Daddario ECB82

The Total string tension 224.010lbs

These strings are for stroking and caressing out sensual rich deep tones. You can slap these strings if you really want to as well.

Overall very good strings. Very sensual smooth feel, a breeze to play compared to stainless steel with their raw harsh surface.

The G string is 0.050 compared to the traditional 0.045 that is in most Medium sets. I always found the 0.045 too thin and useless as a sound, this 0.050 string makes a huge difference with its extra thickness and string tension. The overall balance is very good across all the strings. It took 4 days for all the strings to settle down, now a really good rich sound, with a shine 'bright' extra sound over the top.

These strings give a modern Flatwound sound with a bright edge, covers all sounds from the warmer jazz sound to the jazz-fusion and even rock - with an added bright edge when needed to give the overall sound a bit more definition. Depending on the different finger techniques used all kinds of sounds can be produced - great.

The only minus point, if it is a minus point, is that the fabric covering the end of the strings on the bridge end of the string is longer than it needs to be on the E and A string. This means that the contact of the string with the bridge is on the fabric tape. I found it does not dampen the sound in any way, as far as I can tell. Do not cut off the fabric - its there for a reason, to cover the tape windings at the end of the string.

The extra tension of the G string may require an adjustment of the guitars action, I had to adjust mine to take it a little lower. I am not playing so harshly as I used to with the stainless steel set I used to have before. It has brought out a better sound and style of playing.

These string are definitely worth the extra cost. Wipe the strings down after use, they will last years.

Sound:

I use these strings on my Squier Precision Bass, and i like them pretty much! If you play them right, is is no problem to get a "clicking" Steve Harris-Sound without the typical scratching of roundwound strings. The tone is pretty bright for flatwounded strings, and it did not get muddy or anything in the one year i own these strings. They also react quite sensible on your style of playing, how hard and where you pick them.

Quality:

While tinkering around at my bass (like screwing in some new pickups), i had to get off and remount the strings a few times. No wonder, the blue string-protection at the end of the headstock is a bit ripped-off now, but all in all, the strings are still great to play and kept their metallic sound.

Conclusion:

It's a completely different feeling to play the bass now, and it is twice as much fun than before. :)

I recently bought a Fender Precision Bass, which comes with 45-105 strings. Compared to my one other bass it is quite bright, too much for my taste. Research led me to try Flatwounds to mellow out the sound - and it worked!

Not only that, but these are so easy to play - your fingers slide up and down the strings with no effort and no lost flesh. Awesome.

The only thing I wish I had known is how much thicker a flatwound string is compared to the same gauge of roundwound. I don't quite understand this, I thought the gauge represented the total thickness of the string, but there you are.

I like the extra thickness of the string - I play hard and so a thicker string keeps things from buzzing. However, I had to adjust the truss rod quite a lot, the bridge a little, and the intonation a fair amount. If you're not happy to do this yourself, and don't want to pay for a setup to change strings, I suggest trying at least one full gauge down from what you would use with roundwounds.