Help me narrow down some rounds!

[Toadsmacker]

Hey, I'm a big fan of D'Addario Chromes flats, but lately I've been looking for a new flavour in my tone. I think the flats sound great in my 3-piece rock band and would probably use them on recordings, but I think some rounds would fill out some sonic space in a trio setting.

I've already narrowed my choices down to 3 and hopefully you guys can recommend the top player out of the following:

-D'Addario EXL160 Nickel Roundwounds
-Ernie Ball Regular Slinky
-Ernie Ball Hybrid Slinky (What's the advantage of the D and G being lower gauge?)

Please remember that I'm a big supporter of flats and am not exactly interested in strings which retain their brightness because I love that broken-in sound!

Thanks for your help!

[Mikhail1]

In my opinion, and this is after using both D'Addario and Ernie Ball nickel roundwounds of similar gauages, is they sound very much alike. The EB's may be a bit more metallic when new, but both mellow out nicely and I consider them to be almost interchangeable. And I don't buy into the heavier gauge- heavier sound belief. I feel that the player's amp/settings and, more importantly, the player's hands, have much more to do with the sound one gets.

[honeyiscool]

I really liked the sound of my old strings, a set of Fender nickels that had aged forever. Every other roundwound set I tried, I disliked. Recently I got the suggestion for using GHS Pressurewounds. Best decision ever. Lots of highs, lots of lows, low string tension, just super nice strings. They definitely have a lot of that roundwound tone but without that last bit of annoying extra noise.

I think D'Addario nickels are obnoxiously bright.

[Gab124]

+1 to hands and amp settings. Though, I would encourage you to consider Circle K - I have the standard 106 balanced set and I really feel that you get a great fundamental with these while also getting some of the round wound tones. I know you got down to the three, but these really are good strings to my ear, IMHO and YMMV.

[Marty Forrer]

Have you considered Dunlop nickels?

[Toadsmacker]

I just gave Dunlop a quick look and I like how they are described as "warm and thick" rounds. Another huge hook for me is seeing that Blasko from Ozzy's band uses them and his tone is definately very fat for rounds!

Definately considering that one for sure, thank you.

[Ric5]

naked strings

[TXLawDawg]

IME, the EB's seem to wear out extremely fast. I liked their sound fine they just wouldn't last for me. The D'addario's lasted longer for me and I was pleased with their sound.

A few months ago I bought a set of Fender rounds because I needed strings and thought I'd try them since my local music store had them. I was pleasantly surprised especially for the price. I'm currently using Sadowsky Blue Labels and have been very pleased with them.

[Double Agent]

I went from flats on my P-bass to DR Sunbeams. I think Sunbeams are a great string for players who like flats, but need a little of that roundwound grind from time to time. I have played all the strings on the OP's list and don't like any of them as much as Sunbeams. I like a string that sounds good when broken in too, but I don't think any of those strings sound good once they've gotten some wear on them (say, 3-4 weeks of regular playing time). IMO, they don't sound broken in, they sound dead.

If I had to pick from the OP's list, the D'addario's would be my choice.

[hasbeen]

if you want warm sounding rounds.....DR Sunbeam! You'll also like the way the wear-in.