Strings?

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What strings do you think have the most HI-FI tone, and don't say EMP's because they don't
 
What precisely are you looking for when you say HI-FI paperbag?
 
sunbeams sound very scooped (steel string, hex core)
d'addario xl's sound very even across the spectrum, and tend to react more to the bass (nickel, round core)

decide from there :D
the hellborgs are very piano like too, and conklin makes a steel version of that string, so that will sound very pingy...
 
I use hi-beams. They are a good string for my sound which I would say is more hi-fi than traditional. They are bright buy not as harsh as sun beams. DRs are great.

...oh yeah and Ryan uses hi beams.
 
paperbag1213 said:
What strings do you think have the most HI-FI tone, and don't say EMP's because they don't


Maybe your idea of hifi is a far cry from mine coz I find EMP's too hifi.
 
Andrew O said:
sunbeams sound very scooped (steel string, hex core)

sunbeams are actually round core, and nickel plated. still not hi fi, but they are my favorite strings. 8)
 
Sorry to disagree with the mods but in my limited experience with EMP's (2 x sets) they are not as Hi-fi sounding as say Black labels.
Perhaps it's the coating, but to me they sound like a set that have been 'played in' a little, not quite as 'zingey'? but at least they stay that way for a time longer, great for recording with without excessive string buzz, the way you do sometimes with a fresh set of stainless roundwounds.
For the last 2 years i was using Red labels, but now for me Black labels all the way to get that 'Piano' like zing.

Steve.
 
They sound exactly like black labels, no difference at all. I tested them in the studio, and a/b 'd the results. They sound the same.
I also play emp only for 2 years now, and they are far for being as you say... And I make my sound bright and zzzingy. That's why I don't use elixirs anymore, they fit your description.
Cheers, Flo
 
Hi Florin
I know EMPs are Black labels but surely the coating must affect the toneality of the string somehow?
They really are a great string and much better than other coated strings but you can still feel the coating, surely that affects the strings vibrational quality if only minutely?
If that is so, surely that would affect the overall tone of the string as well?
A bit like the slight tonal difference between a natural oiled finish to a bass as opposed to a lacquered one?
It's only my oppinion & as we all know oppinions are like a##holes, everyones got one!
Just please don't think me one?

Steve
 
My experiences with EMPs and Black Labels are that the EMPs sound a tad dull allready from the beginning but lasts a bit longer.

I have switched over to DR HiBeams since a year and I'm happy with them. The best strings for me so far. I have a pack of LoRiders waiting to be tested as well.

I have tested a set of Black Beauties as well. OK, they look cool and sounds good BUT when they die ... they really really really die.... and they continue dying forever untill they are dead...
 
Bassman68 said:
Hi Florin
I know EMPs are Black labels but surely the coating must affect the toneality of the string somehow?
They really are a great string and much better than other coated strings but you can still feel the coating, surely that affects the strings vibrational quality if only minutely?
If that is so, surely that would affect the overall tone of the string as well?
A bit like the slight tonal difference between a natural oiled finish to a bass as opposed to a lacquered one?
It's only my oppinion & as we all know oppinions are like a##holes, everyones got one!
Just please don't think me one?

Steve
Hi Steve
Sure, it is my personal opinion too based on my experience with those strings, I don't want anyone to feel offended about it...
But I actually tested in studio, the same bass, I recorded a lick, then 5 minutes later I recorded with the other set. I didn't hear any difference to be honest...
And even if it is a difference, it is hard to call EMP's sound dull... Just my opinion.
The coating is at molecular level, unlike the DR or Elixir coating...
Of course I might be wrong here, so please excuse me...
Cheers / Flo
 
What strings that fit best is most likely depending on more variables we might expect, just like the bass.

*the bass you fit them on
*what sound to what purpose
*how you play and..
*...your expected response to how the strings should feel
*what tool you use to cut them and how they are fitted
*temperatures and humidity

Most likely, many people will never find the ultimate brand for their purpose since there are so many ou there.

But DR, Elixir, EMP`s and D`addarios are good number two`s. :wink:
 
`


Nobody's played the Hellborg strings yet ?





Guess I'll just hafta go buy a set and see for
myself. Beside, if yoozdoodz are gonna rely
on terms like HIFI to describe tone, then I'll
still hafta go hear reality for myself anywayz.





Strings cannot be HIFI. They originate tone,
they don't amp it, record it, or play it back.




#&@#&&#&##&@#&@&#@#&@@#&@#


But I am having fun with the colored text
doohickee. And the BOLD and Italic, too :-)

--------------------------------------



`
 
golem said:
`



But I am having fun with the colored text
doohickee. And the BOLD and Italic, too :-)

--------------------------------------



`

thats all that really matters!

HiFi i think is now grossly used for very bright sounding modern tones, and aren't fat and bassy like the old skool tones.

So going with that i tend to go with ANY NEW ROUND WOUND STRING will sound HIFI at least for day or two.

In my experience i'd say EMP's are the most 'HiFi' string. My real reason for this is that EMP's have the best harmonic response of any string i've tried. The harmonics and overtones sing out in an amazing way, something that no DR did for me and the only string that came close are the galli strings i now use (as i needed some nickel warmth to my tone). It the coating, steel, and hex cores that just give the string properties that make it sound just so much better than any other string imo, with regard to the overtones and general characteristics. EMP's do have a slightly worn in tone to them i won't dispute it, but that tone stays where other fade, so this factor to me seems like a complete moot point.

I've been messing about with nickle strings for a bit myself as i needed a little less edge to my tone and nickle strings will stay on my $$ but on a thumb nothing works as well as EMP's for that ultimate 'HiFI' tone imo.
 
Florin said:
Bassman68 said:
Hi Florin
I know EMPs are Black labels but surely the coating must affect the toneality of the string somehow?
They really are a great string and much better than other coated strings but you can still feel the coating, surely that affects the strings vibrational quality if only minutely?
If that is so, surely that would affect the overall tone of the string as well?
A bit like the slight tonal difference between a natural oiled finish to a bass as opposed to a lacquered one?
It's only my oppinion & as we all know oppinions are like a##holes, everyones got one!
Just please don't think me one?

Steve
Hi Steve
Sure, it is my personal opinion too based on my experience with those strings, I don't want anyone to feel offended about it...
But I actually tested in studio, the same bass, I recorded a lick, then 5 minutes later I recorded with the other set. I didn't hear any difference to be honest...
And even if it is a difference, it is hard to call EMP's sound dull... Just my opinion.
The coating is at molecular level, unlike the DR or Elixir coating...
Of course I might be wrong here, so please excuse me...
Cheers / Flo

+1 on what Flo said. i used Black labels and EMPS and have now EMPs only because the only difference I find is that they last waaaaay longer and no flaking coating to deal with like Elixirs.
 
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