D'Addario Half Rounds Super Long Scale...a novel

[vcovco]

'Lo All,

I've got a Spector Euro 5 LX and I was looking to get rid of some string noise, so I tried some D'Addario Chromes.


When I strung it up with the new strings, I discovered that the blue cloth on the top of the strings extended to just over the nut, which I thought was odd. It did not seem to screw with the tone too much from what I expected flats to sound like, and I figured that it wouldn't matter once I started fretting notes anyway.

Overall, the tone seemed a little too lacking in brightness for my taste, so I decided to try the Half rounds. Seeing as how the regular Chromes seemed too short, I went with the super longs.


When I strung those up, the tension seemed WAY too high. They sound okay with the exception of the bottom B lacking the same brightness of the other strings.

SO....

long story short...(figured I'd put all the questions in one post)

1) The Euro 5 has (I believe) a 35" scale...I thought this would be considered a normal or just a 'long scale.' Should I use regular scale strings or 'super long scale' strings?

2) Is the higher tension of the half rounds due to the 'SL' scale or are they just a higher tension string?

3) Could someone recommend a lighter tension 5 string set of flats that sounds just slightly brigher than the D'addario chromes?

4) What is everyone's favorite Half round set?

I may throw the Chromes back on, as the tone and playability were more pleasing than the Half rounds to my ears and fingers (even though the Chromes lacked brightness, they sound great...just need some brightness for a project I'm working on)

thanks a million!

 

[lmfreeman9]

I had the same experience with tension when I tried half-rounds recently. Part of the problem in my case was I replaced light gauge DR Hi-Beams and I had to adjust the truss rod to lower the action. Since I've done that the strings feel better but still take some getting used to. Love the tone.

 

[Eric S]

4) What is everyone's favorite Half round set?


GHS Brite-Flats (light guage). They are a little lighter than Chromes. Brite-Flats sound great after a couple of weeks (once they break in and smooth out).

 

[rickfan63]

I doubt you'll find any flatwound much brighter then the Chromes. You could try Rotosound Jazz Bass 77 flats though, they are bright. As far as flatwounds go though, those are about it. And they both tend to settle down and lose the twang after a while, which I really like. Groundwounds and compression wounds could be an option too.

 

[Passinwind]

4) What is everyone's favorite Half round set?

D'Addario Half Rounds in custom gauges. You don't have to just live with the standard sets. The set I just took off my bass was pretty much comparable to TI Jazz Flats as far as tension.

 

[vcovco]

Thanks very much, everyone.

The more I read, the more I did realize that the Chromes were bright as far as the flats go.

The custom gauge option sounds good, as well. I didn't happen to notice custom gauges for D'addario half rounds at the online shops. Passinwind, where do you typically buy the custom gauges from?

 

[Passinwind]

The custom gauge option sounds good, as well. I didn't happen to notice custom gauges for D'addario half rounds at the online shops. Passinwind, where do you typically buy the custom gauges from?

I got 'em here: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Look in the "single strings" section. I spent some time tinkering with the tension listings for the TIs I had on there, then the D'Ads, and ended up getting quite close to where I wanted to be.

 

[vcovco]

Good Deal!

Thats where I ordered the Half rounds from originally...great place and fast shipping. I ordered up some SIT silencers, as well, so I figure between everything, something should stick!

Thanks again