What is it with me and dead rounds ?

[fr35h]

The clanky-ness of brand new rounds annoys me to the point that I find myself unable to play newly strung basses in music stores to try out other pieces of gear I agree that broken-in rounds aren't the best options for slapping, but in the context of what I play, I'm not really required to slap, so it works out for me.

I'm right there with ya. It can be quite frustrating when the sound of just about every bass hanging on the wall is unappealing to you cause they've all got fresh rounds.

Personally, new rounds only ever sounded good to me when I was a kid playing punk with a pick, or when I slapped. They just don't sound like a bass to me with all that zingy top end, plus the noise from shifting positions, the clanking, etc. Nickels aren't as bad fresh, so I use those as I can actually bear them as they break in.

I'll never understand why fresh rounds are so popular, dead ones are the way to go if you want smooth, clear tone IMO

 

[JimB52]

I think that may be the allure of Thomasik Infield Rounds - sound kinda dead right out of the box. I'm currently using several sets that are 4-5 years old.
I have Roto Funkmasters on my Ric that are at least six years old, and several basses with EB Super Slinkies that are 5 - 8 years old, but most of my strings are only 3-4 years old. Sounds fine to me.

 

[Jordo141]

I'm right there with ya. It can be quite frustrating when the sound of just about every bass hanging on the wall is unappealing to you cause they've all got fresh rounds.

Personally, new rounds only ever sounded good to me when I was a kid playing punk with a pick, or when I slapped. They just don't sound like a bass to me with all that zingy top end, plus the noise from shifting positions, the clanking, etc. Nickels aren't as bad fresh, so I use those as I can actually bear them as they break in.

I'll never understand why fresh rounds are so popular, dead ones are the way to go if you want smooth, clear tone IMO

I'm totally with you guys on this. I used to get stainless steel strings but even after I broke them in they would still sound very sharp and metallic.

Now I use Daddario EXL160s (DADDARIO EXL160 - Thomann Irish Cyberstore). The nickels are very sharp one you put them on new... I've just changed from on old pair of those EXL160's to a new pair yesterday and I've gone a bit insane with the awful clanging sound... even when fretting.

But after a while you get a nice smooth sound with a bit of kick. I keep my tone knob totally off most f the time; but stick it up a little and you have a totally punk sound. Love the option of going from a Pixies sound to a rough punk sound in a turn of the tone knob.