Half-rounds other than D'addarios? They're actually kinda rough!

jscomposer · #1 12-03-2009, 01:10 AM

I like how they sound. And I like how they tame finger noise when sliding. But they feel like tiny little blades cutting into my fingers!

And there's definitely some resistance that must be overcome when you're holding down a note and then want to slide up or down to another note. I think LaBella Super Steps feel smoother!

(But the finger noise when sliding on them is too much.)

I don't wanna go flats, because the half-rounds are mellow enough. Any other half-rounds out there that feel smoother?

JTE · #2 12-03-2009, 08:11 AM

GHS Brite Flats are good as are Dean Markely Ground Round Wounds (if DM still makes them). All three sets are a round wound string with the outter surface ground flat.

Other moddified rounds include Ken Smith Compressors and GHS Progressives (as well as others I don't know the names of) except these are more like a roundwound string.

I have some personal reasons why I don't give money to Mr. Markely, so I'd suggest you try some GHS Brite Flats.

John

Phalex · #3 12-03-2009, 08:16 AM

^ What he said!

85vf500rr · #4 12-03-2009, 11:36 AM

I didn't like the half-rounds eaither due to the rough feeling. I saved them just in case I decide to experiment again. I'm thinking of getting some D'Addario chrome flats for Christmas to see how those work out. I tried some on a fretless Warwick at the local shop and they were sooooo smooth. I've been playing with Elixir rounds, but want to try something a bit different.

jscomposer · #5 12-03-2009, 01:38 PM

Just ordered a set of SIT Silencers.

Same concept as the Ken Smith Compressors and GHS Pressurewounds.

playerunk · #6 12-03-2009, 01:42 PM

next week i'll be getting my GHS Brite Flats.. can't wait.. feel like my current fender flats are lacking something.. (and no..i won't go back to roundwounds)

i'll report back with my impressions

gidbass · #7 12-03-2009, 02:01 PM

I am not sold on the D'addario 1/2 rounds either though they are much better after a days worth of playing....

I was thinking of trying Rotosounds Solo Bass 55's on my fretless (love the swing 66's on my fretted)

Phalex · #8 12-03-2009, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by playerunk

next week i'll be getting my GHS Brite Flats.. can't wait.. feel like my current fender flats are lacking something.. (and no..i won't go back to roundwounds)

i'll report back with my impressions

When you first put them on, you're probably not going to like them. Play them for a week before you make up your mind. They get a whole lot better than they feel right out of the package.

JTE · #9 12-03-2009, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phalex

When you first put them on, you're probably not going to like them. Play them for a week before you make up your mind. They get a whole lot better than they feel right out of the package.

I was going to say something about that. How long did you (OP) have the D'Addario HR on your bass? It does take some time for them to break in. My recollection is kind of fuzzy because it's been at least 25 years since I used any half-round strings. But I do recall that I never liked the way either the GHS or the D'Addario felt when they were brand new, and I didn't like the sound of the D'Addario when they were new either. But after a while of playing they were fine.

So much has changed since those days though- amps, gigs, basses, ears, tastes, etc. so I can't say how long until they do break in.

John

scuz · #10 12-03-2009, 02:52 PM

The D'Addario half-rounds that I put on my jazz were pretty rough for a few practices and after that they were fine. Really glad that I went with them, too. I probably won't have to change my strings until they break!

jscomposer · #11 12-03-2009, 03:08 PM

I like how the half-rounds sound, except on the low-B, it's a bit muddy. I also ordered a tapered half round low-B direct from D'addario. Maybe that'll help clear up the low B.

I've played on them for a few days now. Still rough, but I'm kinda getting used to it. And we'll see how the SIT Silencers compare.

ChrisBowsman · #12 12-03-2009, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jscomposer

Just ordered a set of SIT Silencers.

I just strung up my bass with a set of Silencers. I bet you'll like them.

WildTrkey · #13 12-03-2009, 09:25 PM

The D'addario 1/2's were my worst recent experience with strings. The tension was unbelievably high, the package did not specify the compositon of metal, but they looked, felt and sounded like a ROUGHER version of a SS roundwound. A bit too bright for my tastes. They were off my bass in minutes...to hell with break in time. Any strings that pull away from my neck and show that much resistance right off the bat are not right for my bass or me. There are instances where I would expect such drastic tension changes but a HALFROUND LIGHT GAUGE STRING should not (for me) be one of them.

the low one · #14 12-04-2009, 02:06 AM

How about Status Hot Wire half wounds. I use them on a fretless jazz. You can order them direct from their website. They were a bit grippy for a few days but soon lost that.

JimmyM · #15 12-04-2009, 02:25 AM

I know you said you didn't want flats, but TI Jazz Flats are what you're looking for. They're not mellow at all. They're more like rounds and they stay that way forever. I hated them but I think they'd be right up your alley.

etb67 · #16 12-04-2009, 05:51 AM

Check out a set of LaBella's Quarter-Rounds. I was thrown off by the name initially, but I was looking for a set of half-round type strings for my G&L SB-2, and I am not a fan of D'addario strings. The LaBelle Quarter Rounds were perfect. They have a little more texture than a flat-wound, not as much as a traditional round, and not at all rough like the D'addario. Out of the box they were a little bright, but they begin to mellow nicely after a few days. They are my new favorite string.