D'Addario Halfround tacky issue.

Ski3223 · #1 08-12-2010, 12:50 PM

I put D'Addario half rounds on my Stingray. Love the tone and the sound, very bright with a good amount of that punch when I dig in deep (not as much as the flats of course, but it was worth the switch).

However, I'm having some trouble with the feel of these strings. When I do slides (which I do quite a bit of since I do some pretty melodic playing at times) my fingers seem to "stick" to the strings. I'll start to pull to move my finger and it will just stay there.

I'm guessing this is a 'ground wound' issue. It seems logical that this would happen with a larger surface area touching the finger than rounds but a less smooth surface than flats.

Does anybody have a solution for this issue? Maybe along the lines of a rub or something similar I can do? OR is there another half round string that wouldn't give me this problem. I have pretty good callouses so I don't think its a finger issue.

Day · #2 08-12-2010, 12:54 PM

I've read that the half-rounds will have that tackiness for a little while until they are "broken in". Think I just read that in another thread here about half-rounds. Can't speak from experience though.

gidbass · #3 08-12-2010, 12:57 PM

Mine were tacky too when I used them. You just need to play and break them in. I don't use them anymore though (moved on to Chromes).

Good Luck!

ryco · #4 08-12-2010, 01:04 PM

They do have a little extra pull - more so than rounds and flats, but it goes away.
I'm not sure if it's because the strings break in or if one just gets used to the feel and the body compensates.
I've used D'addarrio & GHS Halfies since the 80s and it's not an issue for me.
I'd say if you like the tone and tension of the string, then just give 'em a little time.
I use rounds and Chromes as well depending on the axe.

Ski3223 · #5 08-12-2010, 01:09 PM

Got it! It's tearing up my fingers in the meantime though! Which really sucks but the sound is worth it. So no immediate fix eh? Just have to deal with it?

ustabawannab · #6 08-12-2010, 01:10 PM

Been using them for years. Tackiness goes away after about ten songs. I replace my strings on my main player (AM STD Fender JB with NJ4SEs) every other month.

For a pick player like me who doesn't like too much zing, they are PERFECT!!!!

ustabawannab · #7 08-12-2010, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ski3223

Got it! It's tearing up my fingers in the meantime though! Which really sucks but the sound is worth it. So no immediate fix eh? Just have to deal with it?

My index finger tip gets a wee bit tender after a change but IMO they are well worth it. Like I said I've been using them for at least 5 years.

kreider204 · #8 08-12-2010, 01:12 PM

I just put some on last week for the first time. The tackiness goes right away, or your fingers adjust or something. I didn't have any issues with them tearing my fingers up, but then again, I've cultivated a very light touch thanks to years of tendinitis and CTS. So, you might try a lighter touch, but otherwise, give them a week or so and see how you feel about it after that.

Ski3223 · #9 08-12-2010, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kreider204

I just put some on last week for the first time. The tackiness goes right away, or your fingers adjust or something. I didn't have any issues with them tearing my fingers up, but then again, I've cultivated a very light touch thanks to years of tendinitis and CTS. So, you might try a lighter touch, but otherwise, give them a week or so and see how you feel about it after that.

Yeah I havent gotten to play on em too much yet. Slapped em on then had to go away for a week. So hopefully they'll break in soon. I was playing flats so admittedly my fingers got a little "soft." The main reason I switched was because I love to slap (I'm not great at it though) and I play a lot of RHCP stuff so I have to keep that high end not too heavy.

Ski3223 · #10 08-12-2010, 01:19 PM

HA, this is going to seem a little silly, but I tried it just to see what happened.

I took the scouring side of a yellow sponge (the usually green part) and ran it down the strings twice and now they are a lot less tacky. Well that was easy. Sorry for the shortcut to all the "break em in" posts

kreider204 · #11 08-12-2010, 01:20 PM

Ya, I don't slap much these days myself either. Halfrounds probably aren't ideal for some serious slappers, but they're just fine for the occasional tune.

kreider204 · #12 08-12-2010, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ski3223

HA, this is going to seem a little silly, but I tried it just to see what happened.

I took the scouring side of a yellow sponge (the usually green part) and ran it down the strings twice and now they are a lot less tacky. Well that was easy. Sorry for the shortcut to all the "break em in" posts

Yikes, I hope it was a dry sponge!

Ski3223 · #13 08-12-2010, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kreider204

Yikes, I hope it was a dry sponge!

Yeah yeah of course! Never used the sponge for its original purpose or anything. I had it left over from making a mute for my modified Squier. Just light pressure, ran it down the strings a couple times.

kreider204 · #14 08-12-2010, 01:25 PM

Sounds good, glad it worked out.

dasheya · #15 08-13-2010, 02:56 PM

Hey, newish bass player/ old guitar player here. I'm going to be laying down some parts on folk/acoustic soul recordings that will be very exposed, was thinking of using flatwounds to reduce squeak, but also want some definition. Do half-rounds actually make your slides squeak MORE than rounds because of the edge, or do you think they're a good idea for this application? Thx!

kreider204 · #16 08-13-2010, 03:03 PM

I have noticed less of that sort of noise since I went to halfrounds, but again, it may depend on your technique.

Ski3223 · #17 08-13-2010, 03:58 PM

I think they squeaked less. Especially with the treble flat or cut. But get em broken in first like these guys are all recommending. Otherwise they will probably squeak just as much.

I've only used this brand though sooooo...

bassbully · #18 08-14-2010, 10:46 PM

I tried the halfrounds today before a gig after hearing they were made better than a few years ago when i first tried and hated them.
I tried the TBer's green scrub pad trick and it did work decent to take the grab down some. I used a spry of finger-eze on them and did the show. They were more punchy then my reg Chromes and brighter not as warm thou but close. I did enjoy the bit of growl i got on some songs and a twist of tone knob gave me a Chrome's like warm tone quickly. I think i am going to keep them on for now. The nickel did turn my fingers black by the end of the gig but i am sure that will end soon.