Smoothest (best sounding) roundwounds

[Tonecaster]

Hey All,
Adding a second P Bass with rounds for songs that require that sound. Have flats on everything else. Looking to minimize string sound but maintain good response.
Thoughts?
All The Best,
Ed

 

[michael_t]

For true roundwound, nothing is smoother than TI Jazz Rounds. They're also one of the most flexible with very low tension. Only one set of gauges offered by TI.

I'm a fan of the GHS Pressurewounds, which are what's termed by GHS as "rollerwound". They're "roundwound" in their basic tonal character, but with a smoother texture. You can have them fairly stiff, or "comfortable but not floppy", depending on your personal preference.

DR Subeams and Nickel Lo-Riders are two of the smoothest roundwound I've tried, but not as smooth as either TIJF or GHS PW.

 

[Tonecaster]

Awesome info!
Thanks Michael!
ATB,
ET

 

[Jeff Scott]

TI Jazz Rounds, for me.

 

[Yahboy]

Less money spend on Dunlop Super Bright Nickel
Several different gauge available

More spend Ti jazz round.
Only one gauge.

 

[Lance Bunyon]

Slinkys
D'addario nickel

 

[Tonecaster]

I just noticed the TI rounds have a very thin E (.089). Any thoughts on that?

 

[Yahboy]

I just noticed the TI rounds have a very thin E (.089). Any thoughts on that?

Depends on playing skill.

If you are acustic guitar player, I believe you have no problems with Ti jazz round when move to bass guitar.

 

[Killing Floor]

Metallurgical studies show I like TI Jazz Rounds the most.
I like DR HiBeams and Dunlop Super Bright too but if your goal is smoother and less opportunity for noise the TI is what experts agree I like the best.

 

[Pyrrho Epoche]

Highbeams or the new
FedoraXDR stainless.
Dogal Carbonsteels are not real grippy and sound good too, but I play polish punk so, I like a piano like tone. I used to play only flats and these three are what I found the best overall, less grippy, but still as melodic as flats. Never tried TI jazz rounds, but all the other TI's I tried, I did not really dig. Nickels may be a bit smoother, but I never liked any nickel that I have ever tried.

 

[Stewie]

GHS Brite Flats. Thank me once you've tried them. Not quite as bright as real rounds, but close enough and without all that clanky trash sound. I have them on my only fretted bass and I stuff a chunk of foam under them to calm them down a bit.

 

[SharpCat]

GHS Brite Flats. Thank me once you've tried them. Not quite as bright as real rounds, but close enough and without all that clanky trash sound. I have them on my only fretted bass and I stuff a chunk of foam under them to calm them down a bit.

Riddle me this, please? Why does the "Medium Light" Brite Flats set have a .052 where the Medium set has a .049?

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

Hey All,
Adding a second P Bass with rounds for songs that require that sound. Have flats on everything else. Looking to minimize string sound but maintain good response.
Thoughts?
All The Best,
Ed

Elixir

 

[logdrum]

With TI -- you have to make a commitment. Your touch, your setup, even the patches on multi effects or your pedal setup and amp setup will have to change as well as your playing style plus the skinny E string is too much for most.

You can try Dogal Helborg Rounds, same price range as TIJR. There is mega thread and there's even sound samples by members. From what they are saying I think it solves the issues I find irritating with TIJR. I plan to get a set E-C.

For me DRs like Fat/High Beans and Pure Blues give me enough satisfaction of the harmonic content and clarity while supple but not floppy and affordable price. For me they (DRs) last over a year and they seem to stay the same after a week of break - in.

Roundwound string noise is blown out of proportion though here on TB. When amplified at gig levels it's not really noticeable unless you scrape your strings across with a hard or metal pick, Clanky, just raise your action and learn how to play on top of the fret and play with lighter touch. Most of this so called round wound string noise is swallowed by the drums, specially drummers that have fatter and looser snares and the hi-hat/cymbals (and this is even without guitars and other instruments.. Of course when you practice at bedroom levels, it's really the unamplified sound you are hearing. Turn up the amp, record it and you'll be surprised that there isn't really that much noise.

 

[Nev375]

Elixirs. The coating is kinda slick and they maintain that tone for ages saving you money and string changes in the long run.

 

[DavidEdenAria]

GHS Pressurewounds....sound great right off....reasonably priced...smooth enough imo....tempted by TI RW but too much hassle with setup if i dont like them and not cheap...doesnt mean i wont try a set!

 

[Sid Fang]

Rotosounds after I've played them for a year.

 

[adje]

I usually end up preferring roundcore, both in rounds and flats. Had the TIJRs on for ages, after a long stint with TIJFs, love them both. Currently have DR Fat Beams, which are more of a handful, but it's nice to be able to dig in a little harder if that's what I feel like - but they do fine with a softer touch.
The Alembic branded elliptic-rounds I liked a lot, except for the feel of the hex core. They do fulfiil the "minimize string noise" brief.

 

[Rib 13]

GHS Brite Flats. Thank me once you've tried them. Not quite as bright as real rounds, but close enough and without all that clanky trash sound. I have them on my only fretted bass and I stuff a chunk of foam under them to calm them down a bit.

I'm a rounds player but have used these on occasion for recordings that required super intimate finesse to reduce as much string noise as possible. Acceptably zingy with a flat feel

 

[themickster]

Hey All,
Adding a second P Bass with rounds for songs that require that sound. Have flats on everything else. Looking to minimize string sound but maintain good response.
Thoughts?
All The Best,
Ed

You might as well ask 'What's the best colour for a shirt'. It's down to what you like, and folk will tell you to get the one they like most.