Roundwounds for my jazz

[FunkHead]

You want Optima Chromes: These are the sweetest string I have ever played. I like DR Pure Blues too but these Chromes are the Schnizz!
Optima Strings | CHROME ELECTRIC BASS | Strings for E-Bass

 

[Copperhead]

Dunlop nickel wound. That is all.

 

[DavC]

also been using GHS Pressurewounds Lights for at least a decade ...

on the way , ... taking forever since I mistakenly order them from across the pond ( UK - US ) saw a decent price for some TI Jazz Rounds ... JR344 ... have JF344 Ti flats on other bass more recently ( still getting used to flats .!? after a hundred years on rounds ) ...

the Ti's look , and i hope are smooth and flexible ... easier on the old arthritic fingers ..

even going to try a set of Ti Plectrums on my acoustic guitar ... !! the quest for less finger pain ..! ( played piano since 1963 )

used GHS Pressurewounds for a long time because they felt good , pretty smooth ... with less finger/fret noise , less fret damage ... i believe because of their outer wraps having a more Oval shape ..!!?! good price ... not real hard to find ... a decent variety of gauges .. ( except their low B is 128 , high C is 32 )

 

[Ggaa]

DR Fatbeams. Compression wound stainless.

 

[PrimitiveMan]

I like DR Pure Blues a lot for a slightly mellow round. GHS pressurewounds are also great strings and even more mellow, but still not dull at all

 

[quilanthegreat]

If you don't find what you're looking for with the strings you've already listed, I am really happy with the Dunlop Super Bright Nickels. I use the 45-105 gauge and they've been my go to string for a good long while now.

 

[4StringDave]

Are stainless steel round wounds in consideration? Rotosound Swing Bass are pretty versatile and lose their initial zing pretty quickly, then settle in to something like you describe, with a midrange unlike any other. There are (were?) plenty of professionals that use(d) them for everything. They sound great on a Jazz.

^^^THIS^^^^

As long as the string doesn't have to be nickel.....

I don't have a problem with SS, and I didn't consciously leave them out

 

[4StringDave]

Any reason you didn’t include GHS Balanced Nickels in your initial list? It’s just my preference for strings on my Jazzes speaking here, but they have surpassed all other strings for my taste on a Jazz.

I did ask the question as to whether or not pure nickels would be too "soft" an attack. I'm not discounting anything

 

[4StringDave]

From your description, I thought of nickel Elixir's.

Actually I forgot about them. I had them on a bass before and seemed decent from memory. Not sure if they'd go broken in quickly enough though, as it's ages since I tried them

 

[silky smoove]

I did ask the question as to whether or not pure nickels would be too "soft" an attack. I'm not discounting anything

Balanced Nickels have plenty of attack to my ears, but obviously tastes vary. As an example, I recently used them on a Jazz for this track and feel like the tone is sufficiently punchy:

 

[buldog5151bass]

Rotosound swing nickels.

 

[4StringDave]

Apologies - when I said narrowed it down, I didn't mean it was a definitive list, more that I think they're the sort of thing I'm looking for. Other suggestions welcome!

 

[4StringDave]

Balanced Nickels have plenty of attack to my ears, but obviously tastes vary. As an example, I recently used them on a Jazz for this track and feel like the tone is sufficiently punchy:

Yeah those sound good. Nice track!

 

[silky smoove]

Yeah those sound good. Nice track!

Thanks!

 

[Hounddog409]

I like XL and Fender 7250 both more than slinkies. Too floppy and clanky.

I’ve just fallen in love with GHS Pressurewounds. They hit a lot of the marks you describe, but I’m thinking you’re looking for something brighter here (though I think you’d really like them. )

Haven’t tried the other GHS strings on your list, so I can’t rule those out. But my gut says 7250s

Slinky's too floppy??????

Must be tuned down or something. Slinky's are anything but floppy.

 

[Hounddog409]

Hi everyone

I know this may have been discussed quite a lot, but since we're in lockdown mode I'd like to take the opportunity of your advice....

After many years of using nickel rounds (Picato, then for the last 10 years XLs) I decided to try out a seet of flats, namely Fender 9050Ls. I find the Fenders good for the 60s band I'm in, but on my other jazz bass I'd like a nice set of rounds.

Here are some relevant points:
- I normally like well worn-in strings, so longevity is not a huge concern, unless they fall off a cliff after only a couple of months
- I never slap - fingerstyle 89% of the time, palm mute/thumb 10%, 1% pick
- I tend to play my jazz either with both pickups up full, or with the bridge pickup turned down a bit
- Music styles - Country rock, blues, pop....

To describe my ideal sound, it would be fairly flat, with good low mid punch. I don't like too bassy/boomy where the note gets muddy, and I'm not fond of any type of mid-scoop effect (which the XLs seem to give when new). So far, from reading topics in this forum, I've narrowed it down to the following:
- GHS Boomers
- GHS Pressurewounds
- GHS Bassics
- EB Slinkys
- Fender 7250s

I'm not sure about availability as I'm in France

I've also been thinking about Pure Nickel strings, but I'm not sure if they would have too soft an attack..?

Am I thinking along the right lines? - any advice appreciated....

Why not save a boatload of money and just buy rounds that feel good? Turn nobs on your amp/EQ to get the sound you want.

 

[wyleeboxer]

I put Dunlop super brights on all my jazz basses, they just work for, my P’s get Pressurewounds or flats.

 

[FirewalZ]

I have similar tastes and style as yours, my favorite strings for my Jazz Bass are Roundcore Boomers and DR Pure Blues.

 

[bassfreakah]

EXTRA SLINKY STAINLESS STEEL ELECTRIC BASS STRINGS - 40-95 GAUGE were my favs for my jazz
now i like
COBALT FLAT SUPER SLINKY FLATWOUND ELECTRIC BASS STRINGS - 45-100 GAUGE the best of the best IMHO
but there are lots of great strings on market now.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

Hi everyone

I know this may have been discussed quite a lot, but since we're in lockdown mode I'd like to take the opportunity of your advice....

After many years of using nickel rounds (Picato, then for the last 10 years XLs) I decided to try out a seet of flats, namely Fender 9050Ls. I find the Fenders good for the 60s band I'm in, but on my other jazz bass I'd like a nice set of rounds.

Here are some relevant points:
- I normally like well worn-in strings, so longevity is not a huge concern, unless they fall off a cliff after only a couple of months
- I never slap - fingerstyle 89% of the time, palm mute/thumb 10%, 1% pick
- I tend to play my jazz either with both pickups up full, or with the bridge pickup turned down a bit
- Music styles - Country rock, blues, pop....

To describe my ideal sound, it would be fairly flat, with good low mid punch. I don't like too bassy/boomy where the note gets muddy, and I'm not fond of any type of mid-scoop effect (which the XLs seem to give when new). So far, from reading topics in this forum, I've narrowed it down to the following:
- GHS Boomers
- GHS Pressurewounds
- GHS Bassics
- EB Slinkys
- Fender 7250s

I'm not sure about availability as I'm in France

I've also been thinking about Pure Nickel strings, but I'm not sure if they would have too soft an attack..?

Am I thinking along the right lines? - any advice appreciated....

Boomers are a great string with good service time. In fact, I have a set right now on my PJ.
I also recommend DR Lo Riders if you’re looking for a more refined tone.