String Market Research

[hasbeen]

Hello All;

Can you assist me? Strings- how important is tension to you? Not really just on a low B but overall? ...especially for you slappers.

 

Do you like less or more tension?

 

Do you recognize that one brands 45-105 is much stiffer than another brands 45-105?

 

What brands would you equate as too stiff for your style?

 

I greatly appreciate any feedback you can give me.

 

Kindest Regards,

Roger

[bassplayinguy]

I like a really high tension string. piano wire would be nice

 

Right now im using elixirs and the tension is higher than the d'addario XLs i used to use, and the EB slinkeys.

 

I havent tried many other brands but if you know of any high tension strings, let me know too.

[Rowka]

I like stiff stiff stiff strings.

Boomers are almost stiff enough. DR's are not even close.

Everly B52's come pretty close, IIRC.

[78pbass]

I'm a D'addario XL 100-45 guy normally, but Love Fodera's when I splurge.

 

I used the Hartke strings which weren't too terrible for being free

 

The Webstrings I have on my pbass now are not very good IMO. The string to string balance is not there - they dont play like a matched set, sonically and visually.

 

BTW, I'm looking forward to meeting you in haltom City. Ill gladly offer more on this if you need it.

[btb&dr=tone]

I use a low tension string that is set up to be higher off the neck. This puts some tension on the strings. I have been using Ernie Ball strings for the past few months. I use a 130, 105, 85, 65, 45. Its a mix of a 5 and 4 string set. When I was on circuit with another band his bass tech set it up that way. I like it.

[hasbeen]

okay, let me see if my "prejudices" are correct. Since you guys like stiff strings, am I correct that you don't play much slap?

[hasbeen]

Originally posted by 78pbass I'm a D'addario XL 100-45 guy normally, but Love Fodera's when I splurge. I used the Hartke strings which weren't too terrible for being free The Webstrings I have on my pbass now are not very good IMO. The string to string balance is not there - they dont play like a matched set, sonically and visually. BTW, I'm looking forward to meeting you in haltom City. Ill gladly offer more on this if you need it.

 

excellent! I look forward to seeing you there.

 

Do you find XL's stiff?....not, loose?

[hasbeen]

Originally posted by bassplayinguy I like a really high tension string. piano wire would be nice Right now im using elixirs and the tension is higher than the d'addario XLs i used to use, and the EB slinkeys. I havent tried many other brands but if you know of any high tension strings, let me know too.

 

Infelds are some of the stiffest I've played.....the Super Alloy ones. Of course Roto's are stiff too....amongst the stiffest as well.

[78pbass]

 

Originally posted by hasbeen excellent! I look forward to seeing you there. Do you find XL's stiff?....not, loose?

 

 

 

No, I guess I didnt address tension, did I? Both the XLs and the Foderas (which are prolly D'addario made, if I were to guess) are fairly spongy and slap-friendly. I do like a middle tension, but I have to play nickels or they rust within days from the high levels of acidty in my fingers.

 

I am a fingerstyle player who picks fairly far back towards the bridge to get the tight feeling, but allows slapping and PHATness when playing at the neck. My ATK is where a music man's humbucker resides and I use it to perch.

 

I got so used to that, that I added a rest of the J pup that was added to my 78pbass.

 

So put me down for spongy, not taut.

[takeout]

Here's a scale from 1 (loosest) to 10 (tightest) of the brands I've tried over the years:

 

1

2 - Ken Smith

3

4 - DR (whichever the round core ones are)

5 - D'Addario XL

6 - Fender Nickel

7 - GHS Boomers/Dean Markley Blue

8

9

10 Rotos/Ernie Ball

 

This doesn't count flatwounds I've tried, nor is it a comprehensive list. All sets were within the 40-100 to 45-105 range.

[hasbeen]

Originally posted by 78pbass No, I guess I didnt address tension, did I? Both the XLs and the Foderas (which are prolly D'addario made, if I were to guess) are fairly spongy and slap-friendly. I do like a middle tension, but I have to play nickels or they rust within days from the high levels of acidty in my fingers. I am a fingerstyle player who picks fairly far back towards the bridge to get the tight feeling, but allows slapping and PHATness when playing at the neck. My ATK is where a music man's humbucker resides and I use it to perch. I got so used to that, that I added a rest of the J pup that was added to my 78pbass. So put me down for spongy, not taut.

 

thanks, you're just like me. I like "looser" because I play way back towards the bridge too....and do a lot of slap and pull offs. I way over play.

[hasbeen]

 

Originally posted by takeout Here's a scale from 1 (loosest) to 10 (tightest) of the brands I've tried over the years: 1 2 - Ken Smith 3 4 - DR (whichever the round core ones are) 5 - D'Addario XL 6 - Fender Nickel 7 - GHS Boomers/Dean Markley Blue 8 9 10 Rotos/Ernie Ball This doesn't count flatwounds I've tried, nor is it a comprehensive list. All sets were within the 40-100 to 45-105 range.

 

 

Impressive. I know for a fact that your senses are spot on...... right down to the DR vs. D'Addario thing. I'm doing this research for a favor for the string I endorse....don't want to say which that one is at the moment though.

[Rowka]

I think the reason I play so close to the bridge all the time is because of the perceived stiffness close to the bridge.

I'd rather play closer to the neck for tone reasons, but the strings don't feel tight enough there.

[Retrovertigo]

I like medium tension strings, something good for slap and deep groovin' fingerstyle. Slinky's are too loose, Rotos are too tight. d'addario XLs are my favorite, though I have webstrings on right now, due to my budget.

 

String to string consistency is also VERY important.

[hasbeen]

okay guys....fess up- you tight string guys don't slap much..do you?

[hasbeen]

Originally posted by Retrovertigo I like medium tension strings, something good for slap and deep groovin' fingerstyle. Slinky's are too loose, Rotos are too tight. d'addario XLs are my favorite, though I have webstrings on right now, due to my budget. String to string consistency is also VERY important.

 

thanks for the feedback.....love your smiley too...haven't seen that one...LOL

[Retrovertigo]

 

Originally posted by hasbeen love your smiley too...haven't seen that one...LOL

 

ebassist.com

[Rowka]

 

Originally posted by hasbeen okay guys....fess up- you tight string guys don't slap much..do you?

 

 

Not much of a slapper, but do from time to time.

Stiff strings have never been a problem.

 

A lot if it stems from my setups. I like my basses to have rediculously low action and little if any neck relief. Stiffer strings allow this while avoiding the string-on-fret rattle.

Since the action is so low, slapping is actually quite easy.

[hasbeen]

 

Originally posted by Rowka Not much of a slapper, but do from time to time. Stiff strings have never been a problem. A lot if it stems from my setups. I like my basses to have rediculously low action and little if any neck relief. Stiffer strings allow this while avoiding the string-on-fret rattle. Since the action is so low, slapping is actually quite easy.

 

 

thanks for taking the time...this is a big help.

[takeout]

HB - you're right. I don't slap. I do play about 50-50 pick/fingers, with an aggressive attack.

 

Now that I think about it, back in my slapping days, I preferred Ken Smiths; now I'm liking strings with more tension (in the DR-to-Dean Markley range).

[hasbeen]

 

Originally posted by takeout HB - you're right. I don't slap. I do play about 50-50 pick/fingers, with an aggressive attack. Now that I think about it, back in my slapping days, I preferred Ken Smiths; now I'm liking strings with more tension (in the DR-to-Dean Markley range).

 

 

EXCELLENT! BIG, BIG help. On a side note, you may like D'Addario ProSteels. Note- not the brand I'm affiliated with.

[4string]

A couple of years ago Bass Player Magazine did a very comprehensive review of about 50 different strings. At one time you could view it from the web-site, I haven't looked for it in a while, but try searching there.

[hasbeen]

 

Originally posted by 4string A couple of years ago Bass Player Magazine did a very comprehensive review of about 50 different strings. At one time you could view it from the web-site, I haven't looked for it in a while, but try searching there.

 

 

yes, I've seen it. I'm trying to see here how important that is to bassists and what differences bassists like for slap vs. finger/pick.

[LanEvo]

I also prefer a very low action with minimal relief. But I also like strings that have some compliance to them. I use DR Fat Beams on my Jazz and Ken Smith Masters on my custom 5-string. Even though the tension is low, I don't get into any buzzing issues, but I play with a VERY light touch.

 

As for high tension strings, can you still get Trace Elliot strings? I once tried a set on my old 4-string and those things were almost unplayable! Super high tension.

 

Emre

[zachoff]

Originally posted by hasbeen Hello All; Strings- how important is tension to you? Strings are real important to me. I like smooth roundwounds. Some rounds are too squeaky/too rigid on my fingers... Like playing on sandpaper. D'Addario XL kill me. Ernie Balls are middlin. Fenders are OK. I pretty much play SIT Powerwounds these days as they're the most comfortable I've played. Do you like less or more tension? I like more tension. I play pretty heavy rock and I don't like to get the string bouncing off of the frets clank. Do you recognize that one brands 45-105 is much stiffer than another brands 45-105? I use 100-45 but yeah. I think the D'Addario are have more tension than the others I've played (SIT, Ernie Ball, Fender). What brands would you equate as too stiff for your style? D'Addario XL Really, tension isn't as important as finger feel. I like the bite of roundwounds but I like the feel of groundwounds/halfwounds and flats. Maybe I'm a big {censored} that way, but yeah... That's why I like the SIT Powerwounds. They're not as rigid as the others I've played and they have a good rock bite.