Help finding the perfect roundwounds?

nrockshard · #1 11-23-2009, 06:33 PM

Hey everybody! this christmas i'm hoping to get my hands on a new bass. right now i have a bass that has a pretty midrangey tone, so i use flatwounds to produce the sound i like. however, the new bass i'm getting this christmas is going to be much warmer sounding, so I can finally go back to roundwounds, which im more comfortable playing, as i dont want a super-warm sound.

but i dont want roundwounds that are super bright either. the goal is to come up with a set of strings that:
-are roundwounds
-have a sound that isnt overly bright or overly warm, but can stand to be a little more on the bright side
-have a light gauge (i utilize lots of tapping and faster playing, so a light gauge would be such a convenient change from the flats)

thanks!

Beefbass · #2 11-23-2009, 06:41 PM

That seems like a really tall order. May I suggest some Fender 7250's? I think they might give you what you want.

nrockshard · #3 11-23-2009, 06:46 PM

haha yea i know it's a kind of specific request, but i figure somewhere in this world there is a perfect set for everybody... but i dont need every classification nailed either.

thanks, i looked at the 7250's, they look pretty sexy! though i have heard poor reviews of fender strings in the past, i dont think i should judge my opinion off of other people's words.

btw, i forgot to mention in the original post, the set HAS to support 5 string basses, thats what the new one is gonna be. sorry i forgot that

davelowell2 · #4 11-23-2009, 07:03 PM

Just put on a set of GHS pressure wounds today. They have started fairly bright, not roundwound bright, though. I am hoping they darken up a bit and act how they are supposed to... an in between flat and round string.

Pressure, ground or half wounds?

Beefbass · #5 11-24-2009, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nrockshard

haha yea i know it's a kind of specific request, but i figure somewhere in this world there is a perfect set for everybody... but i dont need every classification nailed either.

thanks, i looked at the 7250's, they look pretty sexy! though i have heard poor reviews of fender strings in the past, i dont think i should judge my opinion off of other people's words.

btw, i forgot to mention in the original post, the set HAS to support 5 string basses, thats what the new one is gonna be. sorry i forgot that

Sometimes it just takes a while to find your set, I can definitely understand that.

I've had no problems with Fender strings. D'addario XL's could be a good choice for you too. DR nickels get great reviews too.

Good luck in your search.

p-bass · #6 11-24-2009, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beefbass

Sometimes it just takes a while to find your set, I can definitely understand that.

I've had no problems with Fender strings. D'addario XL's could be a good choice for you too. DR nickels get great reviews too.

Good luck in your search.

I agree...any quality nickel roundwound string should give you what you are looking for. D'Addario XL Nickelwound,GHS Bass Boomers,Ernie Ball Nickel Slinky,DR Nickel LowRiders,and Fender Super Bass are all good strings.

ChrisBowsman · #7 11-24-2009, 10:08 PM

Give S.I.T. a shot.

eyecandy · #8 11-24-2009, 10:48 PM

try most stuff... if you want warm sounding rounds then go for nickels...

JohnnyB53 · #9 11-24-2009, 11:46 PM

My personal favorite now is the Black Diamond Black Coated. It's a coated pure nickel wrap roundwound. Very rich, focused, clean, clear sound without getting snarly or excessively bright.

Another type of formula I like a lot is Alloy 52, a blend of 52% iron and 48% nickel. They are strong, rich, and warm, but with a bit more punch than pure nickel. The Everly B52s are 52 Alloy roundwounds, and that alloy is also used in the Ken Smith Compressors, and probably the GHS Boomer52s.

mmbongo · #10 11-25-2009, 06:43 AM

You pretty much described Dunlop Nickels or DR Sunbeams.

Meatrus · #11 11-25-2009, 07:59 AM

Rotosound swing 66 NICKEL may fit also, they seemed quite versatile, and sounded brighter than Boomers to me. From when I tried Boomers I think they may be a bit too warm/dead sounding (after the first day) for what your after.

As said above Dunlops seem to be popular at the moment, and from what I have heard sound like they would be good for you also.

It will take time to find your favorite, as you wont have much to compare them too until you have tried a few. But none of the suggestions will be bad, so as long as you keep the strings till they are dead, your not losing anything except time.

PS. Whats the bass going to be

?

nrockshard · #12 11-28-2009, 11:20 PM

hey everybody thanks for the suggestions, i'll be searching and studying them all, i have a while to figure this out. thanks again!

N.F.A. · #13 11-28-2009, 11:21 PM

+1 on Rotosounds

nrockshard · #14 11-28-2009, 11:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meatrus

PS. Whats the bass going to be

?

its gonna be a custom off of warmoth.com. a 5 string fender body with musicman pickups, and im hoping to get a custom finish on it at some point too. black korina wood for the body, maple for the neck, 22 frets i believe... im excited to see how it comes out

Mr. Seay · #15 11-28-2009, 11:29 PM

Well I like these

http://accessories.musiciansfriend.c...ass?sku=101635

Nice and bright and they last forever

Meatrus · #16 11-29-2009, 06:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nrockshard

its gonna be a custom off of warmoth.com. a 5 string fender body with musicman pickups, and im hoping to get a custom finish on it at some point too. black korina wood for the body, maple for the neck, 22 frets i believe... im excited to see how it comes out

Sounds great, post pics when you get it

.