Hot Tub Posted August 24, 2009 Share Posted August 24, 2009 I fitted a set of Rotosound Nexus strings to my 5-string bass on June 10th - so about two and a half months ago - and a quick calculation shows that they've got around 180hrs playing time on them. And the coating's coming off! The E string has a two inch stretch which is almost pure silver now around where I pluck, and the others are going the same way. I think I've got a pretty light touch. Is it normal for the coating to wear so quickly??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crez5150 Posted August 24, 2009 Share Posted August 24, 2009 are you using a pick? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hot Tub Posted August 24, 2009 Author Share Posted August 24, 2009 Use a pick for "With Or Without You" and "Not Fragile", but everything else, general noodling, is all 2 or 3 fingers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ped Posted August 24, 2009 Share Posted August 24, 2009 That's interesting. I use Elixirs and have had the same set on my fretted for over a year and they how no signs of flaking whatsoever (though I never use a pick) and still sound fresh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hot Tub Posted August 24, 2009 Author Share Posted August 24, 2009 [quote name='ped' post='579378' date='Aug 24 2009, 06:51 PM']That's interesting. I use Elixirs and have had the same set on my fretted for over a year and they how no signs of flaking whatsoever (though I never use a pick) and still sound fresh.[/quote] The Nexuses (or is that Nexi?) sound absolutely fine. They're just looking gawd-awful! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ped Posted August 24, 2009 Share Posted August 24, 2009 Annoying! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deksawyer Posted August 25, 2009 Share Posted August 25, 2009 The Elixirs on my Wal are over 3 years old and still have a lot of bite in them. I like! D. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted August 26, 2009 Share Posted August 26, 2009 Why don't coated bass strings retain their coating when you play them with a pick? There are coated guitar strings available and nearly every guitarist uses a pick and you don't hear of any problems with them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raggy Posted August 26, 2009 Share Posted August 26, 2009 I put some Nexi (Nexuses) on Friday, gigged with them Saturday and the coating started to come off straight away. Mind, I play with a pick most of the time and absolutely batter the strings so it was expected. Not overly keen on the sound I got from them either. So they are now on the back up bass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
odub Posted August 26, 2009 Share Posted August 26, 2009 [quote name='BigRedX' post='580994' date='Aug 26 2009, 09:22 AM']Why don't coated bass strings retain their coating when you play them with a pick? There are coated guitar strings available and nearly every guitarist uses a pick and you don't hear of any problems with them.[/quote] I use coated on guitar and they lose the covering pretty quickly when using a pick, I think it's just accepted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted August 26, 2009 Share Posted August 26, 2009 [quote name='odub' post='581005' date='Aug 26 2009, 09:26 AM']I use coated on guitar and they lose the covering pretty quickly when using a pick, I think it's just accepted.[/quote] That kind of defeats the object doesn't it? I have to say though that both the guitarists in my last band used Elixiers (I thought they felt pretty horrible myself every time I tried one of their guitars - I've stuck with D'Adddrios on my 6 strings) and neither ever seemed to have a problem which is why I asked. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
odub Posted August 26, 2009 Share Posted August 26, 2009 I use the dr black ones, I'm not 100% sure how it works, but it's something along the lines or skin cells, grease and grime getting into the string. Using a pick all the parts you touch, and 95% of the string remains coated, so I suspect retains it's zing. Strings sound fine to me, even where really battered. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevebasshead Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 I've never used the Roto coated strings but every set of Elixirs I've had have always worn quite quickly where I play with a pick, which I can understand. They always sound fresh for months though but close up, they look untidy although no-one else can see it. Some sets have also lost the coating at the fretting end after some time, some haven't. I was surprised by this at first but I guess there's quite a bit of friction where string-meets-fret causing the coating to break down eventually, especially if vibrato is used. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Academy Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 [quote name='deksawyer' post='580789' date='Aug 25 2009, 11:10 PM']The Elixirs on my Wal are over 3 years old and still have a lot of bite in them. I like! D.[/quote] 3 years???!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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