Double Wound Bass strings
 

I know guitar strings are single wound. Are bass strings double wound?

depending on the gauge...yes...

[quote=PilbaraBass;14039287]depending on the gauge...yes...[/QUOTE

Would a .0105 and .080 be double wound?

It all depends on string brand and type...

DR for example had 6 windings in their 105 string.

Does being double wound strengthen the string? Does it make it stronger?

Strength relies on the core size. TO have more windings on a thinner string the core will need to be thinner weakening the string. However if smaller diameter wrap wire is used like on the Dr E strings you can have more windings on a larger core.

A great example...

A 020 plain steel string is all core..
A 020wound string has one winding around a thin core..

The 020w is weaker.

Generally, more windings on a thinner core produces a stronger FUNDAMENTAL... (all things being equal which they rarely are) - It does also give a more flexible FEEL, even if the tension at tuning is the same.

DR Hellborgs are single winding on a huge round core. Nothing BUT fundamental!

Not-so-super String Theory
 

Exactly! Round core = not = to hex core, another variable that achieves the same result. They have cool tension too. They use a round core and single wrap, a design which produces a STRONGER fundamental than the HARMONIC. Also, to a lesser degree, hex cores tend to emphasize ODD ORDER harmonics while round cores tend to favor EVEN ORDER harmonics. If you play a variety of styles, as I do, you could find yourself using several different strings on your instruments... possibly even specific to the gig.

Odd order harmonics produce a more triangular wave (growly)... Even order would probably sound a little more "hollow".

Bear in mind, these would be varying "shades" of one or the other and not extreme

I thought, going by that packing it was 3 windings, but when you measure across the string to get the gauge each winding is counted twice.

I've never heard this before, but I'm intrigued. Source?

I have to do this, not because I understand (or even knew about) the difference between the types of cores, but rather because I like to use high tension strings most of the time but sometimes have to work gigs doing some disco-style slap bass and need something "slinky" and bright-sounding.

There's so much nuance imparted by the strings, not to mention how different types can cause you to play differently... I never, EVER thought about this stuff before I joined TB. I just rocked my P bass with flats and swapped them for rounds when needed. You guys are blowing my mind!

A source is a source
 

Tech data from various mfg. who use both types of cores. TI is one of them. Also, while training to be a Piano Tuner and a string winder, I learned about inharmonics and a whole bunch of stuff that we don't need to cloud our heads with. It's hard enough finding the time to play!

My non-music life consists of hardcore math and instrument-related physics. Filling my head with deep, potentially meaningless information is what I do best. :)

High Math
 

Very cool. I will send you some cool reference links in Planck Time.

As a scientist, I'm really digging this thread. :)

Ian: If you wouldn't mind, please also hit me up with some references via PM. I'm a scientist who deals with math professionally and acoustics (for music). I've got a varied collection of basses that I use and I string them very differently. I'd love to have some scientific background for why what works where (or doesn't). I've probably tried a several dozen string types over 32 years of bass playing.

Thanks in advance!

yeah, that's a bold claim, it needs some backup!