d'Addario Reds

[Chris P.]

The nice people from d'Addario sent me a set of strings:

http://www.daddario.com/DADProductFamily.Page?ActiveID=3768&familyid=23

I only have electric basses, those strings should sound more 'acoustic', but has anyone experience with those strings? How will they sound compared to nickelwounds? More highs? I want to know a bit more about the sound, before I chose which bass they will get on.

[maxschrek]

I've used those a couple of times in the past. Bright, piano like clarity.
These strings sound like Entwistle, and what is more, what I always thought
Rotosounds should sound like. Did I mention piano?

Now, the bad news...they will literally chew your fingers and frets to shreds!
No exaggeration whatsoever! My fingers would bleed (and turn green!) as these
strings are beyond ruff. Did I mention piano....wire?!?

Maybe you'll have better luck and tougher digits

T

[nofi]

on a pure acoustic instrument the coated bronzes are not your friend. a some what muffled tone imo.

[Dave W]

on a pure acoustic instrument the coated bronzes are not your friend. a some what muffled tone imo.

AFAIK these are coated steel strings for electric bass, not coated bronze. The "more acoustic-sounding tone" in the description might just be hype. Not that a string company would ever make an exaggerated claim. 

[maxschrek]

They don't sound more "acoustic' than any other string to me, maybe clearer and zingier...
I am under the impression that they are not bronze and it's the copper coating that
makes them "red" and gives them the texture of razor wire.


T

[Droombolus]

Now, the bad news...they will literally chew your fingers and frets to shreds!
No exaggeration whatsoever! My fingers would bleed (and turn green!) as these
strings are beyond ruff.

Ruff compared to normal rounds or half-rounds ?

[maxschrek]

@Droombolus:

Ruff compaired to normal rounds, IMO of course.
I also remember them being very stiff. Please let
me reiterate though, the sound is a payoff of sorts
and they may not be as physically hard to deal
with for you as they were for me.

[Droombolus]

OK, thanks Max ! I understand from their site that this EXP series is an upgraded version. I'm really curious about your findings with your freebee set Chris, now if you'll excuse me I  m u s t   b   e    o    n     m      y        w       a       y               

[uwe]

I always liked loved the raw sound of the original XL Reds. And they weren't chewier than Rotos in my experience. If the new ones sound anything like them, I'm getting me some!!!!

[Chris P.]

I'll put them on a bass soon and I will tell my experiences.

[Freuds_Cat]

From the D’Addario page:
 "Description
EXPR165 Reds react much like a standard electric bass guitar string where the outer wire is highly magnetic, but the copper coating imparts a more “acoustic” tone on basses with magnetic and/or piezo pickups. The EXP coating protects the copper windings from corrosion and premature wear.


To me thats not stating that its a string made for acoustic basses but a string for all basses that has a more acoustic sound to it.