Kestral Bass Strings

[WeFixFlats]

Mine came stock with a D'Addario 45-105 set. Just wondering if any owners of this bass have found any other brand that is superior to these? But not at any price, on a budget(under $30 a set). Plus I do not 'Tap' or 'Slap' or play 'Metal' and I use a large Dunlop Felt Pick, not my fingers.

 

[CoreyT]

I have the same gauge on my Kingfisher in Ernie Ball Cobalts, and they still sound great.
They were put on when I picked mine up from the dealer back then.

Not sure if they are better, but I cam pleased with them, and they are still going strong.

 

[WeFixFlats]

It was kindly suggested to me that I should bump the post and ask again:

PRS SE Kestral with the original factory D'Addario 45-105 set. Looking for folks that have replaced these with any other make and model under $25 a set(on a budget)
One exception, no stainless steel.

Thanks~!

 

[WEDGE]

I thought bass players never changed strings, ever?

 

[WeFixFlats]

Well I thought I'd answer myself to try to move this thread forward thinking there might be a response from Kestral owners.

So we've whittled it down to these (not including the stock D'Addarios @16.30) that are available from my favorite online retailer.

Ernie Ball 2833, 18.50
GHS M3045, 20.00
Dunlop DBN45105, 16.00
Fender 7250M, 20.00
Dean Markley 2604A, 17.00

Now 'some would say' pay more for a 'high end' super professional set. But I'm on a very strict budget, a novice recording player and need to be pragmatic.

 

[John Beef]

I wish I had a good answer for you, but my wife doesn't have a Kestrel. She also uses stainless steel. Buys her sets direct from Lakland basses, $20 per set. They last her a couple months of regular playing.

 

[WeFixFlats]

I wish I had a good answer for you, but my wife doesn't have a Kestrel. She also uses stainless steel. Buys her sets direct from Lakland basses, $20 per set. They last her a couple months of regular playing.

Now this is a great tip. Lakland Basses~! Of course, one of the best basses around and used by a gigantic roster of great players. 'Lakland Custom Wound Nickel, Medium Set, .45-.105; $20+4.05 shipping. Right inside my budget too. Thanks a lot John, I appreciate it. I have a couple of other posts on different forums. Going to give it another week(since this is not an emergency) and then decide. The 'word' is that these are 'private label' GHS, just like D'Addario does for PRS.

 

[John Beef]

Cool! Glad I could help.

 

[WeFixFlats]

The only person that's commented, after posting on 3 different forums, about replacement strings for a Kestral was on a online retailer's website on 4/4/16:

Ernie Ball 2833 Hybrid Slinky Roundwound Bass Strings, $17.96

"As a direct string gauge replacement for my PRS Kestrel, these strings really brought it to life. They're so much more responsive and articulate compared to the stock strings PRS puts on their basses. Overall, they've improved my tone by leaps and bounds. They sounds nice and balanced for finger-style playing but also provide some nice, deep chunk for picking/more aggressive playing. My only gripe is I didn't put them on sooner."

So that's that, they're from one of the biggest names in the string business, under my price point and they are on order right now.

 

[WeFixFlats]