind blowing the wrong way or I don't what, that prevents me from taking what could be sound advise. Couldn't get my usual strings so gave these a go and........will be using these a lot more. Like all the time. About £21.00 quid a set so more than I'm used to paying. I tried some of the expensive brands before and although many swear by them I wasn't that blown away, so went back to using cheap sets and changing them at least once a week, as I gig most weekends. The D'addarios however.. For me, I found they improved and enhanced my tone, and feel great to play. Felt a little weird at first and I had to check the G was the correct gauge as it felt too thin. The tension is probably a bit less than what I was using so that was also a not sure moment. After the first 5 mins however, once they settled down..really good. I usually kill a set of strings dead in a gig, particularly in this hot sweaty weather but this one set did a Thursday rehearsal and a Friday and Saturday gig and still good after that. Might of lost a little bit of zing but not totally dead. I'm very impressed so far so thought I would share this new found love for D'addario strings. I've been very sceptical of the hype that surrounds strings before especially when trying new things that pop up from time to time. I end up unimpressed and feel its a waste of time ,money and effort, and back off to the cheap sets I go. But not this time. If you like nickle wounds but haven't tried them yet I can recommend you give em a go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casapete Posted June 19, 2017 Share Posted June 19, 2017 My favourite strings, and I've tried most over the years. Always come back to these, last a good time for me and love the tone / feel. EXL170's suit me just fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FinnDave Posted June 19, 2017 Share Posted June 19, 2017 I always use d'Addario, with nickel round wounds and Chrome flats. Last for ages, great tone, easily available. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ead Posted June 19, 2017 Share Posted June 19, 2017 Serial abuser of the EXL170BT sets here. Major fanboy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave_bass5 Posted June 19, 2017 Share Posted June 19, 2017 [quote name='casapete' timestamp='1497864282' post='3320886'] My favourite strings, and I've tried most over the years. Always come back to these, last a good time for me and love the tone / feel. EXL170's suit me just fine. [/quote] Same here, although these days use the balanced tension sets as i find them a bit more comfortable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrismuzz Posted June 19, 2017 Share Posted June 19, 2017 I really like D'Addarios, they are probably my favourite uncoated strings. They seem to last longer than most that I've tried as well! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maude Posted June 19, 2017 Share Posted June 19, 2017 I've tried lots and jeep coming back to D'Addario, for the last couple of years I've had their half rounds (ENR72 50-105) on my two gigging basses. I can't get on with a light tension (bicker about that tension/compliance thing amongst yourselves please) and love the heavier feel and slightly dead round sound these have. I like played in rounds and these have that sound straight out the packet and stay that way for as long as you're happy to keep them on the bass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bubinga5 Posted June 19, 2017 Share Posted June 19, 2017 I do like nickels but I find they take away some of the single coil sound/magic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rumple Posted June 19, 2017 Share Posted June 19, 2017 EXL170's are my string of choice, they just work for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassjim Posted June 19, 2017 Author Share Posted June 19, 2017 [quote name='bubinga5' timestamp='1497891641' post='3321170'] I do like nickels but I find they take away some of the single coil sound/magic. [/quote]having tried the nickels im keen to check what else they have. what do you use for the single coil magic? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
40hz Posted June 19, 2017 Share Posted June 19, 2017 Best strings on the market bar none. Used to use Flexsteels but now discontinued so I'm back on the Prosteels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ahpook Posted June 19, 2017 Share Posted June 19, 2017 I'm a convert. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
machinehead Posted June 19, 2017 Share Posted June 19, 2017 I've been using EXL220BT nickels for quite a while. They do seem to last a long time - although the recent price rise is annoying. Frank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicko Posted June 20, 2017 Share Posted June 20, 2017 Big fan of EXL160s, although they are a bit too bright when I first fit them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lownote Posted June 20, 2017 Share Posted June 20, 2017 You must have read my mind before I wrote in it. I've tried pretty much every make of string and find whether I love them or not depends on the bass. At one point I had a Hohner 6 that I had to buy a hotel room for when i showed it Overwater strings, they sounded so good together. At the same time I had a Peavey Grind 5 that sounded great with D'Addario nickels. But one day I went mad and swapped them over and they didn't sound near as good on the other bass. But over time I have become a total D'Addario fan boy: EXL170s and the Chromes flats . For me the right tension, build quality, longevity and sound. But YMMV. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bazzbass Posted June 21, 2017 Share Posted June 21, 2017 been using D'Addario nickel rounds since 1979. have tried various other strings, but I keep coming back to these. Great bottom end, they settle down quickly and stay in tune afterwards. They maintain their tone after the intial zing for ages. I think I've had one dud set in all these years. I heard they just went up, shame coz they've been great value throughout my gigging life. Especially if you buy the twin packs online. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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