When to replace round wounds

[Rib 13]

I hate the sound of new rounds, but I love how rounds feel. The DR hi beams on my p bass have been on for about a year now, and I'm still loving the sounds coming out of them. I'm just never going for that metallic, zingy sound, so I have a hard time being motivated to play when I replace them (even though playing is needed to break them in).

I think if I was a broken-in rounds guy and didnt like new zing when changing strings, i might leave the pack in a car trunk for a period of time on a warm/hot day...edit: or maybe even take them out of the pack and put them on the dashboard for a bit

 

[Rib 13]

I’ve had more sound engineers in my life complaining about bassists and their well used and deeply loved strings, and zero complaints about bassists with new strings.

Since 2006, Ive seen a million posts on TB asking about tone shaping, and all kinds of responses that meant spending lots of money on gear/gadgets, where the solution to the issue was strings (newness and type)

Another issue I see on TB a lot is that there are some folks that automatically make the association that "new round strings = klanky/metal music" and have a little difficulty seeing outside that box

 

[wolffire99]

For playing at home it doesn’t really matter, whatever your ear prefers.

Fresh rounds help if you play in a loud/busy band.

 

[wolffire99]

I hate the sound of new rounds, but I love how rounds feel. The DR hi beams on my p bass have been on for about a year now, and I'm still loving the sounds coming out of them. I'm just never going for that metallic, zingy sound, so I have a hard time being motivated to play when I replace them (even though playing is needed to break them in).

I should probably experiment with some flats or pressurewounds at some point, but I'm scared to waste that money only to find the strings don't sing like I want them to.

Sean Hurley was just on SBL podcast talking about the extra harmonic overtones of dead rounds vs flats. It was really interesting.

 

[Odinbass]

Been said already. But its a taste thing. I change mine about every 3 shows (3 hour nights). To me rounds sound a little dry at first, then sound awesome after being broken in, then start to die and not sound good.

 

[StereoPlayer]

For me, it’s when they loose that piano like sound.

 

[Drop1]

I think if I was a broken-in rounds guy and didnt like new zing when changing strings, i might leave the pack in a car trunk for a period of time on a warm/hot day...edit: or maybe even take them out of the pack and put them on the dashboard for a bit

I wonder I'd there is any market for say, 1 or 2 month old strings still in good condition. I know a lot of people don't like new sting zing. I do. But I could see others buying second hand strings to stay away from new. If I could find a couple people to buy used, I'd change mine every 2 weeks or so.

 

[KellyC]

First post here, hopefully I don’t embarrass myself too much

So I picked up my bass for the first time a while and I’ve been practicing with it for a few weeks and taking up some lessons again. It really needs the action adjusted so I’m planning on taking it in for an overall setup/adjustment.

My question is should I replace the round wounds with new strings? I initially thought “definitely” but I’ve been hearing a lot about how “dead” older roundwounds can be appealing. And these are older! I played it a lot in 2012-2014 and only played intermittently until now and never changed the strings I’ve only heard before about flatwounds aging nicley, so I’m not sure if these are WAAAY over due or if they have character now. Thoughts? Please go easy on me…

Most techs, in my experience, will want to change the strings when they do a setup/full service spa treatment on a bass. The question you should be asking is, "what strings should I put on it?" (IMO)

 

[dbsfgyd1]

Since 2006, Ive seen a million posts on TB asking about tone shaping, and all kinds of responses that meant spending lots of money on gear/gadgets, where the solution to the issue was strings (newness and type)

Another issue I see on TB a lot is that there are some folks that automatically make the association that "new round strings = klanky/metal music" and have a little difficulty seeing outside that box

I’ve be in a Motown Review band since 1970 and using “clanky” Round wounds the last 47 of them. 7 LPs, countess rehearsals, 100’s of recording sessions, thousands of gigs , and having performed with 50 or more different band mates, NOBODY has ever suggested using flat wounds.

I once had a new keyboardist that also played bass ask me why I wasn’t using flats. I walked over to my amp, turned it on and played one note, he responded “I get it”. and that was it.

IMO, the magic of flats tends to go away the larger the ensemble is, with a few exceptions noted like Tower of Power for instance where the bass more or less is featured. There is a definite preference towards the tactile feel that I can understand, but tonally?? Maybe playing by yourself at home. But at the gig? Blending into the mix? Give me rounds anyday.

 

[Drop1]

I’ve be in a Motown Review band since 1970 and using “clanky” Round wounds the last 47 of them. 7 LPs, countess rehearsals, 100’s of recording sessions, thousands of gigs , and having performed with 50 or more different band mates, NOBODY has ever suggested using flat wounds.

I once had a new keyboardist that also played bass ask me why I wasn’t using flats. I walked over to my amp, turned it on and played one note, he responded “I get it”. and that was it.

IMO, the magic of flats tends to go away the larger the ensemble is, with a few exceptions noted like Tower of Power for instance where the bass more or less is featured. There is a definite preference towards the tactile feel that I can understand, but tonally?? Maybe playing by yourself at home. But at the gig? Blending into the mix? Give me rounds anyday.

I really like flats for sparse arrangements whee ethics reasons can really shine through. I also like them if the bass is just reinforcing the rhythm guitars. I feel like they get lost a little in busy, complex arrangements . The top end cut of rounds it super useful in cettian genres and live.

I've spent quite a bit of time in the studio recording people , and if they do use flats, I'll often split the bass part somewhere in the mids, keep the clean bottom end, then send the top to a different channel for processing separately, then recombine the lows and highs on a group channel. This helps a lot when the persons instrument isn't working well in the mix. Rounds I find much easier to mix and don't split the frequency range near as often. (Sometimes I will if there is fuzz ir distortion being added. I like to keep those types of fx away from the core clean bottom end when possible l)

 

[selowitch]

Change ’em when they get rusty!

 

[wolffire99]

I’ve be in a Motown Review band since 1970 and using “clanky” Round wounds the last 47 of them. 7 LPs, countess rehearsals, 100’s of recording sessions, thousands of gigs , and having performed with 50 or more different band mates, NOBODY has ever suggested using flat wounds.

I once had a new keyboardist that also played bass ask me why I wasn’t using flats. I walked over to my amp, turned it on and played one note, he responded “I get it”. and that was it.

IMO, the magic of flats tends to go away the larger the ensemble is, with a few exceptions noted like Tower of Power for instance where the bass more or less is featured. There is a definite preference towards the tactile feel that I can understand, but tonally?? Maybe playing by yourself at home. But at the gig? Blending into the mix? Give me rounds anyday.

Agree with this except for ti flats. They cut through like crazy but they also don’t sound like traditional flats.

 

[waynobass]

Strings are relatively inexpensive...

Relative to guitar strings? To Ferrari Testarossas?

In my world bass strings are expensive. I change them rarely. (But I play fingerstyle, never pick or slap which probably wears them out faster.)

 

[logdrum]

IMO, the magic of flats tends to go away the larger the ensemble is, with a few exceptions noted like Tower of Power for instance where the bass more or less is featured.

Rocco used rounds. I was able to get back stage when they were here. Very nice guy.

Left hand mute is how he get's that sound, not flats. I think the backline was GK or maybe that was his amp, another one of those bright things. I personally thing muted rounds thump and cut more.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

I really like flats for sparse arrangements whee ethics reasons can really shine through. I also like them if the bass is just reinforcing the rhythm guitars. I feel like they get lost a little in busy, complex arrangements . The top end cut of rounds it super useful in cettian genres and live.

I've spent quite a bit of time in the studio recording people , and if they do use flats, I'll often split the bass part somewhere in the mids, keep the clean bottom end, then send the top to a different channel for processing separately, then recombine the lows and highs on a group channel. This helps a lot when the persons instrument isn't working well in the mix. Rounds I find much easier to mix and don't split the frequency range near as often. (Sometimes I will if there is fuzz ir distortion being added. I like to keep those types of fx away from the core clean bottom end when possible l)

Oh don’t get me wrong, I agree there are a places for the timber of flats that work really well, even (ahem) mature ones. I think we are in more agreement than not.

Thanks for your comments.

 

[ryco]

Active basses = every few months or whenever you break a string, replace the set.
Passive basses = maybe never. Have 30 year old set of RotoSound 66 on my '80 Ric 4001.

 

[Drop1]

Relative to guitar strings? To Ferrari Testarossas?

In my world bass strings are expensive. I change them rarely. (But I play fingerstyle, never pick or slap which probably wears them out faster.)

Most strings are less than a dollar a day if you change them once a month. That seem pretty fair elixirs are expensive but they last so long you'll wind up spending .ore money buying cheaper sets more often I have a set of 4 year old elixirs that still sound new. I don't like thier tension though.

 

[logdrum]

Agree with this except for ti flats. They cut through like crazy but they also don’t sound like traditional flats.

Not any different than any other flats and probably lower fundamental output. I have them on a bass with EMG and they need some preamp help vs a GHS Precision Flats or DR Legend - that is why I have them on the active bass in the first place. I get that people on TB love them but I rarely see them out in the wild. Fender, D'Add Chromes followed by EB and DR because GC and many music stores stock them are common and do the job just fine.

 

[aprod]

Included in a good setup is a fresh set of strings. It is difficult to properly setup a bass with old strings.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

Rocco used rounds. I was able to get back stage when they were here. Very nice guy.

Left hand mute is how he get's that sound, not flats. I think the backline was GK or maybe that was his amp, another one of those bright things. I personally thing muted rounds thump and cut more.

Wow, that’s cool you got to meet him. Boy his style meant a lot for that band.

I developed a left hand mute technique as well. Not in the same class as Rocco’s especially speed wise (Think What is Hip) is Hip) but effective none the less.

Speaking of muting techniques, I recently recorded a cut of Funky Funky Broadway using 5/8” wide strip out of a cheap sink sponge with my usual DR Low Riders. Talk about authentic??

Our producer sent me a work copy of the rhythm and horns section, plus some added synth part on Thursday. It’s pretty hot. Now we just have to find somebody to sing it. Two of our 5 singers are taking a pass.

Thanks for your comments.