D'addario Halfround Query

[Kael]

I hope this doesn't violate some sort of double posting/cross posting rule, but here goes.

I just posted the below in another thread on this forum, but then realized that perhaps a question directed at D'addario Halfround users might get more/better responses if it wasn't in a thread denigrating D'addario Halfrounds. I'm the master of the obvious like that. Anyway, the below couple of paragraphs are cut/pasted from that thread. Mods: if I've commited some sort of forum rule no no, feel free to delete this thread.

Originally Posted by Kael

I just slapped a set of D'addario halfrounds on my fretless J. Yep, they are grabby. Quite so as a matter of fact. I'm going to give them a little while to break in before I swear that they are unplayable though. Can any of you half users tell me how long it took them to break in for you? I actually don't have any gigs for the next week or so (got a little breathing room) so I've got some time before I absolutely need this particular bass.

Might still slap the chrome flats back on. I think that the chromes tightly focused frequency response may have grown on me. I kinda like being able to punch through a small hole in the mix. Very different from he broad more pillowy warwick/roundwoud sound I get with my other slab. The chromes sound great through a T-funk/cxl-112 combo, but not as hot (to my ear) through rigs that are "woolier". I was just looking for a little more highs/mids for gigs with other rigs. Thus far these strings sound close enough to rounds to make me wonder why I didn't just put on some rounds (other than to minimize fingerboard wear that is).

[jcoopcoyote]

I just posted in that thread too, so I hope I'm not an acomplis to a crime. I used the 1/2 rounds for years, but now I'm searching for other similar strings. I've just started using SIT semi flats. So far I like the tone better, but find them even more grabby. I've heard of Labella Quarter Rounds but think they are discontinued. It looks like I can still get them though, so I'm trying to hear if anyone has tried them. An old BP Mag. article seemed to like them?

[HooBass]

Originally Posted by Kael

Can any of you half users tell me how long it took them to break in for you?

Indeed my experiences (both flats and half rounds) are with D'Addario (and they're what I'm referring to in the other thread you mentioned).

I hestiate to reply to this question because I'm going on my very sketchy memory, but it seems I played perhaps two hours or so on this bass before they seemed to be broken in. The fact that I was not gigging makes it hard to say -- I played this bass sporadically after I changed to half rounds, in bits of time here and there, so it "feels" like it added up to about two hours of playing time.

HooBass

[nuno.ka]

I had also just posted on the half round thread...

Originally Posted by nuno.ka

First post here! Greetings to the bass playing brotherhood!

I have a yamaha fretless with a basslines active P pickup (one of those with 2 little switches) and the roundwounds were eating my rosewood fingerboard. Then I tried D'adario flats but they had no sustain although I liked the warmth. Now I'm using D'adario halfrounds and I love them. They are was warm as the flats but produce a sweet mwah and more sustain. I've had this set on my bass for 2 years!! (you can say they're broken in) and they don't grab my fingers at all now. For me they're perfect for fretless.

[de la mocha]

I just posted in that thread too....

Originally Posted by de la mocha

I have these on my P and I switch between chromes and these every few months. I like these because they don't "squeak" like roundwounds and yet are brighter then the chromes with more growl and I can even use a pick on these!

I use the chromes for a more bluesey R&B or gospel sound wich is more of a "thump" like precussion sound, but when I want more clarity without the sqeakiness, I put these on.

No complaints at all.