kevbass Posted August 25, 2008 Share Posted August 25, 2008 Hello ladies and gents, I should be recieving that OLP with the sterling pup in the post tommorow, so I want to throw on some new strings and I'd like to try something new, I always go with ernie ball slinkys or D'addario but I fancy a change. I am on a bit of a budget so as much as I'd like to try some DR blacks or Elites I cant afford them right now. Hartke strings seem to be quite cheap and its a name I'm familiar with. I have had a look on ebay and there are manufacturers who claim their strings are great and cheap and usa made etc but Im not familar with the brands and I'm a bit put off to get these. So, Hartke seem like a good option, anyone had any experience with these? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayfan Posted August 25, 2008 Share Posted August 25, 2008 (edited) Got a triple-pack of these and they're very good. I'm no string expert though. Defo worth experimenting if you get them at a good price. Edit: [url="http://www.calllarryhartke.com/"]phone Larry Hartke up[/url] and ask him who makes them. Edited August 25, 2008 by stingrayfan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevbass Posted August 25, 2008 Author Share Posted August 25, 2008 [quote name='stingrayfan' post='269760' date='Aug 25 2008, 08:57 PM']Got a triple-pack of these and they're very good. I'm no string expert though. Defo worth experimenting if you get them at a good price. Edit: [url="http://www.calllarryhartke.com/"]phone Larry Hartke up[/url] and ask him who makes them.[/quote] Alright thats good enough for me, I'll pick up a pack from the bay this evening Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warwickhunt Posted August 25, 2008 Share Posted August 25, 2008 I bought 3 sets from eBay for something stupid like £11 and for the price they can't be knocked. They are 'probably' never going to rival DR strings for pure tone in a recording situation etc but it'd be an idiot that could claim that DR strings were ten times better than the Hartke ones if stuck on a cheap/mid priced bass used for playing down the local. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest MoJo Posted August 25, 2008 Share Posted August 25, 2008 I use them alot (same eBay deal) and I'm very happy with them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jase Posted August 26, 2008 Share Posted August 26, 2008 I use them all the time now, very happy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fraktal Posted August 28, 2008 Share Posted August 28, 2008 (edited) Got 2 sets of hartke strings and broke twice the B string while tuning it up to B (and no, I didnt tune them past B ). They broke at the tuning peg 3 semitones before they reached the B. Gave the other 4 strings to a friend that plays a 4stringer and wont buy that crap anymore. Edited August 28, 2008 by Fraktal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
acidbass Posted August 28, 2008 Share Posted August 28, 2008 I'm very impressed with mine for the price. I just stick a new set on before every gig and they sound as good as any other brand IMO! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markytbass Posted August 28, 2008 Share Posted August 28, 2008 The 5 string sets I bought for my Yamaha (now sold on) were fine. I can't remember which ebay member I bought them off but they took nearly a month to get to me. I will probably end up getting some 4 string sets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warwickhunt Posted August 28, 2008 Share Posted August 28, 2008 [quote name='Fraktal' post='271825' date='Aug 28 2008, 03:03 PM']Got 2 sets of hartke strings and broke twice the B string while tuning it up to B (and no, I didnt tune them past B ). They broke at the tuning peg 3 semitones before they reached the B. Gave the other 4 strings to a friend that plays a 4stringer and wont buy that crap anymore.[/quote] You may have just been unlucky No disrespect intended but the string wasn't a 'slightly' larger scale and sticking in the nut? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayfan Posted August 28, 2008 Share Posted August 28, 2008 (edited) After reading claims that these are D'Addario seconds/Ernie Balls/made from candy floss I phoned Larry Hartke up and asked him who makes them - he says it's not a famous brand but a small company that they use. He does answer the phone as advertised. Seems like a nice guy. Edit: looked at the packs and they say "Made In China" on them. Which maybe explains why they're so cheap. But they're still good. Edited August 29, 2008 by stingrayfan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markytbass Posted August 28, 2008 Share Posted August 28, 2008 The D'addario myth probably comes from the coloured ball ends. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phil_the_bassist Posted September 4, 2008 Share Posted September 4, 2008 these have been popping up as a debated item on almost every section of the forum atm! great advertising for the Ebay wholesaler, and Hartke! also, I've also called Larry Hartke and he's a bit of a legend...very much self promoting legend, but legend nonetheless! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barrymk Posted September 4, 2008 Share Posted September 4, 2008 I've been using these strings for a while now and they seem to vary considerably in quality. I've had sets that lasted ages and kept a good tone but since I've been gigging again (so playing more) I've broken a couple on stage so I won't use them any more. I also feel they're a bit hard on the old pinkies too, especially if you slide around a bit. You pays your money...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretlessguy Posted September 12, 2008 Share Posted September 12, 2008 I've tried them a few times. They are not great, but I thought they were okay. They certainly get smashed on the blog sites here, but I have not had a bad experiance with them yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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