Switching from rounds to half wounds

#41
bluesdoubler said:
I fell in love with EB Colbalt Flats on my jazz bass. Playing with the tone knob and plucking locations gives me all sorts of versatile tones. My RB-V has gone from GHS pressure wounds to Ken Smith Compressors (pressurewound style, I think). I prefer the Compressors to the GHS equivalent. Minor differences to my ears. I put pressurewounds on my 51-reissue and am in bass heaven with that instrument.
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I'm currently trying EB Cobalt Flats on my single coil P-bass as well. I think your point about twiddling the tone knob and plucking locations is true - you can get everything from deep thud to growl and clank very quickly with them. These strings are the perfect answer for anybody who wants the best of both worlds.
 
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#43
I've been using D'Addario XL Half Wounds for years and love them on ALL my basses, fretted and fretless. They give me the push and tone while allowing me to also go bright when I need to. Mind you, my tone is very electric earthy jazz/blues and I swear by tube amps and sealed 10's.
 
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#45
I've avoided this topic in the past because folks feel so strongly about this topic, particularly half rounds.

I have used both D'Addario Half Rounds and GHS Pressurewounds on several basses. I've had best luck with them on P-basses. A '73 P-bass only wears Half Rounds. I've tried all kinds of other strings, but that bass just sings with Half Rounds. It sounds like a piano with those strings, and it's led to some interesting styles in my sound arsenal. I had to raise an eyebrow when I read the earlier comment about it encouraging you to play more, because I'd never thought about that but it*might* be true.

GHS Pressurewounds are also very agreeable strings. I've had them on and off a fretless P-bass where I've liked them the most. The sound and feel transfer well to other basses, too.

I would recommend trying either/both of these if you play a Precision bass. YMMV of course, but I haven't been disappointed. I'm not sure what you will get with an active bass, though.

As to the fretless mwah sound, I am completely convinced that it's all in the planing of the fingerboard and the setup of the bass. I had terrible fretless GAS until Mark Brown setup my fretless Precision. Mwah like crazy, and I've never been inclined to pull the trigger on another fretless once I go home and play that bass. And I'm talking YEARS here. Unremarkable P-bass from an unremarkable year, with amazing setup and sound.

Good luck on your tonal journey!
 
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#46
Bob Clayton said:
I love my D'addario half-rounds. Next time I change my strings on my main bass, they're going back on.
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I use the Half Rounds on all my basses, fretted and fretless... LOVE 'em. I can understand peoples reaction to their 'stickiness' when they're new but once they warm up, they're fantastic! IMHO
 
#47
Tony B. Filthy said:
I'm currently trying EB Cobalt Flats on my single coil P-bass as well. I think your point about twiddling the tone knob and plucking locations is true - you can get everything from deep thud to growl and clank very quickly with them. These strings are the perfect answer for anybody who wants the best of both worlds.
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Have you had any issues with the Colbalts being strung through the body?
 
#52
I've been using GHS Brite Flats (essentially groundwound halfrounds) on my EABG modded with a Kent Armstrong humbucker for two years. Very happy with the tone and feel. The so called "stickeyness" wore off after a few hours.
 
#53
mbart203 said:
Hi guys,
I'm looking to get away from round wounds but don't want to go to flats.

I'd love to hear your opinions on half wounds and pressure wounds.

I'm looking to get smoother sliding with less noise.I'm hoping that half wounds will give me sort of the best of both worlds. I'm also aware of the importance of technique and I'm working on that too.

I play across several types of music including rock and at church, I play a contemporary Christian style.

Thanks.
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I've got D'Addario ENR-70 super light half round strings on all my basses. I love 'em. No zing. Sounds good to me. Cheaper than flats.
 
#54
Mike Sorr said:
Settle a debate for me, I have been told that the only way to get a really good fretless “mwah” sound, aside from the obvious plucking and fingering technique, is with rounds. I just picked up a Musicman fretless with a pau ferro board. I want that good “mwah” but I don’t want to chew up the fretboard. I have owned other fretless and have only used rounds, but this is the first time I’ve owned one with a pau ferro fretboard. Usually they’re maple, ebony or ebenol. I’m by no means a full time fretless player, but I do love the sound of fretless and would like to put a lot more time in on my new bass. Anyway, what strings do you fretless players recommend for maximum mwah and minimum fretboard wear?
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Soon to put on my second set of Rotosound RN66LD Nickel over steel roundwounds on my Pau Ferro boarded fretless. There are some shiny lines (small and horizontal from the windings) on the wood, inevitable due to string contact polishing the wood a bit. But no deep grooves under the strings or destruction. Mwah for days. I somehow manage not to do bends or other fretted-type techniques on this bass that would destroy a fretless board, though still play fretted bass and guitar. Technique helps.

I tried DadDario exl165 Nickel before these, similar performance but the Roto tone has more oomph to me. At first tried coated strings exp165 (new fretless paranoia days) and they were ok but the mwah always sounded a little plastic-y to me.
 
#56
Mike Sorr said:
Anyway, what strings do you fretless players recommend for maximum mwah and minimum fretboard wear?
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Unless you dig in unusually hard with your left hand you really shouldn’t have too much to worry about. I know there are players who chew through fingerboards, and some have posted vehemently here on TB, but I believe they are in the minority.

My pau ferro fretless Ray has been with me for 23 years and has only ever worn rounds or Ken Smith compressors. The fingerboard is fine. I don’t think I play it with an exceptionally light touch - I just play it. Same goes for my rosewood fretless basses. I’ve always chosen strings based upon the sound I’m after rather than the potential for fingerboard damage. It’s never been much of an issue for me. YMMV!

If you’re really concerned about it, TI flats are very flexible and strong in mids which, IMO, makes them just about ideal for a mwah sound as far as flats go. I strongly suggest not losing a lot of sleep over it and just using strings you like.
 
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#59
OP, I tried half rounds (also called ground wounds) on one of my basses about seven years ago. I took them off after a few days and went for the real thing, flat wounds. Maybe me, but I experienced them like wannabe flats. They didn't feel like the real thing and their tone was thin like my granny's coffee.
 
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#60
My vote is for the EB Cobalt Flats. I've had them on my primary bass for about 2 months, and I like the tone and feel. These were the first flats I've ever used and I have a set of TI's which I will be trying out on another Jazz, but I'm quite satisfied with the EB's.
 
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