LeftyBassist.com

I'm curious what brand of strings everyone is using? You don't need to get particular with gauges and such.

I like a lot of different strings but my favorite are DR strings.

for years I was a die hard DR fanatic ... then a few years back they changed something in their materials and/or manufacturing methods, and I started getting weird harmonics and overtones in the upper register of my D/G strings. I thought it was just me or a bad set-up on my basses, but many friends also noted the same occurances.

since losing my faith in DR I have tried many strings and have three favorites

* D'Addario XL mediums
* LaBella Deep Talkin' bass strings
* Fodera Diamonds

if none of these are available, I have used Ken Smith Rock Masters in a pinch

since having my falling away from DR I have made an occasional purchase to see if they fixed the problem, but as of a year ago I still had the same results - with one exception: DR extra life color coated strings. these sound incredibly good when new, and they don't have the weird upper harmonic thing happening. the only drawback to my ears is that they sound killer for a period of time and then **bam!** in the course of a song they go really, really dead without warning.

all the best,

R

I used to play Dean Markley Blue steel,then i was Dr addict,and when i got my Status bass i tryed Status strings,they are not so expensive and they last quite long,another advantage is that you can make your own set choosing different gauge for each strings ,i set up my Status with : 30/55/75/90/110
I recently set up my stingray with DR coated string i have to admit that the sound is very "clean",i think it is because of the material they use to coat the strings,it is very interesting for recording,but they don't offer a gauge under 45/120
but they worth the try
Cheers
André

Although I do not care for their Nanoweb string, I think Elixir Polywebs are the best sounding string I've ever had on my Stingray. I don't play my SR much lately so I havn't changed the strings and Elixirs havn't been on my radar because of it, but if you can find a set Andre try the Polywebs on your SR sometime. They're also a coated string.

ahh! I forgot to think fretless for a moment ...

I string all of my fretless basses with Polywebs. I have several fretless basses that had their Polywebs installed years ago and they still sound just as good as day 1

all the best,

R

It depends on the bass. I try differnt sets with each one until I find the ones that really bring out the best "voice" of that particular instrument.

So, currently in use:

Rotosound 66
TI Jazz Flats
Elixer Nanowebs
D'Addario XL (5 string & Piccolo)
DR Lo-Riders
DR Black Beauties (these are an experiment, but are pretty cool. However, they are the first set of stings on the bass so I will try others)

It depends on the bass I'm playing as well, but I am an Elixir Nanoweb convert for my roundwound needs from D'Addario XLs. I still like the XLs, but I'm lazy and like to get months out of a string now so I prefer the Elixirs. For flats, I use D'Addario Chromes on my '72 P, Labella "Beatle Bass" for the Rogue Violin bass, and Thomastik Infelds flats for my '71 Tele (the only bass I've found I like TIs on due to their usual flabbiness).

I've used DR, Ernie Ball and D'Addario...I must say I use D'Addario out of necessity (the only string I could find that was for 35" scale bass strung THRU the body for my 5 stringer...which, to be honest, I will probably play on 5er's mostly from now on ). I also prefer the tone of those to DRs, but the Ernie Balls sound pretty good too...I haven't really experimented much, as changing out bass strings frequently can put a huge dent in your wallet (kinda like how gasoline does now).

Any suggestions for a HEAVY gauge set of strings for a 5 stringer that can be strung through the body on a 35" scale? (preferably .135-.145 for the B/.110/.90/.70/.50)

Falling back in love with Rotosound 66's

Recently discovered Fender strings. Both the nickel roundwounds and the taper core nickel rounds that come with the USA American bass are the best roundwounds I have encountered.

I also use TI flats, and Sadowsky flats.

Recently had some SIT Silencers - loved the sound but the can get very sticky.

Used Ernie Ball Slinkys and GHS Boomers for a long time, but these Fenders are so much better.

Never got to like DRs. Some types felt really tight and rough under the fingers; and the cores tend to separate a lot when installing, even when being extra careful.

I think Status made Trace Elliot's strings back in the day and I quite liked those when they were around.

I agree about the Fender strings. I went through a period where I was using Fender strings on a Fender P bass and was really happy with them. Fender has definitely upped it's string quality since it opened the new factory vs. the stuff they were making a few years back.

DR's are quirky to install and they even acknowledge it with a blerb on the package. The thing I love about DR's is the tone. I know a lot of guys like everything as transparent as possible in their rig so you just hear the bass but I like amps and strings with their own tone. DR's sound different to my ears than any other string, and the bit of coloration that they add I really like.

I just put a set of the Hellborg signature strings on the Glaub bass. I don't think I'd use them again because they lack the high end snarl I like from a string but if anyone is into a more old school, big bass, darker roundwound sound you should definitely try these strings. They feel different, but comfort aside the supposed extra volume of the fundamental really does add a depth and bassiness to the string's sound. They sound like you turned up your bass without adding any boominess. Once the high end zing wears off from their newness these would be killer for Reggae too. It's weird to plug in your bass and without changing a single knob have your tone be noticeably different.

How do the Fender flats compare to Chromes? I have a set of Chromes on my P bass now (.50-.105, 10 years old), and I love them, but I see Fender makes a heavier set (9050M: .55-.105) that I'd like to try for a beefier G string. String tension is important to me, as TIs were too flabby but I also don't want something too stiff. The Chromes are the perfect tension for me, so I'd like to try something comparable but with a thicker G. I'd be willing to give the Labella Jamerson's a try, but I've heard those are very high tension.

The 9050Ms are the highest tension string I've ever played, much higher than the Chromes IMO. They sound great for old school flatwound sound after breaking in for a few months though.

Have you ever tried the Rotosound Steve Harris Flats Alan? If the Fenders are higher tension than those then that's a very high tension string. The SH sig. Rotos are easily the highest tension string I've ever played.

I had the pleasure of partaking in a debate on another forum a while ago about the relevance of string tension and whether or not manufacturers should include tension specs on their packaging.
I personally think string tension is an important component of my sound/comfort preferences and think that specs should be indicated on packaging so that I'm not constantly going through expensive trial and error. For me, I do like variables in string tension depending on what bass I'm playing, i.e. for my J I like a tighter higher tension roundwound string for more punchiness and slapping, but for my old school flatwound needs on my P I find it very hard to get around on the bass with flats that are too high, as I prefer a bit of "sponginess" to the feel under my fingers.

I suppose I'll stick with the Chromes for now.

I agree about the importance of string tension Peter. I'm also particular about how much/little tension a set of strings has and if manufacturers graded the tension on their strings on the package I'd be all for it.

No I haven't Andrew. Sounds like I never will if they're super high tension. The Fenders are really too much for me.

I've said it before, but plucking SH sig. Rotos feels very similar to plucking the edge of a table, that's how high tension they are.

I have Rotosound nickel roundwounds on my Moses Jazz, my Warmoth Jazz fretless, and my Soundgear that has EMG's in it. My fretless Soundgear has the Roto flats on it. My ATK has D'Addarios on it. Anything else has GHS Boomers on it.