Favorite Bass Strings?

[DavidRavenMoon]

Re: Favorite Bass Strings?

I don't like that worn-in thing myself, and they are too expensive to change out regularly. Boiling is more trouble than it's worth.

The problem with older strings is that they develop grooves. I'll take a set off and there will be indents where I play the most. That isn't a good thing imho.

I used to boil my Rotosounds when I was a teenager. I didn't have money for new strings.

But besides the dents, the steel core stretches and you have metal fatigue. They never sound new after boiling, but they sound a bit brighter.


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[dg27]

Re: Favorite Bass Strings?

I used to boil my Rotosounds when I was a teenager. I didn't have money for new strings. But besides the dents, the steel core stretches and you have metal fatigue. They never sound new after boiling, but they sound a bit brighter.

I used to do that too, but always felt the results were kind of mixed...

 

[toowrongfoo]

Re: Favorite Bass Strings?

Yeah, mixed is the best answer.

I'm ALL FOR saving strings and recycling strings, but maybe because I'm old and jaded, it just doesn't have the same effect (and you really do need to wait a long time till they have COMPLETELY dried to use them, patience I don't always have. )

 

[toowrongfoo]

Re: Favorite Bass Strings?

What? Second time this has happened........GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR.

Anyways, what I was saying is that I've had mixed results with the EB cobalt flats. On one hand, they are shizzle. One the other, the "A" string seems to be contentious.

Weird, but anyways, they are TOO expensive to simply experiment. Proceed with caution

 

[DavidRavenMoon]

Re: Favorite Bass Strings?

What? Second time this has happened........GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR.

Anyways, what I was saying is that I've had mixed results with the EB cobalt flats. On one hand, they are shizzle. One the other, the "A" string seems to be contentious.

Weird, but anyways, they are TOO expensive to simply experiment. Proceed with caution

That’s like with D’Addario Chromes. The D doesn’t sound like the rest of the set.

For flats my favorites are still LaBella 760FL set. Very balanced with a nice bright top end. The B on the 5 string set is ok, but a bit thumpy compared to the rest of the set.


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[dg27]

Re: Favorite Bass Strings?

Yeah, mixed is the best answer.

I'm ALL FOR saving strings and recycling strings, but maybe because I'm old and jaded, it just doesn't have the same effect (and you really do need to wait a long time till they have COMPLETELY dried to use them, patience I don't always have. )

I stopped boiling them mostly because the cost of strings has come down over the years, likely due to competition online. I remember paying close to $40 for RW Rotosounds, whereas now I get the strings I prefer (GHS Bass Boomers) for half that.

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: Favorite Bass Strings?

I stopped boiling them mostly because the cost of strings has come down over the years, likely due to competition online. I remember paying close to $40 for RW Rotosounds, whereas now I get the strings I prefer (GHS Bass Boomers) for half that.

Definitely a fan of the prices coming down.

 

[Clint 55]

Re: Favorite Bass Strings?

Pro Steels have that piano tone.

 

[dg27]

Re: Favorite Bass Strings?

Great if that's what you want, not so great if you don't. I want a bit gnarly with a lot of bottom.

 

[Clint 55]

Re: Favorite Bass Strings?

Isn't steel the most gnarly?

 

[dg27]

Re: Favorite Bass Strings?

To me 'piano tone' seems less gnarly.

 

[Clint 55]

Re: Favorite Bass Strings?

Ever smashed the low A on a piano?

 

[dg27]

Re: Favorite Bass Strings?

Sure. I guess what each of us have in our heads as to what constitutes 'piano tone' is different.

 

[Clint 55]

Re: Favorite Bass Strings?

I did think about only describing them as having piano tone after you replied, since I like grit too. After I thought about it I realized I like them because all you hear is the raw material and it can be very clear if played precisely and can get grungy when dug into. Since steel would be the grungiest string material I would think?

 

[dg27]

Re: Favorite Bass Strings?

Makes sense.

I prefer RW and buy based on which set offers the thickest E because that's what's most comfortable for me. (Boomer Heavies have a .115 E.) Have been using them for years.

 

[Clint 55]

Re: Favorite Bass Strings?

That sounds good, I might have to try that. I have a .110 right now and I'd like thicker.

RW? You mean roundwound? Daddario Pro Steels are roundwound. I prefer roundwound as well.

 

[dg27]

Re: Favorite Bass Strings?

That sounds good, I might have to try that. I have a .110 right now and I'd like thicker.

I started on string bass, so I'm used to thick strings.

RW? You mean roundwound? Daddario Pro Steels are roundwound.

Yes, roundwound. I just looked at them on the D'A site. I used to use XL heavies though I don't think they were labeled 'Pro Steel." I switched to GHS BBs when I found the .115 E.

 

[Clint 55]

Re: Favorite Bass Strings?

Nice, I have an upright background as well. I'm thinking about ordering these custom gauges for D standard:

0.0500 in. 37.31 lbs
0.0700 in. 40.49 lbs
0.0900 in. 36.89 lbs
0.1200 in. 35.36 lbs

 

[dg27]

Re: Favorite Bass Strings?

Nice, I have an upright background as well. I'm thinking about ordering these custom gauges for D standard:

0.0500 in. 37.31 lbs
0.0700 in. 40.49 lbs
0.0900 in. 36.89 lbs
0.1200 in. 35.36 lbs

Those look good. I don't know the lbs data, but I remember looking into this but was told it could cause neck problems:

0.0550 in.
0.0750 in.
0.0950 in.
0.1150 in.

 

[Clint 55]

Re: Favorite Bass Strings?

Yes, that seems like a lot of tension for a standard tuning set. I think 50 - 120 will work for a whole step down, be balanced, and it has much less tension than Daddario's heaviest set in standard tuning:

0.0550 in. 57.57 lbs
0.0750 in. 57.76 lbs
0.0900 in. 46.48 lbs
0.1100 in. 37.57 lbs