D'AddarioUK

[quote name='MJJS' timestamp='1447702615' post='2909675'] Hi All, I've just purchased my first starter DoubleBass. Its in very good condition and has an adjustable bridge and a fishman pickup. I want to put a decent set of strings on it and am looking at the D'Addario Helicore range. But, what tension should I go for? I intend to play mainly piz. At this stage, I don't even have a bow. Thanks. [/quote] Hi MJJS, We produce two types of string that may interest you in the Helicore range. Firstly the Helicore pizzicato if you will primarily be playing pizz, we also do hybrid strings if you're playing a mix of pizz and arco. As for tension we tend to recommend going with medium tension as a starting point. Thanks,

[quote name='iiipopes' timestamp='1447174161' post='2905541'] Does the OP run the strings through the body? If so, bassstringsonline.com has a technical article that sets forth the various manufacturer's various winding lengths so a proper string can be mounted. Mount a string on the bass and tune it up to pitch. Then take a marker and make a mark on the tuner side of the nut. Remove the string and measure from the ball to the mark. That is the length of winding needed, and can be cross-referenced against the chart. [/quote] We've got something very similar [url="http://www.daddario.com/upload/BassArticle2_1803.pdf"]HERE [/url]for our bass strings.

[quote name='paulnb57' timestamp='1447415688' post='2907478'] So I have an Epi EB -0 shortscale bass, the Mahogany one, to many on here probably considered a toy (!) Anyroadup, I really like it, but as everyone knows the Sidewinder pup is a bit muddy, not as muddy as a Muddybucker, but well, its muddy, the tone pot is redundant really, and just sits there sulking...... So to my question please, I like Stainless flats, and I guess the brighter they are, a bit less muddy it will be, as they say in Tesco, every little helps, any recommendations for bright flats? Thanks! Paul [/quote] Hi Paul, As a couple of posters have mentioned D'Addario Chromes flat wounds are relatively bright for flats. We even produce a set suitable for short scale bass ECB81S (45-100). Hope this helps,

[quote name='dlloyd' timestamp='1447327112' post='2906679'] Do you supply single strings? I could make my own reentrant set by ditching the D and popping an E string on there instead. [/quote] Alas no, not for uke.

[quote name='roonjuice' timestamp='1447270088' post='2906338'] Hey guys, I love the pro steel strings and have used them on most of my basses (after years of Using a particular other brand), and I love the growl I get. The tension is also perfect:) I have a 7 string 35" scale bass that needs restringing and it's a little tricky trying to put a set together. Would you possibly be able to help me out with where to buy a complete set rather than piecing a set together? I like regular gauge, and the bass is tuned f# (low) to c (high) Cheers guys! [/quote] Hi Roonjuice, Use the article [url="http://www.daddario.com/upload/BassArticle2_1803.pdf"]HERE[/url] to check your actual required string length, that will allow us to figure out whether you need long or super long strings. As for string gauges for your tuning I'd recommend using the EPS170-6 set for the top 6 and a single PSB145 for the low F#. A word of warning though the .145 may be a bit light for this tuning but its the heaviest gauge we do in ProSteels. If you're willing to use nickel plated steel we do 160, 165 and 170 tapered strings which may be more appropriate for this tuning. Thanks,

[quote name='tauzero' timestamp='1447179375' post='2905615'] OK, just to clarify it's not through-body strung, it's through-bridge. [/quote] Hi Tauzero, I tend to err on the side of caution when recommending scale lengths, you can check for certain by using this link [url="http://www.daddario.com/upload/BassArticle2_1803.pdf"]HERE[/url]. Just follow the instructions to ascertain what length strings you require, for reference our long scale strings start to taper just beyond 36" and our super long at 38". Thanks,

[quote name='dlloyd' timestamp='1447167839' post='2905457'] Medium brightness, reentrant tuning. [/quote] I'm afraid to say that all of our baritone sets are designed for standard DGBE tuning.

[quote name='dlloyd' timestamp='1447114591' post='2905071'] I really like the D'Addario silver plated copper gypsy jazz strings (11s, loop end if there's any freebies going!) Do you have any strings suitable for a baritone ukulele? [/quote] Yep, loads! What kind of sound are you looking for?

[quote name='Ghost_Bass' timestamp='1447150577' post='2905218'] Super Long strings for a 35" neck. When i fit them on my TRB the amount of cut off is about the extra you need for through-body stringing. Don't know if they're Taper-wound but i would think not. [/quote] Ghost_bass is right, go for super long. Look out for the SL at the end of the item code to denote super long, they won't be tapered.

[quote name='Machines' timestamp='1446800065' post='2902383'] I like the strings, but at a guitar show in Birmingham they were charging more than I can get them for on your well known strings suppliers websites. In fact this year I don't think they had ANY bass strings. [/quote] Hi Machines, We will often attend shows with the intention of showcasing a particular concept or set of products, this means that we rarely bring a wide range of stock and tend to focus on a handful of products. As for pricing we're primarily a distributor, we can't price things too keenly at shows, retailers will usually offer the best value to consumers. Thanks,

[quote name='mrtcat' timestamp='1446746762' post='2902037'] Regular D'addario user here. If they do an equivalent to elixirs which keep their zing longer then let me know as I'd use them on all my basses. [/quote] Our coated strings are called EXP, they last at least 4 times longer than our un-coated strings. To find the right set of EXP take the Item # of your regular un-coated set e.g. EXL170 and change out the L for a P i.e. EXP170.

Keep up that level of flattery and we'll have to see what we can do!

Thanks for the support Thunderbird, if there's anything we can do to improve your experience please let us know. We've got some interesting things in the pipeline for bass players coming up in 2016.

[quote name='enssorcel' timestamp='1446575319' post='2900537'] I used your tool to have a look at the tension on the low B of the Chromes I'm getting and apparently the 0.132 has ~36lb of tension as opposed to ~23lb which I find incredible considering the miniscule jump in guage and the fact others here have suggested even a 0.135 wouldn't make much difference. It explains why your set uses the odd 132 rather than 130 or 135 which I usually see on 5 string sets however. I do wonder if it must be a mistake as I really can't see how 0.002 inches can add 13lb, as I've seen the formula used on your website also. As some members have suggested I do think perceived tension may be half the problem, as the low B on my HB feels horribly floppy but sounds ok plugged in. They are terrible strings though. [/quote] The tension changes are significantly different depending on which strings you use, the difference between a .135 and .130 nickel plated steel string is less than 3lbs over 34" at standard tuning.

Thank you all for your kind words about our bass strings, I check the forum regularly so please PM me with any questions you may have relating to any of our products.

The gauge of most low B strings in bass sets means that generally they will be under a lot less tension, there is a big difference between actual and perceived tension so this isn't a problem. I believe a change of strings should resolve the issue and that a non-tapered .130 ought to suffice.

Regards string tension you can make use of D'Addario's [url="http://stringtensionpro.com/"]String Tension Pro[/url] tool to compare the tension of any of our strings over different tunings and scale lengths. I suspect your problems should be rectified by fitting new strings and setting up your bass.

The wrap wire in D'Addario EXP strings is coated prior to winding, this means that EXP strings sound and feel like their un-coated counterparts but with a minimum of four times normal string life. If you wanted the equivalent of EXL165-5 I'm afraid to say that we don't do a single EXP .135 string, to get close you could opt for the EXP165 set with a single EXPXLB130 or as you've suggested you could go for the EXP170-5 set.

XL is the brand name for our electric and bass strings. The E in the EXL code denotes that they are packaged in our eco-friendly "E-series" packaging.

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1436379189' post='2817734'] Thanks for commenting. Are you going to be producing BT in steels? Also which set (with what gauge low would you recommend that I try bearing in mind that my current preferred sets are LaBella Steels 40-128 (G- and Warwick Black Label Steels 40-130? Thanks! [/quote] I'm not aware of any plans to produce BT ProSteels sets. We do however have an amazing tool on our website for working out string tension [url="http://stringtensionpro.com/"]www.stringtensionpro.com[/url]. This can be very useful for working out which additional strings would be appropriate to add to our BT sets. If you currently prefer Steels in 40-130 I'd recommend our EPS190 set with a single PSB130 (if you want an equivalent to the LaBella or Warwick strings). If you want something with equivalent feel in nickel-wound BT you'd be looking at our EXL170BT with an XLB135, they are slightly higher tension than the Prosteels however this should compensate for the stiffer feel of ProSteels. Strictly speaking the .135 is a bit light to call this "set" BT, but to achieve this you'd need a .145 which is probably a bit on the chunky side for normal applications.

The sound of our balanced tension sets is the same as our other nickel-plated round wound strings because they are constructed in exactly the same manner, it's more of a feel thing. As others have pointed out the perception of tension depends on a great number of factors, however the BT sets go a long way to making the instrument feel more consistent across the strings. I use the balanced tension sets on my basses and supplement them with singles where I need a low B or high C. I'd recommend giving them a go if you have any interest and you may or may not prefer them, it's a matter of personal taste. I for one really like them, I feel that the low E has a nicer feel and moving between strings on the upper register of the instrument feels smoother as there isn't a big difference in tension between the D and the G.

If you have any further issues with the site PM me.

It's a bit simpler to use if you opt to base your calculations on an existing set of D'Addario strings. When you say the bass has an extra two frets for drop tuning do you mean to say that the E string is a different scale length to the rest of the bass?

We have a great tool on our website for working out string tensions at various gauges, scale lengths and tunings [url="http://www.stringtensionpro.com"]www.stringtensionpro.com[/url]. This tool can be very useful in comparing the tension and "feel" of different sets on different instrument setups.

If you have any other questions drop me a PM.