| Author | Message | ||
| bassplayer
New Username: bassplayer Post Number: 6 Registered: 4-2005 |
Hello everyone, My first real post since i've registered (and THAT was a long time ago!) I've been wondering what kind (and brand) of strings you use on your Alembic Bass. Do you use the Brand that Alembic provides, or...... I know that it is what you prefer personally, but i'm still curious to find out. Kind regards, Bassplayer | ||
| keith_h
Intermediate Member Username: keith_h Post Number: 147 Registered: 2-2005 |
Frits, Lot's of threads and opinions on this subject. I use Alembic strings on my short scale Brown Bass and GHS Brite Flats (ground round wound) on my 5 string Orion. Planning to try D'Adario Chrome flats on the fretless I've ordered. A lot of folks here will also swear by TI Jazz Flats. Keith | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 2168 Registered: 5-2002 |
As Keith said, there have been many threads on the subject of strings, and taken in whole they suggest that Alembic owners use a wide variety of types and makes. If there is a particular brand you are interested in, you might want to run a search of the board for threads that have discussed that brand. | ||
| the_mule
Senior Member Username: the_mule Post Number: 541 Registered: 1-2004 |
I'm very satisfied with GHS Bassboomers on my EVH-4, massive sound for both slap and fingerstyle. Wilfred | ||
| howierd
Junior Username: howierd Post Number: 35 Registered: 8-2004 |
I'm a Roto Sound user. I've been using them since the early 70's. They seem to last me forever. Howard | ||
| dumfuxx
Junior Username: dumfuxx Post Number: 22 Registered: 1-2005 |
I've fell in love with fodera victor wooten specials. Even my drummer roommate thought they sounded great, and all drummers are deaf. | ||
| jseitang
Member Username: jseitang Post Number: 70 Registered: 6-2002 |
on my series II , i use dadarrio flatwounds. | ||
| darkstar01
Junior Username: darkstar01 Post Number: 12 Registered: 6-2005 |
I use D'addario soft wounds on all my fretted basses, and half wounds on my fretlesses. They've never disappointed. | ||
| flaxattack
Senior Member Username: flaxattack Post Number: 561 Registered: 4-2004 |
forget them all thomastik infeld flat wounds are the bomb.... i tried everything out there | ||
| indigo
Junior Username: indigo Post Number: 12 Registered: 6-2005 |
Hi, No one uses Alembic strings? Of the strings that I've used (admittedly not many) I love the feel of the Alembic strings on my new Orion. Perhaps I'll have to try some of the strings mentioned above. Troy | ||
| jseitang
Member Username: jseitang Post Number: 71 Registered: 6-2002 |
if only alembic made flatwounds... i'd buy them by the case! | ||
| keith_h
Intermediate Member Username: keith_h Post Number: 150 Registered: 2-2005 |
Troy, I said stated in my update above I use Alembic strings on my Brown Bass but use GHS Brite Flats on my Orion. Keith | ||
| jacko
Advanced Member Username: jacko Post Number: 271 Registered: 10-2002 |
I have Alembic strings on my rogue and love the sound and feel so I will probably send off to the US for more - can't get them this side of the pond. I have DR Fat Beams on the Epic, they give a really nice 'Marcus miller' tone but I'll probably put alembics back on when the time comes. Graeme | ||
| darkstar01
Junior Username: darkstar01 Post Number: 13 Registered: 6-2005 |
In my opinion, flatwounds just arent as versatile as rounds. When it comes to flats, though, I have to agree with Jeff; Thomastiks are the best. I tend to have a hard time getting a decent sound other than the fat 'Jazz Bass' tone with flats, though. What about upright strings? Anybody? I've recently been turned on to Obligato's and i LOVE them. Austin | ||
| richbass939
Advanced Member Username: richbass939 Post Number: 357 Registered: 11-2004 |
On my German 3/4, I've been playing D'Addario Helicore mediums. They are orchestral, made more for arco than pizzicato. I play more pizz than arco but I like them. I've never tried Pirastros. Do they have a good gut sound? Rich | ||
| matthew90046
Junior Username: matthew90046 Post Number: 19 Registered: 1-2005 |
I use D'Addario XL nickel round wound medium scale on my Distillate. .050 - .070 - .085 - .105 I like D'Addario because I get that new string sound for a much longer time than many other brands. I figure that if I get that new string sound for twice as long that the strings must perform for twice as long. It's just a guess, but they also sound good. | ||
| xlrogue6
Member Username: xlrogue6 Post Number: 99 Registered: 8-2002 |
Elixirs on my fretted Rogue 6. LaBella tapes on the fretless Rogue 6. (If Thomastik gets around to making a extra long 6 string flatwound set I'd probably switch.) D'Addario Heliocore Orchestral mediums on my upright, which I much prefer to the Spirocores I used to use, both pizz and arco. | ||
| richbass939
Advanced Member Username: richbass939 Post Number: 359 Registered: 11-2004 |
Kent, we both seem to be happy with the same kinds of strings. I know from previous "string" threads that I'm kind of in the minority. Some people here really like D'Addario Chrome Flats. I took them off my Alembic faster than I have ever removed new strings. I really like the sound and longevity of Elixirs. Rich | ||
| kmh364
Senior Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 948 Registered: 9-2003 |
I actually like the Strings that came on my Alembic. I don't know who makes 'em for Mica and co, though. I bought a few sets of those German-made Maxima/Optima 24k Gold Plated strings (45's) that JAE loved on his Spyders and Buzzards, but I haven't tried 'em yet. I figured even if they stink, they'll make for a good photo op on my Orion, LOL! But,then again, what the hell do I know. I'm a half-*ssed guitarist that masquerades as a bassist now and again, LOL!. Cheers, Kevin | ||
| bigredbass
Senior Member Username: bigredbass Post Number: 448 Registered: 9-2002 |
GHS Boomers. They're like Sears, I can get them anywhere. Get off the bus in Iowa and try and find (insert your favorite boutique string here) at Mom + Pop's Music and you've only got two hours before the show. And remember this famous and un-attributed adage: "Take Great Care of Your Strings . . . and they'll go dead anyway!" J o e y | ||
| mpisanek
Junior Username: mpisanek Post Number: 22 Registered: 1-2005 |
On my fretted spoiler 6 I use Elixirs. I love the bright sound they give the instrument. On my upright I use Thomastik. On that I like the rounded sound of those strings. | ||
| malthumb
Advanced Member Username: malthumb Post Number: 342 Registered: 5-2002 |
I like the Alembic strings for both my Series basses, but I recently made a seriously sick deal on some Ken Smith Rock Masters. I've been using the Rock Masters on my Hanewinckels, so I knew ahead of time that I liked them. The deal? A few months ago, Sam Ash was having a Blow-Out on Ken Smith strings. $9.95 a set. They're normally $27 - $31 per set. Let's just say that I bought enough 5 and 6 string sets to last me a little while. Peace, James | ||
| jetbass79
Member Username: jetbass79 Post Number: 81 Registered: 2-2005 |
I have been a D'Addario user for years, and I use them on my Fenders but I decided to stick with Alembic CX3s on my Alembic because I do really like the sound they have and they seem to last for a long time. They're hard to find though. I went to JustStrings.com and got the last set of 45-105 and my second set was backordered. I am still curious as to who makes strings for Alembic or if they actually make their own. | ||
| jazzyvee
Advanced Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 217 Registered: 6-2002 |
I have only used the alembic strings on my sc deluxe and don;'t have any complaints. I was recommended to try rotosound groundwounds. But couldn't find a short scale set. So i got some for my musicman sterling. Apart from the fact that they dont have a good feel under my fingers, they feel quite abrasive, lots of finger noise and not very good for sliding your fingers on and like sandpaper. They sound loud crisp and marcus miller like but powerful and agressive. I see no reason to change the alembic strings on my sc. fyi Jacko I'm in the uk and order my alembic strings from http://www.juststrings.com/alm-cx-3-45s.html and they arrived within 5 days of me placing the order on the website. and they are a good price too. | ||
| bassplayer2106
Junior Username: bassplayer2106 Post Number: 48 Registered: 5-2005 |
I tried some Alembic strings some years ago and was very impressed with them. Trouble is that I have been using light gauge 30-90's for the last 15 years or so and Alembic don't seem to do them. I currently use Status hotwire strings which are excellent. | ||
| rockbassist
New Username: rockbassist Post Number: 1 Registered: 8-2005 |
Over the years I have tried jsut about every string on the market. For several of those years I used DR Marcus Miller Fat Beams. Now I only use Curt Mangan Strings. They have a warm, fat tone with plenty of punch. They seem to last longer than the DRs as well. | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 2261 Registered: 5-2002 |
Hi Kevin; welcome to the group! | ||
| jacko
Advanced Member Username: jacko Post Number: 285 Registered: 10-2002 |
Thanks for the heads up jazzy. I'll be ordering pretty soon. Graeme | ||
| ox_junior
Advanced Member Username: ox_junior Post Number: 253 Registered: 3-2004 |
I'm a traditionalist. Hold your group together...with ROTOSOUND STRINGS!  Mike | ||
| gare
Advanced Member Username: gare Post Number: 245 Registered: 11-2003 |
For years I used Roto's on my Rick and Spector. The only complaint with them is they don't seem to last very long..love the sound tho. So far on the Alembic I've tried the original Alembic strings, D'Addario XL's, D'Addario ground wounds, Roto's, and DR Sunbeams. Liked the XL's but they didn't have the midrangey crunch I like. Hated the feel of the ground wounds for the same reason as Jazzyvee stated above, the Alembic strings were nice. But I'm really liking the Sunbeams, nice overall sound, good midrange and low end, and they seem to have some longevity. They been on the instrument almost 2 months and haven't gone dead and retain much of their original sound. And I play em between 30 and 60 minutes a day. Gary | ||
| bassplayer
New Username: bassplayer Post Number: 7 Registered: 4-2005 |
Hi all, Thanks for the time to post your comments/ideas/thoughts etc,. It will prove to be challenging IMHO to find MY kind of strings, but THIS thread was definitely helpful! Grtz, Bassplayer | ||
| hankster
Junior Username: hankster Post Number: 19 Registered: 6-2004 |
Alembics on my SJ; GHS Boomers on my Stingray; Thomastiks on my NS Designs upright and my German acoustic. Happy with all of 'em. Rick | ||
| worldfamousandy
Junior Username: worldfamousandy Post Number: 17 Registered: 3-2004 |
I was a believer in D'Addario EXL 170's for a long time, because the sound was good, and I could get them almost anywhere. A year or so ago, I got introduced to the EXP 170's, which are coated rounds. They sound like EXL's that have had about 8 hours of playing on them, and they hold that sound for a long time! I get about 4 times the life than I did on the EXL's, and I think they play a little easier, as well. As for fretless, I will never put rounds on one again. I wrecked the fingerboard on my Fender, so I have no fretless anymore. My next fretless will only get flats. |
