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I got a set of these from RoadToad music to try on my new Ashbory. They're a smooth black polyurethane string. He has two kinds, but I got the standard set. They're a good string, but they only lasted half an hour on my bass, then I put the old ones back on - I prefer the sound of the silicone rubber. I can easily imagine someone else preferring the Pahoehoe, though, and they're worth trying.
Here's how I'd describe the difference: First, feel: the P strings are much smoother to the touch, no talc required. They stretch less, so - even though the tension is probably about the same - they make the A-bass feel more like other stringed instruments than with the SR strings. The 3 lowest strings come with a sort of ball-end arrangement, but on the G string you tie a knot and then slip a plastic grommet over it. The material is so slick that I couldn't get a knot to stay until I held a match to it to melt the end a little.
The sound: One reason I wanted to try the strings is I wanted more fundamental on the low string. (I want that on most basses though, so it may be my amp or my hearing. I often switch the E string of a set for a different type or guage on bass fiddle and on bass guitar.)
The basic pitch is a little clearer, but the sustain is much less. If you compare it to string basses, the P strings have more of the percussive "thump" but the SR have more "boing" and "twang". I like a little "boing", myself. If I was playing mostly rockabilly, country blues, or even old-time jazz and ragtime, I might prefer the PR strings. For swing and later jazz, or for pop/rock, I like the warmer sound and sustain of the SR. To my ears, it's a more lyrical, more generally attractive sound, and I kind of like the feel under my fingers now I'm used to it. The SR also have more of that singing tone on vibrato mid/high notes, like fretless bass guitars.
There was too much contrast in tone for me to consider mixing the two sets, but I decided I liked SR better even on the E string. In a blind test, my wife immediately preferred the tone of the SR strings, though she did agree the P had a little more clarity and fundamental.
Again, a good product even though I've decided not to use them myself. A useful alternative to know about, and might be the perfect string for some people. Now, if I had two Ashborys.....
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Topic: Pahoehoe strings (review) (Read 1454 times)
