La Bella SS45-B Super Steps Electric Bass Guitar Strings - .045-.128 Standard 5-string Reviews

These changed a dark, dull sounding Tobias "Toby" into a bright, snappy, singing bass, as if I'd replaced pickups and preamp. Each instrument I try these on pushes me closer to 100% committed to these. If you're looking for the ultimate "piano-string" tone, this is the set to buy. Absolutely love these. Due to the exposed core, even when dulling down a bit as they age, they still hold a cleaner, focused tone way better than a brand new set of just about anything else you can string your bass with. If you'd like lots of headroom in the brightness department, do lots of tapping, or just hate that new strings lose that shimmer after one gig, I highly recommend you give these a try.
Got clued in, as a set of Warr Guitar strings I put on my vintage Chapman Stick had "LaBella" embossed in the clear package they came in, and all gauges that were wound had exposed core, exactly like these. Same results- made that Stick sound remarkably more focused, lively and bright, with way better clarity of tones. Glad I figured out where they came from and started buying these "super-steps" for the bass. Really nothing else quite like them. Tried other "taper wound" strings, where just the lower string or two had a reduced amount of winding at the saddle, but these are the same, exposed raw core across all strings, so tonality and clarity is preserved all the way across the neck. I've never broken one, if you're concerned about reduced strength, and I slap/pop/slam these just as hard as any other set.
Recently read a bass-player forum thread in which many found these to have a thin sound with odd, ringing overtones. My guess is, no one was paying attention to the bridge saddles. #1, To preserve string clearance on the fretboard, saddles will need to be raised first time you put these on, as the diameter of the exposed core is a fraction of the wound portion, so they sit much lower in the saddles. These may also need a tighter V shape, filed, if necessary, for the exposed core to lock down into the saddle. I suspect this would result in odd overtones if left to slop around in the bottom of what is typically a half-circle shaped saddle seat. If done carefully, really shouldn't affect your ability to go back to standard strings. (But I doubt you will)

At 40+ years of playing bass (hobby and semi-pro), I've found nothing else that comes even close to this level of awesomeness in tone and musicality for the bass, which is why, before ordering some more, I felt I should share my enthusiasm.

Unfortunately, La Bella does not leave as much exposed core on the bridge end of the Low B Super Steps as they used to. This will not ride down in the saddle of an older type Hipshot bridge. (1999 Carvin LB75) My only complaint, as they are fine-sounding and long-lasting. Sweetwater service was excellent, however.