Half Rounds for Pbass?

[Gaebrial]

So I am getting my first pbass in the mail next week (early 90s MIM), and I need to get some strings for it. I would want to get some roundwounds since I like the idea of a piano-like sound, but I don't like the way they feel and I don't want to wear the frets/fretboard as much as they seem to. I bought some d'addario half rounds for a project bass I am working on, and I love the way they feel on my fingers. I need to be able to play the widest variety of music possible on this, so I am worried that maybe half wounds are too mellow. I really don't have a lot of experience with bass, so I don't have a lot to go off of.

So here is the question: are half wounds not as flexible genre-wise as rounds? Are there perhaps brighter half rounds that I can use? I am not even sure if I am asking the right questions, so maybe your opinions will help.

 

[michael_t]

...are half wounds not as flexible genre-wise as rounds?

"Versatility" is ultimately with the player, not the strings. That said, if you've already liked the D'A half-rounds in the past, then why not? Not sure about them being "piano-like", though.

Are there perhaps brighter half rounds that I can use?

For half-rounds, I would probably go with the GHS Brite Flats, which seem to get more love around here than the D'A.

My favorite is the GHS Pressurewound, which are closer to rounds than the half-rounds but slightly mellower and meatier in tone and smoother in texture under your fingers than a typical set of rounds.

 

[Nighttrain1127]

According to the GHS chart the Pressure wounds are one step above the flats as far as being mellow. They are my Favorite strings also and there is some brightness to them . They are not dull strings and they are good for just about any music styles

 

[Marko 1]

I need to be able to play the widest variety of music possible on this,

Rounds. Spin your tone knob down as needed.

 

[73jbass]

Pressurewounds. Only way to go.

 

[Gorn]

Labella quarter rounds.

 

[Gaebrial]

Labella quarter rounds.

Has anyone tried these? How do they compare against round/flatwounds? Maybe I'll order a set of these online.

Is there perhaps a softer roundwounds? Are GHS Bass Boomers any good? I think the stores have them here locally.

I am trying to get a set I'd like right off the bat as I don't have money to be throwing around at the moment.

 

[Gorn]

Has anyone tried these? How do they compare against round/flatwounds? Maybe I'll order a set of these online.

Is there perhaps a softer roundwounds? Are GHS Bass Boomers any good? I think the stores have them here locally.

I am trying to get a set I'd like right off the bat as I don't have money to be throwing around at the moment.

I wouldn't have suggested them if I hadn't tried them. They're exellent strings. They feel more or less like flats but with plenty of round wound bite.

The softest round wounds available are TI jazz rounds. Expensive but fantastic. DR sunbeams are soft and much cheaper.

Boomers are middle of the road nickel rounds. I don't care for them but they're very popular.

 

[yodedude2]

i am still using pressurewounds. i like them lots.

 

[michael_t]

DR sunbeams are soft and much cheaper.

Boomers are middle of the road nickel rounds.

The Sunbeams are very supple and flexible due to the round core.

Keep in mind the Boomers now come in two versions, hex-core and round-core. If you like something that's easy to play on, you might want to try the round-core version.

 

[SirMjac28]

Has anyone tried these? How do they compare against round/flatwounds? Maybe I'll order a set of these online.

Is there perhaps a softer roundwounds? Are GHS Bass Boomers any good? I think the stores have them here locally.

I am trying to get a set I'd like right off the bat as I don't have money to be throwing around at the moment.

Bass Boomers are very good they are the only string I use for my P bass they are very finger friendly.

 

[Gaebrial]

I want to get the most middle of the road, the most "vanilla" if you will, sounding strings possible since I am just starting out and want to figure out what sort of this. I don't mind roundwounds too much, but I don't particularly care for the way they feel. I liked how halfwounds felt, but I am worried that they might be too dark and I'll be missing out on some tonal qualities of the pbass.

Or maybe I am overthinking it. Or underthinking it. Or thinking about it the correct amount, but in the wrong direction.

 

[Gorn]

Or maybe I am overthinking it.

This is correct. Any functional strings on any functional bass are all you need right now. Refining your sound can come later. Learning technique and learning how to groove is all you should be concentrating on at this point in your bass playing career.