Changing string brands

[ARGH]

Hi all....

Ive been a LOOOOOONNNG time user of Elites,and Im happyish,but I do wonder what else is out there...its been aeons since I changed brands.

Im Playing a 6,and just had an amazing conflab with 'James' at Stringbusters...and by the way we are going it looks as if DR's are where I might look next...

Then again,Ive had the Yanks say I should give R.Cocco a shot,and then AGAIN,I get another set of bods saying SIT's ...

Has anyone got any exp with the above brands/manufacturers,in the field usage,general tone,feel etc

I play Heavy Metal,and do functions/clubs/pubwork.....I hate Nickel,and prefer a roundcore. Im also a fan of heavy guages.

Edited December 23, 2008 by ARGH

[Stan_da_man]

I use D'Addario's and I play hard rock/metal. I've been using them for about a year now and they're very good strings.

[bass_ferret]

I use Status Hotwires. All strings are available with double ball for those that dont like heads.

[ARGH]

[quote name='bass_ferret' post='361846' date='Dec 23 2008, 11:57 AM']I use Status Hotwires. All strings are available with double ball for those that dont like heads.[/quote]
Im happy to announce that I dont have that problem/design fault

ON TOPIC: So has anyone tried DR's?

Edited December 23, 2008 by ARGH

[crez5150]

+ 1 on the Hotwires..... and not too expensive!!

[Merton]

[quote name='ARGH' post='361848' date='Dec 23 2008, 11:58 AM']Im happy to announce that I dont have that problem/design fault

ON TOPIC: So has anyone tried DR's?[/quote]
DRs are good. Status Hotwires remind me of DRs but are cheaper and British

[ARGH]

[quote name='Merton' post='361850' date='Dec 23 2008, 12:01 PM']DRs are good. Status Hotwires remind me of DRs but are cheaper and British [/quote]
Thanks...may I also add,and this is genuine,cost is no option.

[NancyJohnson]

D'Addarios for me.

I've got D'Ads on all mine, including the 12 - I've got a 12-string set of SIT strings that I might reshore the Waterstone with over Christmas.

I'm VERY interested in the DR Hellborg strings, but as of yet they don't come in five-string/super long sets.

P

[warwickhunt]

[quote name='crez5150' post='361849' date='Dec 23 2008, 11:59 AM']+ 1 on the Hotwires..... and not too expensive!![/quote]


[quote name='Merton' post='361850' date='Dec 23 2008, 12:01 PM']DRs are good. Status Hotwires remind me of DRs but are cheaper and British [/quote]

Hotwires are 25 Euro (+postage) a pop, I realise that isn't 'too' expensive but it is on a par with the prices I've found on-line for DRs and Thomastiks... or are they available cheaper elsewhere.

Sorry, I realise the OP has no limits on cost etc but I'm as tight as a gnat's chuff!

[ARGH]

anyone use anything a bit different? like Tomastik or Pyramid

[Merton]

[quote name='warwickhunt' post='361861' date='Dec 23 2008, 12:13 PM']Hotwires are 25 Euro (+postage) a pop, I realise that isn't 'too' expensive but it is on a par with the prices I've found on-line for DRs and Thomastiks... or are they available cheaper elsewhere.

Sorry, I realise the OP has no limits on cost etc but I'm as tight as a gnat's chuff! [/quote]

Haven't bought any for a while so haven't noticed a price increase, ah well!

[quote name='ARGH' post='361995' date='Dec 23 2008, 02:08 PM']anyone use anything a bit different? like Tomastik or Pyramid[/quote]

I used TI's once, they were sh*t. IMO.

[lemmywinks]

I recently converted from Elites (used em for 5 years) to Elixirs, loving it but not really what i'd use for metal.
When i did play a lot of metal i used LaBella Hard Rockin Steels and found them to be excellent for that style, i think i ended up using the 50 - 110s as i broke the thinner ones.
Jason Newsted used em in metallica and he hammers his basses, plus they're cheap too

[johnnylager]

I must have got a dodgy set of Lo-Riders - went off within an hour, fancy them Hellborg jobbies though. On EB Slinkys at the moment...

EDIT: If it ain't broke though....

Edited December 23, 2008 by johnnylager

[Lfalex v1.1]

DR Fatbeams are super.
And they have round cores.
The compression winding technique that DR uses helps to add mass, but doesn't seem to increase stiffness for a given gauge.
Apparently the .105 E string uses .108's worth of metal.
Good tone, nice and compliant / responsive, plus they last and last...

[ARGH]

anyone try/use Hi-beams?

[Noisyjon]

[quote name='johnnylager' post='362031' date='Dec 23 2008, 02:45 PM']... On EB Slinkys at the moment...[/quote]

Same here and love them.

[chris_b]

[quote name='johnnylager' post='362031' date='Dec 23 2008, 02:45 PM']....I must have got a dodgy set of Lo-Riders - went off within an hour....[/quote]
I gig the same bass between 1 and 3 times a week so, somehow, I must to be very kind to my strings!
I usually use Lo-Riders or sometimes Hi-Beams, depending on what's available. They zing for a couple of months then get into the nice mellow phase until I change them, usually at 12 months. Unless DR really screw up I'm a customer for life!

[stingrayfan]

I tried quite a few brands and never really settled on anything. They were either too rough, or went dead too quickly. Took a punt on some cheap Hartke strings and I use nothing else now. They work out about £6 a set and sound really zingy for quite a while. Feel good to play too.

[Bay Splayer]

i use DR fatbeams

sound great for ages......
and then sound good as new after a day soaking in meths

about £15 on e-bay

[warwickhunt]

[quote name='uptonmark' post='362137' date='Dec 23 2008, 04:49 PM']i use DR fatbeams

sound great for ages......
and then sound good as new after a day soaking in meths

about £15 on e-bay[/quote]

When was the last time you got a set of DRs for £15? You must have been re-using the set that you have for a while.

[thepurplepea]

[quote name='ARGH' post='362044' date='Dec 23 2008, 03:01 PM']anyone try/use Hi-beams?[/quote]

I, like you, used elites for a long time - about 10 years. Its only this year that I tried DR hi-beams. Fantastic...love them. But very pricey. Gotta be careful how you fit them too, as they have an inner core that can de-tach from the other layer.

I then got a set of D'addario Nickels free for my 6'er and they are even better! So now I'm pro-d'addario. Can't fault them.

Not a big fan of Warwick strings - even though I have four warwick basses and think the world of them.

[Jarhead]

A bit OT, but I was wondering, what do people recommend as a very bright string that holds its tone for a while, in 50-110 gauge. If possible without silk wrappings as well, but doesn't need to be. Any help greatly appreciated.
Zach

[Jean-Luc Pickguard]

[quote name='Merton' post='362017' date='Dec 23 2008, 02:30 PM']I used TI's once, they were sh*t. IMO. [/quote]
Thomastiks are not to everyone's taste as they are very flexible and respond better to a light touch. They're all I use on most of my basses and I've never had a bad set. They're certainly not sh*t IMO.

Rotospounds on the other hand...

[ARGH]

Thats what I was worried about..light touch..I hit like a Mule and grab like a Crab...its heavyweight,and I like MASS,and power,and a consistant tone....

Any other suggestions?

[Bay Splayer]

[quote name='warwickhunt' post='362141' date='Dec 23 2008, 04:52 PM']When was the last time you got a set of DRs for £15? You must have been re-using the set that you have for a while. [/quote]

two sets for £31-74,,,,, £15-87 each + p&p

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2-sets-DR-MARCUS-MILLER-FAT-BEAMS-BASS-STRINGS-45-105_W0QQitemZ110322361180QQcmdZViewItemQQptZGuitar_Accessories?hash=item110322361180&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1298%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2-sets-DR-MARCUS-MIL...A1%7C240%3A1318[/url]