I honestly couldn’t tell you what gauge they were, so it’s possible I made an unfair conclusion about the brand when I just didn’t like the gauge.
still don’t like the sound of them
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Roundwounds for my jazz
- Thread starter 4StringDave
- Start date
still don’t like the sound of them
If this and 'floppyness' are concerns for you, then I'd say definitely go Lo Riders.
I do like the idea of them. One question - is anyone able to compare them to Rotosound Solo Bass Compression wounds? The rotos seem more available through my usual websites.
I've always wanted to try those, but I've heard they're more like a normal round than the GHS and aren't as silky-smooth-feeling. I hope someone else can answer your question definitively, because I'm very curious myself.
I haven't had a chance to try the Solo Bass 55, but the main difference is the cover wire, Alloy 52 (PW) vs. Stainless Steel (55). I would imagine the SB55 would fall somewhere between the PW and the Roto 66 rounds in terms of brightness. In the light of where you're based, the SB55 may be worth a try.
The Roto Bass Nickels, mentioned earlier in one of your posts, are designed as a no-frill, all-purpose NPS rounds, and as such, they are in the same category as GHS Bassics, D'A XL Nickels, EB Slinkys and Fender 7250. Again, considering where you are, they can be a good option for you.
It is my understanding, based on what I've read, that the SB55's outer round wire is slightly flattened (or rounded off) AFTER it's wound, whereas the outer wire on the PW is "rollerwound", meaning the round wire goes through a precision roller to be flattened into an oval shape BEFORE it's wound.
Round wounds for a single coil bass? I would consider Elixirs or Pressurewounds first. Im not a fan of typical round wounds on brighter single coil pickups.
If your single coil pickups tend to be on the darker side and you want some high-end shimmy, I'd consider Super Brights. Particularly if you play a 5 string with a C rather than low B. I've found Super Brights the best for playing chords.
If the single coils are split coils to lower hum, I'd might consider my old standby for precision pickups which is GHS Boomers. Boomers are great on my precision bass. That bass always wears a set of those.
My precision always wears Boomers. The EBMM Sterling switches off between Fender Flats and Elixirs. And my main bass, the Kiesel Vanquish 5-string switches off between Cobalt Flats and Pressure Wounds depending upon the season.
I usually gig Cobalts for ordinary time, and the PWs for Christmas and a short stretch of Easter season to pickup more brightness. If we have a setlist during ordinary time that would do better with round wounds than flats, I usually bring out my precision for that weekend only. I won't change strings for just a weekend on my Kiesel.
"Honey.... I'm going to need a couple other basses!"
If your single coil pickups tend to be on the darker side and you want some high-end shimmy, I'd consider Super Brights. Particularly if you play a 5 string with a C rather than low B. I've found Super Brights the best for playing chords.
If the single coils are split coils to lower hum, I'd might consider my old standby for precision pickups which is GHS Boomers. Boomers are great on my precision bass. That bass always wears a set of those.
My precision always wears Boomers. The EBMM Sterling switches off between Fender Flats and Elixirs. And my main bass, the Kiesel Vanquish 5-string switches off between Cobalt Flats and Pressure Wounds depending upon the season.
I usually gig Cobalts for ordinary time, and the PWs for Christmas and a short stretch of Easter season to pickup more brightness. If we have a setlist during ordinary time that would do better with round wounds than flats, I usually bring out my precision for that weekend only. I won't change strings for just a weekend on my Kiesel.
"Honey.... I'm going to need a couple other basses!"
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Yeah regular single coils of unknown origin on this bass. I might switch them out for something else later, but for now they sound fine. I am definitely liking the idea of pressurewounds. I have flats and like them on my other jazz bass, but for this one want something a bit more round-like, but without the annoying high end ping
Been using Boomers on my Jazz for 45 years. Needless to say, I still love them.
Ive been playing Slinkys for years. They are very bright when fresh but break in nicely within a few weeks, you can still get a bright sound out of them if you really dig in.
I have a set of Rotobass 40-100 on my FGN Jazz Bass. They are a perfect match for it. I would say they are a little brighter than the Fender 7250 or other NPS strings. Not as aggressive as Swingbass Rotos. For the price you should try them. They likely won't disappoint.
I hardly ever have much to add, but I also use GHS pressure wounds for what you are describing. A bonus is when they start to sound a little too dead for my tastes (after 4-6 months) I soak them in alchohol to clean them and they sound almost like new. Last forever for me and still have enough high range. That said, I was thinking of trying something new just for the fact that I've maybe gotten too comfortable. I know this doesn't help you find this brand in France, but wanted to pass my experience on in case you ever come across them. Good luck in your search.
Have you ever used a set of GHS Pressurewounds? I'm really interested to know how they compare to one another. Rotosound Solo Bass 55s, too, for that matter.
@4StringDave , did you order some strings??
I'm still using the last of my D'Addario XLs, but then I'm not a quick decision maker.....
I think I'm going to buy a set of pressurewounds, a set of Rotosound Rotobass and maybe a set of Boomers. I'll keep you guys posted
Well I’d highly recommend trying the PWs. You sound a lot like me before I tried themI'm still using the last of my D'Addario XLs, but then I'm not a quick decision maker.....
I think I'm going to buy a set of pressurewounds, a set of Rotosound Rotobass and maybe a set of Boomers. I'll keep you guys posted
I’ve done a lot of string swapping the past month or so. (That’s quarantine for ya!
) the fender flats went back on the shelf, the DR sunbeams went back on the P bass and PWs ended up on the PJ. The “broken in round” thing is my comfort zone; but I’m having a blast playing the PWs. They’ve got this twang to them (almost sounds out of phase) but the finger feel and lo mid punch is incredible!
Well I’d highly recommend trying the PWs. You sound a lot like me before I tried them
I’ve done a lot of string swapping the past month or so. (That’s quarantine for ya!
Yeah, that does sound a lot like me..!
I don't have a Jazz Bass, but... seeing as you're in France, and can probably get them without paying a small fortune? I think you might want to give what I have on my Gretsch Broadkaster a try - TI JR324 Jazz Rounds. The 'kaster has pickup issues, and any strings I tried, other than heavy, Old School flats, sounded like I was playing a baritone guitar. I'd bought the JRs by mistake, and put them on the Gretsch just to put them on something. Imagine my surprise when the Gretsch actually sounded like a bass - and with rounds, no less. They probably won't last as long as TI Jazz Flats, but the word is that they're very long lived for rounds. And, they sure do sound good...