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D'Addario Half Rounds

#42
I've used ground wound/half wounds exclusively for six years. They're great for the reasons mentioned. But it is really worth it to try several brands. I've played them from four manufacturers and each had a different tactile feel and sometimes tonal differences. D'Addario was my second favorite, and they were brighter in tone than the others. My favorite (and the one I came back to) is from Status. I don't regret one dime of paying for that experiment as it really opened my eyes to how dramatically particular strings can change the character of tone and feel. Good stuff.
 
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#43
Ukiah, the Status Halfwounds were interesting, they have a similar construction as TI "flats" but are stainless steel and a low tension as well. All in all the tone was smooth yet good articulation could be got. Unlike Picato and Elites they're offered in two gauges instead of one-size-fits-all.
 
#44
markanini said:
Ukiah, the Status Halfwounds were interesting, they have a similar construction as TI "flats" but are stainless steel and a low tension as well. All in all the tone was smooth yet good articulation could be got. Unlike Picato and Elites they're offered in two gauges instead of one-size-fits-all.
Click to expand...

How low-tension are they? Are they really as low-tension as TI Flats or just lower than average? Thanks.
 
#45
Think of a Round Wound, with the "Round" edges of the outer winding ground off. Thats what Half Rounds will be like.

I took this picture for another thread... But this will give you an idea of what to expect from the Look of the string.

rwcmsra.jpg
 
#47
I just put a set of D'Addario Half Rounds on my semi-hollow Ibanez Artcore (34" scale) bass. I LOVE them! It's definitely an unfamiliar feel as far as smoothness goes, but the tone really is versatile. I can still get great, bright rock tones with a pick, but then it's an effortless shift to the smooth and round fingerstyle tone that I dig from flats.

They definitely seem to feel "sticky" at first, but I got used to it after a few minutes of playing. Cool strings!
 
#48
I don't hate any strings, but I find that rounds are considerably more abrasive to my fingers than flats. I have never experienced any kind of Sticky" feeling with flats, and I suspect that it doesn't really exist - it's just that we can feel the difference in contact area.

But people prefer different things, and more power to you good folks who like rounds. If they feel good and sound good, they ARE good.
 
#49
Pilgrim said:
I don't hate any strings, but I find that rounds are considerably more abrasive to my fingers than flats. I have never experienced any kind of Sticky" feeling with flats, and I suspect that it doesn't really exist - it's just that we can feel the difference in contact area.

But people prefer different things, and more power to you good folks who like rounds. If they feel good and sound good, they ARE good.
Click to expand...

Oh- I don't think flats feel sticky at all! These half rounds DO feel different though! They're definitely a different beast altogether!
 
#50
@nuno.ka and others interested in stainless grounds:
I've had The Elites grounds on for two days. They're stiffer and less bright than Picato grounds. I reckon they would be appealing to someone who likes a full bass responce most of all. I believe Guy Pratt used the Elites grounds at some point. I've since gone back to the Picatos and a .40 G from a Status half-round set.
 
#51
markanini said:
@nuno.ka and others interested in stainless grounds:
I've had The Elites grounds on for two days. They're stiffer and less bright than Picato grounds. I reckon they would be appealing to someone who likes a full bass responce most of all. I believe Guy Pratt used the Elites grounds at some point. I've since gone back to the Picatos and a .40 G from a Status half-round set.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info markanini! What's wrong with the elite's G string?
 
#54
Pilgrim said:
I don't hate any strings, but I find that rounds are considerably more abrasive to my fingers than flats. I have never experienced any kind of Sticky" feeling with flats, and I suspect that it doesn't really exist - it's just that we can feel the difference in contact area.

But people prefer different things, and more power to you good folks who like rounds. If they feel good and sound good, they ARE good.
Click to expand...

Chromes can be sticky, as can the new Fender flats. I have some relatively new Fender flats on my rock bass. If I move off the pickups, they still have some stickiness that is more noticeable when it is really humid.

But they get smooth from playing and then it is not an issue.
 
#57
scotch said:
I just put a set of D'Addario Half Rounds on my semi-hollow Ibanez Artcore (34" scale) bass. I LOVE them! It's definitely an unfamiliar feel as far as smoothness goes, but the tone really is versatile. I can still get great, bright rock tones with a pick, but then it's an effortless shift to the smooth and round fingerstyle tone that I dig from flats.

They definitely seem to feel "sticky" at first, but I got used to it after a few minutes of playing. Cool strings!
Click to expand...

So,... The Halfrounds on my Artcore bass have had a few weeks to 'break in' & wow! They sound a lot more like regular flats played fingerstyle, but still have a more aggressive tone with a pick. Very cool! The feel is still a bit 'sticky', but not distracting anymore. I'm loving them!
 
#58
Blues Cat said:
D'Addario is using SS on their Half Wounds and it's relatively very smooth.
Click to expand...

Back to stainless? They've been back and forth since they started them back around 1976. Started with nickel (HR-7X) then added a stainless version SHR-7X) then dropped the nickle ones, then returned to nickle and dropped stainless, and now apparetnly back to stainless....

I like the GHS Brite Flats better, but I haven't had any desire to use modified rounds in about fifteen or more years.

John
 

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