Need some bass strings

PFDarkside

PFDarkside

of the Forum
So... Fender Jazz V is getting a long overdue bass makeover. Details forthcoming but I'd like to restring this bass with some stainless steel strings. It's currently configured as E-C, but I'm willing to give the low B a chance but I think I want a 6 string set to give flexibility to restring it as E-C if low B still isn't my thing. Also, I'd prefer them to not feel like files on my fingers....

So... Rotosound 66? D'Addario Prosteels? DR Lo-Riders? Hi-Beams? Dunlop, Ernie Ball, Fender?
 
Re: Need some bass strings

I like the EB Cobalts. They are round wound but don't feel like files. At least not as much as stainless D'Addarios (don't get me wrong, I like that feel in a string). Plus they have a bright but not tinny top end. Plus plenty of low mids. And for whatever reason, they feel sort of slick, like a coated string.
 
Re: Need some bass strings

I'm D'addario XL stainless. I've tried most of the strings available, and I always come back to dance with the one that brought me...
YMMV, but they're consistent. I know how to get the sound I want from them.
 
Re: Need some bass strings

ginormous said:
YMMV, but they're consistent. I know how to get the sound I want from them.
Click to expand...

That's what keeps bringing me back to Dunlops. The strings are always consistently good. D'Addarios are great as well, so for me it came down to money- Dunlops are a bit cheaper. EB's tend to be very inconsistent for me. I've played a few that are great and a few that shouldn't even be given away.
 
Re: Need some bass strings

I tried a set of EB Cobalts once, and I couldn't get them off my bass fast enough. I didn't like the feel or the sound of them. Personally, I prefer D'Addario or DR strings for most applications.

PFDarkside, you might want to contact Jason at BassStringsOnline and just ask him what he recommends. I searched that website for "stainless flat" and "stainless ground" and got quite a number of hits, FYI.
 
Re: Need some bass strings

Thanks for the recommendations guys. I ended up ordering a set of D'Addario ProSteels in 30-130, they were available from the retailer I was ordering a few other items from. I'll give these a go and go from there. If I find a shortcoming, Cobalts and Dunlops will be next in line.:)

RE: my comment about "files", I'm used to regular nickel roundwound bass strings, so I don't need flats. I've read some reviews that D'Addario newer FlexSteels were quite rough, rougher than the traditional Prosteels.

If I end up returning to the E-C tuning, I'll probably start ordering from Just Strings or Bass Strings Direct, as they make custom sets much easier than the bigger retailers.
 
Last edited:
Re: Need some bass strings

D'Addario ProSteels installed. Wow, coming from decade old nickels, these things have some power! Piano-like is a great way to describe the tone, very responsive for pick and finger style, and I finally understand how to get a decent slap sound now.

The Low B is better than I remember, but I think the 34" scale is a little short for a really strong B. I'm thinking I'll keep the low B for a little longer, but probably revert to the high 5 tuning. I really wish I would have tried Steel back when I played and gigged with the punk band!

(I'm waiting on the new pickguard before the big reveal... ;))

Also, how long can I expect these to stay this bright? It might turn into a bad addiction...
 
Re: Need some bass strings

I know you've already made an order. But I can't speak highly enough of DR's Hi-Beams. Just love them. When they're not available (i.e. in a pinch) I go for the XL's.
 
Re: Need some bass strings

Just put a set of Elixir mediums on the girls new bass
I vote Elixir coated they are the stock set on the Ibanez SR500

I like em
 
Re: Need some bass strings

PFDarkside said:
D'Addario ProSteels installed. Wow, coming from decade old nickels, these things have some power! Piano-like is a great way to describe the tone, very responsive for pick and finger style, and I finally understand how to get a decent slap sound now.

The Low B is better than I remember, but I think the 34" scale is a little short for a really strong B. I'm thinking I'll keep the low B for a little longer, but probably revert to the high 5 tuning. I really wish I would have tried Steel back when I played and gigged with the punk band!

(I'm waiting on the new pickguard before the big reveal... ;))

Also, how long can I expect these to stay this bright? It might turn into a bad addiction...
Click to expand...

I used to use Pro Steels and you are right, they are piano like and they have a good longevity. However, they can tend to wear on regular nickel frets. That's part of the reason that I switched to Cobalts.
 
Re: Need some bass strings



I like them
Nice even sounding
After a time the coating frays and the strings get fuzzy
They still sound fine. Just kinda like a European chick. Ya know
 
Re: Need some bass strings

Demanic said:
I used to use Pro Steels and you are right, they are piano like and they have a good longevity. However, they can tend to wear on regular nickel frets. That's part of the reason that I switched to Cobalts.
Click to expand...

I was a little worried about wear, how long before you started to see it? (I've had the bass in question for 15 years, and the frets are still in great shape with nickels all these years)
 
Re: Need some bass strings

Stainless will wear nickel. I would say that I started to see wear about 3 years into using them heavily, that is, a set every three months or so. But if you like the sound, I suppose it's worth it.

Sent from my MotoE2(4G-LTE) using Tapatalk
 
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