Strings suggestion

[Luka]

Hi, all of my 4 years of bass guitar journey, I tried only different brands of roundwound strings. They sound really well overall, but I don't like the feel of that, tried nanoweb elixirs too. I like the feel when the strings are old and i can really dig without feeling it hard on my fingers, but if strings are old, I lose tone the problem is that I use to play slap also, so I don't think flats will work. Any suggestions?

 

[Yahboy]

Ernieball cobalt flat , comfort playing and growl round tone.

 

[staurosjohn]

I currently have Pressurewounds (aka compression wound- see pic) on 2 of my basses (GHS & Rotosound). The Roto's have a brighter sound than the GHS- both have 'lower' string noise (whilst fretting/sliding) than rounds- but still slap very nicely! I also have 'Half-rounds' (aka slick rounds) on one of my basses- not so good (for me) for slapping. I would consider Pressurewounds...

Here is a TB thread re: the Rotos- Rotosound Solo Bass 55

Rotos: https://smile.amazon.com/Rotosound-...otosound+pressurewounds&qid=1582887158&sr=8-1

GHS: https://smile.amazon.com/Pressurewo...words=ghs+pressurewound&qid=1582887202&sr=8-1

 

[michael_t]

I tried only different brands of roundwound strings. They sound really well overall, but I don't like the feel of that...

I've used GHS Pressurewounds as my go-to string for the last few years. Plenty of the roundwound tone I want, but with a smoother feel than typical rounds.

Four different brands of so-called "pressurewound" (or "rollerwound"), where the outer wrap wire is flattened into an oval shape before being wound.

GHS Pressurewound/Ken Smith Compressor = Alloy 52 (nickel-iron).
SIT Silencer = Nickel-plated Steel.
Rotosound Solo Bass 55 = Stainless Steel.

 

[Linnin]

+1 GHS Pressurewounds

 

[Luka]

As you all described, I hope pressurewound is the strings that i want, I'll definetly order one and check ot out. Thank you guyz <3

 

[Malak the Mad]

I currently have Pressurewounds (aka compression wound- see pic) on 2 of my basses (GHS & Rotosound). The Roto's have a brighter sound than the GHS- both have 'lower' string noise (whilst fretting/sliding) than rounds- but still slap very nicely!

Rotosound Solo Bass 55 = Stainless Steel.

I haven't had a chance to try the GHS Pressurewounds, but I have tried the Rotosound Solo 55's and like them a lot. I have a set on an inherently growly, '70s-style Jazz bass and they sound great…nice and clear, but without the overwhelming "clang" of other stainless steel strings. The slightly smoother feel is a bonus.

 

[staurosjohn]

I haven't had a chance to try the GHS Pressurewounds, but I have tried the Rotosound Solo 55's and like them a lot. I have a set on an inherently growly, '70s-style Jazz bass and they sound great…nice and clear, but without the overwhelming "clang" of other stainless steel strings. The slightly smoother feel is a bonus.

I've used both, off and on, for the past coupla years- I also use Roto SS 66's... the Solo Bass are, understandably, less 'crisp' than the 66's- and the GHS's are a bit less crisp than the Solo's. All that is exactly how I anticipated them to be- so they serve me well!

 

[RumbleMan3]

GHS are bass string perfection. I used to be a DR man, but I've now converted to GHS exclusively. I use GHS roundcore boomers on my jazz bass, balanced nickels on my p bass, and pressurewounds on my Stingray V. I also now keep a backup set of precision flats in my drawer incase I want that thumpier flat sound from my p bass.
I tell you, every single stringset is the perfect fit for those basses. Seriously why has it taken me this long to discover these strings?

Dude, when it comes to quality and feel, no one is on the same level as GHS. Tone is subjective, but to me, there's a certain quality in their strings, like the final touch, that takes them from a really good string to the perfect string, when comparing with other brands. This is in my personal experience, and in my taste, so not everyone will agree with me there. However, there is no denying that GHS are the best when it comes to quality and innovation.

With GHS, I find their catalogue has a string for everyone, whether you're after a thumpy Motown sound, a mellow roundwound sound, a bright grindy sound.

All that said... for what you want I have to suggest DR sunbeams
They have a sweet top end, not too bright, but I personally prefer them once they are old. They also have a nice crisp bass, fairly deep sounding, but they also have this thing going on in the midrange that's quite unique, very very nice sound, that brings out this phenomenal growl, especially if you've got a jazz bass or even something with soapbars. The highlights of this string, besides tone, is #1 the flexibility. These are by far the most smoothest and flexible roundwound (to some, a bit too floppy) but give them a go and see what you think. #2 they last a long time. I had my set on for about a year, or just over, and they still were plenty bright. It's not that they were ridiculously bright to start with, but they just got to a certain point and retained the same tone for ages. I've taken them off now cos I switched to GHS, but they probably still sound the same to this day.

Anyway, hope this helps.

 

[RumbleMan3]

Alternatively, if u want bright enough to slap, but a nice balanced tone, almost broken in kinda tone straight from the packet, go with roundcore bass boomers. Being roundcore, they are nice and flexible (not as much as sunbeams, but also not as floppy. GHS to me feel just right) they also last a long long time too which is great.

The secret weapon to these strings is that they are balanced construction. Meaning that instead of winding the strings E 3 wraps, A and D 2 wraps, and G 1 wrap, they've done 2 wraps on all the strings. So the E and G strings are also 2 wraps instead. This makes the e string a little cleaner to my ears, and the g string not as zingy with a bit more body to the sound, and it's especially good for when u want to do popping aswell.

Overall it doesn't matter where u play on the neck, if u play E on the 2rd fret D string or e on the 7th fret A string, it sounds the same! Which you don't get with any other unbalanced set so it's really really special.

I love these strings.

 

[michael_t]

GHS are bass string perfection. I used to be a DR man, but I've now converted to GHS exclusively. I use GHS roundcore boomers on my jazz bass, balanced nickels on my p bass, and pressurewounds on my Stingray V. I also now keep a backup set of precision flats in my drawer incase I want that thumpier flat sound from my p bass.
I tell you, every single stringset is the perfect fit for those basses. Seriously why has it taken me this long to discover these strings?

Dude, when it comes to quality and feel, no one is on the same level as GHS. Tone is subjective, but to me, there's a certain quality in their strings, like the final touch, that takes them from a really good string to the perfect string, when comparing with other brands. This is in my personal experience, and in my taste, so not everyone will agree with me there. However, there is no denying that GHS are the best when it comes to quality and innovation.

With GHS, I find their catalogue has a string for everyone, whether you're after a thumpy Motown sound, a mellow roundwound sound, a bright grindy sound.

All that said... for what you want I have to suggest DR sunbeams
They have a sweet top end, not too bright, but I personally prefer them once they are old. They also have a nice crisp bass, fairly deep sounding, but they also have this thing going on in the midrange that's quite unique, very very nice sound, that brings out this phenomenal growl, especially if you've got a jazz bass or even something with soapbars. The highlights of this string, besides tone, is #1 the flexibility. These are by far the most smoothest and flexible roundwound (to some, a bit too floppy) but give them a go and see what you think. #2 they last a long time. I had my set on for about a year, or just over, and they still were plenty bright. It's not that they were ridiculously bright to start with, but they just got to a certain point and retained the same tone for ages.

I've tried the Sunbeams 45-105 on my Jazz. Loved the tone, but, as you point out, they were flexible to the point of being too bouncy under my plucking fingers.

 

[RumbleMan3]

I've tried the Sunbeams 45-105 on my Jazz. Loved the tone, but, as you point out, they were flexible to the point of being too bouncy under my plucking fingers.

On the other hand, pure blues feel much better, but I found they require much more breaking in time because they have this strong high midrange that's a bit too much for a jazz bass, and I found it was quite harsh and took a while to get rid of. Feel wise the pure blues are better than the sunbeams, but tone wise I much prefer the sunbeams.
Overall I prefer GHS because it gives me the best of both worlds. The tension is firmer than pure blues but still quite comfortable, and the tone is, in one word "fat" sounding. Nice bass and low mids, smooth highs, and more of a broken in kinda sound which I like.

 

[PraiseBassing]

I've used GHS Pressurewounds as my go-to string for the last few years. Plenty of the roundwound tone I want, but with a smoother feel than typical rounds.

Four different brands of so-called "pressurewound" (or "rollerwound"), where the outer wrap wire is flattened into an oval shape before being wound.

GHS Pressurewound/Ken Smith Compressor = Alloy 52 (nickel-iron).
SIT Silencer = Nickel-plated Steel.
Rotosound Solo Bass 55 = Stainless Steel.

View attachment 3724195

Are the Solo Bass flattened the same was as the Pressurewound's? I was under the impression that they were wound and then compressed, like DR Fat Beams. I have the Solo Bass strings on my 55-02. Even if they are flattened differently than the Pressurewound's, they are noticeably less rough than rounds.​

 

[Eddie LeBlanc]

Been trying strings for decades. These are the best I have ever played. Pricey but well worth it.

 

[michael_t]

Are the Solo Bass flattened the same was as the Pressurewound's? I was under the impression that they were wound and then compressed, like DR Fat Beams. I have the Solo Bass strings on my 55-02. Even if they are flattened differently than the Pressurewound's, they are noticeably less rough than rounds.​

You're right on this...
According to what I read on the DR website, the flattening process on the Solo Bass 55 is different from the GHS Pressurewounds in that the outer wire is flattened AFTER it is wound, as you point out, instead of BEFORE like the PWs.

"Once the string is wound a rolling technique is applied under pressure which displaces the crown of each winding producing a flat that reduces finger noise and friction thus allowing for more rapid finger movement."​

 

[brian579]

Hi, all of my 4 years of bass guitar journey, I tried only different brands of roundwound strings. They sound really well overall, but I don't like the feel of that, tried nanoweb elixirs too. I like the feel when the strings are old and i can really dig without feeling it hard on my fingers, but if strings are old, I lose tone the problem is that I use to play slap also, so I don't think flats will work. Any suggestions?

I love DR hi beams. I guess it depends a lot on your preference to nickel or steel. For me DR for rounds and TIs for flats. Both brands have low tension also. Good luck in the search!

 

[EatS1stBassist]

Hi, all of my 4 years of bass guitar journey, I tried only different brands of roundwound strings. They sound really well overall, but I don't like the feel of that, tried nanoweb elixirs too. I like the feel when the strings are old and i can really dig without feeling it hard on my fingers, but if strings are old, I lose tone the problem is that I use to play slap also, so I don't think flats will work. Any suggestions?

La Bella White Nylon! Full Robust!

 

[Jeff Scott]

Hi, all of my 4 years of bass guitar journey, I tried only different brands of roundwound strings. They sound really well overall, but I don't like the feel of that, tried nanoweb elixirs too. I like the feel when the strings are old and i can really dig without feeling it hard on my fingers, but if strings are old, I lose tone the problem is that I use to play slap also, so I don't think flats will work. Any suggestions?

TI Jazz Rounds are the answer. Very supple feel, with the outer wrap wired feeling very smooth due to them being smaller in diameter than typical round wound strings. They have a broken in sound when new and stay that way for years of use. A bit pricy but their longevity end up making these strings bargain priced, in the long run.

 

[Rip Van Dan]

Back in 1966 I use the Fender flatwounds on my '65 Fender Jazz because that was pretty much all that was available. I later switched to the Fender Tape Wound flats in 1972 when I was touring with a nightclub group playing 5-nights a week, 50-weeks a year. Continued to use those until all my music gear was stolen in 1976, including my '65 Jazz.

Finally in 1985 I found a Jazz with the same neck profile that my '65 had. I bought it and that's what I've played ever since. It came with some Dean Markley Blue Steel round-wound strings on it. Wore out a pair of those and put another pair of the same. Did that one more time. Then in ~2009 I put on a pair of DR Black Beauties. They had a better balance of sound across the strings. With the Blue Steel strings the G and D strings were a bit tinny. I liked the DR Black Beauty strings better than the Blue Steel but the coating was gone off the back entirely where it hit the frets and the coating on the top of the strings was starting to look pretty spotty. Time for new strings!

About a year or so ago or so I bought a set of LaBella white Tape-Wound strings to give them a try after watching an SBL video comparing strings. It had been a long time since I'd used flat-wound strings and I was worried about losing the presence that I got with the round-wounds. No worries at all! I put them on and they had plenty of presence plus they were much better balanced in sound from string to string. Whenever I manage to wear these guys out, I'll get another set. I not only like the sound of them but I really like the feel much better than the round-wounds.

Bought them from the store here on Talk Bass. If you are a supporting member you even get a discount on them. Mine are the LaBella Deep Talkin' Bass White Tape-wound strings. The white is not opaque but semi-transparent (white tape on a silver core). The copper/white and gold/white are semi-transparent (white tape over copper or gold cores). The black is opaque. Evidently there is a slightly different sound in each of them. The white is the brightest sounding set.