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Needed - Low tension, warm, deep strings
- Thread starter GBassNorth
- Start date
My strings of choice are TI flats, Sunbeams, and Low Riders (nickel) depending on band/style. TI's are great for country/classic rock. Sunbeams have a little more tension IMO, and are great all round. If I'm doing heavier Rock, DR Lowriders have a little more tension. I have a barely used set of TI Rounds, found them blah, but may try them again someday.
It's looking like the consensus is TI Jazz Rounds or Sunbeam Rounds with BSO being the best place to look for them. Both are round wounds, of the two which feels smoother on a slide and which feels more balanced across the 4 string set? I'm trying to avoid a boomy unfocused bottom end and a harsh crispy top end.
Laurent - I do use La Bella Tapewounds on my Jazz basses and like the feel and warmth of those. The tension isn't bad on them but I assumed the tension on the TI rounds is even lower, is that not true?. Tried the GHS Tapewounds (or maybe it was Roto Tapewounds) and they were much higher in tension, so those are out.
Laurent - I do use La Bella Tapewounds on my Jazz basses and like the feel and warmth of those. The tension isn't bad on them but I assumed the tension on the TI rounds is even lower, is that not true?. Tried the GHS Tapewounds (or maybe it was Roto Tapewounds) and they were much higher in tension, so those are out.
I've been pushing Dean Markley Helix HD Stainless Steel strings on here lately, for just this reason. They speak deeper than some other strings I've played. Lots of complex mids and low mids. The highs are just enough. Not overly hyped. smaller core to wrap ratio, so they are more flexible, easier to play than many other hex core strings. I wouldn't call them smooth feeling, initially. But I wouldn't wouldn't say they are especially rough, either.
Sounds like Tapewounds to me. Warm, deep, low-tension. Checks all the boxes. D'Addarios are a great set to get a taste.
Sunbeams will be smoother, as they use compression winding (different from compressors or pressurewounds). They are roundwounds, and the windings are compressed together making a smoother feeling roundwound.
