Looking for roundwound with growly broken in sound

[-Asdfgh-]

My first choice would be Fender 7250M.

I had a set of those once. Good strings, if not very cost competitive over here.

 

[dougjwray]

I would try DR Nickel Lo Riders.

 

[Nebadon2000]

I’d like something with lots of low mids that’ll make the bass growl but without losing clarity, so as to not get lost in the mix.

MarkBass Ultimate Soft Touch meet requirements IME [more so than Fender 7250's that had on my Ultra P previous]

 

[michael_t]

I've been using the SIT Power Wound Nickels on my Yamaha TRBX505 and am surprised by the amount of growl I'm getting out of it even at 8 mths.

I also like the DR Nickel Lo-Riders for their "nicely broken-in" tone. For added bite, well worn-in GHS Super Steels.

 

[Jeff Scott]

Definitely a broken in sound, but I am not sure I'd call them growly. And the low tension isn't for everyone.

Everyone has their own definition of growly, and of course objectively describing what something sounds like can be difficult.

 

[Lowbrow]

DR Pure Blues

 

[Stranger Danger]

La Bella Super Polished Nickels

 

[Rgmxx]

1) DR Lo-Riders Nickel
2) GHS Pressurewound

 

[LowendG]

I’ve went through a few DR sets recently to find my roundwound sound after 15 years playing flats. DR Nickel Low Riders for the win. Sunbeams if you like roundcore

This. I use DR Nickel Lo Riders on my P's and J's w/rounds specifically for the qualities the OP mentions. They get to an ideal state of broken-in-ness and then seem to just stay there. They sound "classic" to me.

 

[Hawk256]

Rotosound's have about the most growl I have ever heard from a string but they also dull out rather quickly. Been using DR Dragon Skins and while not as instially bright and growly like a Rotosound, they last forever. Have one set going on the same bass for 7 years.

 

[bassfran]

Another vote for GHS Pressurewounds.

 

[-Asdfgh-]

Rotosound's have about the most growl I have ever heard from a string but they also dull out rather quickly. Been using DR Dragon Skins and while not as instially bright and growly like a Rotosound, they last forever. Have one set going on the same bass for 7 years.

The Rotosound nickels stay at a reasonable sound for longer.

 

[Yahboy]

My first choice would be Fender 7250M. They are cheap enough that they can be changed regularly. 2nd choice would be the DR Pure Blues.

Matt Freeman use 7250, I love his pick playing tone very well.

 

[Aussie Player]

Plain old Fender nickels brings out the P sound best when installed and only gets better with age. Have a set installed almost 2 years ago (couple of weeks to go) and played 3-4 times a week and for that sound I'd pay double or triple what Fender strings cost. They make an obvious difference.

 

[steamthief]

Roto Bass nickels sound great, bonus points for being cheap

 

[ravlin]

"Broken-in (GHS) Boomers" is a thing. It's just what you're asking for.

 

[GTHintz]

I'm going to recommend Sadowsky blue label stainless or magma stainless. Both were low mid friendly. Also labella Rx stainless could work for that too. Those have a very deep growly tone as well.

 

[40Hz]

I’d suggest Rotosounds. Longtime user. I’ve had a set on at least one of my basses since the 70s. They loose almost all their zing very rapidly. Like in less than a day. The little that remains disappears at most a few days later based on my own experiences with them. But their growl hangs there in for quite awhile.

 

[lastminute]

Thanks all! I’m going to try the Nickel Lo Riders first