Looking for “stiff” roundwounds ?

[stuntbass77]

I’m leaning towards DR LoRiders ( nickel plated ). I was also considering Rotosound ( nickel plated ) strings. Was wondering which set is stiffer ? I’m wanting to try some high tension rounds so going from the flats to rounds will feel more natural. Right now I have regular nickel dunlops 105-45’s. Anyone have experience with both of these sets ?

 

[michael_t]

DR and Rotosound are similar in stiffness. The main difference is the Nickel Lo-Riders are smoother in surface texture, which you might like better coming from flats.

 

[stuntbass77]

DR and Rotosound are similar in stiffness. The main difference is the Nickel Lo-Riders are smoother in surface texture, which you might like better coming from flats.

About 20 years ago I tried the stainless steel Roto 66’s and they were not a bad string but didn’t care for them on the P bass I had at the time. I like the tone of stainless steel on my thumb bass I had but was never crazy about the feel of stainless strings. I know that Roto makes them in nickel plated and that’s good. I will admit that I find DR’s to be really good strings. I have used their sunbeams and long necks in the past and like both but the sunbeams would be a bit loose and not what I am looking for in a string at the moment. I love the tone of the Dunlops but would like a stiffer string. I heard that Dunlop’s are round core and if that’s the case it would explain why the have a bit of bounce. I have a feeling I will end up trying LowRiders but if there is a stiffer string at the same gauge I would consider those as well ( 105, 85, 65, 45 ). I’m not interested in going to a higher gauge and having to file the nut only to find I want to go back to 105-45’s.

 

[michael_t]

I heard that Dunlop’s are round core and if that’s the case it would explain why the have a bit of bounce.

Dunlop strings, both the regular and the SuperBrights, are hex core. The SuperBrights are very flexible, almost as flexible as some round cores, because of the small diameter of the hex core.

I have a feeling I will end up trying LowRiders but if there is a stiffer string at the same gauge I would consider those as well ( 105, 85, 65, 45 ).

GHS Boomers and GHS Pressurewounds are also at the stiffer end of the scale for rounds/semi-rounds. In fact, I use the Pressurewound 44-62-84-106 on my Fender Jazz tuned down to DGCF; they would be a bit too stiff for my taste in EADG.

 

[stuntbass77]

Dunlop strings, both the regular and the SuperBrights, are hex core. The SuperBrights are very flexible, almost as flexible as some round cores, because of the small diameter of the hex core.



GHS Boomers and GHS Pressurewounds are also at the stiffer end of the scale for rounds/semi-rounds. In fact, I use the Pressurewound 44-62-84-106 on my Fender Jazz tuned down to DGCF; they would be a bit too stiff for my taste in EADG.

Pressurewound was another string I read about being a rather stiff string and will have to keep them in mind as well, thanks !

 

[dbsfgyd1]

I’m leaning towards DR LoRiders ( nickel plated ). I was also considering Rotosound ( nickel plated ) strings. Was wondering which set is stiffer ? I’m wanting to try some high tension rounds so going from the flats to rounds will feel more natural. Right now I have regular nickel dunlops 105-45’s. Anyone have experience with both of these sets ?

Bass Boomers may be a little stiffer than DR Lo Riders in that gauge. It’s been decades since I had a set of Rotosounds, but mainly because they lose their life in short order, and I was using them on a short scale bass,(EB3), so I can’t help you much on how they feel. RotoSounds? IMO, the best sounding round wound stings for the the first 30 minutes of usage on the planet.

 

[Nebadon2000]

You can take a smaller step with Ernie Ball Cobalt Flats; stiff and smooth texture like a flat but sound could fool Round's users.

PS: Look for Rounds [NP] with Hex Core stiffer than Round Core.

 

[legalbass]

Optima Gold 2319’s are without a doubt the stiffest bass guitar strings I’ve ever played. Costly but they do last a good long while.

 

[mrjim123]

GHS has a tension chart that lists tensions for all strings. I once tried GHS Balanced Nickels and loved everything about them except for the relatively high tension.

 

[michael_t]

GHS has a tension chart that lists tensions for all strings.

Tension charts do NOT tell the whole story. The OP is more concerned about stiffness/flexibility than the actual pulling weight. It's quite possible for two different sets of strings with the same "tension" (as in pulling weight) to FEEL quite different in terms of stiffness.

 

[mrjim123]

Tension charts do NOT tell the whole story. The OP is more concerned about stiffness/flexibility than the actual pulling weight. It's quite possible for two different sets of strings with the same "tension" (as in pulling weight) to FEEL quite different in terms of stiffness.

True, but in the absence of true stiffness/flexibility figures (which I would LOVE for every string manufacturer to publish) I have found string tensions to correlate fairly closely to stiffness/flexibility; I base this on comparing tension figures for GHS, LaBella and TI strings, all of which I have tried.

 

[michael_t]

True, but in the absence of true stiffness/flexibility figures (which I would LOVE for every string manufacturer to publish) I have found string tensions to correlate fairly closely to stiffness/flexibility; I base this on comparing tension figures for GHS, LaBella and TI strings.

I do understand what you're saying. "FEEL" is something that's hard to quantify, so I've always appreciated those companies who publish tension figures for their strings as they can be a valuable tool in finding a string set that meets my needs and wants without having to test every single set in the market myself.

That being said, I've learned not to get too hung up on the tension figures themselves but use them as a general guideline to point me in the right direction in my string journey.

 

[scott sinner]

I like the Nickle loriders. No gimmick, can definitely get a little bit lower action on them.

 

[iammr2]

I've used DR Nickel Lowriders for the last couple of decades. Put on a set of Rotosound Nickel Rounds. Damn, those D and G strings are STIFF with the Roto's! Gonna try something else or go back to DR's.

 

[dave64o]

I absolutely love nickel Lo Riders. They're my favorite string based on their relatively warm and round sound (the stainless steel Lo Riders are REALLY lively sounding, great when you want that kind of sound but I don't right now), their pretty stiff feel, and the remarkably long life I get from them. I've had them on most basses I've owned and have always gotten great sound from them.

I haven't used the Rotosounds before, but I've had the impression that they don't last as long so I haven't given them a shot yet. Maybe I should because I do love the sound of a well broken in roundwound string once the new string zing is gone - most of the time. I've tried both EB Slinkys and Cobalts but, to me, they went dead way too fast and not in a good way. I also remember them feeling pretty flexible, so I have multiple reasons for never going back to them.

I know I've seen some people post about the relatively stiff feel of GHS Pressurewounds, but I notice a difference in feel from the Lo Riders. I've only tried them on my Stingray and even tried them a second time recently but, to me, they feel noticeably more flexible than Lo Riders. They're not so flexible that I'd rule them out (I bought three basses that had TI Jazz Flats on them at the time and I will never buy the TIs - WAY too floppy for me!), but I prefer strings that are even stiffer than the PWs. I'd say they're about as flexible a string as I'd want to use, but I prefer even stiffer feeling strings.

 

[buldog5151bass]

I have nickel Lol Riders on my P, and nickel Rotos on my Jazz - VERY similar strings in every way.

 

[bassliner50]

Dean Markley Blue Steel #2676, .050-.105. These last a very long time and you can really dig in when needed.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

I’m leaning towards DR LoRiders ( nickel plated ). I was also considering Rotosound ( nickel plated ) strings. Was wondering which set is stiffer ? I’m wanting to try some high tension rounds so going from the flats to rounds will feel more natural. Right now I have regular nickel dunlops 105-45’s. Anyone have experience with both of these sets ?

More tension? Higher Guage. Instead of using light or light/medium, use medium or heavy Guage strings. Instant stiffness, and higher tension.

I use medium Guages. 105 - 55. The tone is more consistent throughout the set, and I don't accidentally bend notes. It also let's me play harder, with less tone consequences. Also, let's me get the action lower.

Win win win win

 

[Phalex]

I like hard tension and I really like GHS boomers.

 

[Sam Dingle]

Not the same but I went from dr high beams to pure blues and found them stiffer. Why not just go up a gauge to 50-110?