Halfwound Users – Recommendation Please

[soulman969]

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.

Possibly if you like flats and don't mind them getting a little old and dead sounding but that's not everyone's cup of tea.

There's no easier or less expensive way to change the way your bass sounds than by playing a different string. It's a lot cheaper than installing new pickups and a hell of a lot cheaper than a new bass.

 

[lmfreeman9]

like Dadarrio half rounds and Ken Smith Compressors
LOVE TI Jazz flats and Ken Smith Slick Rounds.

The slicks are like half rounds and the Compressors more toward rounds.

 

[Tom Howland]

I'm a big fan of the DD Halfwounds.

Just put a set on a maple-fingerboard P-Bass.
I love Ken Smith Compressors, but I'm digging these too.
Will se how they break in.

 

[SBassman]

Just put a set on a maple-fingerboard P-Bass.
I love Ken Smith Compressors, but I'm digging these too.
Will se how they break in.

Excellent. Give us another report after the break in.

 

[sigmafloyd]

I have a maple P as well, thinking of doing the same next

 

[southpaw420]

Just started using D'Addario Halfs on a P bass and I am really digging them. Sounds pretty much like flats but still cuts theough the mix nicely when slapped. They sound great when played with a pick as well. They were pretty smooth out of the package and I didnt experience any of the "sticky" feeling I got when I had tried GHS Brite Flats in the past.

 

[mixtapelove]

Another D'Addario half user here, and happy. I got 'em on my Jag and they sing.

 

[robertusf]

My fender jazz came with D'adarrio half-rounds when i bought it used. I liked the feel, but thought the tension was a little stiff. So i switched to GHS Pressurewounds on a recommendation from Jason at basstringsonline. Great feel, kinda smooth They still have enough zing if you need it, and don't seem to die out or change much soundwise over time.

 

[jonathanhughes]

I just put a set of D'Addario Half Wounds on my jazz bass, and I have to say, these are the strangest strings I've ever played. I was hoping that they'd be not quite as bright as roundwounds (which is what's implied on the D'Addario website), have less string noise, and be smoother feeling. They actually sound more like really dead flatwounds than roundwounds (they have a good thump, and the high end is really rolled off). The feel is really odd. I doubted the comments that said they're sticky feeling, but sure enough, they are. If you were to slide between frets, once your finger gets moving, they're smooth, but it takes more force to get your finger started, which can affect your timing if you're not used to it. Despite all these comments, they really are great sounding strings, especially if you want a motowny sound. But I won't be keeping them on the bass — they're not versatile enough. If I had an extra bass laying around, I'd put them on that, but they're really kind of a one trick pony.

Here are some audio clips of the same bass with two sets of strings (Fender Jazz with Dimarzio Area J pickups, neck pickup on full, and bridge pickup rolled back a hair so the midrange isn't scooped out). First are Fender nickel roundwounds. These are really great strings. They feel nice, and aren't too bright. The second is the halfwounds. Both tracks were recorded with no EQ.

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[DaveAceofBass]

I just put a set of D'Addario Half Wounds on my jazz bass, and I have to say, these are the strangest strings I've ever played. I was hoping that they'd be not quite as bright as roundwounds (which is what's implied on the D'Addario website), have less string noise, and be smoother feeling. They actually sound more like really dead flatwounds than roundwounds (they have a good thump, and the high end is really rolled off). The feel is really odd. I doubted the comments that said they're sticky feeling, but sure enough, they are. If you were to slide between frets, once your finger gets moving, they're smooth, but it takes more force to get your finger started, which can affect your timing if you're not used to it. Despite all these comments, they really are great sounding strings, especially if you want a motowny sound. But I won't be keeping them on the bass — they're not versatile enough. If I had an extra bass laying around, I'd put them on that, but they're really kind of a one trick pony.

Here are some audio clips of the same bass with two sets of strings (Fender Jazz with Dimarzio Area J pickups, neck pickup on full, and bridge pickup rolled back a hair so the midrange isn't scooped out). First are Fender nickel roundwounds. These are really great strings. They feel nice, and aren't too bright. The second is the halfwounds. Both tracks were recorded with no EQ.

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You need to try GHS Pressurewounds!