Roundwounds for a flatwound lover

[spacebassed]

Originally Posted by HailCorduroy

But my fingers have to play that sound for 4 hours at a time. I love the sound of flats, especially on my P-bass. I like the sound of flats on my Jazz, I just want to have a different sound and I have tried full rounds and didn't like the sound. Too many squeeks and too bright.

HC, I had essientially the exact same problem. I had used various nickel rounds for years, but I was never quite happy with the sound (or the feel). Using old rounds helped tone them down a bit, but even those were too harsh, noisey, and bright for my liking - the Ken Smith Slick Rounds solved that problem - I just wish I would've found them earlier. There are a few different companies that make a couple different strings that sit between the typical round and flat:
Ken Smith makes Compressors and Slick Rounds
GHS makes Pressurewound and Brite Flats
S.I.T. makes Silencers and Power Flats
That's just off the top of my head, I'm sure there are others. I have only tried the Ken Smith SW's. I've used GHS rounds in the past and they make a good string (I've heard ppl say their Pressurewounds are very similar to Ken Smith's Compressors), and I'm getting ready to try the S.I.T.'s - they make good stuff too - plus, they are based in Ohio and I like the idea of supporting a local business. I found a demo of the GHS's - that should give you a better idea of what you can expect:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GcQJyHGbeY

[Bob Gollihur]

Was a flats guy for centuries, went to Thomastik PowerBass on my "Jazz Equivalent" five string basses to add dimension and the ability to cut through with some animated mids. Was essentially looking for rounds for a guy who hates guitary sounding rounds (me).

Used them for a few years but went to SIT Silencers last year because the low B has a more uniform sonic character and similar tension. Feel is good, too. And they're a helluvalot cheaper!

But still use and love Thom flats on some of my fretless basses rather than any stiff, thuddy old school flat.

[Mikhail1]

I was also in that dilemma as well, wanting something that would cut through a little better. I stumbled on SIT Silencers quite by accident but have really grown to like them. They are currently on my p bass and have really aged well, very much like a near dead roundwound that still holds intonation. Try them, they are cheaper than either the GHS Pressurewounds or Ken Smith Compressors which have several fans on this board.

[wshines1892]

Daddario XL nickels. tad bright at first, but after a month or so they settle down nicely to a well balanced, middy string. They just seem to speak well no matter where I have the pickups balanced. Had the same set for about 4 months now and I don't plan on changing until one breaks.

DR Fat Beams sound nice too once broken in. Really, for me, rounds don't really sound right until you give them time to darken. I soul searched for a long time to find they round for me and simply go with Daddarios now because you can get them anywhere. I prefer heavy for the more emphasized fundamental and slightly hotter output, but they all sound good.