I am curious as to what rounds those folks who fancy themselves as predominantly flatwound users like? I love LaBella and TI flats but have had my roundwound world turned out.... I have been a recent D'Addario Nickel XL convert in the past few years and I used to like DR's. I am looking for more fundamental pitch, less zing yet I really must have a very flexible string for my carpal tunnel and neuropathy.
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I'm still searching. I use TI flats on my P bass and it's perfect. I have a EBMM Sterling that I keep switching rounds on, trying to find "the tone". It's a little on the hot side output wise, so I've been trying to find strings that aren't so zingy. I've kind of settled on Round Core Boomers, but I had forgotten about Gorns answer of the TI Rounds. Those may end my search.
For rounds I prefer nickel DRs, either Sunbeam or Lo-Rider, depending on how stiff you like your strings. They give you a classic round tone, but not crazy bright and focus on the fundamental really well.
Easy answer, D'Addario EXL170BT's. Nice and inexpensive. The Balanced Tension is swift on the wrist. Beautiful. Easy. Affordable. Long lasting too. An easy 90 to 120 playing hour stringset.
I am currently using Labella's Stainless round wounds on 3 of my 13 basses I am liking them a lot so far. the others with round wound are DR Neons
TI jazz rounds are the only rounds I like. Been through lots of them, and didn't like any. I still play mainly flats, but keep the jazz rounds on one bass.
As far as saving money goes, those TI jazz rounds will last at least four times as long as any rounds I've used previously. Once broken in, they keep their tone.
As far as saving money goes, those TI jazz rounds will last at least four times as long as any rounds I've used previously. Once broken in, they keep their tone.
Any new-to-me 34" scale bass gets EB Hybrid Slinkys on it, as soon after the function check as possible. Especially if it has D'Addarios on it. Not because they're bad strings, but because I'm seriously allergic to what ever they use in their polishing/finishing process. The Slinkys are in the same class as the EXL 170s; decent sounding, consistent quality, and inexpensive; but, they don't make my hands itch...
And, sometimes they give me the sound I want from that bass, so there they stay. But usually they're just a known starting point to begin my search for "That Sound". The only other rounds I use (if you don't count Tapes as rounds) are the short scale GHS Bass Boomers. On my Kramer Duke Special, they most definitely give me "That Sound"....
And, sometimes they give me the sound I want from that bass, so there they stay. But usually they're just a known starting point to begin my search for "That Sound". The only other rounds I use (if you don't count Tapes as rounds) are the short scale GHS Bass Boomers. On my Kramer Duke Special, they most definitely give me "That Sound"....
Dedicated 760FL user here. When it comes to rounds, Dunlop SBN's because they are the opposite of flats.
I can suggest the rotosound nickel rounds. Once they loose their zing I find them very fundamental sounding while keeping a good raw tone with nice mids. They sound a bit like d'addario Chromes but with a little bit less low end and more texture.
I'm trying out the GHS Boomers (custom, 45-60-80-105) on my P for the first time and so far really liking them for their punchy low-mids with very little zing up top. Stiff enough for me to be able to switch back and forth with the Fender 9050CL (45-60-80-105) on my J without having to adjust the playing technique too much.
For something more flexible/supple, I would recommend the Round Core Boomers, either 45-65-80-100 or even 40-55-75-95.