Pressure Wound Options

RFMac · #1 10-21-2011, 12:33 AM

I have been having a round wound dilemma lately. In the past I have always passed pressure wound strings over for either flats or rounds. I have tried coated strings but the feel of them was not what I was looking for. The mellowness and warmth with the subtle 'zing' of roundwound was what I was after. Thus pressurewounds intrigue me I have never tried them. The problem is this: my options appear to limited by a handfull of options, all appear to hex core and and stainless steel with the exception of Ken Smiths. Currently I play the life out of DR Sunbeams on the two basses I have rounds on (I am a flats player). Are there brands out there I am missing? Should I suck it up and just stick with the sunbeams, which I do like? Can the pressurewounds give me something the sunbeams can't sonically? Note that on my main basses I use Labellas and TI flats. I want something mellow that has a long life expectancy but sounds like a roundwound. Thank you for your input. RFMac.

Duckwater · #2 10-21-2011, 12:51 AM

I think you would like GHS Pressurewounds, they sound big and full with a lot of harmonic content. I can go from a deep Reggae tone to an aggressive, clanky tone just by changing my right hand technique. I have yet to find a situation where these strings don't sound great.

SLaPiNFuNK · #3 10-21-2011, 12:56 AM

Rotosound SoloBass 55 Pressure Wounds are Stainless Steel

The others are not:

GHS, Ken Smith, and SIT

GHS PressureWound Flat = Alloy 52
Ken Smith Compressors = Nickel Iron Alloy
SIT Silencers = Nickel Plated Steel

There is another thread on here from today where someone mentioned some subtle differences between the GHS and Ken Smiths. Described the Ken Smith as being a little darker sounding.

As far as I know they are all Hex Core... Keep in mind, with the compressed outer winding, the outer windings are wider so overall string flexibility is not that of say a standard round wound. But still much more flexible than most flatwounds.

The Non-Stainless Steel pressurewound tone is pretty phat and punchy. Not as much high end zing as a round, with a smoother feel under the fingers. They will sing if you want them too and lay in the mix with just enough brightness to not get lost.

soulman969 · #4 10-21-2011, 01:20 AM

Just put a set on my Jazz Bass tonight and I love 'em. This is the sound I was looking for. Once I do some adjusting on the bass to get it in step with these strings and I'm able to crank my amp up some I'll let you all know more.

RFMac · #5 10-21-2011, 01:20 AM

Thank you for the replies. I have used GHS Flats and Roto Swing bass 66 extensively in the past. I liked both in the during the duration I used them. I always liked GHS flats and would use them if TI and Labella did not make a better flat, in my opinion. Rotos were great sounding when deadened but tough on the fingers. I used the Roto Swing Bass 66 and liked them (when dead) for most of playing life before I switched to Flats. However my question is what the hell is alloy 52? From the GHS site:

"Made from a magentically active material, Alloy 52™, GHS Pressurewound bass strings are made to specifically increase your brightness. Each string is slightly flattened in the winding process to give you a great feeling string that cuts down on finger noise."

From other research I see it is basically a stainless steel string with some alterations ( I am no Chemist/Geologist, however). Thanks again, RFMac.

SLaPiNFuNK · #6 10-21-2011, 01:27 AM

I THINK Alloy 52 is Nickel Iron Alloy...

RFMac · #7 10-21-2011, 01:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SLaPiNFuNK

I THINK Alloy 52 is Nickel Iron Alloy...

You are right, with stainless characteristics, as far as metal work goes. How this applies to sound and playing/feel characteristics is beyond my comprehension. Guess I'll have to buck up and find out! - yet again...

SLaPiNFuNK · #8 10-21-2011, 01:39 AM

They look super sweet and smooth...

Ill send you a nice pretty pic via PM if you do not mind...

RFMac · #9 10-21-2011, 01:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SLaPiNFuNK

They look super sweet and smooth...

Ill send you a nice pretty pic via PM if you do not mind...

Not at all, sir thanks for the replies and info. -RFMac.

markanini · #10 10-21-2011, 09:29 AM

The Alloys52 is like a punchier pure nickel, much fatter than nickel plated steel IME. I'm sure OP will like it. I think the topic bears the question: DR and Fodera strings are described as compressed rounds yet are billed as Roundwounds. Could they be considered an option to the other brands discussed?