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Smooth strings(non flatwounds)

What strings you've used that feels smoothest? Non flatwound of course :D

Which still would leave you with a choice of roundwounds, compression wounds, groundwounds and tapewounds. Of course, you always may apply some conditioner like GHS Fast Fret or Finger Ease.

Assuming you were interested in roundwounds, the smoothest i've ever played are Thomastik-Infeld Jazz Round, but this would be a very unique choice. Otherwise, reasonable standard choices with a medium-smooth finish would include D'Addario NYXL and XL.

Decent compression wounds would be Alembic CX-3 or GHS Pressurewound, inter alia. A great halfround string is GHS Brite Flats. D'Addario Halfround also can be nice if paired with the right bass, and I feel, it is best in medium to heavier gauges.

My experience with tapewounds is limited, at best. Although I do like the sound Macca had achieved with Rotosound Tru Bass. (There also is a Rotosound demo video somewhere on Youtube starring Mo Foster.)
 
A string choice that looks like a roundwound, sounds like a roundwound and feels like a roundwound, but much easier on the fingertips is Elixir Nanoweb.
I've played these exclusively for a few years and every time I touched a bass with normal rounds, I felt how harsh they were on my fingertips in direct comparison.

Another possible choice would be GHS Pressurewounds. I can't comment on them yet, because I had to order my set from the UK and they gave me 6-8 weeks lead time.
 
GHS Pressurewounds (Alloy 52 rollerwound) for the win! Smoothest strings with a roundwound tone, thanks to their unique design.

String Types 5.jpg


I've also tried the GHS Brite Flats (Alloy 52 half-rounds/grounwound), but decided their tonal character is more flatwound than roundwound.
 
Agree with those pointing towards GHS. Bass Boomers, the diameter of the outer wrap is larger comparred to other strings, meaning there`s less wraps pr. Inch of the string which simply gives them a smoother feel.
They do have a high tension which I also prefer even though it`s not all who`s in favour of that.
 
Anyone tried the D'Addario Half-Rounds? I'm wondering how they compare between rounds and flats in both tone and feel. I thought I might try these on my fretless before I go all the way to rounds. I think my fingerboard is on the soft side and worry the rounds might dig in too much.
 
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Agree with those pointing towards GHS. Bass Boomers, the diameter of the outer wrap is larger comparred to other strings, meaning there`s less wraps pr. Inch of the string which simply gives them a smoother feel.
They do have a high tension which I also prefer even though it`s not all who`s in favour of that.

Agreed. Boomers were the first strings I started using regularly, and I don't think I've ever come across a set of rounds that I felt were smoother, whereas plenty others are more rough in my experience.
 
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