Middle-ground strings for maple P

[Kerem Koseoglu]

I’ve used D’Addario Chromes on my 5-string maple Precision for a long time. Recently, my gigs mix songs that want rounds with others that want flats, so I’m looking for a true middle-ground string that can lean either way via technique and tone control. I’m not looking for half-rounds—they sound too close to flats. I want something between half-rounds and full rounds.

So far, Sadowsky Black Label Nickels have been the best fit. They retain the “metal hitting maple” feel I liked with Chromes, while adding roundwound-like articulation without excess noise or click-clack. The tapered B string is also a plus, but optional.

I eliminated DR Nickel Lo-Riders, D’Addario NYXL, and Fender 7250 because they produced too much finger/string noise. To control it, I had to roll the tone back too far, which resulted in mud.

Any alternative string suggestions in this direction that come closer to my goal or feel less stiff?

 

[Lee Moses]

GHS Pressurewounds? Or Ken Smith Compressors, which have a tapered B.

 

[michael_t]

Recently, my gigs mix songs that want rounds with others that want flats, so I’m looking for a true middle-ground string that can lean either way via technique and tone control. I’m not looking for half-rounds—they sound too close to flats. I want something between half-rounds and full rounds.

GHS Pressurewound for the win! I've used them on my P bass off and on and they do provide the "middle-ground" tonal character. Smoother in feel than any rounds, they do retain some of the roundwound bark and bite when you need them, or they can be toned down to sound more like semi-flats. Very responsive to EQ tweaks.

I use the 40-96 set as they feel more like a typcial 40-100 hex-core roundwound set in terms of stiffness/flexibility. If you want something closer to 45-105 in roundwound in stiffness, I would suggest the 44-102 set.

Products - PRESSUREWOUND™ - GHS Strings

Since 1964, GHS Strings has been expertly winding high-quality electric guitar strings in the heart of southwestern Michigan. As a leading manufacturer, we blend tradition with innovation to produce a wide variety of strings for electric and acoustic guitars, bass guitars, classical guitars...

www.ghsstrings.com

 

[Ggaa]

Maybe DR Fatbeams, they sound different(to me)than other strings and aren't very stiff.

 

[michael_t]

my 5-string maple Precision...

I missed the part about your P bass being 5-string. You can order the GHS Pressurewound .128B (non-tapered) as a single to go with any of the 4-string sets. Or, as already mentioned above, you can get the Ken Smith Compressor .125 taperwound B.

Ken Smith Compressors (made by GHS) are the closest sibling to GHS Pressurewound, both of which are the same Alloy 52 "rollerwound".

 

[Kerem Koseoglu]

I missed the part about your P bass being 5-string. You can order the GHS Pressurewound .128B (non-tapered) as a single to go with any of the 4-string sets. Or, as already mentioned above, you can get the Ken Smith Compressor .125 taperwound B.

Ken Smith Compressors (made by GHS) are the closest sibling to GHS Pressurewound, both of which are the same Alloy 52 "rollerwound".

GHS seems to have a M7200-5 set, which is for 5 string basses. However, those strings seem to be reported as too stiff. Any idea if they are stiffer than Sadowsky Black Labels? Unfortunately, I don't have the option of international orders at this time, I can only buy that complete set (only 1 in stock).

 

[michael_t]

GHS seems to have a M7200-5 set, which is for 5 string basses. However, those strings seem to be reported as too stiff. Any idea if they are stiffer than Sadowsky Black Labels? Unfortunately, I don't have the option of international orders at this time, I can only buy that complete set (only 1 in stock).

Yes, the PW factory 5-string set, 44-128, would be stiffer in feel than the Sadowsky 45-130T set.

 

[Joel T]

I've been going for the GHS "Pressure" wound strings for almost all of my fretless bass collection. They surely do give the "middle-ground" characteristics. I honestly never tried them on a fretted bass, but I'm sure they can pull off very well once loaded. I usually have Ernie Ball or D'Addario round-wound strings on my fretted bass guitars. If anything, I'd recommend the GHS "Pressure" wound strings, which are available in 4-strings, 5-strings, and even for short-scale.

 

[Bass4ThePublic]

Labella super polished?

 

[pbass2]

Just curious, how long did you have the Nickel Lo-Riders on? Because once they're well-broken in IMO they totally tick the boxes you're describing and are very low finger noise. It's exactly why I have them on all my roundwound basses, and I leave them on a loooong time. Super versatile as I can still thump a la flats but also clank if I need to like rounds just with the tone knob and technique.

 

[Shoreline Gold]

I’ve used D’Addario Chromes on my 5-string maple Precision for a long time. Recently, my gigs mix songs that want rounds with others that want flats, so I’m looking for a true middle-ground string that can lean either way via technique and tone control. I’m not looking for half-rounds—they sound too close to flats. I want something between half-rounds and full rounds.

So far, Sadowsky Black Label Nickels have been the best fit. They retain the “metal hitting maple” feel I liked with Chromes, while adding roundwound-like articulation without excess noise or click-clack. The tapered B string is also a plus, but optional.

I eliminated DR Nickel Lo-Riders, D’Addario NYXL, and Fender 7250 because they produced too much finger/string noise. To control it, I had to roll the tone back too far, which resulted in mud.

Any alternative string suggestions in this direction that come closer to my goal or feel less stiff?

GHS Pressurewounds +1.

 

[Camarillo]

I’ve used D’Addario Chromes on my 5-string maple Precision for a long time. Recently, my gigs mix songs that want rounds with others that want flats, so I’m looking for a true middle-ground string that can lean either way via technique and tone control. I’m not looking for half-rounds—they sound too close to flats. I want something between half-rounds and full rounds.

So far, Sadowsky Black Label Nickels have been the best fit. They retain the “metal hitting maple” feel I liked with Chromes, while adding roundwound-like articulation without excess noise or click-clack. The tapered B string is also a plus, but optional.

I eliminated DR Nickel Lo-Riders, D’Addario NYXL, and Fender 7250 because they produced too much finger/string noise. To control it, I had to roll the tone back too far, which resulted in mud.

Any alternative string suggestions in this direction that come closer to my goal or feel less stiff?

Lately I tried GHS Pressurewounds and I like them a lot

 

[Nebadon2000]

Pressure wounds seem a good choice but may want to check
EBMM Slinky Flats (Cobalt)

 

[BassicJazzy]

I also recommend GHS Pressure Wounds. I use them on my Fender Jazz Plus and they fit the middle ground between rounds and bright flats. I think you'd get a really good tone out of them on a P.

 

[BobKos]

Pressure wounds seem a good choice but may want to check
EBMM Slinky Flats (Cobalt)

THIS! The EB Cobalt flats will do what you want.

 

[Lo-E]

GHS Pressurewounds? Or Ken Smith Compressors, which have a tapered B.

This. ^

 

[Ggaa]

DR Fatbeams imo are unique sounding among round wounds and might be worth a shot. They are flexible. They did work for me for 5 years in a classic rock band, covering '60s through '90s.

 

[Dincrest]

GHS Pressurewounds are great strings. I had 'em on an active PJ Soundgear 4 I used to own (man I regret giving up that bass), and they felt and sounded terrific.

The closest competitor I can think of are SIT Silencers, which I like a lot too. I can't comment on the 120 B on the 5-string set, as I've only played the 45-100 4-string set. They absolutely rocked on a bass I used to have with harshly peaky active electronics.

 

[Chicken Wing]

One vote for La Bella RX Nickels.

 

[Kerem Koseoglu]

Pulled the trigger on the last set of Pressurewounds in the country. The E-A-D-G sounded fantastic (as suggested) and transformed my P-bass into a multi-genre beast. But the B-string? A total thud. It sounds like a dead string from a different set entirely. I’ve ruled out installation issues (twist, witness points, etc.), so I suspect a factory defect. Sad to pull them, but I’m back to Chromes for my next gig.