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General purpose round-wound suggestions needed

JPK_DK

JPK_DK

Aug 9, 2019
284
316
#1
Hi, I have been playing for a little over a year and the issue of strings is becoming more and more puzzling for me, and I would like to get some input here. (I realize the information might be buried in here somewhere, but I am hoping for focused replies!)

I play melodic rock (and would perhaps like to develop into fusion and rock jazz). I play fingerstyle mainly, but might delve into a little bit of slapping at some point (but that is not really important at the moment at all).

I am only looking for suggestions for round wounds! To narrow it further down, here is what I like and don't like - both from my limited experience:

LIKE: Ernie Ball Hybrid Slinkys 45-105; D'Addario Roundwounds 44-106 (don't know which type exactly; they came with the bass)

DON'T LIKE: Ernie Ball Cobalt Slinkys (too bright, too rough in their feel); Dunlop Stainless Steel Superbrights (too bright; don't like the feel); D'Addario Half Rounds (not the sound I am looking for either; I guess I also prefer a slightly more textured feel)

I know gauge is important; but all I can say so far is that I like Hybrid Slinkys better than Regular Slinkys.

OK, I hope I can get some good recommendations for round wounds from you guys!

Thanks!
 
#6
Are you looking for new or different? The EB Slinky 45-105 and D’Addario XL 45-105 are plentiful on any music site or store for less than $20.00 all day. If you like those, why not buy them?

If you’re looking for a new flavor I can’t really help too much; I haven’t spent too much time playing rounds lately. I’m eyeing the GHS Round Core Boomers as my next exploration in the waters of Roundwounds.
 
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#7
bassist4dalord said:
Are you looking for new or different? The EB Slinky 45-105 and D’Addario XL 45-105 are plentiful on any music site or store for less than $20.00 all day. If you like those, why not buy them?

If you’re looking for a new flavor I can’t really help too much; I haven’t spent too much time playing rounds lately. I’m eyeing the GHS Round Core Boomers as my next exploration in the waters of Roundwounds.
Click to expand...

Thanks! I guess I am looking for other brands that might have "general purpose" round wounds, true, but I am also curious what people think are the best GP round wounds. I realize this is very personal, but still I am curious to hear whether and why a $40 set of strings is better than the Slinkys, and a $60 set even more so. Or not...

I am trying to get some inspiration on what strings I might like, without having to test them all myself (e.g., @michael_t 's test of the Bassics posted elsewhere here was very helpful). But, yeah, in the end, I might go back to Slinkys and stick with them...
 
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#8
D'Addario XL's are another good general purpose round wound string. I have gigged with them for decades: moderate to inexpensive price; medium longetivity. D'Addario XL's have a little bit of ping on the top end when new, and have a slight mid scoop to the overall tone.
 
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#9
For all around roundwounds I really like the D'Addario NYXL's, though have no love for the regular XL's. You might also like the DR Sunbeams. They are excellent all around strings and I have them installed on my two jazz basses. DR Pure Blues are a little brighter. I know you don't like the Ernie Ball Cobalt rounds, but the Cobalt Flats offer a unique sound with enough spank to put the sound in the roundwound category.
 
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#11
Just a little update: it took me a while to get my hands on a set of GHS Bassics (M6000), but I finally got them today (postal service is very slow these days!). First impression is really good - I like the feel and sound of them very much; much more than the Dunlop stainless steel that I had on this particular bass before. And really quite "soft" for hex core strings...
Thanks again for the suggestion, @michael_t !
 
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#12
JPK_DK said:
GHS Bassics (M6000)...
First impression is really good...
Click to expand...

I'd be interested in how they age. When I tried them last year, I only kept them on for 3 mths as a test run. I could have kept going with them as they were still going strong at the end of the test run, but there was another set I was anxious to try at that time, so I ended up moving on.

Please report back on how they do for you in terms of longevity.
 
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#16
JPK_DK said:
I hear a lot of good things about TI strings, but they are also a tad more expensive... and as I am still experimenting, I wasn't going to go there yet ;)
Click to expand...
you're right, they're not cheap. but they have all the 'flex' a string could possibly have...and they're 'gentle' on the fingers, too, if that's a desirable attribute for you.

but you'll have some fun finding out what you like --- at least i hope so! ;)
 
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#18
JPK_DK said:
23995916[/URL], member: 346010"]I hear a lot of good things about TI strings, but they are also a tad more expensive... and as I am still experimenting, I wasn't going to go there yet ;)
Click to expand...
When I got a set of TI Jazz Rounds, string experimenting ended for me.

They sound and feel exceptional, and they’re long-lasting, so worth the cost. (My set is still going strong at 8 months old with an hour or so of daily play.)
 
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#19
JPK_DK said:
Hi, I have been playing for a little over a year and the issue of strings is becoming more and more puzzling for me, and I would like to get some input here. (I realize the information might be buried in here somewhere, but I am hoping for focused replies!)

I play melodic rock (and would perhaps like to develop into fusion and rock jazz). I play fingerstyle mainly, but might delve into a little bit of slapping at some point (but that is not really important at the moment at all).

I am only looking for suggestions for round wounds! To narrow it further down, here is what I like and don't like - both from my limited experience:

LIKE: Ernie Ball Hybrid Slinkys 45-105; D'Addario Roundwounds 44-106 (don't know which type exactly; they came with the bass)

DON'T LIKE: Ernie Ball Cobalt Slinkys (too bright, too rough in their feel); Dunlop Stainless Steel Superbrights (too bright; don't like the feel); D'Addario Half Rounds (not the sound I am looking for either; I guess I also prefer a slightly more textured feel)

I know gauge is important; but all I can say so far is that I like Hybrid Slinkys better than Regular Slinkys.

OK, I hope I can get some good recommendations for round wounds from you guys!

Thanks!
Click to expand...
Elixir nanoweb nickels. Bright enough and heavy in the mids. In other words, you get a great voice character from them. Perfect for standing out in a jazz ensemble. Cut your mids a little, and they're perfect for any rock group. Really, they're just perfect. They have a very smooth feel, and they last over a year. I use .50 - .105 guage
 
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#20
I've tried several strings sets -- including Fender 9050M, GHS Bass Boomers, Dunlop Nickels (standard), and GHS Brite Flats -- and find EB Nickel Hybrid Slinkies to be most to my liking. They are the easiest on the fingers of all the nickel roundwounds I've played, and I like their mellow sound.
 
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