Certain bass strings

5am3 · #1 09-16-2010, 04:56 AM

On certain bass strings I've seen coloured material on the headstock end of the string, what does this do? Whenever I've bought strings I've never had that material on it.

magic papa · #2 09-16-2010, 05:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5am3

On certain bass strings I've seen coloured material on the headstock end of the string, what does this do? Whenever I've bought strings I've never had that material on it.

It's called silk. Does absolutely nothing. It's just for decoration purposes

Baron Von Vik · #3 09-16-2010, 05:25 AM

It's pretty, and therefore awesome. I use Elixirs exclusively, and they have it, so bonus.

Nic. · #4 09-16-2010, 05:29 AM

It's essential to get the right sound for metal. All the best basses for metal have them.

5am3 · #5 09-16-2010, 05:31 AM

So it poses no real purpose other than to look nice? You live and learn

gjuro · #6 09-16-2010, 05:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5am3

So it poses no real purpose other than to look nice? You live and learn

it prevents string scratching on tuners. I could see it being useful if you have black hardware you want to keep it untouched

**SamanthaCay** · #7 09-16-2010, 05:53 AM

Wow I can’t believe there have been six posts in this thread and nobody got it right.
The silk wrap is there so that if a string decides to unwind it will most likely be stopped by the silk.

Muaguana · #8 09-16-2010, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buchananbass

Wow I can’t believe there have been six posts in this thread and nobody got it right.
The silk wrap is there so that if a string decides to unwind it will most likely be stopped by the silk.

Gotta watch out for them strings... they're starting to become self aware.

darkstorm · #9 09-16-2010, 07:10 PM

Its there to look nice. I like red silk wrap best, with blue getting my vote for 2nd best looking.

scootron · #10 09-16-2010, 07:26 PM

Haven't there been a couple of threads which help identify brand and type of string by the color of silks?

I know you can find sites online that will tell you that for double bass strings, but I haven't found a site for electric bass strings. Anyone know where that information can be found?

I've got a great set of strings with blue/purple silks on both ends, and I would like to buy another set, but I don't know what they are. (I didn't buy them new.) Sometimes you'll get strings on a used bass you buy that are superb, but you can't find what they are.

Baron Von Vik · #11 09-17-2010, 12:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buchananbass

Wow I can’t believe there have been six posts in this thread and nobody got it right.
The silk wrap is there so that if a string decides to unwind it will most likely be stopped by the silk.

I wish my strings would decide to play themselves better than I do. Then I could unwind... with a beer.

mmbongo · #12 09-17-2010, 05:36 AM

It's there to prevent metal-to-metal contact with your tuners, preventing scratching as was already explained. It also helps with 'vibrations' you could get with metal-to-metal, but I've never noticed that to be a problem. I don't use silked strings, they look quite gaudy after a while.

scootron · #13 09-17-2010, 07:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmbongo

It's there to prevent metal-to-metal contact with your tuners, preventing scratching as was already explained. It also helps with 'vibrations' you could get with metal-to-metal, but I've never noticed that to be a problem. I don't use silked strings, they look quite gaudy after a while.

What strings do you recommend that are not silked?

ggunn · #14 09-17-2010, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nic.

It's essential to get the right sound for metal. All the best basses for metal have them.

The best strings for playing metal are strings made out of metal. Duh.

4OnTheFloor · #15 09-17-2010, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scootron

What strings do you recommend that are not silked?

Rotosound Swing Bass 66 RN66LD

ggunn · #16 09-17-2010, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4OnTheFloor

Rotosound Swing Bass 66 RN66LD

I just last week put a set of Rotosound Swing 66's on my Epic 5. They have red silk on both ends.

strappa · #17 09-17-2010, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scootron

What strings do you recommend that are not silked?

DR Hi Beams

mmbongo · #18 09-18-2010, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scootron

What strings do you recommend that are not silked?

Dunlop
DR
D'Addario

knucklehead G · #19 09-18-2010, 08:22 PM

EB Slinkys. Go for coated, you won't regret it.

bassyRyan · #20 09-18-2010, 09:32 PM

Depending on what you like, I can highly recommend DR.
Do you like your strings "stiff" feeling? Try the Lo-Riders. Do you like them more "pliable" or "loose" feeling? Then Sunbeams might be your thing. But that's just a starting point. I think DR are almost second to none as far as tension and tone go for roundwound strings. Many will disagree but they are simply wrong.