1111000 Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 Just to contribute my 2 pennies o' experience, I tried out the half-round D'Addario XL strings (45-65-80-105) and I really kind've despise them. At first they were novel, because they are so dull-sounding until you really dig in and they immediately shift over to MEGA-BRITE, but now I'm just tired of them. I can't get much nuance out of them--like I said, they are just kind of dull and "thump thump" until you really dig in, and there's not a whole lot of nuance between thump thump and clack clack. They can make some pretty sounds, but I just demand more versatility. Added to that, they are EXTREMELY tense; I really like strings with "snap" to them, the ability to slide off of my finger with ease, to give that "plays like butter" feeling. I also tried D'A XL Chromes of an identical gauge for my fretless and came to dislike them for similar reasons. I am now using TIs, and they were so "buttery" at first that I didn't like them at all, but now I've warmed up to them and I think they've spoiled me into never wanting to play any other brand string. For the record, the best roundwound strings I have played to date would have to be Rotos. Sorry to go all stereotypical on everyone here, but I think they outdo Ernie Ball slinkies (which I used exclusively for the first 4-5 years of playing bass), Fender, and now D'A strings, at least in my world. The best flats I have played are my current TIs. Alright... just reporting in for the good of the great, all-encompassing hive-consciousness that is this forum. cassius Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chewbubba Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 I use DA half-rounds on my fretless. Love 'em. No complaints from me. Although, I wouldn't use them on either of my fretted basses because I wouldn't get the sound I want. Never been a fan of the slinkies (never could get them to walk down the stairs) or rotosounds. Those were my first and second sets of strings ever - it is possible they had sat at the store for many years before I purchased them. I wasn't going to fork over more $$ and find out. A stiffy somewhere in the city sewer system... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave251 Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 In my thirty years experience of repairing instruments....those half rounds are THE stiffest feeling strings I've ever used or played on. That goes for the guitar strings too...yuck... Dave Wendler Instruments Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Capasso Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 I didn't like them either. At the time, Picker was interested, so I sent them that way. Maybe Chewy will take your set? Tom www.stoneflyrocks.com Acoustic Color Be practical as well as generous in your ideals. Keep your eyes on the stars and keep your feet on the ground. - Theodore Roosevelt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul K Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 I'll have your spam. I love it. No. Really. Send them to me. It's OK if they're already trimmed, since I can just put them on the Steiney. (Oh, spell check does not like the word "steiney") Rounds just have too much zzzzzzing for me. Things are just the way they are, and they're only going to get worse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chewbubba Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 Yeah, on my fretless, rounds were too "zingy", and flats were too "whumpy". The halvsies did what I wanted. Create your own adjective in this thread and you earn 10 extra points! A stiffy somewhere in the city sewer system... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davo-London Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 Yes but nickel rounds are the best. Not as zingy as the stainless but still bright of middle or half wounds. Also if the initially zing is not your thing, turn the treble down a touch. But you'll be rewarded with great feel and tone to spare. That was a commercial on behalf of DR Sunbeams ... Davo "We will make you bob your head whether you want to or not". - David Sisk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
... Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 Yeah, on my fretless, rounds were too "zingy", and flats were too "whumpy". The halvsies did what I wanted. Create your own adjective in this thread and you earn 10 extra points! You're whumpy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1111000 Posted November 11, 2008 Author Share Posted November 11, 2008 Whoever wants them can have them. First PM with addy gets it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul K Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 Did I win???? Things are just the way they are, and they're only going to get worse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeremy c Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 When I tried those strings, I found that they went dead very quickly. For strings of that type, I've had much better luck with GHS brite flats, GHS pressure wounds, and Dean Markley ground rounds. Free download of my cd!. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danzilla Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 I alternate between D'A half rounds and Ken Smith Compressors for my fretless Jazz; currently has the half rounds on it. I was going to change strings before I went into the studio last summer, as the strings were 2 1/2-3 years old... but I decided to leave them on. Sorry they don't work for you; and congratulations, Paul! "Am I enough of a freak to be worth paying to see?"- Separated Out (Marillion) NEW band Old band Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b5pilot Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 I never cared for any half-round strings. Too much friction from the sharp corners of the flats in my opinion. They always hurt my fingers. Lydian mode? The only mode I know has the words "pie ala" in front of it. http://www.myspace.com/theeldoradosband Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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