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Trying something new...Opinions Requested :)

RustyStringer

RustyStringer

May 18, 2010
168
572
Indiana
#1
Looking to try a couple of different strings...going to order from Strings-By-Mail...and want to get my money's worth on shipping lol

They are going on my Ibanez SR500E by the way.

My current favorites are Fender 7250L 40-100, and GHS Pressurewound 43-103 (I think is the size).
I want to try the GHS Pressurewounds in 40-96, but I'm also thinking about ordering a set of La Bella Nickel Plated Rounds in 40-100, and DR Black Beauties in 40-100.

I like smooth feeling strings without a ton of finger noise. I do not want flats; I don't want Half-rounds.
Has anyone specifically tried the La Bella Nickel Rounds or the GHS Black Beauties?

Thoughts/opinions are appreciated.
(Just please don't turn this into a back-and-forth pissing match...just looking for opinions, not interweb fisticuffs)
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#2
RustyStringer said:
I like smooth feeling strings without a ton of finger noise. I do not want flats; I don't want Half-rounds.
Has anyone specifically tried the La Bella Nickel Rounds or the GHS Black Beauties?
Click to expand...

First off, Black Beauties are by DR, not GHS. They're coated roundwound on a round core.

As a regular user of GHS Pressurewouhds 40-96, I can tell you no roundwound can match their smooth feel, with a possible exception of TI Jazz Rounds.

By the way, GHS PWs come in three different sets of gauges (for long scale), 40-54-76-96, 44-58-80-102 and 44-62-84-106.
 
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#4
tb-player said:
I’ve used the LaBellas. They’re actually quite decent. I found them to not be as smooth as D’Addario EXL170s… great nickel strings that are not pricey and really good quality.
Click to expand...

Thank you for your response...that actually tells me quite a bit, and I have a set of 45-100 EXL170's on right now. They aren't bad at all, but I really do like that 40-100 sizes or even slightly lighter. I feel like the EXL170's feel and sound very similar to the Fender 7250L's...which I have heard that D'Addario makes Fender's strings, so they may be the same lol
 
#5
michael_t said:
First off, Black Beauties are by DR, not GHS. They're coated roundwound on a round core.

As a regular user of GHS Pressurewouhds 40-96, I can tell you no roundwound can match their smooth feel, with a possible exception of TI Jazz Rounds.

By the way, GHS PWs come in three different sets of gauges (for long scale), 40-54-76-96, 44-58-80-102 and 44-62-84-106.
Click to expand...

Damn, I knew I'd mix up names lol...yes DR, not GHS my bad.
I have played the Pressurewounds in the 44-102 (I knew it was an oddball size) and love them...thinking I should just get the 40-96 and be done :)
Thanks for your reply too.
 
#6
RustyStringer said:
I like smooth feeling strings without a ton of finger noise. I do not want flats; I don't want Half-rounds.
Click to expand...
coated, round wound strings are nice (e.g., the black beauties). and so are TI jazz rounds (JR344), albeit pricey, but they are probably the "smoothest" of all the round wound strings.
 
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#7
RustyStringer said:
Thank you for your response...that actually tells me quite a bit, and I have a set of 45-100 EXL170's on right now. They aren't bad at all, but I really do like that 40-100 sizes or even slightly lighter. I feel like the EXL170's feel and sound very similar to the Fender 7250L's...which I have heard that D'Addario makes Fender's strings, so they may be the same lol
Click to expand...
The best 40-100 strings I ever played was a set of Fodera nickels. Really great strings, but dang expensive.
 
#8
TI Jazz Rounds are much smoother feeling than both GHS pressurewounds and GHS "Balanced Nickels". I found the balanced nickles to be rather rough feeling (and a bit brassy sounding!). Jazz Rounds are very smooth to the touch, and very smooth sounding as well (a little too demure, for my tastes, but I put up with that so I can enjoy the smooth feel...)
 
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#10
michael_t said:
As a regular user of GHS Pressurewouhds 40-96, I can tell you no roundwound can match their smooth feel, with a possible exception of TI Jazz Rounds.
Click to expand...
+1. I have them on my Tobias Classic 4 and a 65 P. Great strings.

RustyStringer said:
I have played the Pressurewounds in the 44-102 (I knew it was an oddball size) and love them...thinking I should just get the 40-96 and be done :)
Click to expand...
That’s the gauge I’m using. They’re high enough tension that they don’t feel as light as other strings in that gauge, but they’re still bendy and flexible when they need to be. I was actually a bit surprised how well they worked out.
 
#16
TI Jazz Rounds (JR344) are absolutely worth trying if you have never done so. They are expensive, but so worth it! They are the only string I'll use, and a big reason why everyone who plays my basses immediately asks why they are so smooth and easy to play.

Only you know what you will like, but if you haven't found The One String For You yet I'd at the very list put this set on your string bucket list.
 
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#19
mngnt said:
If you want smooth without noise, run far away from Black Beauties.

They were so bad I actually made a YouTube video comparison between them and Elixirs:

Click to expand...


Yeah Black Beauties are not smooth like Elixir or Pressurewounds. But Elixir's sound closer to regular roundwounds while Pressurewounds sound closer to flats.
 
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#20
Kalium balanced tension nickel rounds. Low noise, great tone, last a long time. About $28 per four. Some folks have had shipping issues (though not me). You can also get just about any gauge you want; they're great that way.
 

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