XL Half Rounds Bass

So many things affect your choice of strings, type of music you play, style of playing, amplifiers that you use, sounds you like, type of bass or guitar you have etc etc. The only way to find what works for you is to experiment and sometimes that means working out what you don't like and trying to fix it.I have a Godin Freeway 4 which is a very lively bass with a very clear bright tone and I practice through headphones, every finger movement with round wound strings produces awful squeaks which I wanted to eliminate.These Half-Rounds reduce squeaks dramatically, feel great and sound superb on my bass through my headphones but obviously there is a trade off in tonal range. Most round wounds sound a bit thin on the higher strings and lack real bass tone too, these half rounds seem to give a much better bass tone on all the strings and I have found that I needed to turn the bass knob down on the amp slightly and adjust the mid level to compensate. They can produce brighter tones than flat wounds and have better punch on my bass but may not work well on all bass types. The Godin is a PJ type and they sound great with just the neck pickup which is the split humbucker like a P bass and also sound good with a little of the bridge pickup added in but I don't like the sound they make with just the bridge pickup on. The sound is very thin and weak, might be different with an active bass though.Some people report a slightly 'sticky' feel to the strings which is noticeable at first but you soon get used to it and for me it provides a bit of 'grip' when you press or pluck the strings, it's due to them having finer gaps in the surface compared to rounds. But the larger gaps in rounds are the reason they are so noisy when your fingers slide over them, especially with headphones.I love the silky smooth feel of them, the lack of finger noise, the fuller bass tone and overall 'vintage' sound they make and they work very well for my style of playing and the type of music I like. I also think you might need to set up your bass more specifically to get the best out of them. If you cannot set up your instrument yourself get a professional to do it for you or you won't get the best from it no matter what strings you choose.

These strings feel similar, maybe slightly less smooth, to flatwounds under the fingers but they take noticably less pressure to fret. They bend more like roundwounds.The tone on my jazz bass has a similar thump on the attack to flats but the sustain is far longer.Playing chords sounds good and you benefit from the quietness when moving fingers as you do with flats.Slap is very thumpy and vintage sounding. The high end is mellow compared to rounds, so the pops aren't blaring out.I haven't been using them for very long so I don't yet know if they age well, which is a major benefit of flatwounds.If you like flats but want a bit of the benefits of rounds I would give them a try.

There are mixed reviews for these strings. It seems that you either love them or hate them. Personally, I love them. I first fitted them on a Squier P Bass Special a few years ago and didn't get on with them. Took them off and put them back in the packet. Just recently, I got them out again and put them on a Mexican P Bass fitted with Bloodstone pickups. Absolutely lovely. I've now bought another set to put on a Mex Jazz Bass, also fitted with Bloodstone pickups. Some people say they are sharp on your fingers. Well, I think it's just that they feel different to both roundwounds and flatwounds, and yes they do feel a little bit sharp at times, but you get used to it. I love the tone though. They are not as thumpy as a flatwound and not as bright as a roundwound. Mellow is probably a better description. But you've got to be prepared to let them settle in. A bit like when you fit a new speaker, they need time and use to mature. Try them, they are worth the wait.

I like the fact tgat I don't get that buzz as I did with wounds but I don't find them as smooth as flat wounds. Tone is good.

I have yet to really get to know these strings, but initial sounds are good.

these strings are for me, easily the best for fretless bass

They are a Christmas gift but have bought before so are perfect

These made my sexy custom75 Jazz Bass sound even sexier......i nearly made a sex wee.playing with these strings is very much like making love to a beautiful woman. Smooth to the touch and a lovely bottom end ;-)enjoy!!