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Compression/pressure wounds for 5-strings

greiswig

greiswig

Aug 4, 2006
58
1
#1
Seems like a lot of people here like the GHS pressurewounds and Ken Smith Compressors, don't like the Rotosounds, etc. But there seem to be very few options for 5-string players. Are there some good alternatives that I'm overlooking that aren't overly bright, and seem to hold together well? I'm currently using TI flats, but would like a bit more mwah. Not sure I'm ready to go to a full round like the Sunbeams...or should I?

Thanks!
 
#2
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SIT Silencers. A half round isn't my thing right now, but I've got a set of these for 4-string that I used for a bit and they feel great, almost like flats. They don't grab your fingers really at all like I've heard some halfrounds do. Don't break the bank either.
 
#3
Just to answer my own question: I was able to get a 5-string set with a low B in the GHS Pressurewounds. JustStrings has the 4-string set, and you can also get a single B string. So far, I'm liking them.

But...not sure I like them more than the TI flats I had on it before.
 
#5
greiswig said:
Seems like a lot of people here like the GHS pressurewounds and Ken Smith Compressors, don't like the Rotosounds, etc. But there seem to be very few options for 5-string players. Are there some good alternatives that I'm overlooking that aren't overly bright, and seem to hold together well? I'm currently using TI flats, but would like a bit more mwah. Not sure I'm ready to go to a full round like the Sunbeams...or should I?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Since you are talking mwah, I presume you are talking fretless. I use ground wounds on most of my fretless basses to eliminate fingerboard chews. (even pressure wounds will chew though not like rounds) They are smooth and about as bright as you can get without neck chews. I personally prefer D'addario grounds (I think they call them "half rounds") over the GHS bright flats but I use both and they are OK. If you really want brighter then you have to go to rounds and just deal with the neck chews. [It's some maintenance, but not that serious although I freaked when the factory rounds immediately began chewing my new Alembic]

A hint for grounds is to rub them down with 0000 steel wool before you put them on the bass. [keep steel wool away from Pickups or there will be hell to pay getting it off the magnets!] That eliminates that "sticky" feel.

My only comment is that I'm not sure what the relationship between strings and mwah is. I mean ground rounds are brighter in tone than flats and pressure wounds are brighter still and rounds brightest of all. But that is tone and I'm not sure if mwah follows the tone. For example I've got nylon wrapped strings on the acoustic fretless and I didn't notice any particular increase in mwah because of it. Maybe you'll just have to try things to see what you like best.
 

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