Halfwound Users – Recommendation Please

[Lo-E]

My impression with GHS Pressurewounds was similar to jaywa's. When playing them the first time they seemed rougher and brighter than I expected, but in a short time they became the compromise between flats and rounds I wanted.

Agreed. I tried various half-round strings over the years and never liked any of them until I tried Ken Smith Compressors, which are basically GHS Pressurewounds, and they are the only ones that provided the compromise between rounds and flats that I was looking for. Great strings.

 

[emblymouse]

Ken Smith Compressors.

They kill on a P-Bass. Period.

I've tried them all. they are my favorite.

I have been using Ken Smith Slicks for a few years now and I love them. I'm assuming they are closer to a flat than what you guys are discussing. I really need to try those Compressors.

 

[N. Kentucky Bass]

It's worth trying several brands as you may experience a different tactile feel and sonics with each. That was my experience. I found my favorite: Status-Graphite HotWire half-wounds. Been using this brand for many years.

http://www.status-graphite.com/status/frames/stringsinfo.html

 

[DaveAceofBass]

GHS Precision Flats are way thumpy. Try some D'Addario Chromes if you want the best of both worlds. They are bright sounding flats.

 

[TigerInATrance]

I'm using the d'addario half rounds currently, but switch between those and Ken Smith slicks depending on which is in stock locally. I find that there's more bottom with the Half Rounds, but not by much and the slicks feel a bit tighter (in a good way.) I can't say that I prefer one over the other but I think both FEEL better than the compressors.

 

[Mschiff]

love my dadarrio half rounds! feel great, sound great, sustain too. lots of low end too. priced right.

 

[thunderstation]

I've been using D'addario half rounds on my precision for years. I don't like anything else. the sustain is very nice ( i would say perfect but that's a matter of conjecture)
and i get a nice woody tone from them. they seem to keep the sustain as long as any others I've tried but that depends on how much you play and under what circumstances.

 

[Tractorr]

So how long do these various half rounds last? If the sound changes over time how would you describe it?

How often do you change them out?

 

[sigmafloyd]

What kind of lifespan do you guys get out of the halfrounds?

 

[Aussie Player]

I bought a P Bass nearly 2 years ago with a set of SS DD just fitted. I took them off about a year ago and then put them back on. They are still there because they are clear and punchy with a tight E string which you don't hear very often on a P bass.

 

[SBassman]

I think people change bass strings far too much.
It's nonsense, IMHO.

I think a set of strings can last as long as you want them to last.

Jamerson never changed his strings.

 

[SirMjac28]

I recommend any Labella Half Rounds and even take a look at the Labella Quarter Rounds

 

[vbchaos]

I loved daddario flats, they feel awesome! But unfortunately they do not match our band sound. As OP, I need some more brightness. Daddario halfrounds did not do it. I used them for just one rehearsal, and I did not like them. Horrible in my ears. I now play rotosound 55solos preassurewounds on my ibanezSR605. I hate to compromise concerning the smooth feeling of the flats, but these 55s are my real deal. Nice low and punch and they "talk" nicely on the frets in the high frequencies. They touch the boarder to "too bright" but do not cross it our drummer hates it btw

 

[Leakim]

I´m using: Status Graphite Hot Wires.
http://www.status-graphite.com/status/frames/index_home.html

 

[Tractorr]

I think people change bass strings far too much.
It's nonsense, IMHO.

I think a set of strings can last as long as you want them to last.

Jamerson never changed his strings.

I agree with you but I use Chromes at the time which I like, but I toy with the idea of getting a string with a bit more bite.

I wonder about longevity because I want to know if the half rounds or pressure wounds or whatever keep the bite for awhile. If they only have the increased grit for a couple weeks then it isn't worth it for me to switch over.

 

[sigmafloyd]

Same with me, if they end up like flats might as well stick with flats

 

[MICKUSS]

I'm also wondering this exact same thing about D'Addario halfs.

 

[matante]

I think people change bass strings far too much.
It's nonsense, IMHO.

I think a set of strings can last as long as you want them to last.

Jamerson never changed his strings.

It depends on what you want to sound like. Not everyone wants to sound like Jamerson.

 

[Todd GT5]

I have used sets of Ken Smith Slick Rounds on a couple of basses in the past and they sounded great for a long time, in fact I only removed them to switch to D'Addario Chromes.

I actually have a new set of Slick Rounds on my #2 bass(GGS 5 string with Nordstrand Big Singles & passive VVT) which is usually my back up. Tonight I'm bringing it to rehearsal for a new band I'm in which plays a little harder rock than I have been playing. I'm thinking the additional bite might work well for this project.

-Todd

 

[SBassman]

It depends on what you want to sound like. Not everyone wants to sound like Jamerson.

I get that. I just think that lots of players get overfocused on
having the zing of fresh strings when, at gigs, most can't hear the difference.

But, if people have time and money to change strings often, go for it. I enjoy a string that's broken in and dirty. It feels much better to me. Like a broken in pair of jeans.

I'm going to start buying sets of strings and aging them.
That way, when I Do swap, I already have a set that feels old.