1/2 Rounds / Ground Wounds: 2 ?s

Yes string thru body is fine. Just make sure length is correct.

What don't you like about slapping on the cobalt flats?

 

The half rounds are not going to be as brilliant either.

They will respond differently but you will need a lighter gauge of either string to get more snap out of the D.

Which gauges are you using for the flats.

 

I'd grab a .060 cobalt flat before getting another set of something different. If that is the only problem..

This will make the d and g string have very similar tension

 

Anytime

 

I'm not a slapper and I don't have any experience with half-rounds...just yet.

That said, I've just ordered a set of light-gauge GHS Brite Flats L3075 (45-56-77-98), which are goundwound Alloy 52 (nickel-iron).

I've chosen the GHS Brite Flats over the D'Addario Half-rounds for a couple of reasons...

• The nickel-iron alloy used for the wrap wire on the Brite Flats are more responsive dynamically due to its highly magnetically active properties compared to the D'A HRs, which are pure nickel.
• I like the way the factory sets for the GHS BFs are better-balanced in terms of overall tension, especially the light set with a 56-D. When you combine the light-gauge 4-string set with a single 129-B, you end up with a nicely balanced 5-string set.

Brite Flats L3075 + single 129B:

G 045 - 38.3
D 056 - 35.9
A 077 - 39.3
E 098 - 38.8
B 129 - 36.4 (Total: 188.7 lbs.)
​

Just a suggestion...

EDIT: By the way, the GHS Brite Flats have a winding length (ball end to taper/silk) of 38", which would be plenty long enough for thru-body stringing.

 

I don't think that groundwounds are the way to go for slapping. How about some EB Cobalt rounds or any stainless steel rounds for that matter?

Personally. I hate the rough feel of groundwounds.

 

grounds = never ever

smoother alt ... Pressurewounds ..!!

 

Have to disagree. My D'A Half (ground) Rounds are WAY smoother than my PW's. Love them both.

 

I suppose it depends what sort of sound you want for slap. I've done it with TI flats before, and it works after a fashion, but is a much darker sound.

 

Yup. I did this with Chromes. Big improvement!

 

Chromes are bright enough to slap/pop with. Just turn up the tone and have at it.

 

I've run half rounds several times. They don't do slap well IME.

 

If you're talking about the ECB81 set, 45-65-80-100, you're right, the G and D are pretty tense. I've used the ECB84, 40-60-80-100, in the past and they were a lot more manageable in terms of overall stiffness.

Or, even better, you can put together a custom light set, 40-55-75-95:

D'Addario Chromes Flatwound Single Bass Strings - Long Scale