who like slappers

[MM Scarborough]

thought that might get you're attention. Seeing as this forum is awesome and i've learnt so much from i thought I pick all you brains. Couple of months ago I switched from rotosund to la bella slappers. However i have been eating them like there's no tomorrow. I have to change them every 2 -3 weeks depending on gigs. This wasn't a problem as the sound far out weighed the cost but.... Last night I was re stringing again, and thinking why they keep breaking, i just got to the point of stretching them i.e D-D Sharp etc and the d string broke! before I even played the damm thing thing

Heres my theory or rather facts

1. The strings break at bridge end before the itonation posts.
2. They never snap, the inner coil always remains intact.
3. They don't break at the ball where the pressure is from the birdge, thus ruleing out an poorly finished bridge
4. Theres' no particular pattern with breakages
5. The outer coil seems to be letting go from the inner coil, sugetsing a mating problem, possibly causing by mating nickel to stainless steal? (maybe im clutching at straws)
6. The first ever set I bought had a dead e-string.

Im now considering going back to rotosound, but do you think I have a point that there is a manufacturing problem? does anyonw here experiance the same.

You guys on here are always constructive and helpful, look forward to the response

 

[Bassplyr]

I've never used La Bella strings, and after reading your post, I dont think that I ever will. Rotosounds always died real quick for me. But they sounded great for the 1 gig they lasted for. Try some DR's. They have alot of different types that I'm sure youll find to your liking. Good luck!

 

[phatduckk]

im all about DRs. i like the hi-beams alot and i rememebr someone here raving about the chromes

 

[Mantaray]

I tried the slappers for the first time after the 2004 London Guitar Show. Each set was very cheap(about £6.99 I think) so I made the move. The first days they had a KILLER tone, but this ended very quickly. While most strings lose their tone at a steady rate, the slappers do so almost overnight if they get quite dirty.

About the breaking thing now....
Well yes and no. It pretty much depends on your attack on the strings(actually in slapping the key is to minimize hand movement and get better mechanics). But yeah, another definitive factor is the quality of the string. The G string in slappers broke very quickly. But this has also happened with the Elites player(nickel).
The best ones are

1) DR Hi Beams 45-105. I have them on my Ray for about 4 months, I have literally abused them with my slapping( I'm a serious slapper) and they still retain their premium tone. Not to mention that I still play with all 4 of 'em. I got into that Ray/DR combo from the bass player that inspires me the most, Mats Hagervik.

2) Elixir. Now that is a slap sound. And very tough indeed.

 

[pookeymp]

I love the DR High Beams as well. Great tone that lasts quite a while. I like the 40 - 120 gauge set.

I've also recently been using GHS Super Steels 40 - 125 gauge.

Between the DR's and Super Steels, I'm still undecided which I like better...either seems to work well for me.

Mikey/

 

[MM Scarborough]

oh cheers guys il give them a try, you're help is much aprreciated!

 

[shaver]

guys guys, its all about TI' Power Bass, seccond DR black beauties, third Fodera's... those are usualy way to expensive and i change strings alot dependsing on my giging situation, so i usualy just get Hybrid Slkys

 

[TSanders]

im all about the Slinkys.

 

[Mantaray]

im all about the Slinkys.

I must say that I'm very disappointed with slinkys.
I bought 2 sets in 2 consequent days and they both were problematic.
The first set was half wound. I went back to the store to change it with the same, and guess what! Another half wounded set! Imagine what a surprise would that be before or during a gig !!!

 

[TSanders]

wow. thats surprising. ive never had a problem with the slinkys.

 

[mike not fat]

I use rotosound strings (gauge 45 to 110) and i'm happy with them. The "shiny" sound from the begining dont last very long, but even after 2 or 3 month playing with it, they keep a good sound.
I've never broke some, even when slapping. Before rotosound, i tried GHS and slinky's, but often broke the smaller one while slapping or playing with a pick.
Returning to roto's can be a good solution.


MNF

 

[Moondog]

2) Elixir. Now that is a slap sound. And very tough indeed.

Yes, nanowebs are great - current set is 6mos old & almost like new.
DR sunbeams also find there way on my basses but can't beat the
feel of the Elixirs.

 

[Mobay45]

This should probably be in the string forum.....

I use the Dean Markley Blue Steels. I've found that they hold their brightness longer than any other string I've tried - Rotos, GHS, Fender, etc. I haven't tried the DRs or the LaBellas though. I do have a set of TI Jazz Flats on order for a five string. After I played Jack's basses with them I decided I had to try some for myself.