Smoothest (best sounding) roundwounds

[Stan_da_man]

I normally bounce between SIT Foundations and DR Sunbeams.

 

[Dincrest]

Is the OP looking for steel or nickel rounds?

Because if anyone's looking for smoothly textured steel roundwounds, the LaBella Rx steels are quite nice. I call them the best of steel with a nickel feel. Reasonably priced too.

I know LaBella is more known for their flatwounds (which are infinitely more popular here on TalkBass), but don't sleep on their Rx rounds. (I have steels on one bass and nickels on the other. The nickels are alright, but the steels are really good).

 

[LetItGrowTone]

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

My first TIJRs was a 36" set (43-55-75-101) mounted on a 33.25" scale Ric. Stayed there for two years.

They were replaced by Dogal Hellborg rounds. "Smoothest", no, because the outer winding on the E and A is larger diameter wire than TIJRs. "Best sounding", yes, for me.

 

[Alan Ace Cooper]

Other:
Smooth, Mellow and Nasty!! My gonto string since 1999.

 

[Luther]

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.

White with Tort stripes.

 

[58kites]

Love the GHS PressureWound
Medium Light 44/58/80/102
They feel right, they sound right and they are perfect the day you put them on.
They also age evenly, the E string doesn't go dead prematurely.

 

[sawzalot]

I like Daddario ProSteels.

 

[GreyBeard]

D'Addario XL Nickel wound

 

[Doug Parent]

GHS Pressure wounds treated me well FWIW.

 

[JazznFunk]

I played GHS Pressurewounds for years. They're very friendly to frets (and fingerboards on fretless basses). Their tone.... meh. They're a good compromise in some ways, but for me I'd rather stick to 'extremes' and either go full on with flats, or a round-core nickel string. I settled on DR Sunbeams in the last few years in either light or medium gauges for most all of my axes which don't wear flats. They check off all of the boxes for me - not overly bright, nice midrange smoothness, and a smooth feel (round core is more flexible and softer feeling than hex core). Regardless, you'll want to avoid stainless steel if 'smooth' feel and tone are what you're after. SS has always been too harsh and abrasive in general in my experience. YMMV.

 

[DonaldR]

Best way to minimize string sound is to lower your volume pot IMHO
Was on DR High Beams for decades but switched to DR Low Rider last year and they are working better for me. I don't get "string noise" because they are stiffer.
Since you are already on flatwounds, have you tried Chromes or EB Cobalt flatwounds? Maybe just what you are looking for.

 

[jmlee]

I switched to D’Addario NYXL strings as my default round in part because the noise associated with sliding in the strings was much less than with the DR Pure Blues or Hi-Beams which I had been using before. There’s other very good reasons to like the NYXLs beyond this; however since the OP asked… (TI Jazz Rounds are quiet as well.)

 

[pbass2]

Currently I use only two string brands--Labella flats and DR Nickel Lo Riders. The LR's are the "warmest" sounding rounds I've tried, and they age really well. I like the string tension. I'll often grab the P with them over my flatwound P for situations where I need a little more grunt but still want to thump. Even when well-broken in, on a P I can still do grindy rock with a pick, or dubby with the tone rolled off and muting.

 

[Diddywah]

I'd give the Dogal Hellborg rounds a try. A different string for sure. Expensive though....I love them.

 

[Green Hornet]

I got these and cut them down to size.

 

[JRA]

i voted "TI jazz rounds" because it was too easy to do, but i could have voted "other" given my recent experience with the dogal-hellborg string set --- they're not as smooth feeling as TIs, and they're thicker gauge --- but they have a 'clarity' about them that sure is fun to play (also, they're very compliant, almost like the TIs).

FWIW, and TBH, i don't think i've tried any round wound strings that i couldn't jam with --- i like 'em all!

 

[Fuzzbass]

Some kind of coated round. I love Elixirs, but that's because they are brighter than the other coated strings I've tried. I believe that's because the coating goes over the entire string, rather than the winding. Coating the entire string prevents dirt/sweat from getting between the windings, extending string life.

Anyway, the OP might want to try one of those other brands (DR Neon or whatever) because they sound less bright and more punchy/warm.

 

[BlueTalon]

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?

It almost doesn't matter what rounds you put on. You're not used to playing on them, so you're going to generate noise you're not used to hearing. So my advice is something different.

When you put whatever rounds you end up putting on your bass, start practicing with headphones, and make a point of leaving the treble or brightness turned up. You'll hate it, but that's kinda the point. Just keep it up, and slog through the annoying sound. What you'll find is that you can significantly reduce and almost eliminate string noise with improved technique alone. Once you've made the adjustments to your technique, you can put whatever rounds you want on your bass.

 

[BassPilot]

GHS Balanced Nickels. They sound like Piano strings when you put them on. Once broken in they smooth out, sound warm, the balanced and produce very even volume from string to string. I have them on most of my basses.

 

[Jazzdogg]

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

I recently installed a set of Dogal Hellborg rounds on a fretless fiver; first set of rounds I've used in more than 30 years. So far, they're the best rounds I've used (tension similar to TI Flats), but they're expensive.