Half-round 5-string set in (truly) LIGHT gauge?

[fretlessman71]

Finding my tone as a pick player has led me down the path of half-round strings, and I am really happy with the results so far. I'd like to get a set for a 5 string bass I have, but I really prefer lighter gauges - and D'Addario "light gauge" isn't nearly light enough. I'd prefer a .120 or a .115 if I could find one (yes, I go pretty darned light). ISO a set of half-rounds for a 5 string that run close to 40-60-80-100-120. No luck so far, anybody out there have a tip?

 

[michael_t]

ISO a set of half-rounds for a 5 string that run close to 40-60-80-100-120. No luck so far, anybody out there have a tip?

GHS Brite Flats (Alloy 52 half-rounds) lights, 45-56-77-98, plus a single 129B.

Here's how the tension figures would work out...

G 045 - 38.3 (lbs.)
D 056 - 35.9
A 077 - 39.3
E 098 - 38.8
B 129 - 36.4

 

[michael_t]

By the way, what kind of bass do you have?

 

[michael_t]

Or...

If you were to make a custom set of D'A Half Rounds, 40-60-80-100-130...

G 040 - 36.9 (lbs.)
D 060 - 39.1
A 080 - 41.1
E 100 - 38.7
B 130 - 36.0

 

[fretlessman71]

It's the .130 that gets me. I don't like the sound of a B that big, and I'm willing to take the hit on tension if need be.

This would be for a Yamaha BB415.

 

[fretlessman71]

My preferred gauges with roundwounds are actually 35-55-75-95-120, but there's no reason to be that picky just yet.

 

[michael_t]

It's the .130 that gets me. I don't like the sound of a B that big, and I'm willing to take the hit on tension if need be.

This would be for a Yamaha BB415.

As a pick player, I thought you would want all five strings to be evenly balanced in tension. But it's ultimately your personal choice. The only thing is I haven't seen any half-round low B smaller than .129.

I asked about the bass itself because I just wanted to make you aware the GHS Brite Flats low B's come in two different winding lengths (ball end to silk) - .129 with 38" winding and .130 with 36.5" winding.

 

[Jeff Scott]

When I started using D'Addario Half Rounds again in the late '90s (I had previously used them in the late '70s) I bought a Super Soft 4-string set (40-95) and added a .110 for the B string on my ZONs. Sounded great, and felt nice, too, IME. YMMV, yadda, yadda.

 

[fretlessman71]

When I started using D'Addario Half Rounds again in the late '90s (I had previously used them in the late '70s) I bought a Super Soft 4-string set (40-95) and added a .110 for the B string on my ZONs. Sounded great, and felt nice, too, IME. YMMV, yadda, yadda.

You didn't find there to be a great textural/tonal difference between the round B and the halfround E?

 

[fretlessman71]

Hey - SIT makes a "pressurewound semi-flat" .120! Now to get my hands on a single...

 

[michael_t]

Hey - SIT makes a "pressurewound semi-flat" .120! Now to get my hands on a single...

You can get in touch with Jason at Fret Nation, [email protected], who can put together any custom sets out of singles.

By the way, SIT Silencers are actually closer to the GHS Pressurewounds in the sense the outer round wire is rolled off rather than ground down.

 

[Jeff Scott]

You didn't find there to be a great textural/tonal difference between the round B and the halfround E?

The .110 was a half round string, so no. It was a perfect match, again, for me.

 

[Aloe]

uhm, maybe just rounds and a foam mute will be close enough? or just rounds and tone off?

 

[fretlessman71]

uhm, maybe just rounds and a foam mute will be close enough? or just rounds and tone off?

That's an altogether different tone, and one I already have on another bass

 

[iiipopes]

It's the .130 that gets me. I don't like the sound of a B that big, and I'm willing to take the hit on tension if need be.

This would be for a Yamaha BB415.

Since GHS Brite Flats are wrapped in Alloy 52 then ground, they will have a similar tonal profile to a Pressurewound B string, which is also Alloy 52 wrap, but compressed instead of ground. That is one option to consider.

 

[Aidil]

How about .125 low-B?

Ken Smith has Compressors (Compression Wound, just like the Pressurewound) Extra Light set of .040 .058 .076 .096 which goes nicely with his Compressor .125 (seems discontinued) or .125T low-B single.