Circle K strings...

[KingRazor]

I'm trying the .106 set next for 4-string.

If I planned on drop-tuning at all I'd probably go .112.

I have the .100 set on right now (before the gauge changes) and they're a tad light for me.

[FunkMetalBass]

I'm torn. I want to make my P-bass project a subcontra bass. Should I get the .220 set and tune it EADG an octave below? Or should I get the .254 set and tune it C#F#BE?

[AmpedSilence]

just order the .106 4-string set. I'm a big fan of the Dunlop steelies altough not very versitile in tone; tried the DR nickel Sunbeams, felt they were a bit too mellow.

perhaps these will be a good median between the two tones!

[Randyt]

Is .022 or .023 the lightest wound string for "C" that circle k builds? Thinking about the .118 or .112 set for my 6xer and buying the .022(wound) to substitute for the .020 plain string....i know the balance will be off slightly but i think this will be subtle but the plain to wound for me will not.

[ixlramp]

As far as i know, the lightest wound C is a .025.
According to the tension chart, .008-.023 is plain, .025-.254 wound.
However according to the single string page, the .023 is wound ... this may be an error, i trust the tension chart
Also, since a wound string has gaps in it's structure, a .022 wound has a similar mass (and therefore similar tension) to a .020 plain. Roughly, the tension equivalent wound has a gauge larger by .002 (can check that by looking at unit weights here http://www.daddario.com/upload/tension_chart_13934.pdf)

[Randyt]

ixlramp....thank you for the help..yes the two confilicting items are confusing...i sent an email to circle K just to make sure.

[neebs]

I ordered a set last thursday night, and received them today. So that's a very quick delivery time from Circle K to central valley region of California. I'm about to put them on, I'm totally excited, and intrigued by the tapered e, and balanced tension.

[Randyt]

i play the .124 set on my 6xer's...just ordered the .118 set....124 set is fantastic, balanced even tones, easy on the fingers...smoother than the Fodera/DR's/ ..just thought i would try something lighter.
i ordered the .025 singles for the C...not sure about the plain strings.

[neebs]

I really enjoy these strings on my passive pj bass. The .112 set on my bass sounds more warm than bright. And the balanced tension is totally awesome, no more consciously thinking of plucking harder or lighter on the strings. And the tapered e string is also awesome. With all the other strings I've owned, I had to nearly max out the saddle for the e string to get proper intonation. With the tapered e, I had to move the saddle more forward. Also, they don't feel super rigid, they feel firm but have more than enough flexibility to send the pitch sharp if you fret firmly. Basically I enjoy these strings with a flat eq on amp, and tone maxed out or cut out. But when I set up the eq a little bit, they really sound nice an full sounding.

Other strings I've tried(fender nickel plated 40-95 and 45-105) were far too bright for my taste out the box and onto the bass, without cutting the tone all the way out and dropping a little mids and highs from my amp eq. And with those strings, I'd often applly jojoba oil(it structurally resembles sebum, that our body produces) to the strings to remove some of the brightness.

With the circle k strings, I like how they sound new. Considering I prefer used strings to new, I think I'm going to like these strings more as they age. I might replace them with a .124 set, but as of now I'm totally satisfied with em.

Thanks circle k.

[swspiers]

Impressed enough with the 6-string set that I just ordered a .106 set for my Carvin SB4000.

[Razman]

Just pulled the trigger on a balanced, five string set w/.150 B. I prefer a bright sound; we'll see how they work. My own review will follow.

[neebs]

I'm guessing the lighter sets are brighter. Any of you use both a light and heavy set, to enlighten me?

[FunkMetalBass]

Originally Posted by neebs

I'm guessing the lighter sets are brighter. Any of you use both a light and heavy set, to enlighten me?

The heavier set should be a bit brighter than the lighter set.

[cassius987]

Bigger gauge can sometimes mean the addition of an extra wrap layer which will muffle some of the harmonics a bit, but small changes in size don't usually lead to this. Smaller usually does sound brighter to me in terms of harmonic content but also less "focused" to my ears, or else it requires a delicate touch (and I'm not willing to work on that, honestly). I like medium gauges for that reason... you tend to get pretty good "focus" (i.e. low mids and some fundamental) but the harmonics still pop out when you dig in.

[cassius987]

Sorry if this has already been asked but why do Circle K Strings that are tapered only go to 1.625'' with the tapered length instead of 2'' or so on other strings?

[neebs]

Hmm, interesting. I'll have to try a medium set.

[ixlramp]

Originally Posted by cassius987

Sorry if this has already been asked but why do Circle K Strings that are tapered only go to 1.625'' with the tapered length instead of 2'' or so on other strings?

To minimise the length of tapered section between saddle and nut. Having a significant proportion of the vibrating length at a different mass creates inharmonic vibration: the harmonics go out of tune with the fundamental, causing the 'strange chorusing tone' many people experience with tapered strings. As one plays up the neck the proportion of tapered length to full gauge length increases, which is why the inharmonic tone intensifies on the higher frets. It's intuitive ... a string is something that is consistent along it's entire vibrating length, the more you move away from that, the less it vibrates like a string.

However many brands design an overly long tapered section to maximise the compatibility with various bass designs such as string-through-body (so essentially commercial reasons). This causes tone problems for the many people with an average single piece top load bridge.

This is a bad example:



I think these may be the Rotosound drop-zones but i'm not sure.

So ideally a tapered string should have the tapering point as close as possible to the saddle. Circle K understand this and design their strings for the average single piece top load bridge.

Since it is change of mass that causes the problem, a thinner tapered section or contact-core intensifies the problem.

[ixlramp]

CKS .254 looks like this:



A 39.5" scale Knuckle Guitar Works 'Quake' with E as the highest string, tuned G# C# F# B E.

[Razman]

Originally Posted by neebs

I'm guessing the lighter sets are brighter. Any of you use both a light and heavy set, to enlighten me?

Compared to a "normal" set (i.e. off the shelf D'Addarios) the Circle K set is as you described - to achieve balanced tension.

I'm hoping a combination of factors will combine with the construction of my bass to give me what I am looking for, which is full spectrum of tone (highs-mids-lows), low action, and the ability to dig in as I play heavy with a pick at times.

I'm guesstimating that with the fewer wraps I'll achieve the tone I want and maintain a good feel with the strings (they are purportedly "looser" than 'normal' strings) but with the heavier gauges (tighter E and B strings) better playability and harmonics. My upper strings also display marked volume difference as compared to the lower strings; with the increased mass of the E and B their volume should go up to match the top strings too.

Raz

[Razman]

I just checked my bridge and the taper at the ball end is just perfect for my bridge as it is about 1.5" from the ball to the saddle, schweet.