Circle K strings

[Sundogue]

Originally Posted by ixlramp

The short taper is for very good reason. Most brands make a commercial decision to have a long taper to fit all basses, on top load basses this results in a long length of taper in the vibrating length which causes a strange unclear inharmonic tone .. harmonics out of tune with fundamental. This leads some people to think they don't like tapered strings. The less a string is full gauge from nut to saddle the less it vibrates like normal string, the full gauge should be as close to the saddle as possible, certainly less than an inch.

Also, these were designed as ERB and subcontrabass strings, the F# and C# strings are too fat to be used through body, and most ERBs have top load bridges.

Very true.

[tbone0813]

WOW! $41 dollars for a set of strings? Are they worth it? Daddario balanced are half that. Just curious.

[domdec314]

Originally Posted by tbone0813

WOW! $41 dollars for a set of strings? Are they worth it? Daddario balanced are half that. Just curious.

Daddario doesn't have nearly the amount of options Circle K offers. Also, in my experience, Circle K strings last longer.

[tbone0813]

Originally Posted by domdec314

Daddario doesn't have nearly the amount of options Circle K offers. Also, in my experience, Circle K strings last longer.

If they last twice as long or sound twice as good then maybe. Options don't necessitate the price though.

Either way I will probably give them a shot.

[TheEmptyCell]

Originally Posted by tbone0813

WOW! $41 dollars for a set of strings? Are they worth it? Daddario balanced are half that. Just curious.

Yes.

They're a completely different type of string... different construction, different tonal goals.

CK has been doing balanced tension way longer than D'addario.

CK also makes strings for longer-than-34"-scale instruments.

CK makes these strings in unbalanced tension as well.

CK makes strings that allow you to tune down as far as octave-below-regular-low-E.

[tbone0813]

Originally Posted by TheEmptyCell

Yes.

They're a completely different type of string... different construction, different tonal goals.

When you talk about tonal goals. How do they sound?

[Doodaddy]

Originally Posted by tbone0813

When you talk about tonal goals. How do they sound?

Circle K tone question

I enjoyed the set I had. Probably about to purchase another soon.

[Sundogue]

Originally Posted by tbone0813

When you talk about tonal goals. How do they sound?

Circle K

I personally feel they offer more articulation and clarity, especially on the low B and E strings. And while I have been setting up balanced tension sets (by buying individual strings from other manufacturers) for a long time, Circle K's balanced sets really are VERY balanced...in tone, feel and playability. All across EVERY string all up and down the neck.

I mean even the low B can be played the same way as any other, even up to my high C and it is just a beautiful, rich sound. No fighting different taughtness and finally I have a low B that doesn't feel floppy or muddy. The thinner strings aren't overly bright and the thicker ones aren't dark. They all just sound very even and clear.

[domdec314]

I typically spent $35-40 on strings before I switched to Circle K so the price is not an issue for me.

[Sundogue]

Originally Posted by domdec314

I typically spent $35-40 on strings before I switched to Circle K so the price is not an issue for me.

Yeah, good strings aren't cheap. Cheap ones are.

But I spent $45 for a 6 string set from Circle K and they were delivered in two business days from WA to WI.

Worth every bit and then some.

[tbone0813]

Originally Posted by Sundogue

Circle K

I personally feel they offer more articulation and clarity, especially on the low B and E strings. And while I have been setting up balanced tension sets (by buying individual strings from other manufacturers) for a long time, Circle K's balanced sets really are VERY balanced...in tone, feel and playability. All across EVERY string all up and down the neck.

I mean even the low B can be played the same way as any other, even up to my high C and it is just a beautiful, rich sound. No fighting different taughtness and finally I have a low B that doesn't feel floppy or muddy. The thinner strings aren't overly bright and the thicker ones aren't dark. They all just sound very even and clear.

The floppy B is the key for me (poet?). I like my B and I need it to be solid feeling. There is definitely a difference in feel across my strings right now. They don't sound even. I have been thinking about a balanced set for a couple of months since I heard that Daddario was coming out with them but if Circle K are superior then I guess I will have to check them out.

So I typically play the 135 set of Daddarios. Would the 136 set of Circle K be my best bet?

[Sundogue]

Originally Posted by tbone0813

The floppy B is the key for me (poet?). I like my B and I need it to be solid feeling. There is definitely a difference in feel across my strings right now. They don't sound even. I have been thinking about a balanced set for a couple of months since I heard that Daddario was coming out with them but if Circle K are superior then I guess I will have to check them out.

I've made my own D'Addario "balanced sets" for a few years now, and personally I feel the Circle K's are better in every way. While in some areas it's minor, but the low B and even the E have so much more clarity.

I was using a 132 low B in the D'Addario set. I now use a 136 low B in the Circle K's and it's like a night and day difference. It's like I took a blanket of my sound on that string. And the feel is FAR better. I'm not knocking D'Addarios at all. I like them and have for quite a while.

If you used a 135 D'Addario you might want to go up to a 142 in the Circle K's. They use fewer wraps so they will feel a tad more flexible. You might have to file your nut for that string. Hard to tell until you get them.

[Josh Pelican]

Circle K makes some of my all-time favorite strings. I just wish they'd lower the shipping price a little, at least for Canada. $19 for shipping is a bit hefty. Regardless, they sound ****ing perfect. Great tone, sustain, feel, and life.

[SoVeryTired]

They run coupons on their Facebook page every so often, which brings the price down. Even with overseas shipping they worked out cheaper than DRs for me.

[TheEmptyCell]

Originally Posted by tbone0813

When you talk about tonal goals. How do they sound?

I'm using a set on my Dingwall. Been on there about 6 months now.

The tone is brighter than nickel, but much smoother and more mid-full than a regular stainless steel string. They are extremely clear. The balance is perfect from string to string.

They are smoother feeling than stainless strings as well.

I really like D'addario strings, and if they made some that fit the Dingwall 37" scale, I would get those and just switch them out more often. That said, Circle K is the way to go for longer scale instruments or tunings beyond just low B.

[dukeisdog]

Originally Posted by Josh Pelican

Circle K makes some of my all-time favorite strings. I just wish they'd lower the shipping price a little, at least for Canada. $19 for shipping is a bit hefty. Regardless, they sound ****ing perfect. Great tone, sustain, feel, and life.

Ordered two sets a night ago and the quote was still the same for 2 as 1.

Anyone running the .158? I'm having both my basses set up with these strings (Spector euro 5LX, Dingwall Combustion 5) and after reading everything so far I'm getting more and more excited for then to get here.

[chucko58]

I've used a wide variety of roundwounds over the years. Circle Ks seem to hold on to their bright tone longer than most if not all of the brands I've used. Yes, they are more expensive than mass-market strings (but not as expensive as some, Thomastik-Infeld for example!). I think the long life makes up for it.

[TheEmptyCell]

Originally Posted by dukeisdog

Ordered two sets a night ago and the quote was still the same for 2 as 1.

Anyone running the .158? I'm having both my basses set up with these strings (Spector euro 5LX, Dingwall Combustion 5) and after reading everything so far I'm getting more and more excited for then to get here.

Are you detuning the Dingwall? If not, go for much lighter.

.132 for B is excellent. The stock Dingwall B is .128 I believe.

[KhzDonut]

Originally Posted by dukeisdog

Anyone running the .158?

I was using a .158 awhile back for tuning to Low G and found it too floppy, but it was very reasonable for Low A.

I switched to a .182 for Low G and think I *might* have overshot it a touch. I think the .174 might be perfect.

btw, 35" scale bass.

For Low B I'd say like a .142, .158 for A, and probably .174 for G.

My rule of thumb with Circle K is to just add .010 to whatever I used with D'Addario or Dean Markley, because they feel and sound better when I do that.

*edit* Oops, just noticed you said you have a Dingwall. I would guess that TheEmptyCell would be right that a .132 for Low B on a 37" Scale would be just right. Can't say for absolutely sure, but in my estimation that would be the way to go.

[dukeisdog]

Originally Posted by TheEmptyCell

Are you detuning the Dingwall? If not, go for much lighter.

.132 for B is excellent. The stock Dingwall B is .128 I believe.

Both my dingwall and Spector stay in drop A, no need to tune back up to a B when I can play the same in A minus the low open B. any thoughts on my string choices? Sounds like the .158 should be good on the Euro 5, I'm just curious about my combustion now.