| Author | Message | ||
| glocke
Junior Username: glocke Post Number: 29 Registered: 9-2002 |
Hi, I did search the forum on this and found some good info, but I figuerd I woul dpost anyway. I have been having trouble finding strings I like. I had been using smith strings, but now have trouble finding them locally (I know I could order online, but I need a set pronto)...The last set I bought had been DR (Hi beams I think), and for whatever reason they just did not click for me..I have them on my fender jazz bass and they sound deader than dead now (after 6 months). I like a dry, woody, well balanced tone. I don't really care for bright sounding strings...anyone have any suggestions?? Has anyone tried elizir bass strings? Also, has anyone ever heard of making strings from piano strings? Thanks! | ||
| matthijs
New Username: matthijs Post Number: 7 Registered: 2-2005 |
I use Elixir (I assume you meant those?) nanoweb strings on my basses and can say that I like them immensely. They have excellent clarity for far longer than normal strings and are extremely smooth. Both these things can be seen as a negative, though  My bass teacher dislikes them because they are so smooth and he 'slips' while tapping amongst other things. If you're not into bright sounding strings then I think Elixirs might be the opposite of what you seek. they keep sounding bright, which is their main selling point | ||
| glocke
Junior Username: glocke Post Number: 30 Registered: 9-2002 |
thnx, i did mean Elixir. Thanks. I don't really care for bright sounding strings...think james jamerson, motown sounds, etc.... | ||
| son_of_magni
Intermediate Member Username: son_of_magni Post Number: 157 Registered: 1-2004 |
TI Jazz Flats | ||
| flaxattack
Advanced Member Username: flaxattack Post Number: 374 Registered: 4-2004 |
i agree with magni and i have tried em all go to www.lemurmusic.com they seem to have the best price for 5 strings 4 strings can be found on ebay | ||
| flaxattack
Advanced Member Username: flaxattack Post Number: 375 Registered: 4-2004 |
(Message edited by flaxattack on February 10, 2005) | ||
| jagerphan84
Intermediate Member Username: jagerphan84 Post Number: 153 Registered: 10-2003 |
I'd highly recommend www.bigcitystrings.com for lower prices and much cheaper shipping. | ||
| richbass939
Intermediate Member Username: richbass939 Post Number: 139 Registered: 11-2004 |
I currently have Elixir Nanoweb 45-105s on my Epic. I like the bright tone they have. I noticed that the Nanoweb coating has started to come off at the higher wear spots. I don't think it would affect the tone but it might. On a thread here about 2 - 3 months ago some people said that they had tried and didn't like the Elixirs. Oh well, different strokes. One comment about the Bass Player string comparison of a month ago. I went with their opinion about the D'Addario flatwounds and bought some. BP showed strong low-mid-highs on their graph. After I put them on I found that all they seemed to have was strong lows. The highs and even the mids were really weak. If you want lots of low and not much mid-high then I guess they were okay. They just weren't what I was looking for. I hate spending good money on strings and taking them off after one day, but I couldn't stand it anymore. They showed the D'Addario flats with about the same L-M-H response as the Elixirs. Maybe I got a bad set but I was really disappointed. So you have to be cautious with their findings. I just bought a set of Sadowsky nickel rounds and RotoBass nickels. Haven't put them on yet but I'm anxious to see how they sound. Rich | ||
| bsee
Senior Member Username: bsee Post Number: 760 Registered: 3-2004 |
It's funny, I don't think of Elixirs as bright. They sound pretty good to me, but the highs really feel hollow. There are certainly brand-to-brand differences between strings, but I generally believe the following about roundwound strings: Steel almost always sounds brighter than Nickel and stays that way longer. The coated steel I have tried has been a bit less bright than uncoated. I prefer hex cores to round cores. I think round cores are probably more pure in the fundamental, but the hex cores help to bring out a warmer tone. Thin strings sound thin. You can hear the difference between a set of 40-100 vs. 45-105. In general, if you don't like DR High Beams, you'll probably like Lo Riders in the steel or nickel version (I do). I don't particularly like High Beams, and I didn't like the set of Black Beauties I just tried either. I would like to try the Bootzillas, though. All that said, let's not forget our hosts. While I haven't tried them, I expect to like Alembic CX-3 strings when they eventually arrive on my new bass. The combination of the hex core and not-quite-round wrapping should be very pleasing. -Bob | ||
| gare
Intermediate Member Username: gare Post Number: 155 Registered: 11-2003 |
I have to jump in with a curiosity question. I was recently reading an interview with Jonas Hellborg, he mentioned that DR was making custom strings for him that are single rather than multi wrap windings. Supposed to produce purer fundamentals. I've also seen them advertised in a magazine . But havent seen any info on their website. Anyone heard or know anything about these ? Or did I just overlook the info somewhere ? | ||
| glocke
Junior Username: glocke Post Number: 31 Registered: 9-2002 |
Thanks for all the replis....I ended up putting TI jazz flats on, they sound great...VERY well balanced tone...fat lows, and clear silky highs, and clear mids... My series one came with alembic strings (i think they had the blue wrap)...they were great sounding strings, and I would buy another set in a heartbeat...but I prefer the sound of flats on my Series one... | ||
| ox_junior
Advanced Member Username: ox_junior Post Number: 215 Registered: 3-2004 |
I remember this topic coming through here recently. Rotosound strings have the most piano-like effect, especially on Alembics. And that's just using their standard "Swing Bass" sets. They have a model they call the "piano string" set, which have a brighter tone and are favored by John Paul Jones. If that's what you're going for, check that out. Cheers, Mike | ||
| son_of_magni
Intermediate Member Username: son_of_magni Post Number: 158 Registered: 1-2004 |
Greg, I'm glad you like them. For me they seem to have all the good qualities of roundwounds but without the excessive high end crackle. And, being flat, without the finger noise. - SoM | ||
| flaxattack
Advanced Member Username: flaxattack Post Number: 376 Registered: 4-2004 |
alembic is putting the TIs on my direwolf for me, factory set up cant be beat | ||
| beelee
Junior Username: beelee Post Number: 43 Registered: 11-2004 |
When I try out a bass ( new or used) if I like the way it sounds and feels, and plan on purchasing it, the strings would be part of the reason I like it. if a manufacturer put some thought into building a good quality instrument wouldn't they also put some thought into what strings compliment it ? ( I imagine some do and maybe some just put their own brand on) I usually try and use the same brand and gauges of strings that came on the bass when I purchased it ( if I can find out what is on it ). There are so many different brands of strings around it'll make your head spin, so it comes down to experimentation, recomendation and personal preference I guess. I use: 4 string: GHS Boomers ML3045 45 65 80 100 (tried em out) or a stores own brand: 45 65 85 105 ( that came on a hot rodded Fender P bass that has EMG pup and a Kahler whammy that I purchased from that store) 5 String: GHS Multi-String Boomers 5ML-DYB 45 65 80 100 126 ( tried em out) 6 String: D' Addario EXL170-6 32 45 65 80 100 130 (tried em out) 7 String: Dean Markley SR2000 2698c 22 27 47 67 87 107 127 (tapered) ( what came on my Conklin GT-7) I really like the way these sound 8 String: D'Addario EXL170-8 45 65 80 100 18 28 40 50 (tried em out) 12 String: Hamer 12 string bass set 45 20p 20p 65 25 25 80 35 35 100 45 45 (What came on my Hamer B-12a) I have 4 other basses that still have the original strings, ( an Electric upright, Fretless 6 str, A/E 5 strg and a Midi bass) so I'll be trying to find out whats on them or put something new on. I am really looking foward to trying my new custom Alembic with their strings........ B. (Message edited by beelee on February 14, 2005) | ||
| biltit
New Username: biltit Post Number: 2 Registered: 2-2005 |
Any suggestions on which set of srings make a rogue 5 string a blues rig? I am using GHS boomers now and it's pretty fat. Anybody tried ti jazz flats? | ||
| bsee
Senior Member Username: bsee Post Number: 794 Registered: 3-2004 |
I haven't tried them, but the B string sounds like it would be an odd size, something lika .136. I like the DR nickel Lo-Riders, probably pretty similar to what you have in the Boomers. | ||
| foth
Junior Username: foth Post Number: 12 Registered: 12-2004 |
I'm using TI jazz flats on my 35" scale Rogue 5 for a blues project.. The lower TI string tension rescued my left hand, and made the whole bass top to bottom not so twangy. I don't know how this translates to a 34" bass, but the TI's are perfect for the 35" scale. | ||
| bob
Advanced Member Username: bob Post Number: 377 Registered: 11-2002 |
foth, you must be using the 36" set, right? Unless they've changed something recently, on a 35" Rogue 5 you'd end up with silks in the nut on at least a couple of the 34" strings. The extra longs, when used on a 36" instrument, are designed to have a little more tension than longs on a 34", and it turns out that if you use extra longs on a 35" (making them looser), they still have more tension than longs on a 34" except for the E, which is very close. | ||
| foth
Junior Username: foth Post Number: 14 Registered: 12-2004 |
bob Yes, it's a 36" TI jazz flats 4 string set, JF364, with a .136 B string included as an extra and a sticker on the front that says JF365. I got them from juststrings. | ||
| ndr_bass
New Username: ndr_bass Post Number: 3 Registered: 5-2002 |
I also love the TI jazz flats. I get mine from Steve Barr (http://p096.ezboard.com/bthedudepit). He has the best price/shipping/tax total I've found. His Ebay store is here: http://stores.ebay.com/Vintage-Bass-Trading-Company_W0QQssPageNameZl2QQtZkm | ||
| mauibassplayer
New Username: mauibassplayer Post Number: 8 Registered: 3-2005 |
I have been using GHS Progressives on my Spoiler for years, I like the nice midrange tone I get from them. | ||
| worldfamousandy
New Username: worldfamousandy Post Number: 2 Registered: 3-2004 |
For years, I used D'Addario EXL 170s, because they sound better than anything else in the price range. I liked the to have about 8 hours of play time before a gig, then I used them for 3-4 gigs before they got too dead for me. D'Addario now makes coated strings (EXP 170), and they sound terrific right out of the box. They last forever, as well, with little noticable difference in sound. They are spendy, but worht it in the end. I'm sold. | ||
| 88persuader
Intermediate Member Username: 88persuader Post Number: 111 Registered: 5-2004 |
Quick question ... Does anyone use ALEMBIC brand strings on their Alembic basses? I have (or had) 3 Alembic basses. A 5 string Epic, a Stanley Clark 4 string and a Persuader. (That I recently sold.) The Persuader and Epic were bought used with non-Alembic strings and the Stanley Clark was bought new but it was old stock in a music store so when they set it up for me they put on new non-Alembic strings. So I've NEVER used Alembic Strings on my basses. There's a "Just Strings" store near my house that carries them. Should I try them? What are your opinions on Alembic strings? Thanks - Ray | ||
| essencetimestwo
Member Username: essencetimestwo Post Number: 74 Registered: 8-2003 |
I love the Alembic strings. The only reason I don't use them is that they are not readily available. They are compression wound so they feel smooth. They also feel like they have a lighter tension. Bright long lasting tone. Definately the best choice for any Alembic. I am not a fan of nylon wound ends but even that is no big deal since the color is so cool. If you can get them easily I can't see any reason not to. | ||
| mauibassplayer
Junior Username: mauibassplayer Post Number: 11 Registered: 3-2005 |
As far as using Alembic strings, I would like to try them, but our music store here on Maui "Bounty Music" is the only store and they don't carry them. I look at the online store, but the shipping is high here to Maui, so at the moment I will continue to use GHS Progressives. | ||
| 88persuader
Intermediate Member Username: 88persuader Post Number: 112 Registered: 5-2004 |
I think i HAVE try Alembic Strings. Heck ... they make the best basses, i have to assume they know their strings too! Lucky for me if i like them the Just Strings store is only a few miles away from my home. I'm going to change both my Epic and Stanley Clark (It's time) and will be gigging this coming Friday and Saturday. I'll let you guys know what I think next week. | ||
| dannobasso
Advanced Member Username: dannobasso Post Number: 227 Registered: 3-2004 |
I use Alembic strings on all of my basses, even my Gibsons, Ric and Stambaugh. I change a lot of strings. I love a bright ringing sound. I just bid on a Lightwave fretless 5. No string issues there I understand with optical not magnetic pups. I used to love D'Adarrio xl reds. Have not seen them in years. Danno | ||
| s_wood
Intermediate Member Username: s_wood Post Number: 121 Registered: 5-2002 |
I like Alembic CX (Compression wounds strings) as they have a very balanced piano-like tone, but they don't seem to hold their peak tone very long. Of course, they are better in that regard than Rotosounds, which I swear go dead if I just look at them! DR Hi Beams are my current choice,as they seem to hold their peak tone for several weeks, and they are similar in tone to the Alembics. DR's Marcus Miller "Fat Beams" are a little less bright, with a slighty boomier low end than the Hi Beams. By the way, I buy my strings through juststrings.com They carry strings by many makers, including Alembic, DR, Elixir, GHS, Dean Markley, D'Addario, TI, etc at good prices. | ||
| jetbass79
New Username: jetbass79 Post Number: 7 Registered: 2-2005 |
This might sound like a really stupid question, but who makes Alembic strings? In this age of lowered expectations, it would be natural to assume Alembic had their strings made for them by one of the big string companies. However, since they make nearly every component of their instruments, I ask this seemingly stupid question. For my two cents, I use nickel D'Aaddario 45-105 for the most part. I would like to try nickel wound DR strings but they are not readily available. The only bummer about DR strings I have found (other than I really do hate stainless so sorry to all the stainless fans) is the E strings do not fit well on old Fender basses. Just a tad long. It will be quite interesting to see how Alembic strings sound on the Alembic that I'm currently waiting for. I'm hoping they put nickel wounds on it...45-105... | ||
| ox_junior
Advanced Member Username: ox_junior Post Number: 220 Registered: 3-2004 |
I use 45-105 Rotosounds on everything as I have an endorsement deal with them. Certainly sways the affordability-to-quality ratio in their favor! | ||
| level432
New Username: level432 Post Number: 10 Registered: 4-2003 |
I would also like to know where Alembic strings come from. They sound great for slap on my MK through Trace 4X10. I like the purple ends. Mark | ||
| bassicinstincts
Junior Username: bassicinstincts Post Number: 20 Registered: 9-2003 |
I used to use Maxima Gold-plated strings, which I just love. Unfortunately, my current bass is a headless, and unlike Status basses, doesn't take reg string, only double-ball ones. I'd love to use the gold strings on a Status bass. To me, they sound clean, with a uniform sound range, less trebly (sic!) than the Rotosounds I currently use. My local store only sells Rotosounds, and another cheapo brand I haven't heard of. R/S strings are relatively cheap compared to getting fancy blue and black strings delivered to my door, so I stick on what I'm familiar with. Ben |
