Gasp, I've just ordered a set of roundwound strings!

[ossyrocks]

I've been a die hard flats kind of chap, and currently my Fender Precision  basses are strung with LaBella Low Tension Flats.

 

80% of the time I love them, but on sweaty summer festival stages, and hot pub/club gigs, they can really get sticky and grabby, and feel the opposite of smooth and glidey. Also, on some of those gigs, the amps provided are a bit hit and miss, and at our latest gig this weekend, I was far from impressed by an Ampeg SVT-3, which in the hurried set up I just couldn't dial in to my satisfaction despite starting from a flat EQ. The resulting tone was "wooly" at best, and bear in mind, I do like an old school tone!. Think Sean Hurley and Pino with John Mayer and that's my target.

 

So, I've decided to carry a bass strung with rounds. I may even use that bass over the others at first to give them a fair go, and see what I think.

 

For the more nerdy among us, the strings I've ordered are LaBella RX-N4D 45-65-85-105

 

I would like to know if you play both, and in what situations you choose one over the other.

 

Anyway, thanks for listening.

 

Rob,

Edited 2 hours ago by ossyrocks

[Steve Browning]

I have rounds on one of my basses. The band leader wants that sound. I'm ok with it, but I use the lowest value bass. 

 

I recognise the occasional stickiness of flats that you describe. I just lick my fingers a lot!!

[ossyrocks]

10 minutes ago, Steve Browning said:

I have rounds on one of my basses. The band leader wants that sound. I'm ok with it, but I use the lowest value bass. 

 

I recognise the occasional stickiness of flats that you describe. I just lick my fingers a lot!!

 

I'm using D'Addario XLR8 for lube....ooo err, but sometimes it's just not enough. I have three early 70's P basses, so I figured it's no big deal to string one of them up with rounds. 

Given that you seem to prefer flats, how do you deal with the rounds?

[itu]

For me rounds are the thing, but finding the right set took quite a lot of time.

 

1) The right one here means that I use two brands, but similar gauge sets (SS RW) in every bass I have.

 

2) This helps to carry an extra set in a bass case, because that one suits, yes, every bass.

 

3) It's cheaper to order 10 sets at one time than 1 set 10 times.

 

4) The feel is nearly the same through all instruments, although scale lengths (33.8 - 36") have some effect on it. 

 

Maybe I am a fanboi of the string sets I use now, but there was a long and pricey trial and error period. Someone asks why I do not list the sets? Only because I believe that everyone should test different sets and find the right types, brands, and gauges that go together with the instruments and playing styles people have. My choice most probably isn't suitable for you. 

 

How I see strings: 

- tapewound: short sustain, lousy sound (which isn't automatically a bad one) 

- flatwound: a bit more of everything to TWs 

- groundwound: see previous 

 

Every set mentioned so far can be held in a bass until a fret cuts the surface of the string. 

 

- Ni RW: flat, pretty full response, good for rock, and fretless 

- SS RW: enhances highs and lows, thin sets can be really twangy (Miller and King obviously change their strings after few hours of playing) 

 

Specialities like a piccolo set can be fun for some time. 

[Steve Browning]

33 minutes ago, ossyrocks said:

 

I'm using D'Addario XLR8 for lube....ooo err, but sometimes it's just not enough. I have three early 70's P basses, so I figured it's no big deal to string one of them up with rounds. 

Given that you seem to prefer flats, how do you deal with the rounds?

To be honest, they do a job and little more. They play fine and don't have any of the sticking but I don't really like the sound much.

 

Old rounds are ok, but you have to endure the twang to get there!