Halfround+TapeRwounds, can you get these? where?

[LeonineAlpha]

As a new bassist, I am eagerly awaiting the need to restring. Not only will I shield my J pups (I have researched how to do this correctly, so they don't just become half humbuckers) but I want to experiment with new string types...

Two types that seem appealing are:

1) TapeRwound (NOT Tapewound!) maybe aka "piano type" or "exposed core" bass strings. The important feature being the winding ends before the bridge saddle, so that the exposed core wire rests on the saddle. Opinion is this boosts sustain, and may have a subtle effect on tone.

2) Halfrounds or similar, maybe Groundwound or Pressurewound. These have a few aliases, that ideally describe different manufacture method (but may also be used indiscriminately by some makers). The primary feature I want to try is that the wrap is smooth metal on the outside, but roundwound on the inside. Opinion being they have a somewhat bright tone, but less slide noise, bit of thump, ie between roundwound and flatwound strings.

What I want is...

Are there strings that have BOTH features together? ie halfround tapers, groundwound piano, pressurewound exposed core, or whatever the manufacturer might call them

Searching high and low, from raw web searches, to inside the string sales sites, unable to find these.... the fact that even when I specify taperwound, I always get tons of tapewound results makes this extra challenging. Along with getting directed to actual piano strings (which I hear you can do, but I'm not ready to try that yet).

So if anyone has a brand, product, link etc, please share.

If it matters I have a full scale 4 string, currently set 45-105, roundwound nickel coated Fender stock strings.

 

[michael_t]

If you're talking about pressurewound/groundwound with taperwound/exposed-core ends on anything other than low B's, you're probably out of luck.

 

[LeonineAlpha]

OK, so I am not just lost in cyberspace, they are really unavailable

shoutout to string makers... I would buy this product

That said.... any TB member recommends for

I practice many dif kinds of music, including reggae, punk, classical, metal, but I really love early heavy rock greats like Cream, Sabbath, Zeppelin and early grunge, but I don't care about sounding exactly like so-and-so, just trying to find my own sounds. Mostly fingerstyle, but some pick. Regular tuning 4 string.

Halfround/Groundwound/Pressurewound type strings recommends?

 

[michael_t]

I practice many dif kinds of music, including reggae, punk, classical, metal, but I really love early heavy rock greats like Cream, Sabbath, Zeppelin and early grunge, but I don't care about sounding exactly like so-and-so, just trying to find my own sounds. Mostly fingerstyle, but some pick. Regular tuning 4 string.

Halfround/Groundwound/Pressurewound type strings recommends?

GHS Pressurewounds (Alloy 52 rollerwound) have been my #1 go-to and my "can do it all" string for the last several years. Plenty of the roundwound tone with a strong mid character that can be EQ'ed to taste depending on the musical context.

Products - PRESSUREWOUND™ - GHS Strings

I've tried groundwound/half-rounds a few times in the past, but I found them to be a little too "flatwound" in their tonal character to be as versatile as the Pressurewounds.

 

[Passinwind]

Halfround/Groundwound/Pressurewound type strings recommends?

SIT Silencers or GHS Pressurewounds, in that order for my particular wants and needs. The Silencers I'm currently favoring on this particular fretless are brighter and smoother feeling, the GHS were a bit punchier in the low mids and/or "growlier" and were also excellent. Ernie Ball Cobalt Flats might be worth a try too, they skew more towards bright and punchy than thumpy IMO. Wanting more sustain is far from universal, be sure you actually need and want that.

 

[trothwell]

Based on reading through past discussion threads, I think a lot of people really like GHS Pressurewounds.

Most people [again, based on reading recent discussion threads here] do not like half-round or groundwound strings. (I'm one who does, though, in particular, GHS Brite Flats. I also liked the no-longer-manufactured Labella Quarter Rounds. The D'Addarion half rounds sound kind of like the GHS Brite Flats, but not as vibrant.)

Rotosound makes a pressurewound string also, their 55 Solo Bass series, which I personally think _sounds_ better than the GHS Pressurewounds, but honestly, I find them rough-feeling. Maybe even rougher-feeling than the Rotosound roundwound strings, which is unexpected.

I'd suggest trying the GHS strings, both Pressurewound and Brite Flats.

 

[michael_t]

I'd suggest trying the GHS strings, both Pressurewound and Brite Flats.

For the OP, this might help...

Ghs: BRITE FLATS vs PRESSUREWOUNDS

 

[LeonineAlpha]

These are great suggestions, very helpful. I think the question about "needing" that sustain was a good point also. As is, my sustain already seems great.

When I do my own strings, I will be getting another post wrap vs the factory/showroom setup anyway. So both the Fender A nut angle and the sustain are improving anyway.

So the pressurewound and maybe after that the brite flats options should be plenty to try out as I continue my early experimental bass phase.

 

[michael_t]

If it matters I have a full scale 4 string, currently set 45-105, roundwound nickel coated Fender stock strings.

So the pressurewound and maybe after that the brite flats options should be plenty to try out as I continue my early experimental bass phase.

One suggestion...

If you want to try both the Pressurewounds and the Brite Flats that are similar in overall playing feel (stiffness/flexibility) to a typical set of 45-105 rounds, I would suggest the PW ML7200 (44-58-80-102) and the BF L3075 (45-56-77-98).

 

[Lackey]

I wouldn't get too worked up about niche string offerings.

After all the decades I've played, my greatest revelation is balanced tension, and lower tension...

Many strings are tapered, typically on the B, E and sometimes A. Can't say the difference is audible at all.

Give tapewounds a shot, flats if you want, stainless rounds, nickels... Good strings are definitely extremely important, but all things being equal the construction nuance doesn't always have super audible impacts.

 

[2F/2F]

They don't exist, but you certainly don't have much, if anything, of import to gain by using strings that are tapered at the ball end. You might WANT that in theory, and you might think it's cool, or nice, or whatever...but in reality, that's about as far from a make-it-or-break-it issue as there could be on a set of strings.

 

[BassFalcon]

I feel like the exposed core thing is gonna let you down. I recall it being real popular in the 90’s I’m not too sure anyone is still doing it. Maybe for B strings. It helps keep the break angle reasonable, but otherwise I don’t remember any benefits. Regarding piano strings, it’s my understanding those are single wrap, the only comparable bass strings were the Jonas Hellborg signature strings made by DR at first then dropped and I think he went with a different manufacturer to make them which are pretty rare if you can find them at all. I’d also like to add that “sustain” and chasing sustain is far less important for bassists than people would have you believe. What are you gonna use it all for? Playing whole notes in 60pbm ballad is Usually as far as you need to hold on to something. 4 seconds. Any differences, if they exist, in sustain between exposed core and regular strings are irrelevant.

Also, you don’t *need* to change your strings in order to change them. Take your current strings off and coil them up, slap some new ones on. If you like the new ones then you got backups. If not coil those up and keep it moving. Before you indulge your interest in niche strings maybe try some popular representatives from the different types, nickel, stainless, round core, hex core, etc. figure out what you like. Some folks have drawers full of strings and rotate all the time.

 

[mikewalker]

I bought an exposed core set just a couple years ago... can't recall the maker but it was a full set - DR maybe??

 

[michael_t]

I feel like the exposed core thing is gonna let you down. I recall it being real popular in the 90’s I’m not too sure anyone is still doing it. Maybe for B strings. It helps keep the break angle reasonable, but otherwise I don’t remember any benefits.

An exposed core can be a benefit depending on the bass. I happen to have a 5-string bass that seems to benefit from the exposed-core low B (.130) for better definition, clarity and sustain. I also tried an E string (.100) with an exposed core, but the difference wasn't quite as noticeable with that one.

 

[BassFalcon]

An exposed core can be a benefit depending on the bass. I happen to have a 5-string bass that seems to benefit from the exposed-core low B (.130) for better definition, clarity and sustain. I also tried an E string (.100) with an exposed core, but the difference wasn't quite as noticeable with that one.

I had a 6-string that the B intonated very far back and made a pretty severe break angle. The exposed core helped a little for that, but it still was a trade off because the saddle had to be raised higher to compensate for the missing wraps creating an even more sever break angle. But in general I didn’t see much improvement tonally or sustainwise. I wouldn’t turn them down if that’s what was available, but I also wouldn’t seek them out

 

[LeonineAlpha]

This is all very helpful discussion for me, thanks all for taking the time to share your knowledge and experience.

I got just got a powerful amp, and was getting some interesting sounds biasing the J pups, but the 60 cycle hum was more noticeable than preamp to headphones. So I want to do the shielding sooner. So I'm gonna check out the great suggestions offered above, and review some of the string tension forums also, and order something soon.

Then, as suggested, at least I have a familiar set of strings as backup.

I will check in down the road, post any thing I rough out and how the results go.