Double Wound Bass strings

[GC34]

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

[PilbaraBass]

depending on the gauge...yes...

[GC34]

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

Would a .0105 and .080 be double wound?

[SLaPiNFuNK]

It all depends on string brand and type...

DR for example had 6 windings in their 105 string.

[GC34]

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

[SLaPiNFuNK]

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.

[SLaPiNFuNK]

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.

[Ian_Flash]

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.

[mmbongo]

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

[Ian_Flash]

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.

[PilbaraBass]

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

[tylerwylie]

Originally Posted by SLaPiNFuNK

It all depends on string brand and type...

DR for example had 6 windings in their 105 string.

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.

[FunkMetalBass]

Originally Posted by Ian_Flash

Also, to a lesser degree, hex cores tend to emphasize ODD ORDER harmonics while round cores tend to favor EVEN ORDER harmonics.

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

[superHEAVYfunk]

Originally Posted by Ian_Flash

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.

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!

[Ian_Flash]

Originally Posted by FunkMetalBass

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

[FunkMetalBass]

Originally Posted by Ian_Flash

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.

[Ian_Flash]

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

[FretlessMainly]

Originally Posted by Ian_Flash

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.

Originally Posted by PilbaraBass

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

Originally Posted by Ian_Flash

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!

[walterw]

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