Roundwounds to wean me off TI flats

rheohead · #1 01-19-2010, 11:09 AM

I seem to be going in the opposite direction. After a couple of decades playing TI Jazz Flats, I've decided to give roundwounds another shot. Can anybody recommend a set of roundwound strings (preferably nickel) that I could use to wean myself off the TIs.

I don't want to go from 0 to 60 all at once. The shock might send me back to the TIs!

I play mostly rock/pop/folk stuff and I don't slap or pop. So I guess I'm looking for smooth(ish) feeling and warm(ish) sounding low-tension roundwounds.

Are there too many constraints? Thanks to all.

3toes · #2 01-19-2010, 11:20 AM

You could try a ground-wound string first if you want...

I love me some Ken Smith Slickrounds.

gotmule? · #3 01-19-2010, 11:22 AM

I recently had a similar experience. I was playing Chromes for awhile and decided I wanted something a bit brighter. I ended up choosing DR Hi-Beams. You might want to look at Rotosound flats which have some roundwound characteristics. If you want to go with roundwound, I would recommend checking out DR. I'm loving the Hi-Beams so far and there are plenty steel and nickel roundwounds to choose from. Here's some soundclips: http://www.bassemporium.com/newslett...ewsletter.html

NKBassman · #4 01-19-2010, 11:27 AM

Maybe try a set of Half-rounds first, to ease the transition. I think D'Addario makes some.

3toes, is that the same thing as ground-wounds?

Buskman · #5 01-19-2010, 11:32 AM

DR Sunbeams are warm sounding & very smooth to the touch (for rounds, that is!

). Low tension, too. Just a great string overall.

Tandrew · #6 01-19-2010, 11:36 AM

I'm going the opposite direction that you're headed in...I'm about to try some flats...
As for roundwounds I've enjoyed DR Lowriders (I feel the other DRs can be very bright), D'Addarios and Ernie Ball Slinkys which are priced cheap but not cheap feeling (to me).
Although I have not tried groundwounds the seem to be the middleground and might be suitable for weaning.
Good luck.

3toes · #7 01-19-2010, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NKBassman

Maybe try a set of Half-rounds first, to ease the transition. I think D'Addario makes some.

3toes, is that the same thing as ground-wounds?

Fairly certain, yeah. A lot of the companies have their own name for them. I.E. Ken Smith calling his "Slick-Rounds."

I found, at least with the Slicks, that they have a more low to low-mid growl like flats tend to have, but the high end is a little more articulate. I also loved them when they got older and more worn. Had a very thuddy "plunk" sound, especially with a pick.

If you're familiar with Mike Gordon's (Phish) sound, he uses Ken Smith Slickrounds.

They're just really well-rounded strings (no pun intended); a great middle ground for someone who likes the best of both worlds

edit: But if you want to jump straight into some roundwounds, I currently using DR LoRider nickels and love them. But being hexcore they're a bit higher tension than others. So maybe try the DR Sunbeams.

jasper383 · #8 01-19-2010, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buskman

DR Sunbeams are warm sounding & very smooth to the touch (for rounds, that is!

). Low tension, too. Just a great string overall.

+1

Sunbeams or Hi Beams (if you want brighter sound), in a light or medium light gauge.

stflbn · #9 01-19-2010, 12:01 PM

DR Sunbeams. If bought new, give them about 4-6+ hours of playing to lose some edge and get a nice warm attitude to them. I'm currently about to go the other way on one of my basses... going from sunbeams to TI Flats.

jasper383 · #10 01-19-2010, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NKBassman

Maybe try a set of Half-rounds first, to ease the transition. I think D'Addario makes some.

3toes, is that the same thing as ground-wounds?

Half rounds and groundwounds are, I believe, the same thing. A roundwound string is wound, then the surface is "shaved" to flatten it out.

There are also "compression wound" strings. A roundwound is wound, then compressed between steel rollers to flatten out the surface of the string.

The groundwounds tend to be more flat-string sounding to my ears, the compressionwounds more like a round.

rheohead · #11 01-19-2010, 12:43 PM

Thanks for all the great suggestions. It would seem that I'm being pointed in the direction of DRs - of one type or another. I know that nobody carries DR in my city, so getting my choices narrowed down will help me when I have to drive a couple of hours to purchase.

3toes, your answers are particularly interesting to me because the strings will be going on a Lakland 44-02 Deluxe (w/Barts).

NKBassman · #12 01-19-2010, 12:46 PM

You could try buying some online if you can't find any locally.

3toes · #13 01-19-2010, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rheohead

Thanks for all the great suggestions. It would seem that I'm being pointed in the direction of DRs - of one type or another. I know that nobody carries DR in my city, so getting my choices narrowed down will help me when I have to drive a couple of hours to purchase.

3toes, your answers are particularly interesting to me because the strings will be going on a Lakland 44-02 Deluxe (w/Barts).

Hah nice! Well I have to say, my 44-02 (w/barts) never sounded more alive than with the Lo-Riders. Haven't tried it with the sunbeams though...

scottbass · #14 01-19-2010, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buskman

DR Sunbeams are warm sounding & very smooth to the touch (for rounds, that is!

). Low tension, too. Just a great string overall.

/\ THIS. DR Sunbeams.

3toes · #15 01-19-2010, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3toes

Hah nice! Well I have to say, my 44-02 (w/barts) never sounded more alive than with the Lo-Riders. Haven't tried it with the sunbeams though...

But I should note that the only reason I chose the Lo's over the SunBeams is because I like a higher tension string.

sal4bass · #16 01-19-2010, 01:30 PM

Another recommendation for DR Sunbeams - great overall string.

I think the TI Jazz Rounds are the ultimate round wound for my playing style (even lower tension than the Sunbeams and they last forever). Potential drawback - they are less bright than the DR Sunbeams, and not the greatest for slapping.

rheohead · #17 01-19-2010, 01:43 PM

It sounds like DR Sunbeams might be the winner.

One last question then: How long do I have to play them before they have their "settled in" sound? I want to give them an honest shot.

I tend to play, on average, at least 2 hours every second night. Just for reference.

Darkstrike · #18 01-19-2010, 01:54 PM

TI Jazz Rounds would be another good option.

CapnSev · #19 01-19-2010, 01:57 PM

I'll be the opposition here and say that I am not a Sunbeams fan in the least. I thought they were really rough feeling, and the brightness took a really long time to wear off. I don't think they ever hit the level to be "warm" enough for me.

I'm going to go with 3toes on this one, but I'd say go with the Ken Smith Compressors instead of Slicks. I like the Slicks a lot, but the Compressors definitely have a more "round" tone and feel (although they are way smoother feeling and warmer than rounds).

stflbn · #20 01-19-2010, 02:00 PM

Odd... I was immediately taken with the smoothness and flexible tension of Sunbeams.

I also like S.I.T. Silencers for a halfway between rounds and flats sound. In fact, I think I'm going to try a set of partially broken in Silencers I have sitting around on the Ray35 I'll be picking up Thurs. afternoon.