Custom Balanced D'Addario Nickel XL strings

[cassius987]

I have been doing my online string orders through Bass Strings Online lately. Jason (the owner and operator) has a really cool VIP service for customers and gives very good discounts on several things, ships extremely fast for not much coin, plus he's an excellent human being from my interactions with him. So it pleases me to let everyone here know that as part of the Custom Sets feature of his site he has listed the custom gauge rounds I use as their own complete sets. They are D'Addario Nickel XLs that I have selected to be balanced for tension in 4- and 5-string configurations, for both light (~35 lbs/string) and medium (~40 lbs/string) tension. If you are VIP they are a few bucks cheaper than the price you see otherwise. To get set up as a VIP contact Jason through the web site.

Here is the link: http://www.bassstringsonline.com/Joshua ... _1065.html

I currently use the medium set on my 2010 4003 and 1976 4001FL, and the light set on my 2008 4003FL and plan to use the light five-string set on a forthcoming bass (or maybe the medium--it will be trial and error to see what the neck likes once I get it in my possession).

Some of you will know I am also a fan of Circle K strings and might wonder why I jumped back to D'Addario Nickel XLs. While I still love Circle Ks and tip my hat to the company, I have found after going through several sets of both strings the D'Addarios are a little more consistent batch-to-batch, are easier on the frets/fingerboard, and have a slightly warmer and tighter tone that I prefer (compared to a zingier, slinkier tone for the Circle Ks that may be more what others are looking for). The differences are almost negligible but matter to me, especially on a fretless for the sake of the fingerboard. And another plus: the D'Addarios are quite a bit cheaper. Jason's business is especially wallet friendly when putting single strings together.

So I just thought I'd put this up in case anyone was looking to try something new, especially if you haven't done balanced tension before but like nickel rounds on hex cores like I do. I don't get any kickbacks for any sales; the only benefit to me is the cheap price on the set and the convenience of being able to load it in the cart with one click. Plus, perhaps, the link to my band's facebook page at the bottom.

(p.s.: Not sure if this belongs here or in the Low End--mods, feel free to move the thread if you need to.)

[johnallg]

Good to know. I'll need strings soon. Bookmarked.

[Baker69]

I'm a big fan of D'Addario strings and use them exclusively on my Sandberg California. I haven't tried them on my Ric yet which I've only used Roto's on, might give them a try sometime.

[doctorwho]

Good to know. ...

+1!

I use flatwound D'Addarios on a number of my 6-string guitars and love them, so I bet I'd like them on my basses.

[antonius]

That's a great deal. I also use D'Addario Nickel XL .045 .060 .080 .105 on my 1975 4001, but I have to pay the slightly higher price for single strings (I'm in the UK), although they are still good value for money compared to other brands. They are good sounding and versatile strings and the balanced tension just feels right to me and I keep coming back for more... I also use D'Addario Nickel XL on my 1973 Gibson Les Paul Custom guitar.

[sloop_john_b]

I have had several exceptionally good buying experiences from Bass Strings Online, despite the owner's unfortunate name - JASON MENDELSON.

[ram]

I have run the XL170's forever on my '74 4001 and just love them! On my 4003S5 I use EXL220-5s 125/95/75/60/40... Available, good quality, priced fair and I like the way they feel...


...Mendelson

[jps]

I have had several exceptionally good buying experiences from Bass Strings Online, despite the owner's unfortunate name - JASON MENDELSON.

Strange, his bio doesn't mention anything about It Rhymes With Orange?

[iiipopes]

Joshua, you have arrived. Congrats.

[armybass]

I get all my stuff Jason at BSO..... great prices and stupid good shipping. I just got the LaBella Flats and EB Coboalt Slinkys that I put on my Rics from Jason.

I used to be a D'Add fan but I really lost my appetite for their strings. They seem to die fast and many of the sets I had felt stiff and were just not very good tonally. I would be willing to give them another shot however so maybe I will try these.

[rickenbrother]

I've never had any issue with D'Addario strings. Consistently great quality at a fair price. So this is good news, thanks Joshua!

[johnallg]

Interesting, I've found the D'Addario XL strings to be longer lasting. But my hands don't sweat much and are pretty clean when I pick up the bass. That could be a factor. Now Rotos...... They stay bright about a week, MAYBE. For me.

[antonius]

I find that D'Addario XL don't have that initial abundance of zing or brightness that soon fades that some brands have, but they retain a good amount of brightness, tone and growl for quite a long time, again relative to other brands. Good strings if you play a variety of styles with different tonal requirements and require versatility, and I've found them very consistent in terms of quality. Certainly very good for the price.

[Baker69]

I find that D'Addario XL don't have that initial abundance of zing or brightness that soon fades that some brands have, but they retain a good amount of brightness, tone and growl for quite a long time, again relative to other brands. Good strings if you play a variety of styles with different tonal requirements and require versatility, and I've found them very consistent in terms of quality. Certainly very good for the price.

I agree entirely, they do seem to lose that initial twang quite quickly as you say but then they stay pretty bright for quite some time afterwards. Roto's seem to keep their 'zing' for some time, I think a lot depends on how much your hands sweat etc.

I usually buy a few sets at a time as it is much cheaper that way, I think I bought 3 sets for £ 33 last time. Need to get some more thinking about it.