Half-Wound
Last updated on 9 years ago
Posted 9 years ago
Fits in with NIC's question but:
Can anyone who uses Hotwire Half-Wounds quantify if they stay fresh longer than Rounds? I realise they will not last as long as Flats -- But are they halfway on string life as well as tone/feel?
Thanks Brendan
Can anyone who uses Hotwire Half-Wounds quantify if they stay fresh longer than Rounds? I realise they will not last as long as Flats -- But are they halfway on string life as well as tone/feel?
Thanks Brendan
How long is a piece of string?
As always it depends on the amount of use they get. I have a set on my S2 which came with the bass six years ago. For me they still have a great tone and have had quite a lot of use.
Judge for yourself.
[movie=youtube]http://youtu.be/8UnhKyVahF4[/movie]
http://youtu.be/8UnhKyVahF4
As always it depends on the amount of use they get. I have a set on my S2 which came with the bass six years ago. For me they still have a great tone and have had quite a lot of use.
Judge for yourself.
[movie=youtube]http://youtu.be/8UnhKyVahF4[/movie]
http://youtu.be/8UnhKyVahF4
Edited by bassbus on 06-01-2015 09:35, 9 years ago
Posted 9 years ago
Wow yeah that is a long piece of string! If they last a year I will be very happy. I change rounds every month! I am inflickted with Rory Gallagher type sweat!!!
B
B
Posted 9 years ago
P.S I can't see the Video!?
B
Update I copied the code and watched on youtube, What a great comparison thanks for that Bassbus
B
Update I copied the code and watched on youtube, What a great comparison thanks for that Bassbus
Edited by Sonic Groove on 06-01-2015 03:19, 9 years ago
I have also been using the same set of Hotwire half-wounds on my Manne Acustibass fretless for years; I must say I am still very happy with the sound.
I used to use Hotwire Half-Wounds also on a MIJ Fender Jazz fretless, I changed them for round-wounds but only because I wanted a more 'gutsy' tone not because the strings were 'dead'.
I also cannot see the video.
Cheers,
Paul
I used to use Hotwire Half-Wounds also on a MIJ Fender Jazz fretless, I changed them for round-wounds but only because I wanted a more 'gutsy' tone not because the strings were 'dead'.
I also cannot see the video.
Cheers,
Paul
Nice comparison Graham, and they each sounded great.
My 90' Wal fretless wears 20 year old Thomastik's flats, and there has been no reason to change them.
I personally don't like roundwounds on a fretless, though I guess it worked for for Mr. Pastorius, on a dead old Fender.
My 90' Wal fretless wears 20 year old Thomastik's flats, and there has been no reason to change them.
I personally don't like roundwounds on a fretless, though I guess it worked for for Mr. Pastorius, on a dead old Fender.
@Bassbus, if you don't mind me asking, how old are the roundwounds in your video?
The rounds are quite new, just on last year. I find rounds give too sharp an attack to the tone for me. Flats do sound good on a phenolic board though. Seems to bring out a slightly clearer tone in them. All IMHO of course.
I'm listening to your video again and again now... what do you mean by clearer? I think there's definitely more of the fundamental, so in a mix I'm guessing it'll come through clearer. I really like the growl the rounds make near the low E though!
Anyway... so these rounds have been on this bass for about a year? It sounds like there's a surprising amount of bite for something that old.
Anyway... so these rounds have been on this bass for about a year? It sounds like there's a surprising amount of bite for something that old.
Quote
Nic wrote:
I'm listening to your video again and again now... what do you mean by clearer? I think there's definitely more of the fundamental, so in a mix I'm guessing it'll come through clearer.
That about sums it up.
Rounds were not on for the whole year, just a bit. A certain Overwater got in the way so I thought I would try rounds on it. They weren't played a huge amount so plenty of life in them. Went back to halfs on the S2 and Overwater and much better on both basses.
Quote
Bassbus wrote:
Quote
Nic wrote:
I'm listening to your video again and again now... what do you mean by clearer? I think there's definitely more of the fundamental, so in a mix I'm guessing it'll come through clearer.
That about sums it up.
Rounds were not on for the whole year, just a bit. A certain Overwater got in the way so I thought I would try rounds on it. They weren't played a huge amount so plenty of life in them. Went back to halfs on the S2 and Overwater and much better on both basses.
I see... if you don't mind me asking for advice, would you recommend the half rounds for a more heavy rock approach? I don't always need the bite, and from your video I noticed the almost new rounds didn't have that much more attack than your 6 year old half rounds. Is this an accurate reflection of the difference between the two sets of strings?
I usually play with most of the treble rolled off which would account for the lack of bite on the rounds.
As for heavy rock, I'm not sure to be honest. I have quite a light touch to my playing and I play jazz orientated music so I can't really speak for rock. I haven't tried them on a fretted instrument either.
As for heavy rock, I'm not sure to be honest. I have quite a light touch to my playing and I play jazz orientated music so I can't really speak for rock. I haven't tried them on a fretted instrument either.
Quote
Bassbus wrote:
I usually play with most of the treble rolled off which would account for the lack of bite on the rounds.
As for heavy rock, I'm not sure to be honest. I have quite a light touch to my playing and I play jazz orientated music so I can't really speak for rock. I haven't tried them on a fretted instrument either.
Yeah, from your recording, I guessed you were very jazz oriented. That's okay then! I use a fretless also, but I'm in favour of the bright roundwound-on-fretless tone. I know a lot of people say it chews up the fingerboard, but I figure fingerboards are for playing and I'll need to resurface eventually anyway.
No wonder your video didn't show a very dramatic difference between the rounds and half rounds... would it have been significantly more if you didn't roll off the treble?
Quote
Nic wrote:
...would it have been significantly more if you didn't roll off the treble?
Yes.
Half wound Hotwires are my Go-To string. Superb for rock IMO, great finger style, picked, slapped (not that I am any good at slapping...). Brilliant strings, normally last around a year with a few gigs a month :)
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Retroactive J / Ashdown amplification and BarefacedBass cabs
merton.bitd.co.uk
Retroactive J / Ashdown amplification and BarefacedBass cabs
I see... thank you so much for taking the time to give me all that information!
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