Hartke strings Log Out | Topics | Search
Moderators | Register | Edit Profile

Alembic Club » Miscellaneous » Archive through May 24, 2012 » Hartke strings « Previous Next »

Author Message
smokin_dave
Advanced Member
Username: smokin_dave

Post Number: 343
Registered: 10-2002
Posted on Wednesday, April 11, 2012 - 3:24 pm:   Edit Post

It was a deal I just couldn't pass up.Hartke strings for just $14.00 a set of fiver med.Don't know if any body else has tried them or not and I just became aware of Hartke strings.When they get delivered I'll slap on a set and report back.
Since I'm always short on funds,that's a price I can live with and tell me what you think if anybody has used these strings or not.

S.Dave
811952
Senior Member
Username: 811952

Post Number: 2196
Registered: 10-2003
Posted on Wednesday, April 11, 2012 - 5:23 pm:   Edit Post

I had three sets gifted to me a few years ago, light gauge 4-string. I regifted them and had an opportunity to play a set on a friend's bass. They seemed fine to me.

John
bassilisk
Member
Username: bassilisk

Post Number: 100
Registered: 4-2009
Posted on Thursday, April 12, 2012 - 9:52 am:   Edit Post

A number of years ago it looked like they were going out of production so Ash ran a blowout and I picked up a number of sets for very little (I don't remember exactly but I couldn't pass it up) figuring I'd use them as test strings.

Recently I found an occasion to dig into that stash and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised with the set of nickels I put on this bass. I thought they were at least as good as D'Addarios. I don't know how their longevity is, but out of the box they were fine and certainly a good bang for the buck.
smokin_dave
Advanced Member
Username: smokin_dave

Post Number: 344
Registered: 10-2002
Posted on Thursday, April 12, 2012 - 10:40 am:   Edit Post

Well that's good to know.Since I've got a full couple of months of shows staring at me,I should be putting them through the paces and see first hand about longevity.
Thanks for the input folks.

S.Dave
benson_murrensun
Senior Member
Username: benson_murrensun

Post Number: 602
Registered: 5-2007
Posted on Thursday, April 12, 2012 - 12:21 pm:   Edit Post

I bought some on a blowout from Musician's Fiend years ago, they were about $15 for a pack of 3 sets, so I bought 3 packs. I still have some. They seem to be fine, especially for the price!
mario_farufyno
Senior Member
Username: mario_farufyno

Post Number: 765
Registered: 9-2008
Posted on Thursday, April 12, 2012 - 4:14 pm:   Edit Post

Try the Bassic line from GHS. I don't know if you like their tone (they are slightly brighter sounding than the more popular boomer model), but they feel great for me and they are the most affordable set at GHS.

In fact, I choose them because they have one set (L6000) with a heavier E (0.102") than usual on a 0.040" light set. It is my first choice since I feel string's stiffness balances better that way. And they are cheap as a bonus, I love them!

Have a try, they cost less then US$12,00 at juststrings.com. In GHS's site you can find links to partners sellers at internet and they all offer that set at low costs like that.
yogalembic
New
Username: yogalembic

Post Number: 7
Registered: 5-2012
Posted on Sunday, May 06, 2012 - 2:37 pm:   Edit Post

These were the worst strings I've ever, EVER played. Period!
I returned them to Sam Ash (3 sets for something like $25.00....yeh, yeh, should've known, but what the hell), and the idiot Sales Mgr. refused to give me my $$$ back.
So, I was so hacked off, that I wrote a persopnal letter to Richard Ash in NYC, laying down the Sales Mgr.'s name and the fact that he was such a prick about it!
Richard gave me a total refund.
smokin_dave
Advanced Member
Username: smokin_dave

Post Number: 345
Registered: 10-2002
Posted on Monday, May 07, 2012 - 1:58 pm:   Edit Post

Well, admittedly Hartke's aren't my first choice of string but being severely cash strapped for the time being,I have to say I'm more pleased with these than I thought I would be.
Nope,they are not DR Lowrider's like I really like but so far I have no real complaint's and you can't beat the price.
bigredbass
Senior Member
Username: bigredbass

Post Number: 1856
Registered: 9-2002
Posted on Monday, May 07, 2012 - 11:00 pm:   Edit Post

There's actually only a few string manufacturers, who make their own label strings, then everyone else's with their name on it. Ernie Ball's have always been outsourced, for instance. Alembic's are. Not uncommon at all. The catch is, usually the made-under-contract strings fall into two categories: Somebody wants something special (like Alembic, with those oval'd outer wraps) that are really nice, or something built to a price. Built to a price usually means they won't be like that maker's own label strings, which could be OK or better, or they're just cheaper, to give the reps something else to make money on.

I've tried everything in my time from Black Diamonds to Thomastik, and three weeks from now, they all lose it and sound the same to me. I'm living proof of the Ancient Maxim: Take Good Care of Your Strings, and They'll Go Dead Anyway ! Sheesh . . . . .

J o e y
benson_murrensun
Senior Member
Username: benson_murrensun

Post Number: 605
Registered: 5-2007
Posted on Tuesday, May 08, 2012 - 10:09 am:   Edit Post

Can you tell when a flatwound string goes dead?
(Just kidding. Partly.)
mario_farufyno
Senior Member
Username: mario_farufyno

Post Number: 774
Registered: 9-2008
Posted on Wednesday, May 09, 2012 - 6:06 am:   Edit Post

They are some kind of Zombies that never were live...
smokin_dave
Advanced Member
Username: smokin_dave

Post Number: 347
Registered: 10-2002
Posted on Wednesday, May 23, 2012 - 10:25 am:   Edit Post

And so for my final analysis on Hartke strings is this,you get what you pay for.I know,I know.Cheap usually means...well,cheap.As in cheap material,cheap production,cheap quality,you know,crap.The first set I went through was fairly decent but the second set,wow.Talk about lack of quality control.Two of the five strings sounded like I've had them on for a couple of years.They were so bad I just laughed.Well,I guess I'm back to saving up the cash and going back to DR's.I mean after all,cheap just means a crap shoot with quality which in the long run I just can't afford to gamble.
yogalembic
Junior
Username: yogalembic

Post Number: 29
Registered: 5-2012
Posted on Wednesday, May 23, 2012 - 10:56 am:   Edit Post

That's the challenge with bass strings. Guitar strings---sure, $4~5 a set. A little more forgiving in terms of investment in finding a right ones.
With bass, holy cow! Easy to get into $100+ and still not having the right ones.

youtube has been a great help. There is one video where a guy plays a P bass and does a live/splced comparison between 4 different sets of flats. Way great!
I went with the D'Addario Chromes. Fantastic string.
yogalembic
Junior
Username: yogalembic

Post Number: 30
Registered: 5-2012
Posted on Wednesday, May 23, 2012 - 10:56 am:   Edit Post

That's the challenge with bass strings. Guitar strings---sure, $4~5 a set. A little more forgiving in terms of investment in finding a right ones.
With bass, holy cow! Easy to get into $100+ and still not having the right ones.

youtube has been a great help. There is one video where a guy plays a P bass and does a live/splced comparison between 4 different sets of flats. Way great!
I went with the D'Addario Chromes. Fantastic string.

Topics | Last Day | Last Week | Tree View | Search | Help/Instructions | Program Credits Administration