JoeEvans Posted September 4, 2023 Share Posted September 4, 2023 I'm interested in how much you all spend on strings - per set, not per year. Do you go Tesco Value (Harley Benton), Waitrose (La Bella) or Fortnum and Mason (Thomastik)? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paolo85 Posted September 4, 2023 Share Posted September 4, 2023 As much as needed. To me, they matter in terms of sound and playability as much as the bass, and they are a cheaper way to get there. Luckily, I for the most part I have no interest in fresh and bright sets, else money would be more of an issue and maybe I would have other ideas. I seem to have settled on D'Addario tapes for the fretless (I'd prefer the thicker labella tapes but I'd have to work through some finger pain issues), and old D'Addario NYXL for the P bass. Then DR Hi-Beams for the Cort "musicman-inspired" bass. While long lasting, the DR maybe could be replaced now. But I use the other two basses way more so I am in no rush. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnH89 Posted September 4, 2023 Share Posted September 4, 2023 Last set was £75 for 5 string TI Jazz flats . £50 odd for Labella originals for the Yamaha . All the others have Roto 88 tapes . Just under £50 . The longer I play them the better value they seem . Can't see me changing them in the next 20 years . Long term investment . 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tauzero Posted September 4, 2023 Share Posted September 4, 2023 I mostly use Elites but as I needed a 6-string set of nickels and the only ones in the gauges I wanted were Warwick Red Label, I've gone even cheaper. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulThePlug Posted September 4, 2023 Share Posted September 4, 2023 (edited) Adagio and Olympia... £10-£15 Guitar and Bass, Flat and Wound Edited September 4, 2023 by PaulThePlug 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doctor J Posted September 4, 2023 Share Posted September 4, 2023 Whatever Elixir stainless steels cost 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dclaassen Posted September 4, 2023 Share Posted September 4, 2023 I think I paid about £50 for the Elixers on the MP5. LaBellas flats that came with the fretless…both these sets have lasted a while. Just put Black Beauties on the Yamaha…those were around £40 IIRC. Don’t need super expensive strings, but have tried and hate cheap ones. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dad3353 Posted September 4, 2023 Share Posted September 4, 2023 Nothing. ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... I'm a drummer. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casapete Posted September 4, 2023 Share Posted September 4, 2023 Whatever deals I can get on D’Addario EXL strings, usually £20 to £25 a set. Used to get them for a lot less from the US but recent increases mean it’s barely worth it now. Get through about 4 or 5 sets a year on my main bass, and never had a duff string or one break either. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonesy Posted September 4, 2023 Share Posted September 4, 2023 For rounds I usually spend 20-25ish for either Rotosounds or D'Addario XLs. And for flats it's 40-45ish for either TI Jazz or La Bellas. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tjhooker Posted September 4, 2023 Share Posted September 4, 2023 As little as possible... I've discovered lowering tension via detuning and having a good rubbing up and down the length with a wonder wipe... So far so good 😀 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodinblack Posted September 4, 2023 Share Posted September 4, 2023 Generally about £30 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted September 4, 2023 Share Posted September 4, 2023 1 hour ago, Doctor J said: Whatever Elixir stainless steels cost Same, usually about £50 but as they last about a year I don’t think that’s too bad 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gafbass02 Posted September 5, 2023 Share Posted September 5, 2023 6 hours ago, Lozz196 said: Same, usually about £50 but as they last about a year I don’t think that’s too bad Also same. They don’t last me a year, maybe six months, but still worth it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skidder652003 Posted September 5, 2023 Share Posted September 5, 2023 I got some D'Addario flatwounds probably 7 or 8 years ago for I think about 30-35 quid? Put them away but have been using them for about 6 months now. I kind of resent spending £40-50 every few months ( I was using Elixirs which I also like) so I've started using these and I've also really started appreciating Cliff Williams tone and I believe he usesd flats in the studio. Anyway Im really enjoying the feel of them and they seem to sit in the mix really well with my band. Obviously the big plus is I don't need to replace them! They seem pretty pricey now as well. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassAdder60 Posted September 5, 2023 Share Posted September 5, 2023 Fender 7250M x three packs for three basses approx £20 a pack and I change every 3 months on average 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeEvans Posted September 5, 2023 Author Share Posted September 5, 2023 1 minute ago, BassAdder60 said: Fender 7250M x three packs for three basses approx £20 a pack and I change every 3 months on average I guess lifespan, and hence annual cost, is part of the picture really - if you're buying a particular string because of its new sound, or conversely because of its longevity... 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassAdder60 Posted September 5, 2023 Share Posted September 5, 2023 1 minute ago, JoeEvans said: I guess lifespan, and hence annual cost, is part of the picture really - if you're buying a particular string because of its new sound, or conversely because of its longevity... Took me ages to find I prefer the 7250 compared to DR, Elixir, Daddario, Ernie Ball, Elites, Etc etc They are the stock strings on Fender and they just work. I tune down to Eb and the tension is perfect for this 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulWarning Posted September 5, 2023 Share Posted September 5, 2023 this thread had cheered me up, I thought I was paying a lot for the DR neons, last set cost me about £35 but they do last about year, but I just checked they're now about £45, what's going off with strings? the prices have gone through the roof in the last few years, and no, it's not the B word, they're just as expensive from the USA 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat Burrito Posted September 5, 2023 Share Posted September 5, 2023 I believe £20 - £40 but it all goes wrong with the more specialist instruments. My Bass VI was about £60 and the upright £140. Most I have seen upright bass strings for sale for is an eye watering £600. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gazhowe Posted September 5, 2023 Share Posted September 5, 2023 I usually around £30 for a set of DR Sunbeams (45-100). The last ones were from Strings by Mail and worked out less than that including shipping from the US. I’d prefer to buy from a UK retailer but it just doesn’t make sense given the current price difference. https://www.stringsbymail.com/dr-nmlr-45-sunbeam-nickel-plated-electric-bass-strings-med-light-45-100-22362.html 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
binky_bass Posted September 5, 2023 Share Posted September 5, 2023 I'm not particularly precious about brand - generally anything with an RRP of north of say £35 for a 6 string set are all decent and perfectly usable. I tend to try and find discounts if possible as I'm cheap! Got 26 sets 6 string strings (the ones that are now branded MarkBass) for £260 a while ago, that saw me through for a good few years. Recently picked up 5 sets for £25 of 'super budget' strings to see what they were like... not great, but that wasn't unexpected. Also bought 5 sets of Rotosound SM666 from Amazon recently for £14 a set... that was a great deal and well spotted by @TheGreek. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markbunney Posted September 5, 2023 Share Posted September 5, 2023 about £25 for Ernie Balls Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nilorius Posted September 5, 2023 Share Posted September 5, 2023 I use only 35e - D'addario EXL165-5. How often do i change them - gigs and recordings. Rehearsals can take them for a long time. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fishfacefour Posted September 5, 2023 Share Posted September 5, 2023 I've been going through a fair few sets to find the right ones for a new bass. Turns out some used chromes for £25 were the best. Hopefully they will last a while. Usually aim for £25-35 per set if I can. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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