can someone school me on d'addario half wounds?

de la mocha · #1 01-22-2007, 03:56 PM

I just bought a beater bass, a jazz style, but hate the string talk and squeaky noise. Will half rounds keep the brightness and still feel smooth like chromes? I hate the squeak of nickel strings.

bryanjnkns · #2 01-22-2007, 04:10 PM

Not exactly. I have them on my jazz bass and love em. They're not as bright as rounds but not as warm as flats. They don't feel anything like flats, more like a round thats been filed.

de la mocha · #3 01-22-2007, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bryanjnkns

Not exactly. I have them on my jazz bass and love em. They're not as bright as rounds but not as warm as flats. They don't feel anything like flats, more like a round thats been filed.

If I slide, do I get that squeaky noise?

de la mocha · #4 01-23-2007, 10:28 AM

Help?

bryanjnkns · #5 01-23-2007, 10:41 PM

Very little. I hardly notice. Not near as much as rounds. There definitely not harsh at all. I personally think they feel great, but you will have to make that decision on your own. Try them out. If you don't like them, then you'l know not to get them next time.

BassoP · #6 01-24-2007, 02:37 PM

I had them on my P copy for a while, but recently switched to flats. THey definitely sound more like roundwounds, and are much more flexible than flats in a similar guage. They do have less finger noise, but a little more than flats.

greenboy · #7 01-24-2007, 02:45 PM

If you want a smooth feel and moe brightness go for Smith Compressors or GHS Pressurewound. Brighter than any of the groundwounds and last really long too. Actually they feel smoother than some too because of metal content, in spite of being oval and closer to round in cross-section profile.

ryco · #8 01-24-2007, 03:01 PM

I used D'addario halfies for years. Great strings. Used 'em on my fretless

A few years back they started offering steel strings which I fell in love with. Within the last two years they've gone back to a nickel blend and, as far as I know, are not offering straight steel sets. Now I'm trying out different brands of halfies trying to find a good steel manufacturer (highjack:recommendations anyone?).

If I don't find something I like I'll go back to D'a because it is a nice warm string with a good long life. Great feel!

And no, they don't squeak like roundwounds (which I also use)

savinggrace · #9 01-25-2007, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greenboy

If you want a smooth feel and moe brightness go for Smith Compressors or GHS Pressurewound. Brighter than any of the groundwounds and last really long too. Actually they feel smoother than some too because of metal content, in spite of being oval and closer to round in cross-section profile.

I absolutely second the GHS Pressurewound as an option. (I was about to post that and you beat me to it). And the description is very accurate.

Mojo-Man · #10 01-25-2007, 04:21 PM

Have a set on my Jazz-bass. (95-40)

I like them alot.
But the super-lite gage.
To me they fit the jazz prtfect.

Taurus · #11 01-26-2007, 10:21 AM

What greenboy said, Smith Compressors.Very low string noise and lot's of nice harmonics.

**butchblack** · #12 01-29-2007, 11:16 AM

Hi

It depends on the sound you are trying to get. I have half rounds on my Fernandes "the function" J bass copy and like them a lot, but I like a dark sound. The half rounds can give me a bit more definition then flats. I agree with the other posters that if you want a bright round wound sound go with the pressure wounds.

BTW half rounds sound great on a P bass for blues.

Butch

markjazzbassist · #13 01-29-2007, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bryanjnkns

Not exactly. I have them on my jazz bass and love em. They're not as bright as rounds but not as warm as flats. They don't feel anything like flats, more like a round thats been filed.

+1

personally i didn't like them that much. if you want a middle ground between flats and SS strings i would just get nickel plated rounds.

Stevem627 · #14 01-30-2007, 08:56 AM

I have these on one bass and like them, but they lack a little clarity that I was hoping for. Ken Smith Compressors are fantastic and the Ken Smith Slick Rounds are a good choice if you want a cross between a Compressor and a flatwound. My only issue is that the Slick Rounds lose their zing fairly fast. I think I am finding that I like the sound of the Compressors best overall.

winston · #15 01-30-2007, 03:46 PM

I recently tried D'Addario Half Rounds for the first time and didn't like them at all. Didn't have the thud of flats or the interesting mids of rounds. Hated the feel--I felt like they slowed down my fingers. I much prefer Ken Smith Slick Rounds for both tone and feel so I guess I like pressurewounds better than groundwounds. Just my .02.

greenboy · #16 01-30-2007, 06:41 PM

Smith SLICKS are groundwounds. It's the Compressors that are pressurewound.