Roundwounds for my jazz

#43
I have no problem at all with threads like this in regards to asking for string opinions, but really, I always feel bad for the OP in the end because you just get like a dozen or so suggestions and it all really just comes down to your own preferences which are not easily translated as words in an internet forum. What one person might suggest as having nice low mids might not be at all what you feel. It all just comes down to trying strings and seeing what you like which is already what you are planning to do.

And I am not saying this to discourage any of the people that have posted suggestions as that is more than welcome. Personally, I just don't think I would ever have the time to truly test so many different strings. I just stick with what I like, and occasionally switch things up when I can to stay interested and see what else is out there in regards to strings.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 4StringDave, alanloomis1980 and Vinny_G
#44
4StringDave said:
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....
Click to expand...
Boomers are nice. They have a great voice to them. My personal favorite has to be Elixir Nano Nickels. According to your preferences though, I'd say SITs or Pressure wounds. For me though, the pressure wounds are really "clicky". But, that's because of the way I play, not really the strings. They work great for a lot of people, and I do love the tone and feel of them. They'd probably be your best bet.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 4StringDave
#45
N4860 said:
I have no problem at all with threads like this in regards to asking for string opinions, but really, I always feel bad for the OP in the end because you just get like a dozen or so suggestions and it all really just comes down to your own preferences which are not easily translated as words in an internet forum. What one person might suggest as having nice low mids might not be at all what you feel. It all just comes down to trying strings and seeing what you like which is already what you are planning to do.

And I am not saying this to discourage any of the people that have posted suggestions as that is more than welcome. Personally, I just don't think I would ever have the time to truly test so many different strings. I just stick with what I like, and occasionally switch things up when I can to stay interested and see what else is out there in regards to strings.
Click to expand...
I had a string thread going, explained what I have tried, and roughly what I was looking for. In the end it just came down to votes (And corresponding description.) Enough came in for one set I was pretty sure I was gonna get anyway, and another set that I hadn’t thought of. It was a worthwhile endeavor, cause I was happy with both sets.
 
  • Like
Reactions: JeezyMcNuggles and 4StringDave
#46

Attachments

  • 0A1A3FBE-0BBF-4C76-97E1-6F594129E742.jpeg
    0A1A3FBE-0BBF-4C76-97E1-6F594129E742.jpeg
    86.1 KB · Views: 24
  • Like
Reactions: 4StringDave
#49
4StringDave said:
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).
Click to expand...

Meaty, Juicy and Growly along with promise MID voice when both J pup run = EB Cobalt Flat 2814.
 
#53
4StringDave said:
I did ask the question as to whether or not pure nickels would be too "soft" an attack. I'm not discounting anything
Click to expand...

Well, DR Pure blues are like that. Not sure it's the attack but they have a definite softness to them. In a good way when that's what you're looking for.
But Cocco strings are pure nickel and not like that at all for instance. (but forget about finding them in France).
 
  • Like
Reactions: Vinny_G and 4StringDave
#54
N4860 said:
I have no problem at all with threads like this in regards to asking for string opinions, but really, I always feel bad for the OP in the end because you just get like a dozen or so suggestions and it all really just comes down to your own preferences which are not easily translated as words in an internet forum. What one person might suggest as having nice low mids might not be at all what you feel. It all just comes down to trying strings and seeing what you like which is already what you are planning to do.

And I am not saying this to discourage any of the people that have posted suggestions as that is more than welcome. Personally, I just don't think I would ever have the time to truly test so many different strings. I just stick with what I like, and occasionally switch things up when I can to stay interested and see what else is out there in regards to strings.
Click to expand...

alanloomis1980 said:
I had a string thread going, explained what I have tried, and roughly what I was looking for. In the end it just came down to votes (And corresponding description.) Enough came in for one set I was pretty sure I was gonna get anyway, and another set that I hadn’t thought of. It was a worthwhile endeavor, cause I was happy with both sets.
Click to expand...

That's the plan - get an idea and go from there. I'll know when I play them
 
  • Like
Reactions: alanloomis1980
#56
crankypants said:
Wait, you can't get strings in France?
Click to expand...

Obviously I can order any brand/string that I want, at a price.

I tend to buy strings online when buying other items too, and we buy as a band, with the guitarists' strings etc etc. We usually buy from either Thomann in Germany or Bax Shop in France which means they don't have everything. Neither carry, for example, GHS Pressurewounds at the moment so it would need to be a one off purchase from somewhere else.
 
#57
Has anyone tried Rotosound Rotobass strings? Bax has their 45-105 set at €13.10 at the moment. A couple of mentions for Rotos in this thread, and I was wondering if these were similar but with no silks?

Other prices:
- GHS Boomers €21.70
- Fender 7250 €16.60
- Dunlops €20.70
- Rotosound Swing €20.90
- Slinkies €22.30

EDIT - Stan Da Man I see you recommended them earlier.
 
Last edited:
#60
The GHS Pressurewounds do exactly what it sounds like you want strings to do and are my #1 favorite string of all time. I don't use regular roundwounds on anything anymore, no need to. They sound BEEFY, big fat bottom, super punchy mids, and clear defined highs without being too zingy and bright. They make less finger and fret noise than regular rounds (but still some, they're not really anything like a flat), feel AMAZING, and last forever (I have them on two of my basses, one set's a year old and the other six months, and they don't really play or sound different than they did at two or three weeks). I'd recommend them above anything out there for what you're describing, and if anyone else thinks they seem even remotely interesting, they should absolutely give them a try because they're just the greatest damn strings in history. They're extra-fantastic for fretless, too.
 
  • Like
Reactions: alanloomis1980
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom
Back