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Least String Noise Nickel Roundwounds?

#23
#24
michael_t said:
Something I noticed about the Balanced Nickels when I trued the 40-101 set...

A-D-G were fairly smooth with minimal finger noise, but the E was a different story. Based on the "balanced construction concept", all four strings have two layers of winding, vs. traditional 1-2-2-3 (G-E) construction. This means the outer wrap wire on the E string needs to be thicker than most, resulting in a rougher feel and slightly increased finger noise, compared to the DR Nickel Lo-Riders I mentioned earlier, even the .095 of which has three layers.
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Interesting. I haven’t noticed that.
 
#25
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#26
I tried the TI rounds and they are noise free but also a bit lifeless on my jazz bass.

The one I use now is the SIT NR45105L and they are almost as finger noise free as the TI on my p bass.

Nevertheless, I found out overtime that the pickups make a bigger difference in terms of finger noise than than the strings. My Squier Affinity jazz bass is way more quiet than my p bass with quarter pound pickups for instance.
 
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#28
J-Bass RMR said:
Elixirs?

Over the past 5 years, I've tried at least a couple dozen different types of strings; rounds & Flats.
(As of last month, I've transitioned my last bass over to flats. EB cobalt flats being the only string that could pass for rounds...)

One of the last Rounds I tried were the nano-coated Elixirs - I was quite impressed with these all around.
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I love the Elixirs on my Taylor acoustic but for some reason that makes me not want them on my bass too lol (they're also pricey). With thin guitar strings you typically want to preserve the brightness but on a bass I'd rather have my natural grease and oils mellow out the sound for me.
 
#29
The coated DR strings like Black Beauties also cut some string noise due to the mellow nature. I didn't care for them much on my brother's Jazz bass, but not much more $ than a regular set of rounds. My brother likes thumpier jazz tone, so was happy with the strings.
 
#30
MidlifeBeginner said:
The coated DR strings like Black Beauties also cut some string noise due to the mellow nature. I didn't care for them much on my brother's Jazz bass, but not much more $ than a regular set of rounds. My brother likes thumpier jazz tone, so was happy with the strings.
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I found quite the opposite. Black beauties (especially the G and D) had the most annoying string squeak I’ve ever experienced on a set of strings lol. Lasted all of 10 minutes. Couldn’t wait to take them off.
 
#32
I can understand a little reticence coming from flats or pressure wounds, but really, 'finger noise' (provided you're not running a WHOLE LOT of high treble off the amp) is in 'your hands'. After you play them a while, you'll learn the touch to eliminate it. I prefer nickel wounds like D'Ad XL's, and the GHS Balanced Nickels are fine if you want to investigate balanced tension.
 
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#33
My thoughts all brands can be quiet as well as noisy. Depends on the music and the player. With drums and cymbals and guitars. It really becomes a non issue. Time the string noise with the music. If soloing, like chordal stuff or Bach Cello pieces, back off on the treble. Lift you fingers when moving around and mute with right hand and if that's all you are doing., get tapes instead. They are more quiter than rounds and some like La Bella White tapes are sparkly like some darker roundwounds. String noise is overblown issue on talkbass IMO.
 
#34
logdrum said:
My thoughts all brands can be quiet as well as noisy. Depends on the music and the player. With drums and cymbals and guitars. It really becomes a non issue. Time the string noise with the music. If soloing, like chordal stuff or Bach Cello pieces, back off on the treble. Lift you fingers when moving around and mute with right hand and if that's all you are doing., get tapes instead. They are more quiter than rounds and some like La Bella White tapes are sparkly like some darker roundwounds. String noise is overblown issue on talkbass IMO.
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I'm sorry I asked.
 
#39
coldchisel said:
It was a while ago but I think they are a highly polished groundwound, much like La Bella Super Polished are.
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Well, that does present a conundrum. I have LaBella Super Polished on my 5 string fretless and really like them in that application. I have tried D'Addario half rounds, which are ground, and didn't like them at all. I'm pursuing this question for recommendations for my six string fretted.

I took another look at the Galli site. They claim pure nickel but also say they are both ground and polished. Hmmmm.
 

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