Trying something new...Opinions Requested :)

[Sub-hoo-fer]

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:

EXACTLY!

OP - the GHS PWs have found a home on one of my basses. Tried to make the BBs work for a few weeks but just never gelled with the noise or the tension.

 

[Isaac_James]

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)

Sounds like you are familiar with the Pressurewounds, which are my favorite string for exactly the reasons you mentioned, as well as the deep growl I get from them. I have yet to find nickel plated or stainless roundwound strings that behave the same, not sure if it's the method of construction, the wrap metal (an alloy of iron and nickel) or, most likely, some combination of the two.

I used to use Black Beauties. They're coated and maybe a little smoother than uncoated Low Riders, but the Pressurewounds have them beat on the smooth feel and low fret noise factors. The black coating also flakes off over time onto your bass and fingers.

Can't speak to the LaBellas, the only strings of theirs I use are Deep Talkin Flats on my P bass. Great if you want flats, but that's not what you're looking for.

 

[Hutch801]

Black beauties have a sticky feeling to them. The g string is also famous for going dead fast. With that being said they sound amazing while they last.

 

[funkinbottom]

My Spector has had both Black Beauties and Presurewound. Currently the PW's. I think I like the BB's better, and was planning on switching back.

 

[RustyStringer]

I went ahead and ordered a couple sets of the lightest Pressurewounds from GHS.
The TI Jazz Rounds sound interesting...I'll have to do some more research before dropping that much on them though lol

That being said, if anyone currently has the TI Jazz Rounds installed and feels like sharing a nice high-res/close-up picture of them, it would be appreciated!

Thanks for all the replies, guys! I know topics like this are beaten into the ground, so I appreciate all the responses

 

[iiipopes]

For many models, Ibby has used and does use D'Addario strings as OEM. I use XL170BT plus a 130 B string. They sound great on my SRA305 with its Asian mahogany body and EMG actives. D'A XL strings have a little dip in the lower mids/upper bass that to some people sound thin, but for me it helps retain clarity in my 10-piece party band with horns. Yes, they are typical round wound construction on a hex core, so there may be some finger noise. Unless you get a polished string, like some La Bella strings, or the compressed round, like the GHS Pressure Wound sets recommended above, you will get some noise. Most of that can be moderated by good fretting technique. Conversely, the most smooth string can still have fret noise with bad fretting technique.