Ugh, I hate the no middle ground factor...

Rock-Bassman · #1 02-23-2010, 02:47 PM

I've been on this hunt lately... the hunt for the perfect string. Started out with a set of SIT Power Wound rounds. Meh. Then switched over to Chromes... I dug em for a while, but ultimately realized I needed the cutting mids of rounds in my harder rock gig... So I went back to Fender 7250 rounds, but I'm missing the great fundamental thump the flats gave me. Finally, I decided: Hey, why not try Half Rounds! Didn't like them, they sounded like weak flats. I haven't been able to find any middle ground! Does anybody know of any string, rounds, flats, or otherwise, that could give me a strong fundamental and the growly, cutting tone of rounds? Thanks, and sorry for the long post/rant.

Oh and I haven't tried groundwounds, but I assume they sound closer to rounds than flats.

john-boro · #2 02-23-2010, 03:22 PM

hate to repeat what so many say on this forum already, but TI flats really give very powerful mids that will growl a lot on the right bass.

Pilgrim · #3 02-23-2010, 03:38 PM

There is no perfect string. Find ones that are good enough, and learn to use them to suit yourself.

For me, those strings are usually Labella Deep Talkin' flats - but I like a vintage sound and I'm not picky about strings.

KYJazzy · #4 02-23-2010, 07:09 PM

I don't really understand how the Chromes weren't cutting it for you - need cutting mids of rounds? Flats DO have cutting mids, and tons of them. I love Labella DTF's for what you described but chromes are closer to rounds. I know its easy to obsess too much over strings...go for what feels good and sounds close, turn up, and adjust right-hand technique/eq as needed

morebass! · #5 02-24-2010, 08:40 AM

I agree with the OP. TI flats are probably the closest to a do-it-all string IF you can handle the low tension. If you can't then you can joint the All Strings Suck Club. You're not alone.

FromTheBassMent · #6 02-24-2010, 10:26 AM

"Half rounds" are "ground wounds." That's the technology used on strings that are labled half rounds (start with a round winding wire then grind it down flat).

Try GHS Pressurewounds. I just put them on my fretless SR5 and am absolutely blown away... all of the growl, snarl and snap of a roundwound without the finger noise or fretboard trenches!

EthanTheHeathen · #7 02-24-2010, 11:44 AM

Pressurewounds are cool. Also, try tapewounds. The LaBella ones seem a little closer to flats, whereas the others (Rotosound, Fender, and GHS are a few makers) seem closer to rounds. I haven't tried all of the various brands, but the ones I've tried sound like what you're looking for.

guroove · #8 02-24-2010, 12:02 PM

I'm feeling exactly the same dilemma, but for me it's not about flats and rounds, but more about low-mids/strong fundamental, vs. high mids/harmonics. The strings I am stuck between are DR flats, and LaBella Deep Talkin' flats. To me, and on my basses, the LaBellas have too much high mids / harmonics, and basically sound like rounds without the zing. The DRs have strong low end punch and fundamental, but no growl. I had to go with the DRs because they were the only string that I immediately fell in love with, and that made me think "holy ****, these strings are amazing."

Nigel Rahmshard · #9 02-24-2010, 12:28 PM

the perfect string is ernie ball flatwound group 2's!! at least for me.

stflbn · #10 02-24-2010, 12:32 PM

DR Sunbeams?
Once they calm down they're somewhere in between most roundwounds and flatwounds.

Toptube · #11 02-24-2010, 09:54 PM

I have experienced much of what you are looking for with SIT half-rounds.

but, I think at some point finger noise should be ignored/accepted.

Arvin · #12 02-25-2010, 06:38 AM

I've had a similar dilemma to the OP, so I'm trying some GHS Pressurewounds out. They're not fully broken in yet, but so far, they seem very promising.

Rock-Bassman · #13 02-25-2010, 02:12 PM

Seems like a lot of you guys have run into the same problem as me. FWIW, finger noise is not a problem at all for me... I'm thinking I'm going to go with flats, but I need a cutting set of flats... think 90's grunge as the heaviest. Any suggestions?

stflbn · #14 02-25-2010, 02:18 PM

SIT Silencers end up being about halfway in between Flats and Roundwounds once they've lost their edge and have broken in over a week or two. Nice feel, and very affordable also.

Onalargerock · #15 02-25-2010, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stflbn

SIT Silencers end up being about halfway in between Flats and Roundwounds once they've lost their edge and have broken in over a week or two. Nice feel, and very affordable also.

I'm tring the silencers by sit now and they seem right in the middle of it all sit has great strings especially if you like there power wound I have chromes on my sx jazz but you do get tired of the same sound the sit silencers are cheap at juststrings.com not to much out in case you don't like them.

loopee · #16 06-03-2010, 05:29 AM

GHS Pressurewounds - best of both worlds......

dougjwray · #17 06-03-2010, 07:01 AM

I know exactly how you feel, and I even started a thread last year on the topic.
Here's another suggestion: Dunlop stainless steel roundwounds. For roundwounds, they put out quite a strong fundamental (and they're not too expensive, if you decide to try a set).

FunkMetalBass · #18 06-03-2010, 08:19 AM

Get thicker strings. Thicker core = greater fundamental.

Also, it's amazing what a little EQing can do.

M.R. Ogle · #19 06-03-2010, 08:26 AM

I would at least give the DR Sunbeams a chance. I tried them and they were very "different"... may be what you're looking for.

coolrunner989 · #20 06-03-2010, 08:30 AM

Here's my two cents, and I've gone through a lot of strings, kind of in the same boat as you.
Get some heavy gauge DR High Beams. The heavy gauge and SS factor will give you a nice beefy low end, and the upper mid/treble growl of rounds. They are fairly mid scooped, which may or may not work for you, but EQ goes a long way.

Sunbeams have a huge upper mid bump, pretty even in the lows and low mids, which I don't think is what you're looking for but they might work.