Another suggestion may be DR's coated offerings, like the Black Beauty's. They pretty much sound like a broken in round right out of the box with just enough clarity on the top end and a very similar fundamental to their non-coated offerings.
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Is there such a thing as warm, clear round Wound?
- Thread starter Bassworship1
- Start date
If you're not into the GHS Boomers, you could also try the Infeld SuperAlloys. No brittleness in the top end, slightly spanky in the upper mids when fresh, but easily tameable with the tone knob. And nowhere near as light as the TI rounds.
Another +1 for Sunbeams. A really nice, warm string - my Round of preference.
As an aside - it is interesting to read on the package about all the layers of windings that it takes to make these strings - there are 3-7 layers of different sized wire.
As an aside - it is interesting to read on the package about all the layers of windings that it takes to make these strings - there are 3-7 layers of different sized wire.
I always use Nickel wounds, right now I have Ernie Ball Slinkys on my main bass, I like Sunbeams and Elixirs also.
Looking at your bass rig, you should already be getting a warm, rounded top end clarity with tamed top end. Unless the Magellan head for some reason won't.
I only say this because I demoed the Genzler BA12-3 that you have with my Mesa D800 and my EBMM Sterling 5H, and I considered the cab to have a very smooth, tame top end. I loved the sound of it with the Mesa.
I was actually going to suggest for you to consider a different cab with no horn, until I saw you already have the Genzler. I ended up buying two used Barefaced One10 cabs here on TB;(also have no horn). And they work great for me, If I need more or less highs, then I adjust the EQ on my amp or bass. Works for me.
Yeah my setup is amazing but I've been a long time Flat user and currently use TI Flats and Cobalt Flats that I love. The Cobalts however after a few weeks of heavy playing sound a little to thuddy for my liking. I've wanted to go back to round wounds but I really dislike the harsh highs that most have. I guess I'm wanting a round wound that will offer a warm smooth tone.
any type that is ' compression ' wound ... i use GHS Pressurewounds ...
they are roundwounds that are wound under enough pressure to make the outer wrap more of an oval shape .. feels great , sounds about right in the middle of the road ...
half-wounds are ground down ... to me , they feel like little cheese graters !
they are roundwounds that are wound under enough pressure to make the outer wrap more of an oval shape .. feels great , sounds about right in the middle of the road ...
half-wounds are ground down ... to me , they feel like little cheese graters !
I see. Perhaps Elixirs are indeed what you might consider. They have the broken-in round wound tone from day one, and keep that tone. That's what I had on my EBMM Sterling 5HS that I leave at church for months, then I made the mistake of taking them off and replacing them with DR Neons I got on sale. I couldn't afford to buy another set of strings, so I replaced the DR's with my emergency back-up set (Ernie Ball Slinkys). The Slinky's are not overly bright, but brighter than Elixirs for sure. Of course the EB's sound great on the US Sterling.
Good luck on your string hunt. I still think with your rig, most any nickel string would do the trick. Round cores (which is what I like) would "feel" a little softer, IMO.
Already mentioned, but perfect for your needs:
<--1--------------------------5----------------------------10-->
steel rounds...............nickel rounds................nickel flats
DR Sunbeams: quite warm and pretty articulate. Out of the package there is some zing but these lose it rather quickly. "Broken in," I'd say Warmth 9 Articulation 6 as far as roundwounds go.
TI Jazz: very articulate, warm enough. Quite balanced! These are very mellow strings with a piano-like nuance. Warmth 7 Articulation 10
D'addario XL: also fit the bill, but they are like flipped Sunbeams...more zing for sure but still in the category you are looking for. Warmth 7 Articulation 8
<--1--------------------------5----------------------------10-->
steel rounds...............nickel rounds................nickel flats
DR Sunbeams: quite warm and pretty articulate. Out of the package there is some zing but these lose it rather quickly. "Broken in," I'd say Warmth 9 Articulation 6 as far as roundwounds go.
TI Jazz: very articulate, warm enough. Quite balanced! These are very mellow strings with a piano-like nuance. Warmth 7 Articulation 10
D'addario XL: also fit the bill, but they are like flipped Sunbeams...more zing for sure but still in the category you are looking for. Warmth 7 Articulation 8
My first thought was to go DR. If you prefer a relatively loose feel, then DR Sunbeams but if you prefer relatively stiff feel then DR Lo Rider Nickels. I've seen others talk about their different sounds but I tried both and thought they sound quite similar. They do feel quite different though (I prefer a pretty stiff string and the Lo Riders are my favorites). Let them break in and lose their initial zing and they become warm but retain their clarity.
Some others I've tried and liked that should fit your description are Ken Smith Burners or Dean Markley NPS Helix (the Helix's are a variation of a compression wound string).
Some others I've tried and liked that should fit your description are Ken Smith Burners or Dean Markley NPS Helix (the Helix's are a variation of a compression wound string).
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This. I have tried tons of strings and come back to these every time. They are just versatile. It's the best way I can describe them. They can get some zing if you dial it in. But they can also warm up very nicely. I have probably tried 30 brands/models of strings. It takes me about a gig to put a set of XL nickels back on my bass.
Another fan of the DR Sunbeams but I've found I like the Fatbeams a bit better for the way I play. I have an active jazz into a GK Streamliner and Berg cabinets and get a nice combination of warmth and bite with the DR's.
Elixir Nickels. They sound like a broken in round right out of the pack and stay that way for a long time.
