String advice

[SH73]

I own a Jolana S bass (made in Czechoslovakia,it's a copy of Rickenbacker 4001). In early 90' I modified the shape (butchered it,wish I had kept the original shape). The neck is still original. I'd like to get som bright strings, but because the neck is reasonably thin like Rickenbacker 4001, what are my options. It will be used for playing metal. Thank you 

Edited Sunday at 12:35 by SH73
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[bertbass]

Get in touch with Newtone strings, they'll advise you would would be best for you.  For that 'sound' you want stainless steel wire wound strings.

[SH73]

1 hour ago, bertbass said:

Get in touch with Newtone strings, they'll advise you would would be best for you.  For that 'sound' you want stainless steel wire wound strings.

Do you mean round wound?

[Burns-bass]

Just get a set of light round wound strings. Rotos or Ernie Ball are fine. I like d’addario.

 

Buy from a reputable dealer as the internet is full of fakes.

[Leonard Smalls]

25 minutes ago, Burns-bass said:

I like d’addario.

Me too... I've been buying from the D'Addario store on Amazon where they're proper cheap, and not fake as a) they're from D'Addario b) the code works on Player's Circle.

[bertbass]

23 hours ago, SH73 said:

Do you mean round wound?

I'm just old.  Round wound and wire wound are the same to me.  The alternative was tape wound which under any circumstances are horrible and nasty!!!

[ASW]

On 28/12/2025 at 15:00, Leonard Smalls said:

Me too... I've been buying from the D'Addario store on Amazon where they're proper cheap, and not fake as a) they're from D'Addario b) the code works on Player's Circle.

 

As I understand it "a) " doesn't guarantee they're not fake.

 

They're not from D'addario, they're from Amazon i.e. It's from an Amazon warehouse, hence it states "Shipper/seller:Amazon". 

 

Also, if another seller has sent a batch of fake strings to Amazon, then they will be mingled with the real ones from D'addario. You are not guaranteed to get the ones that D'addario sent to the warehouse. 

 

Personally, I've not had any problems and the players code checks out, but it is probably safest to buy from a reputable musical instrument retailer as their stock will be the genuine article. 

Edited 23 hours ago by ASW

[Rayman]

Support home grown businesses, buy from Strings Direct for example, pay a little more, but get genuine products and customer service. I would also highly recommend Newtone strings. Order in advance as it takes a little while to make them and send them out.

 

Also, IMO, don’t buy from Mr Bezos. I have, twice, both times the strings were fake. 

[SH73]

14 minutes ago, Rayman said:

Support home grown businesses, buy from Strings Direct for example, pay a little more, but get genuine products and customer service. I would also highly recommend Newtone strings. Order in advance as it takes a little while to make them and send them out.

 

Also, IMO, don’t buy from Mr Bezos. I have, twice, both times the strings were fake. 

I bought Steve Harris signature strings and they don't feel right, I may contact rotosound if I can post them so they can check the authenticity.

[Bolo]

My 2p: Dr strings  Lo Rider, or High Beams if you want extra extra zingy.

[Leonard Smalls]

17 hours ago, ASW said:

Personally, I've not had any problems and the players code checks out,

Me neither - I've bought at least 12 sets, including the ridiculously cheap £9.99 heavyweight NYXLs, and all have worked on Player's code, and all lasted as expected...

I've found DRs to be not really any better, but cost significantly more. Newtone were good, but still not better. Rotosounds hardly lasted at all, Ernie Ball were OK as were Elixir but still no better that D'Addario. Only ones I like slightly more are Labella Super Slaps which were proper zingy.

[Cato]

Another vote for DR.

 

I went on a similar quest a few years ago, trying a different brand of round wounds every month.

 

The brightest, zingiest strings I found were DR Hi Beams.

 

The most disapointing were Dunlop Super Brights, they were medium bright at best .

 

By the way, it pays to shop around for DRs there can be a £20+ difference in price between different outlets for the same strings.

Edited 2 hours ago by Cato

[Rosie C]

18 hours ago, Rayman said:

Support home grown businesses, buy from Strings Direct for example, pay a little more, but get genuine products and customer service.

 

I placed an order for mandolin strings with Strings Direct on Saturday evening. They arrived this morning which I think is pretty good service over the holiday break - so a 👍 for them from me!

 

[Mrbigstuff]

20 minutes ago, Rosie C said:

 

I placed an order for mandolin strings with Strings Direct on Saturday evening. They arrived this morning which I think is pretty good service over the holiday break - so a 👍 for them from me!

 

Same for me with my guitar strings, although for bass strings I use bass direct because Markbass make my favourite strings. FWIW though I don’t like bright strings and prefer an old school tone.