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Who likes dead roundwounds?

Ryan Mohr

Ryan Mohr

Oct 23, 2007
3,032
26
#1
Maybe I'm alone on this one, but I dig the sound and feel of dead, or very broken in roundwounds. I don't mind new strings, but I would much rather have a year-old set of rounds. Also, I prefer nickel rounds because I like a warmer, smoother tone. My current favorites are DR nickel lo-riders and Fender 7150s.

I play passive P and J basses, and I love vintage tone, so I suppose this is natural for me. I have tried flats and love the tone of them, but I can never get used to the feel and tension. When a set of nickel rounds goes dead, I get a nice thumpy tone similar to flats but I can get a little pickstyle grind when I need it. This is something I can't do with flats. Also, I find that I can play quicker on dead rounds compared to dead flats.

I'm not going to go bashing guys that like new strings and change steel rounds every couple of gigs, because I know that sound is desirable for a lot of modern funk. But I find that I can still get a great slap tone with flats. Even Larry Graham used black tapewounds for his slap stuff.

I also see a lot of guys that do use strings for several months, and dig the worn-in vibe, but end up changing them when they go completey dead. My question is why, I would just like to know your perspective.

Heck, even Paul Turner who is my biggest influence goes by this philosophy (dead DR hi-beams I think):

Dead strings are funkier – discuss!
I agree, although years ago I didn’t and these feelings sometimes change in time. I always have a bass strung with flats too, but my favourite is “played-in” steel rounds. I like a darker thud, even for slap. I’d never argue against a tone like Marcus Miller but it’s generally not what I’m looking for. I’m not looking for lots of top and zing and often don’t change strings at all, especially on my Music Man basses.
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Here are some examples of his tone:

So who digs dead rounds, either nickel or steel?
 
#2
I don't like the sound of super dead strings exclusively, but do like the sound of broken in strings. For me the best tone from strings is usually after a good month or more after break in. It gives a nice finger style tone with just enough grit for texture and a good slap tone without harsh brightness. Brand new strings are too clanky and bright. Dead strings do give a nice deep thump similar to flats if thats what you like. It all depends on what tone you are looking for. For certain styles, I can see why dead string tone would be appealing and would work.

Ive always loved Paul Turners Fender bass tones he gets in those Abbey road recordings. Great jazz tone on that song.

Also love his P-bass tone on Runaway
 
#4
I use really dead rounds on all my basses. You get an edge flats don't have.
The rounds on my passive G&L JB-2 are 3 years old.
They sound great on stingrays to.
I would not compare dead rounds to flats, they are just another color of sound from you toolbox.
 
#5
I honestly don't understand the point of discussing things like this in depth. Why do you care what other people think about your string preference?

People need to just do what they like to do and leave it at that.
 
#7
adamrobertt said:
I honestly don't understand the point of discussing things like this in depth. Why do you care what other people think about your string preference?
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I honestly don't understand the point of getting on his case for asking for opinions and making an inquiry. Why do you care if people want to discuss strings in the strings forum of a bass enthusiast site? Isn't that what these forums are for :rolleyes:
 
#8
Rounds are too hard on me fingers. I prefer Half Rounds instead. Last set I had were 20 yrs old. Recently changed them and sure a little brighter but not much.

Just bought a Squier Classic Vibe and put Flats on it and love them. There's really a difference between dead sound and softer tone. I'd say dead doesn't resonate or sustain.
Not a problem for me with Half Rounds or Flat.

Rounds are just too scratchy sounding. Maybe that's why you like them better after a year old, but they'd still have that terrible feel to them compared to the others.
Unless the grooves fill up with dirt. lol
 
#10
adamrobertt said:
I honestly don't understand the point of discussing things like this in depth. Why do you care what other people think about your string preference?

People need to just do what they like to do and leave it at that.
Click to expand...

I just wanted to hear some different perspectives, where other people come from.

Also, this is an internet forum focused on bass gear, and many of us like to discuss.
 
#11
wildhorse said:
Rounds are too hard on me fingers. I prefer Half Rounds instead. Last set I had were 20 yrs old. Recently changed them and sure a little brighter but not much.

Just bought a Squier Classic Vibe and put Flats on it and love them. There's really a difference between dead sound and softer tone. I'd say dead doesn't resonate or sustain.
Not a problem for me with Half Rounds or Flat.

Rounds are just too scratchy sounding. Maybe that's why you like them better after a year old, but they'd still have that terrible feel to them compared to the others.
Unless the grooves fill up with dirt. lol
Click to expand...

Fair enough, I just like the lighter tension of rounds. I hate the feeling of new steel rounds, but dead nickel rounds feel pertty darn good to me.
 
#12
Stee Flo said:
I don't like the sound of super dead strings exclusively, but do like the sound of broken in strings. For me the best tone from strings is usually after a good month or more after break in. It gives a nice finger style tone with just enough grit for texture and a good slap tone without harsh brightness. Brand new strings are too clanky and bright. Dead strings do give a nice deep thump similar to flats if thats what you like. It all depends on what tone you are looking for. For certain styles, I can see why dead string tone would be appealing and would work.

Ive always loved Paul Turners Fender bass tones he gets in those Abbey road recordings. Great jazz tone on that song.

Also love his P-bass tone on Runaway
Click to expand...


I probably fall in the same camp as you. Paul's tone is amazing in all the live stuff, really warm and fat but still clear and defined. I strive to get his tone because it works best for me and my style of music. His P bass tone definitely is killer as well.
 
#13
I like rounds that are well broken in. In fact, the only time I ever change strings is to put on a set I like when I first buy a new bass or before. I'd also change them if I broke a string but so far I've never broken one.
 
#14
Ryan Mohr said:
I just wanted to hear some different perspectives, where other people come from.

Also, this is an internet forum focused on bass gear, and many of us like to discuss.
Click to expand...
No explanation needed. I think most of us expect gear to be discussed on a gear discussion forum. :rolleyes:

I like nickel rounds between "new" and "dead." The trick is finding the ones that stay in that zone for a reasonable length of time. D'Addario XLs are working for me right now.
 
#17
adamrobertt said:
I honestly don't understand the point of discussing things like this in depth. Why do you care what other people think about your string preference?

People need to just do what they like to do and leave it at that.
Click to expand...


A thread is like a cocktail party. As you pass a group discussing something that does not interest you, do you stick your nose in and offend them by saying so, or polightly pass them by in search of what makes you groove? Your choice.
 
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#20
Ryan Mohr said:
I also see a lot of guys that do use strings for several months, and dig the worn-in vibe, but end up changing them when they go completey dead. My question is why, I would just like to know your perspective.
Click to expand...

Well, beyond the fact that playing bass strings that are devoid of resonance and life kind of defeats the purpose for me, there's also the issue of intonation: dead, worn-out strings simply lose their natural elasticity and their ability to hold a consistent intonation. They become nearly impossible to keep in tune. Plus, they sound like crap... :eyebrow:

Not my kind of thing - at all...

MM
 

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