D'Addario Compression Wound Strings

[gonzorob]

What are the expected life of these?

I have a new set on my P-bass because I wanted to move to flats and I figured they would be a good way to make the transition. Now I think I am just going to go ahead and throw a set of Chromes on the P, but I don't want these to go to waste so I am thinking about putting them on the my P special that is currently making its way to my place.

Anyway, just wanted to know if these have a lifespan that is comparable to actual flats.

thanks!

[david fitch]

Are you asking about the D'addario Half Rounds ?

[gonzorob]

Originally Posted by david fitch

Are you asking about the D'addario Half Rounds ?

Yes.

[Lorenzini]

well...
Flats last literally forever. People keep them on their bass for 10+ years, or forever.

Half-Rounds lose their zing in about the same amount of time as a roundwound, but they stay thumpy and effective for as long as you want to keep them on.

I don't really understand exactly what you're asking I guess...

[gonzorob]

Originally Posted by Lorenzini

well...
Flats last literally forever. People keep them on their bass for 10+ years, or forever.

Half-Rounds lose their zing in about the same amount of time as a roundwound, but they stay thumpy and effective for as long as you want to keep them on.

I don't really understand exactly what you're asking I guess...

Sorry, I should have been a bit more specific.

I am aware that flats last a long while, and I was wondering if the half-rounds would effectively act as flats once the zing is gone? You know, plenty of thump and will last awhile.

[JTE]

I don't think so. I used D'Addario Half-Rounds (they're not at all a "compression wound" string- it's a roundwound string with the outer surface ground flat) from 1976 until about 1982 or so. I also used GHS' Brite-Flats which are a similar sort of modified roundwound string. I eventually determined that for me they do not combine the best of both worlds, but rather the worst. They loose that new string sound, but they never get that really warm thump on the bottom that real flats give. For me it's become either flats or rounds as the sound demands.

jte

[gonzorob]

Originally Posted by JTE

I don't think so. I used D'Addario Half-Rounds (they're not at all a "compression wound" string- it's a roundwound string with the outer surface ground flat) from 1976 until about 1982 or so. I also used GHS' Brite-Flats which are a similar sort of modified roundwound string. I eventually determined that for me they do not combine the best of both worlds, but rather the worst. They loose that new string sound, but they never get that really warm thump on the bottom that real flats give. For me it's become either flats or rounds as the sound demands.

jte

Thanks!

[david fitch]

I have used the D'addario Pure Nickel Half Rounds and when they die they really die. I don't think they sound like Flatwounds at all, more like the worst dead roundwound tone. I am with JTE on this one, rounds or flats for me. Oh yeah...Flatwounds do not last forever.