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Alembic Club » Alembic Basses & Guitars » Archive through October 10, 2004 » Archive: 2003 » Archive through December 15, 2003 » What strings are you using? « Previous Next »

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811952
Junior
Username: 811952

Post Number: 30
Registered: 10-2003
Posted on Monday, December 01, 2003 - 7:10 am:   Edit Post

I've always been a Rotosound kind of guy. I imagine string manufacturing technology has come a long way in the past 20 years, so I'm open to new ideas. What strings are you folks using? How would they compare to Rotosound Swing Bass?
John
shakeyeraz
Junior
Username: shakeyeraz

Post Number: 21
Registered: 11-2002
Posted on Monday, December 01, 2003 - 12:48 pm:   Edit Post

DR Sunbeams for my Europa 5. These are the nickel-plated strings - less wear-and-tear and sound good for my style (blues/classic rock).
dean_m
Advanced Member
Username: dean_m

Post Number: 225
Registered: 7-2002
Posted on Monday, December 01, 2003 - 1:02 pm:   Edit Post

Dean Markley SR2000 and Superwounds.

The Superwounds are the same thing as the SR2000 only they don't have the exposed core like the SR2000. Really bright sound with a solid bottom end. They last quite a while too.
I used to use Rotosounds exclusively. I just got tired of spending money on sets that had at least 1-2 dead strings per pack.

D
jet_powers
Member
Username: jet_powers

Post Number: 88
Registered: 2-2003
Posted on Monday, December 01, 2003 - 2:49 pm:   Edit Post

I've always been a Roto's man. However, I recently put a set of DR Tapereds on my Rogue 5 and they sound pretty cool. Still like Roto's though......

John
rami
Advanced Member
Username: rami

Post Number: 264
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Monday, December 01, 2003 - 5:34 pm:   Edit Post

My standard strings are Dean Markley Blue Steels (nickel plated). I put Alembic strings on my Alembics, but if I can't find a set, it's Dean Markley Blue steels.
On "The Evil Twin" it's Labella "Deep talkin' bass" nylon tapewounds. "The Dark Prince" wears Smith "Rock Masters". I've recently been trying GHS Boomers, and I like them alot - they're similar to the Blue Steels.

I used Rotosounds for most of my life until I finally got sick of them. Gritty sounding, occasional dead string etc...

Try 'em all and find what works best for your sound. There's no right or wrong.

Rami
bigredbass
Intermediate Member
Username: bigredbass

Post Number: 196
Registered: 9-2002
Posted on Tuesday, December 02, 2003 - 8:22 am:   Edit Post

I still use Rotos at this time as I live across the street from Sam Ash. The dollar/pound conversion must be cheap right now ( or Richard made one hell of a deal) as I'm buying 5string sets for $21.

Is it just me or do most of you find LOTS of 4string sets and few 5string sets at your retailers? I'd love to try the nickel (blue label) Roto5s, but they never have them. Ash sells lots of KSmiths and Fodera strings, but not in 5 or 6string sets, ironic as these builders are hardly known for 4string basses.

I've used GHS, DR, T-I, but Dino I still need to get around to the DMs. I promise.

I've come to prefer nickel to stainless. Not too fond of the exposed core. The 'low tension' type strings are Ok for me (DR, etc.). Ironically, the best B in a set were the Thomastik-Infelds, who looking at the seemingly bizarre guages they pick out were a real surprise. I seem to remember it was a .118 which I thought SHOULD have been strange, yet the set felt VERY even under my hands across all five.

Has anyone had any luck with these coated/impregnated strings, like the EXP D'Addarios? I'm wondering if for big jump in price this process does extend the useful life as they claim.

I would NEVER get used to Elixirs.

J o e y
thebass
Member
Username: thebass

Post Number: 78
Registered: 3-2003
Posted on Tuesday, December 02, 2003 - 8:31 am:   Edit Post

After a long time with DR HiBeams and LoRiders at last I returned to the Rotos finally. Dejavu. Back in the stone age when I started bass playing they where the 1st strings I I bought. They sound great on my MK STD.
palembic
Senior Member
Username: palembic

Post Number: 784
Registered: 9-2002
Posted on Tuesday, December 02, 2003 - 8:57 am:   Edit Post

Brother Joey,

I used 1 set of Elixirs light gauge on my former Fender JB. They kept their crisp sound very long. The "feel" I got in my fingers was about the same as with "normal" roundwounds.
I changed to D'Addario flatwounds on request of the members in the bigband I played that time.

Paul the bad one


BTW: you're right about 5 and six strings. In the shop here in Leuven you NEVER have choice in 5 strings, they don't have 1 set of 6 strings. Even worse: I heard a salesman disencourage a young man buying a 5 string. Arguments: 1. a good 5 string is far too expensive in comparison with good 4 strings. 2. to amplify a 5 string you need more expensive amplifiers and speakers because of the difficult handling of low frequencies.
What could I say: I would strangle him with my nylon stockings but that's so rude and definitive! LOL
hammondd
New
Username: hammondd

Post Number: 1
Registered: 12-2003
Posted on Friday, December 05, 2003 - 9:20 pm:   Edit Post

I used to use Dean Markley Blue Steels on my Epic, but after trying Thomastik-Infeld Jazz Flats I'll never go back. Love the way they feel, sound, and I don't miss the complete lack of string buzz with these babies.


Mike
gbarchus
Junior
Username: gbarchus

Post Number: 29
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Saturday, December 06, 2003 - 2:24 pm:   Edit Post

Try some flatwounds - Thomastic-Infield Jazz

Gale
811952
Junior
Username: 811952

Post Number: 34
Registered: 10-2003
Posted on Monday, December 08, 2003 - 7:59 am:   Edit Post

Where can I find them?
davehouck
Advanced Member
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 232
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Monday, December 08, 2003 - 2:16 pm:   Edit Post

http://www.juststrings.com/thomastikinfeldelectricbassguitar.html
yggdrasil
Junior
Username: yggdrasil

Post Number: 28
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Monday, December 08, 2003 - 3:45 pm:   Edit Post

Here's a forum dedicated to TI strings, as well as some of the lowest prices I've seen:

http://pub206.ezboard.com/fthedudepitfrm18
blazer
Junior
Username: blazer

Post Number: 13
Registered: 12-2003
Posted on Tuesday, December 09, 2003 - 5:29 pm:   Edit Post

D'Addario slowwounds, nothing else comes close
wally_malone
Junior
Username: wally_malone

Post Number: 31
Registered: 7-2002
Posted on Friday, December 12, 2003 - 4:06 pm:   Edit Post

I've used Dean Markely Blue Steels on my Kubick Ex-Factor for over fifteen years and they sound great. Since they don't make those in six-string sets I tried the SR-2000's on my Orion six but didn't like them and went back to the Alembic strings on my six.

Wally
s_wood
Member
Username: s_wood

Post Number: 78
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Saturday, December 13, 2003 - 7:25 am:   Edit Post

I use DR Fatbeams on my Series basses.

They have slightly less aggressive highs than the more common DR Hi-Beams, and excellent warm low end. Unlike Rotos, they hold their peak tone for a month or two. (I swear, Rotos go dead if I look at them).
bigredbass
Advanced Member
Username: bigredbass

Post Number: 207
Registered: 9-2002
Posted on Saturday, December 13, 2003 - 11:35 am:   Edit Post

Hey, I've got a question !!

Who makes those roundwounds I see strung on the Ibanez BTB basses in stores? It's obviously what they're strung with at the factory, but what gives with that sort of blue tint to them? Anybody know about these ?

J o e y

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