Who says you can't teach an old dawg new tricks? Why would a seasoned veteran like Randy Jackson—who has produced, played bass or performed on over 1,000 Gold, Platinum, and Multi Platinum albums—want to change his strings? Jackson, a Dean Markley string endorser for the largest part of his career, recently approached Dean Markley, looking for one bass guitar string that would be versatile and long lasting, and which could be used for virtually all of his recording and live applications.

In order to achieve the goal (to create the "Ultimate Bass String"), Dean Markley Strings had to realign its thinking and redesign certain manufacturing methods. After months of R&D the company's engineers developed a design that incorporates three different styles of bass guitar strings into one combination string. The Randy Jackson Alchemy Bass strings have a unique core-to-wrap ratio for proper tension, and a great sound and feel. And they have Stainless Steel under wraps, and they have the proprietary MC394 Gold cover wrap treatment over Silver-Plated NPS for added life.

The end result is a string that delivers the sound benefits of a Stainless Steel bass string with the feel, tension, and growl of a Nickel Plated Steel string that will last a long, long time.

"We've taken another important step in the evolution of string design," notes company president Dean Markley. "Its taken a versatile artist of Randy's caliber to provide us with a significant challenge, and we're all very, very pleased with the results."

Order a few sets today.

Dean Markley 2663 Randy Jackson Alchemy Med/Light Bass Strings Specifications:

• 45-65-85-105

Dean Markley 2663 Randy Jackson Alchemy Med/Light Bass Strings

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Average of 3 User Ratings

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Interesting to say the least

Posted by A.O. 17 from Wichita, KS on Mar 16, 2009

Experience w/product: I own it

Reviewer's Background: Active Student Musician

Reviewer's Play Style: Funk, Jazz

I bought these strings on sale, and I only bought them for that reason. I wasn't aware that they were actually gold colored, and have a purple wrap (I guess these are for your pimp bass). Anyways, besides the looks, I was really disappointed at first because they sounded ridiculously dull and stiff (but I usually play .40 gauge so i'll blame that for the stiffness).Then after playing a bet more, they sounded really bright. Now I'm happy! They sound really good now, and the feel is nice and smooth for steel strings. If looks matter, make sure your bass has gold hardware or something, but otherwise, these are great strings, just keep in mind the break in period before you splurge on a new set of strings.

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Hard to get past the weird picture of Randy...

Posted by warmothg4bass from Chicago on Jan 27, 2009

Experience w/product: I have used it

Reviewer's Background: Recording musician

Reviewer's Play Style: power trio rock

Seriously, the sticker on the box looks gross. But it's what inside that counts, right? The strings look great, especially on a Cirrus, Warwick, or other natural bass. They're more yellow than gold, so if you have gold hardware don't expect a perfect match.

Tonewise, they're similar to other coated strings I've tried; they sound a little broken in right out of the box, and I presume they'll keep that level of tone for a good while. The set I have has a particularly dull G string, which happens from time to time even with my favorite strings.

Dollar for dollar, I think the DR coated strings might be a better value, but if you absolutely need gold strings, these may be the best way to go.

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Great Strings

Posted by Mixmastermind from Arkansas on Dec 31, 2008

Experience w/product: I own it

Reviewer's Background: Active Musician

Reviewer's Play Style: Jazz, Metal, Funk

I purchased these strings six months ago for my Jazz Bass. They are easily the best strings I've ever played. The response is outstanding and they feel great.

I play in a Jazz band, a metal band, and I play funk, and the strings sound great no matter what. The only real problem is that they are quite expensive.

If you can afford these strings, buy them immediately.

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Dean Markley 2663 Randy Jackson Alchemy Med/Light Bass Strings

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