Looking for dull sounding round wound bass strings

[LegsMahoney]

Hi there,

I've been a long time flatwound user for many years now, trying multiple kinds on my Jack Casady Epiphone bass and I love the tone and feel of them.

However, recently I came across a really old set of dead round wound strings I had lying around and undecided to put them on with some foam under the bridge for more dampening. I was really impressed by the sound and they even cut through the mix more at band practice.

I was wondering, is there rounds you can buy that are already close to dead and dull sounding that could come close to this tone? I also enjoyed the tension of them, they were slightly easier to play than the flats I'd been using.

I've had a look for answers but found quite a lot of conflicting information, so I thought I'd ask myself.

Thank you!

 

[joeLowB]

Taking bets on whether the OP is ever heard from again he

My thought too...

 

[2thAche]

Half rounds are like that. D'Addario makes 100s and 105s

 

[Prodigus Filius]

My thought too...

It's an increasing thing I think. Sign up. Ask a question. Vanish.
If my suspicions are valid, i reckon it's a bit scary that a bot is taking notes on all the responses to generate an answer to a search query on the topic down the track. Call me paranoid he he
Happy to be proved wrong. A nice pic of the OP's bass sporting one of the suggestions would be nice

Foam doesn't go 'under the bridge' to damp strings either. Under the strings, on top of the strings, or both.

 

[pfschim]

What's the point?? Why would anyone want dead rounds??

I have used years old (5-8 years old) round core, nickel rounds like DR Pure Blues or Sunbeams for certain things. They still have more definition than flats (which I've never cared for personally) but also thump like flats. They can be an issue in some live playing situations, but really shine in recording work ... at least IMO and in the opinion lots of folks who hire me for sessions.

 

[joeLowB]

It's an increasing thing I think. Sign up. Ask a question. Vanish

Some incentive for online cred?

Curious to me.

 

[Aussie Player]

I've had a set of GHS Balanced nickels on my jazz bass for 5 years and can't bring myself to change them as they sound so good. They're dull like flats but maintain individual note clarity and definition. They are just as balanced as their name states.

 

[Element Zero]

Ghs boomers. The juicy fruit of strings

The taste the taste the taste is gunna mooooove yaaaaaaa

 

[Major Seven]

Taking bets on whether the OP is ever heard from again he he.

Just joined yesterday afternoon.

 

[LegsMahoney]

Hey everyone, thanks for all the suggestions so quickly.

From what I'm reading so far, sounds like Boomers and greasy food may be my best bet!

Appreciate all the suggestions. Going to make a decision over the coming days and will report back. Leaning towards boomers or Pressure wounds as it stands

 

[LegsMahoney]

It's an increasing thing I think. Sign up. Ask a question. Vanish.
If my suspicions are valid, i reckon it's a bit scary that a bot is taking notes on all the responses to generate an answer to a search query on the topic down the track. Call me paranoid he he
Happy to be proved wrong. A nice pic of the OP's bass sporting one of the suggestions would be nice

Foam doesn't go 'under the bridge' to damp strings either. Under the strings, on top of the strings, or both.

No,no, after posting, I had to get stuff ready for work and this is me just checking back in. I meant under the strings at the bridge too.

 

[Prodigus Filius]

No,no, after posting, I had to get stuff ready for work and this is me just checking back in. I meant under the strings at the bridge too.

All good. I have to go eat some humble pie now he he

 

[LegsMahoney]

All good. I have to go eat some humble pie now he he


View attachment 7453828

Haha all good mate, can never be too careful these days

 

[bass nitro]

La Bella nickel was the dullest strings that i have used so far.No matter how been switched pickups on my RBV the bass sounded very dull and without character.Swaped them out with Daddario nickel and the difference was way to the moon.Hope that helps.
P.S.Five string sounds very even and consistently if that is matter.

 

[Tommy Sparks]

I have a set of the 66s and they have been on one of my P basses for almost 14 years. They sound great…..at least for me. Although I do get compliments from other musicians on my tone.
I know this doesn’t help you in your search but, i just to add it to the conversation.
I typically play a heavier type of music and they seem to work out.

 

[joeLowB]

Hey everyone, thanks for all the suggestions so quickly.

From what I'm reading so far, sounds like Boomers and greasy food may be my best bet!

Appreciate all the suggestions. Going to make a decision over the coming days and will report back. Leaning towards boomers or Pressure wounds as it stands

I Apologize as well, @LegsMahoney !

Glad to have you aboard!

And I have a very old set of rounds on my Jazz bass and they sound great.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

Hi there,

I've been a long time flatwound user for many years now, trying multiple kinds on my Jack Casady Epiphone bass and I love the tone and feel of them.

However, recently I came across a really old set of dead round wound strings I had lying around and undecided to put them on with some foam under the bridge for more dampening. I was really impressed by the sound and they even cut through the mix more at band practice.

I was wondering, is there rounds you can buy that are already close to dead and dull sounding that could come close to this tone? I also enjoyed the tension of them, they were slightly easier to play than the flats I'd been using.

I've had a look for answers but found quite a lot of conflicting information, so I thought I'd ask myself.

Thank you!

Get a set of rotosounds swing bass strings and beat them in to submission. Heavy hard picking, slap happy them, and or pluck them like you are drawing a bow. They should be reasonably compliant after about 20 minutes. Or better yet a foam pad or kitchen sponge cut to size.

 

[W_R]

I'm surprised there isn't a sort of "string exchange" around and/or a "relic'd strings market".

Where do lightly used bass strings go?
(...and might that be near all the lost socks?)

 

[JoeyFab]

I've got both 4- and 5-string roundwound sets that have been on my basses forever that you can have.
Just buy me a new set of Dean Markley NPS Blue Steels to replace them.

 

[FRoss6788]

GHS pressurewounds for sure. They sound like dead nickels.

Yep, they lasted all of 2 minutes and off they went. DULL strings, I liked nothing about them.

 

[LegsMahoney]

I'm surprised there isn't a sort of "string exchange" around and/or a "relic'd strings market".

Where do lightly used bass strings go?
(...and might that be near all the lost socks?)

I think you're onto something