Anyone out there have experience using d'addario half rounds in a hard rock, punk, alternative setting. In a band that plays pretty hard with two loud guitars and an even louder drummer. Roundwounds have been the obvious choice for years. Thought about trying half rounds to give my fingers and frets a little break. However, worried I will disappear in the mix without the roundwounds. Any input is appreciated. Thanks.
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Half-Round vs Roundwound Strings
- Thread starter PGold
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- roundwound strings
- Sep 9, 2007
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- Endorsing Artist: Eventide, GHS Strings, G&L Guitars, NS Design, Tsunami Cables
Half/Groundwounds as a whole will sound "duller" and sit lower in the mix than roundwounds will. Since you're already worried about disappearing in the mix by switching, I wouldn't switch.
What current roundwounds are you using?
What current roundwounds are you using?
Halfrounds are a failed attempt at a good middle ground between rounds and flats. Daddario halfs especially are the most boring, lifeless, worst feeling bass strings I've ever played.
- Sep 9, 2007
- 5,309
- 4,977
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- Endorsing Artist: Eventide, GHS Strings, G&L Guitars, NS Design, Tsunami Cables
And you're worried about fretwear from a nickel-plated string? That's a first; usually it's the stainless players...
I'd recommend first going to a lighter gauge, which will be easier on your hands and keep the same sound you're used to.
You could also try something like DR Sunbeams, which are going to be smoother feeling and easier on your fingers as well. They're also nickel-plate, so you'll have the same ballpark of sound.
I tried D'Addario ground-wound strings once. Once. Like I literally used them one time and absolutely hated them. They were dull and lifeless, and sort of the worst of both worlds between flats and rounds.
GHS Pressurewounds, on the other hand, I love. I find them leaning slightly more towards a round-wound voicing (VS flatwound) in the high end, but with some flatwound character in the lows. Great strings.
GHS Pressurewounds, on the other hand, I love. I find them leaning slightly more towards a round-wound voicing (VS flatwound) in the high end, but with some flatwound character in the lows. Great strings.
My sentiments as well, and a mistake I only made once as well.
OP - Elixir Nano's are coated nickel roundwounds, and very easy on the fingers plus they're beautiful sounding and last awhile longer than others.
They come stock on Ibanez basses.
one of the best tones i've heard was ground wounds on an aerodyne pj, however you gotta realize they have high tension and are not good on shifty neck basses
I don't know about hard rock,punk and alternative but I have two basses strung with D'add half-rounds and I really like them for what I do (finger plucking).
Years ago when I first tried the Half-rounds I initially didn't like them. Guess I changed over time because now they're almost my favorite.
They seem to be quite good for the genres I play. Don't do much punk and alternative though.
Don't think I'd recommend them for slap or "twang".
Al Kraft
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- May 2, 2016
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I couldn't get what I wanted from half rounds/ground wounds years ago and went back to full round wounds. I thought they were better than flats, but they seemed to dull out rather quickly for me. It seemed like a great idea, but I was much more satisfied with rounds in the long run.
Love D'Addario Half Rounds. It is true that they're not as bright as rounds but they have a fat fundamental that I love and they're bright enough to do a lot. As to feel, they feel better than any roundwound IMO.
Another vote for the GHS Pressurewounds.
They still have a round-ish tone, but with extra punch and crunch without the zing. They're also smoother in texture than typical rounds and the nickel-iron alloy is very easy on your fingers and the frets.
Half-rounds would be closer to flatwound both in tone and feel, which may not be what you want.
^^^Also my experience. Never again!^^^
^^^+1 More GHS Pressurewound Love^^^
I had half rounds on my 2 main basses. Used them for a long time and really liked them as an alternative to rounds. However they have a fairly short life span. I just recently tried Ghs pressurewounds and I’m really liking them. I will very likely use these as my main strings now. Great range I get from your tone control now. It is night and day to half rounds especially if the half rounds are more than a couple months old.
My half-rounds just came in today. Put them on my RBX170.
Let me play you the song of old-school goodness....
Let me play you the song of old-school goodness....
I've been playing half rounds exclusively for nearly 20 years in punk and metal bands. In fact I first discovered them after briefly being in a Rancid ripoff band (which, of course, dateless 20-something guys in the 90s wouldn't admit to being. Ha.) The halfrounds are a freaking awesome creation! Some people don't like the slightly more mellow tone, but i think it's a good trade off to save your fingers. They're still way brighter than flatwounds.
