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Hi fellow Ding-aholics
I've been trying to find some time to replace the Chrome flats on my Super PJ 4 (I repeat, Super PJ 4 
). The tone of the Chrome Flats is thick and strong but not as zingy as I like it to be. Plus they feel a touch stiffer than the GHS Contact Cores that the Super PJ originally came equipped with.
I had two candidates to try: the DR JH UFO strings and the Ritter Swordsteel strings. My respect to Jonas, as well as the MAJOR mix up, from DR's side 4yrs back (relevant thread on TB) made me go for the UFO's first
Initial impression: lower tension strings, not only compared with the Chrome Flats, but with the GHS Contact Cores as well. Took about 15min to replace the strings and set the bass to my liking.
Tone wise: Full sounding string without sounding dull or thuddy!!! Very nice lows, full mids and sweet highs. Not reaaaaally zingy but bright enough to allow great clarity and definition. Very easy to play and very easy to do vibrato. Very expressive. The GHS sound "dry" compared with the DR UFOs which sound "juicy" (in lack of a better term). The note has great body in all registers. The J pickup soloed has the 70's snap while the P soloed has girth and substance. The series sounds like heaven while the parallel setting became livelier yet full.
I will take the Super PJ with me on Monday at the rehearsal to try out in real time conditions
). The tone of the Chrome Flats is thick and strong but not as zingy as I like it to be. Plus they feel a touch stiffer than the GHS Contact Cores that the Super PJ originally came equipped with.
I had two candidates to try: the DR JH UFO strings and the Ritter Swordsteel strings. My respect to Jonas, as well as the MAJOR mix up, from DR's side 4yrs back (relevant thread on TB) made me go for the UFO's first
Initial impression: lower tension strings, not only compared with the Chrome Flats, but with the GHS Contact Cores as well. Took about 15min to replace the strings and set the bass to my liking.
Tone wise: Full sounding string without sounding dull or thuddy!!! Very nice lows, full mids and sweet highs. Not reaaaaally zingy but bright enough to allow great clarity and definition. Very easy to play and very easy to do vibrato. Very expressive. The GHS sound "dry" compared with the DR UFOs which sound "juicy" (in lack of a better term). The note has great body in all registers. The J pickup soloed has the 70's snap while the P soloed has girth and substance. The series sounds like heaven while the parallel setting became livelier yet full.
I will take the Super PJ with me on Monday at the rehearsal to try out in real time conditions
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Last night I had a rehearsal with a sworn Jazz Fender bassist friend of mine.
He had two J's in hand and I had the Super PJ
Overall, the tone was really punchy and articulate (it's a Dingwall of course 
). Lows were full but not boomy, mids had a sweet singing quality while the highs were just what the doctor ordered, not harsh, not thin, but with body and definition
The one setting that really took us all by surprise was the P pickup. I am a P guy, but my friend (who loves the J sound) was really infatuated with the P tone of the Super J. The Series setting had growl (big time) while the parallel had good clarity and body with less low mids. The J pickup with these strings had snap and body (much more like a great 70's J than the thump and bump of 60's)
All in all, these strings fit the Super PJ better than the other strings I've so far used. More to follow on the next Monday's full band rehearsal
). Lows were full but not boomy, mids had a sweet singing quality while the highs were just what the doctor ordered, not harsh, not thin, but with body and definition
The one setting that really took us all by surprise was the P pickup. I am a P guy, but my friend (who loves the J sound) was really infatuated with the P tone of the Super J. The Series setting had growl (big time) while the parallel had good clarity and body with less low mids. The J pickup with these strings had snap and body (much more like a great 70's J than the thump and bump of 60's)
All in all, these strings fit the Super PJ better than the other strings I've so far used. More to follow on the next Monday's full band rehearsal
I recently got a set of the JH strings for my Super PJ4 based on Full Range's review.
Before this set I tried the original factory strings and a set of Infeld but they both had a slightly anemic E-string.
The JH strings have a good solid E-string and I'm really enjoying the flexibility.
I'm just concerned about what those big windings are going to do to my frets. When I put them on, I thought I had better take it easy. I didn't use my SPJ for slapping before because of the tight strings but with these JH strings I can't resist the urge. These were made for slapping. And with the fanned frets I can get short scale Alembic tone ala like Stanley Clarke in the treble but with a heavier bottom.
Loving the JH strings but has anybody noticed any extra wear on their frets?
PS:
My first set of JH strings had a buzzing D-string. Fortunately, I had ordered two sets, so now I have a partial set in reserve.
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I am happy that you love the JH strtings. I was very excited myself when I heard the tone and I love their feel.
IME I have not seen any excess wear on the frets, so far. The Super PJ4 gets played every night for about 30min
I am waiting for the DR JH UFO 5str set release in NAMM 2009. I am sure fitting those on my Super J5, when they become available to the public (and a review will follow shortly)
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Thanks for the great reviews on the strings. I have a set coming in the mail and would love to hear any other comments/concerns that others may have with the Hellborg strings.
And does anyone have any info on when a 5 string set may be available?
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The latest news are that Mr Jonas Hellborg is fine tuning the B string. It will be ready by next NAMM show (hopefully). As soon as they are available, I'll put them on my Super J5
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Got the Hellborg's on my Super P/J. Very impressed. And that's from a guy who has been using pressurewounds and flats for ages. Thanks for all the great reviews on these strings guys. We need them in long scales for our ABII's now 
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Last I heard, over the JH DR UFO 5-str set is that it will be released in the next two months or so. I will get a set as soon as it is out
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Anybody tried TI Jazz flats on one of these?
I'm partial to them and wondering if they will work on my soon to be delivered PJ
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I put these on the Super PJ, replacing the TI Jazz flats.
At first feel they felt weird, and sounded way too zingy.
Plugged in and in the mix they sound super, lots of punch. A bit more tension than the TI's, and a good bit more finger noise if you've gotten used to flats.
I am having to pay attention to shifting around with out dragging my fingers or I get a slide sound.
I think I got a little lazy with the flats.
Otherwise, great clarity and nice round wound growl. A solid presence.
First impression, I didn't think I would make it a week with them, but now I'm liking them. It doesn't hurt that they are almost $20 less than TI's either.
When they fade I'm going to try some Blue Steels, they were my favorite round wound up till now.
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hey singlemalt.
i felt the same way when i first put the hellborg's on. however, i have them on months later and have also strung my breedlove acoustic with them. keep us posted on how you do or don't grow into them. regards.
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Will do.
I can tell you right now they are growing on me.
They reward a more aggressive attack I had let mellow with the flats.
I haven't really slapped the last year or so, but these are begging for a good spanking.
I dialed the pickup heights last night.
I'm just loving everything about about my PJ.
But why not count the ways?
light weight, balanced, super playing, tone for days, beautiful to look at and hold, smells good (that might be the new Italia strap).
Totally blissed out, that's me.
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Alright! First gig with the Super J P/J, Halloween night, and everything was perfect.
The DR Hellborgs have mellowed out a bit but continue to deliver a super solid punch. I've gotten used to the feel and love that they have a bit more of the round wound growl than the TI's.
It seems they do deliver the fundamental without all the overtones of most rounds, a nice mix of the solid thump of flats, and just a bit more growl.
I never moved off the P pickup all night, it was the best bass sound we've ever had.
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I went looking for a DR hellborgs five string set for my new Afterburner 1.
I checked with DR and got an email stating that they would not be making a five string set. The large single wrap wasn't working out for a B string. They have considered making a high C, but felt demand wasn't there.
I've had the Hellborgs on my Super J since September and they are still going strong. They mellowed a bit in the first couple weeks, which was good, now they are solid and punchy.
I will probably grab another couple sets soon, because companies tend to discontinue low volume product. Opinion seems to be divided on these strings, but I like em.
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It seems DR will not be able to make a Hellborg set for 5 string basses, the single wrap on the B isn't working out.
I sure like the way the Hellborgs have worked out for me, so...
I'm thinking of putting a set on my SJ 5 anyway and looking for a B string from some other nickel set. For the moment I could just leave the stock B on there and see how things go.
I need a nickel B in the .127 to .130 range. It doesn't need to be super long, just similar tension and sound.
The Labella fanned nickels are too long, or they would be perfect.
That shouldn't be too hard to find, right?
Anyone like to chime in with suggestions?
Thanks!
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