Luxurious-Feeling Roundwounds?

[J-Mags]

My #1 bass is a smooth-feeling and playing 80s Fernandes PJ. It hasn't been getting as much use lately, as I've switched to rounds for most band uses. It's got Fender 9050s on it, and I tried some DR Pure Blues. They worked great at the show, but I felt like they lost some of the luxury vibe that comes with smooth-playing flats.

Any suggestions for luxurious-feeling roundwound strings that are gonna make me want to have rounds on that bass. For reference, I've liked the feel of DR round-core 45-105 Sunbeams and Pure Blues on my other basses. Sonically I'm still learning. I have no great preference between nickel and SS.

I've tried GHS Pressurewounds in the past and didn't really like the sound or feel, although I did like the distinctly non-luxury Boomers. I've also tried half-wounds and wouldn't really go that route again. I'm just looking for a sweet set of strings to tempt me away from flats. If they're expensive I'd want them to last a while. I'm not obsessed with new-string zing.

 

[michael_t]

So, your definition of "luxurious-feeling" would be "smooth and flexible"? Do I have the right idea, or at least close?

 

[JRA]

Any suggestions for luxurious-feeling roundwound strings.....I'm just looking for a sweet set of strings to tempt me away from flats. If they're expensive I'd want them to last a while. I'm not obsessed with new-string zing.

sounds like you're describing TI jazz rounds!

i'm currently using them on 2-3 fretless axes and to me (a rounds guy), they are smooth operators!

 

[J-Mags]

So, your definition of "luxurious-feeling" would be "smooth and flexible"? Do I have the right idea, or at least close?

Definitely smooth. I don't like super-flexible strings, but do like more flexible than average.

 

[Killing Floor]

TI Jazz Rounds. 100%

 

[J-Mags]

TI Jazz Rounds. 100%

I think they might be a little thin and flexy for me, although I haven't tried them

 

[michael_t]

Definitely smooth. I don't like super-flexible strings, but do like more flexible than average.

TI Jazz Rounds. 100%

I think they might be a little thin and flexy for me, although I haven't tried them

@Evan38109 was suggesting trying the "super long scale" version of the Jazz Rounds if you want slightly larger gauges.

Super Long TI Jazz Rounds on a Standard Long-Scale Bass

 

[InhumanResource]

So, your definition of "luxurious-feeling" would be "smooth and flexible"? Do I have the right idea, or at least close?

You know, when they have that umami mouthfeel after being braised in duck fat

 

[J-Mags]

You know, when they have that umami mouthfeel after being braised in duck fat

Pretty much that. I'm looking for something gratuitous. There are perfectly good strings I could use that are sitting in my house right now.

 

[Flying B]

Have you tried Ernie Ball cobalt flats? The silky feel of flats with the roundwound brightness.

 

[bigjames]

Definitely smooth. I don't like super-flexible strings, but do like more flexible than average.

Have you tried DR Sunbeams? I find them very smooth to the touch and flexible, but still bright and full.

 

[Rib 13]

Anything Luxurious is usually out of my paygrade so Im no help -- but I can help if you want blue-collar feeling rounds

 

[aero58]

I’m liking Elixir Nanoweb SS strings. They feel and sound great to me.

 

[Chrisk-K]

DR Sunbeams 40-95

 

[J-Mags]

Have you tried DR Sunbeams? I find them very smooth to the touch and flexible, but still bright and full.

Yes, and I like them. I have them on a different bass. I've not tried them on this bass.

 

[dave64o]

Elixir Nanowebs were the first strings that popped into my head.
- The coating makes them feel pretty smooth for a roundwound string.
- They're nickel plated and coated so they don't have a lot of bright new string zing out of the pack. They're pretty warm sounding right away and hold that tone for a long time. Stainless steel rounds would generally be quite a bit brighter and even more different sounding than the flats you're used to.
- The coating makes them last a long time. The set on my Stingray Special is about 1.5 years old and they sound fantastic.

My favorite roundwounds are still nickel DR Lo Riders but the Elixirs are growing on me. Since buying my Stingray Special last spring, I also put a set on my ceramic Stingray about 7 months ago and they still sound almost brand new to me. They (Nanowebs) might not be my favorite rounds yet and they're a little more flexible than I prefer (I love the stiff feel of most flats and of the nickel Lo Riders), but they're among the small group of strings that I decided I like enough to use when I want a change of pace. I like them a lot and they seem to fit the criteria you're looking for.

DR Sunbeams awould be another candidate given your criteria, but they feel a little too flexible to me so I haven't gone back to them after trying them once. But I love the sound, probably because they're basically a round core version of the hex core nickel Lo Riders.

 

[Vinny_G]

The expression 'Luxurious-Feeling Roundwounds' reminds me of two sets of strings in particular:
Galli Synthesis Nickel and TI Powerbass.

 

[drumvsbass]

Thomastik Super Alloy 45-105, or the TI Powerbass 43-107. The Super Alloys are more transparent and beefy feeling where the Powerbass feel a bit more slinky, but they have a bit of a mid scoop, so they sound punchier, subtle but there.. The TI Jazz rounds are also awesome, but they do take a bit of getting used to as they are quite light. However... once you get used to it, it makes the bass really easy to play. Thomastik strings notoriously last a long time, however, I have had the occasional bad string from them. Which out of a pack that's almost $100cad... Hurts. That's said, I have contacted them and gotten replacement packs for those ones with the bad string. I have the Jazz rounds on my fretless Zon... and it feels better than I could even describe to you.

Doesn't make it play better in tune though...

 

[Ggaa]

DR Fat Beams, compression wound.

 

[got_the_bug]

Another vote for DR Sunbeams…feel great on my fingers and sound good.