Round-wounds for an old flats guy?

[OldSchoolFlats]

I'm thinking of giving rounds a "go", as I get back into bass. Flats, with pick generally, has always been my thing, but intonation on flats is an issue.

My problem with rounds has always been that they sound like piano strings to me (I do not like piano), and not the warm muffled sound of a double-bass. Also, round-wounds don't seem to last as long.

Still, with active electronics, I can probably tone-down the "piano sound", and get a bit more "growl" as well. Plus, better intonation. Intonation has always been my only problem with flats.

Question: What are some good rounds that "last and last", have a warm (not bright) sound, with good intonation, and higher tension like flats. I don't like "mushy" strings, since I learned on flats. I don't care about the brightness wearing off as strings age; I'd roll-off the highs anyway. I just want warm sounding strings that last and last for years, and can take lots of dirt and grime (think: eating fried chicken while playing). I am hoping the only reason rounds tend to get replaced frequently is due to brightness (which I do not care about), and not because windings slip, and intonation suffers.

I assume I want nickel rather than steel, but don't know how hex core vs. round affects sound, or what brands "last and last". I am hoping to find "my strings" without too much experimenting. I don't like to fiddle too much with the truss-rod, since I have seen necks/rods go bad. My poor '72 Jazz that I screwed-up the neck on in the '70s...

 

[4stringfarley]

The rare occasions I play rounds I go for DR nickle low riders. A bit bright at first but settle into a nice smooth thumpy tone.

 

[michael_t]

Flats, with pick generally, has always been my thing, but intonation on flats is an issue.

What specific brand of flats have you been using? And on what kind of bass?

I just want warm sounding strings that last and last for years, and can take lots of dirt and grime (think: eating fried chicken while playing).

Sounds like you should stick with flats.

 

[OldSchoolFlats]

The rare occasions I play rounds I go for DR nickle low riders. A bit bright at first but settle into a nice smooth thumpy tone.

I used those at one point (years ago). I seem to recall sort-of a metallic "clicking" sound with those, but may have just been extra clicking from the pick. I know fingers are the rule, but at least on flats, I liked my "Carol Kaye" sound.

How does the hex core hold-up? Not sure if it hold-up better than round core (better grip), or worse (less surface area contact between core and windings).

Anywho, thanks for the reminder on the low-riders. I seem to recall them being my "pick" for rounds, before settling on La Bella Deep Talkin' flats.

 

[srayb]

I would suggest you might want to try DR Black Beauties - they are coated rounds. However playing with a pick *might* take off some of the coating over time, depending on your pick and technique (and how often you change your strings). I am currently using these strings on a fretless - they are a bit smoother feeling than rounds & have a darker sound than a normal roundwound string (less finger squeak, less high-end).

 

[michael_t]

I would suggest you might want to try DR Black Beauties...

I wouldn't recommend DR BBs to anyone who's looking for a roundwound that's "higher tension like flats" (meaning stiff-feeling).

 

[Nebadon2000]

Hex core rounds seem stiffer. I have used Fender 7250 and Markbass Ultimate both no zing out of package but Markbass Smoother and more coherent had for 8 months holding tone and have never had to touch intonation.

 

[buldog5151bass]

Go nickel (mellower tone) and hex core (stiffer). Try lo riders. I also like Rotosound swing, but they have a reputation (somewhat over-generalized) for a short life.

 

[CallMeAl]

Sounds like GHS Pressurewounds to me. Stiff, mellow. Finger feel is unique; not flat feel surely, but different and a little smoother than traditional rounds.

 

[MattZilla]

I'd be willing to bet that tapes would fit you better.

I do think you might enjoy going through a few sets of Roto Swings. To my ears, they have a really nice woody character from hour ten to hour forty... then they die. You might be one of those weirdos who likes them at that dead point. AFAIC, when they're dead, they're dead.

 

[dnp41]

I would recommend a set of ghs boomers. Tension is a little higher, sound is a little darker and a little more emphasis on the low mids. They dull out pretty fast but after they lose their initial zing are fairly durable (not years but that's not a reasonable request for rounds if you play them often). All comparison are made vs other round wounds strings so obviously they will not sound darker then flats.

 

[DJ Bebop]

Myself, I like old school Rotosound Swingbass 66.

Not because they sound like flats but, because they are a classic round wound sound. They do mellow out of the piano sound, that's why John Entwistle changed them often, to keep that piano sound.

I like the sound after they mellow, I keep them on.

That probably doesn't help you at all though

 

[Aloe]

I am hoping the only reason rounds tend to get replaced frequently is due to brightness (which I do not care about), and not because windings slip, and intonation suffers.

not really true. gunk and dirt gets into the texture of rounds, at certain level this also prevents them to intonate perfectly.

yeah, lots of guys play dead rounds. but they're usually also not really picky about intonation.

my advice? there's no such thing as eternal strings. if you want them to last for years, flats generally will be better.

 

[DJ Bebop]

I would recommend a set of ghs boomers. Tension is a little higher, sound is a little darker and a little more emphasis on the low mids. They dull out pretty fast but after they lose their initial zing are fairly durable (not years but that's not a reasonable request for rounds if you play them often). All comparison are made vs other round wounds strings so obviously they will not sound darker then flats.

That's the other strong I like other than Rotosounds as far as rounds

 

[TomB]

Sounds like GHS Pressurewounds to me. Stiff, mellow. Finger feel is unique; not flat feel surely, but different and a little smoother than traditional rounds.

...and they do settle in and stay stable for quite a while once they do. Even with regular gigs I tend to get about a year from a set (twice what I usually get with rounds) but some might keep 'em even longer as they mellow.

 

[Kukulkan61]

Sounds like GHS Pressurewounds to me. Stiff, mellow. Finger feel is unique; not flat feel surely, but different and a little smoother than traditional rounds.

These are a great choice but dont last very long...

 

[TomB]

These are a great choice but dont last very long...

Hah! It wouldn't be Talkbass if we all agreed!

 

[JRA]

I do not like piano

I'm thinking of giving rounds a "go", as I get back into bass. Flats, with pick generally, has always been my thing, but intonation on flats is an issue. My problem with rounds has always been that they sound like piano strings to me (I do not like piano), and not the warm muffled sound of a double-bass. Also, round-wounds don't seem to last as long. Still, with active electronics, I can probably tone-down the "piano sound", and get a bit more "growl" as well. Plus, better intonation. Intonation has always been my only problem with flats. Question: What are some good rounds that "last and last", have a warm (not bright) sound, with good intonation, and higher tension like flats. I don't like "mushy" strings, since I learned on flats. I don't care about the brightness wearing off as strings age; I'd roll-off the highs anyway. I just want warm sounding strings that last and last for years, and can take lots of dirt and grime (think: eating fried chicken while playing). I am hoping the only reason rounds tend to get replaced frequently is due to brightness (which I do not care about), and not because windings slip, and intonation suffers. I assume I want nickel rather than steel, but don't know how hex core vs. round affects sound, or what brands "last and last". I am hoping to find "my strings" without too much experimenting. I don't like to fiddle too much with the truss-rod, since I have seen necks/rods go bad. My poor '72 Jazz that I screwed-up the neck on in the '70s...

Sounds like you should stick with flats.

i appreciate being "picky," but i think you've got a lot of qualifiers that narrow your choices down --- maybe to zero. i think you're going to have to be more of a "compromiser" on some/all of those checklist items to get any satisfaction from the myriad round-wound choices. just sayin'.

welcome to TB and good luck with your string choices!

 

[shoulderpet]

I'm thinking of giving rounds a "go", as I get back into bass. Flats, with pick generally, has always been my thing, but intonation on flats is an issue.

My problem with rounds has always been that they sound like piano strings to me (I do not like piano), and not the warm muffled sound of a double-bass. Also, round-wounds don't seem to last as long.

Still, with active electronics, I can probably tone-down the "piano sound", and get a bit more "growl" as well. Plus, better intonation. Intonation has always been my only problem with flats.

Question: What are some good rounds that "last and last", have a warm (not bright) sound, with good intonation, and higher tension like flats. I don't like "mushy" strings, since I learned on flats. I don't care about the brightness wearing off as strings age; I'd roll-off the highs anyway. I just want warm sounding strings that last and last for years, and can take lots of dirt and grime (think: eating fried chicken while playing). I am hoping the only reason rounds tend to get replaced frequently is due to brightness (which I do not care about), and not because windings slip, and intonation suffers.

I assume I want nickel rather than steel, but don't know how hex core vs. round affects sound, or what brands "last and last". I am hoping to find "my strings" without too much experimenting. I don't like to fiddle too much with the truss-rod, since I have seen necks/rods go bad. My poor '72 Jazz that I screwed-up the neck on in the '70s...

Rotosound swingbass Nickels, nuch darker than the stainless steel version, they start out very bright and then after a few days once they have broken in they go very mellow and warm, probably about as close to flats as you will get out of a roundwound

 

[sxaxsx]

I don't quite understand why you are looking for rounds. I have never had issues with intonation using flats. I don't think you are going to be satisfied with any rounds sound or lifespan, also you may find rounds rough. Perhaps instead you should explain what issues you are having with intonation and ask for recommendations of flats and gauges that may remedy the issues you are having.