D'Addario Guitar Strings - XL Half Rounds Electric Guitar Strings - Semi-Flat Wound - Bright Tone, Smooth Feel, Reduced Finger Noise - EHR350 - Jazz Light, 12-52

For those unaware of half round strings, D'addario winds these with round wire, but then grinds the surface smooth. The result is a string that still has much of the brightness of round wounds, but with the smoothness to touch of flatwounds. Although I haven't got round to using my eleven top half round strings, previous experience of half rounds tells me that I should have enjoyed these strings but there was a problem.Back in the seventies when I first discovered half rounds, I was advised that I should actually go down a set in gauge and back then this is what I did. For several years they were my favourite string but for many years they were unobtainable here. Nowadays I play jazz, usually on tapewound strings, 12 top gauge, whatever the brand. Last year and suspecting that I would enjoy half rounds nowadays I bought two sets of 12s. Unfortunately, I didn't enjoy them, finding them unresponsive. Remembering that over thirty year old advice to go down a gauge with half rounds, I decided to try a set of 11 tops, but there was a problem since this gauge of half rounds has a plain third.I explained my problem to Daddario who are sending me three .022 wound thirds so that I can use this set and manage with another two sets. That was very kind. When I explained that many players prefer wound thirds, and that a few manufacturers sell sets with a choice of wound and unwound thirds, they told me they would consider issue, which was very nice.The issue of going down a set in gauge is slightly strange because since D'addario nowadays lists the tension of each string, I find that half rounds have a tension that is not significantly greater than other types. I can only assume that the way they are made leads to the use of a thicker core, which leads to a less flexible string.Other than the provisos above, I have found half rounds to be great strings to play- almost as bright as a regular round wound string, but smooth and long lasting. The absence of string squeak is a major bonus.

These are a lovely string and offer a unique tone with a little more trebble than usnal. There are softer than normal, so go for a gauge higher. Fitted to a '77 Les Paul.

I guess I have got used to flat wound strings but thought I'd give these a try. They don't have the smooth feel of flat wound but no-one the less make little noise when sliding along the strings just a less lively feel. A little disappointed that the g string has corrosion marks along it's length. However the price is good.

I’m finding with my Strat that these work very well. Nice tones. No string noise. They bend well. I’m really “sold” on these.

The packaging was undamaged, yet the strings were sticky and severely tarnished with paint chipping off the ball ends. This is the forth set of D'Addario's from Amazon that have arrived in unacceptable condition. D'Addario's customer service is great and they will most likely offer a free replacement or some form of compensation; however, this shouldn't have happened in a first place.

I have been using these string for years. Thee are better quality strings available but not at this price point.

One of my favourite guitar strings for many reasons, but to mention just a few: no finger noise or almost it at all, not very bright (my taste obviously), when bending/using vibrato in clean or close to clean sounds, the sound is smooth and you can barely hear or you get almost no string noise, they tend to go into microphony (squeaking sound when cords are left for a while) quite late but I’d close to the amp, if behaves the opposite (depending on guitar/amp), less fret wearing, which is very good.

The perfect combination of bright tone and smooth playing, the half round on the bass strings nicely mellows them but the bass sound is still strong. For Blues, Rock and into some Jazz I would recommend them.My favorite part, is that even from fisrt note played there is none of that 'new string' twang that normally comes from new wound strings. Play well staight from new..