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Post subject: Ground(half)rounds vs. Roundwounds for P Bass
Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2010 6:23 am
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I'm having the string slide squeak problem(short fingers), but occasionally use a pick and don't like the sound of flats for rock, etc. I currently have DR Hi Beams on my MIM and love the way they sound, but the squeak is much more noticeable. I'm using .50 - .105 ga., thinking about trying groundwounds or switching back to D'Addario rounds. Any suggestions?


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Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2010 9:15 am
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I use GHS Brite Flats on my P Bass (.49-.62-.84-.108). They're a good overall compromise between flats and rounds - much more thump than rounds, but much brighter than flats. They're also pretty well balanced from string to string, last a long time and aren't overly expensive.

I should mention that I have the Tony Franklin Fretless P Bass, so a large part of my decision to use Brite Flats was driven by fingerboard preservation. I also have Rickenbacker 4001 that I use Steel DR Low Riders on - this seems to be a good pairing for that particular bass. Still, I'm not sure that I would use Low Riders if my P Bass had frets. I kind of like how things have worked out.


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Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2010 11:41 am
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mattj1stc wrote:
I use GHS Brite Flats on my P Bass (.49-.62-.84-.108). They're a good overall compromise between flats and rounds - much more thump than rounds, but much brighter than flats. They're also pretty well balanced from string to string, last a long time and aren't overly expensive.

I should mention that I have the Tony Franklin Fretless P Bass, so a large part of my decision to use Brite Flats was driven by fingerboard preservation. I also have Rickenbacker 4001 that I use Steel DR Low Riders on - this seems to be a good pairing for that particular bass. Still, I'm not sure that I would use Low Riders if my P Bass had frets. I kind of like how things have worked out.


I am not as familar with the difference in sound of half and flats, but I do agree with mattj1stc's description of the flats in general, you get nore thump and less squeaks.

Legendary bassists (late) James Jamerson, Willie Weeks, (recently) Pino Pallidino are good examples of the tone of flats.

Bottom line, the half's should be a little brighter by the sake of their design (ground down round wound).


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Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2010 2:59 pm
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Thanks for the feedback. I'm thinkin' seriously of putting halfrounds on my '07 Am. Std. Jazz. As far as Wille Weeks, I got the Winwood/Clapton DVD and his tone is KILLIN'!!!


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Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2010 4:14 am
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pressure wounds are great.. they go something in between flat and rounds... which works well during recordings, and also helps lessen finger drag noise...

as for me i'd prefer flatwounds than rounds.. but then again when its DR hi beam and sun beams...


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Posted: Wed Feb 03, 2010 1:52 pm
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I just put D'Addario "groundwounds" on my MIM P and Am.Std. Jazz both today. I'll have to "play them in" for a while(damn the luck) and report back......


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Posted: Thu Feb 04, 2010 5:14 am
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I'm not really a fan of half rounds.. errr.. I'd prefer rounds or flats depending on situations


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Posted: Fri Feb 05, 2010 10:36 pm
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Well, I just got done with the first practice with the band since switching to the halfrounds. I think they seemed pretty pleased with the tone, definitely warmer than I had in the past. This also was the first time I played thru 3 whole sets of songs without ever grabbing a pick! I don't think they sound that great with a pick anyway. They did take some getting used to, a little "sticky" feeling at first but has since smoothed out. So far, so good.....


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Posted: Fri Mar 12, 2010 12:41 am
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I just replaced my daddarios exl 170 (.045-.100) with Fender 7150 ML. Love the tone and hardly any finger drag noise. Anyone have experience with these? the exl were too bright and lacked a warm tone for finger and pick playing.


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Posted: Thu Apr 01, 2010 5:59 pm
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btw.... does anyone know where I can find out the tension specs for these 7150 ML....? just want to compare with what I was using in the past (same gauge exl 170)


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Post subject: They do have their place
Posted: Thu Apr 01, 2010 8:42 pm
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I was reccomended to try these for a few days and see how they react to other bassitsand then let my bass teacher know what I thought' and I must say out the gate they had a crap-load of design infringements but after the dust settled I realized that this bass had some potential and when properly set-up with the correct truss-rod adjustent this bass was not a throw-away bass by no means.
But on to the topic, the strings in question made MY bass sound great and the dont overload the neck with tension making for a probem bass.
I only play Fender and chose to do repair work on them(not saying I draw the line on other names)they dont add a heap of tension and usually come out better than the came in. :)


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Post subject: ever consider?
Posted: Fri Apr 02, 2010 11:02 pm
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when I took my first bass lesson my teacher try out compression wounds on my p-bass to give the bass some more bite over seven or so years and to this day I still recommend them because of the way my bass played and sounder.
they dont put as much tension on the neck as plain ol' flats do and are'nt as dull as a flatwound,for some reason the 40-100's compresers make a fender neck a bit happier,and what I mean is that the string tension is on the money and it does'nt overpull the neck ,I must admit I was a bit skeptable at first but after they broke and and been played a bit they respond to the Fender sound.
I have tried them on other basses and and it was'nt such a big to-do,but Fender responds so well sonically and playability that makes them all a favorite of many,only if I am dead broke will i stray for compression wounds and half grounds are also a very similar BUT just a tad more abrasive texture wise than I prefer, whenI done I am broke and need strings badly, I admit I hustle anyway I can.


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