See the reply to my post. There's a link to buy them new from the Bass Exchange but it doesn't work for me.
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D'Addario Half Rounds - Please explain the love!
- Thread starter stringthrough
- Start date
I use GHS Pressurewounds on some basses. Pressurewounds are similar in many ways to half rounds. But IMO they sound a lot better.
I like them because they sound like a set of rounds that have totally list their zing and sizzle. Which is a sound I happen to like and find useful for a variety of music. And that’s all the reason I need for using them.
I like them because they sound like a set of rounds that have totally list their zing and sizzle. Which is a sound I happen to like and find useful for a variety of music. And that’s all the reason I need for using them.
I came across with this particular site about six months ago. It said "96 units in stock" back then, so I emailed them and asked them to verify the stock status. I never did receive any response back from them. So, I kind of assumed it wasn't legit.
Just another vote for pressure wounds by GHS. They are more round than flat but the only "half round" I've tried that I liked
It is/was a legit brick & mortar store in the valley here in LA. Was one of the few that specialized in bass equipment but seems like they've fallen on hard times.
Used to have them on a fretless with a nice ebony fingerboard to reduce wear. Never liked the feel under my fingers, but they sounded OK. Replaced them with pressurewounds a while ago.
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I like the GHS Brite Flats, which have the same basic sound as the D'Addario set, but sound punchier, more lively.
I think matching them to the right bass is important. I have the Brite Flats on a fretless bass, but also tried them on two fretted basses and was unimpressed. Could be the same with the D'Addarios, that you just have to find the right bass to put them on.
case for using them:
- i tried them/used them for a spell (in the 80s?). i'm sure a friend told me they were "great!"
- i don't remember hating them, but i also didn't think they sounded as good as SS rounds (i was using roto 66s).
- for a hot minute they were easy to get, anytime, anywhere.
love them? why?
- i didn't hate them, but i didn't love them --- i thought they were so-so, or OK....but no cigar.
- i got tired of the fairly frequent string changes for a string set i wasn't crazy about.
i'm all-in on the idea that some strings sound better on certain instruments but not others. i might try them again sometime...but i'm in no hurry.
I think quite a few folks who have posted in this thread might really like Ken Smith Slick Rounds. I have found them to be a legit “best of both worlds” string. Brighter and more lively than flats, but much smoother feel than standard rounds or half rounds. I like them better than any other pressurewound or half-round/ground-round strings I have tried.
I think it's almost "laziness". You get rid of the zings, the clanks, almost all the noise of fingers/strings/frets, buzz, but you pay the price for the string to be sticky (feeling that goes away quickly as it's a matter of metal scraps coming off the string), and the timbre limitations. I tried ENRs and liked the mid-lows, and that was it. The Pressurewounds concept is much better.
They're all right to me. Over all, better than rounds, but not as good as flats, IMO. Pretty decent for getting the dead rounds sound right out of the package, and feel better on the fingers than rounds, to me.
Oh, and they're really nice with a pick.
That said, I am, and always have been, pretty much a "flats on everything" guy. I keep a few basses with other sets on them, but 90 percent of my basses have flats, and probably 70 percent have heavy tension flats. I have half rounds on one bass: a 1983 G&L L-1000. I chose them on that bass because I wanted a semi-roundwound tone, but didn't want to wear out my original frets, which are in perfect condition (as is the bass, for the most part). I have another '83 L1K, and I keep GHS Precision Flats on it – the classic early Music Man strings.
Oh, and they're really nice with a pick.
That said, I am, and always have been, pretty much a "flats on everything" guy. I keep a few basses with other sets on them, but 90 percent of my basses have flats, and probably 70 percent have heavy tension flats. I have half rounds on one bass: a 1983 G&L L-1000. I chose them on that bass because I wanted a semi-roundwound tone, but didn't want to wear out my original frets, which are in perfect condition (as is the bass, for the most part). I have another '83 L1K, and I keep GHS Precision Flats on it – the classic early Music Man strings.
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I played them off and on for a few years. When new, they feel sticky and the isolated tone is a bit strange. However, as they break in they get pretty smooth (not as smooth as flats), and mellow into a solid fundamental tone. That said, once I tried EB Cobalt Flats, I haven’t looked back.
How long have you had them on? (i.e. have you given them a chance?). My new string ritual for a brand or type that I have never tried before is to install the strings, stretch them and tune up, thoroughly wipe them down clean with my string cleaner of choice - and play them for 1 week. If I hate'em after that I pitch'em. I have installed strings and played immediately afterward and just cringed at the sound or feel, but resisted removing them until I played them for a week. Some drastically improved in tone and feel while others, not so much. Just sharing as a suggestion.
I did try some half-wounds once (as per my ritual!) and they just didn't gel with me in terms of feel.
BobDeRosa
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- May 16, 2012
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I'm here to validate your experience. The concept of a hybrid string seems valid, but the reality I experienced is much like you describe -- meh! I guess I like the GHS Pressurewounds more than the D'Addario half rounds, but didn't get a lot of satisfaction from either set despite trying them on multiple basses. I say commit to either rounds or flats and work to get the best sound possible out of them.
Yes, that's more-or-less my experience too. The stickiness goes away with patience and playing time and then they are nice strings. I had them on my acoustic bass for a couple of years and they were fine.
Sounded like the intro genetic of a Star Wars movie almost…looooooooong ago i left half-rounds for pressurewounds.
been so long ago i can't remember how long ago
First I need to say that I'm not a fan of flats. Too dead sounding. I tried the D'Addarion half rounds for 2 reasons.
1. John Pattituci used them and I loved his tone.
2. To get rid of string squeak.
I bought a set and the low B and E were dead out of the package. D'Addario sent me another set and they did the same thing and the A string died a little later. Pulled them and put on a set of SIT Silencers. They are not a half round, but they sound great with less string squeak.
1. John Pattituci used them and I loved his tone.
2. To get rid of string squeak.
I bought a set and the low B and E were dead out of the package. D'Addario sent me another set and they did the same thing and the A string died a little later. Pulled them and put on a set of SIT Silencers. They are not a half round, but they sound great with less string squeak.
