lower tension compression wound or grounds ?

teleharmonium · #1 06-13-2006, 09:41 PM

It's time again for our favorite show, String That Bass (TM).

The contestant is a Ric 5 string with a high C.

It wants a lower tension set of strings, with a reasonably bright and chimey sound, but preferably in the compression wound or ground round family, or maybe the right roundwound... It likes the tone and feel of Ken Smith Compressors, but is interested in a lower tension option due to the bridge on the bass, which for all practical purposes cannot be replaced and shows the slightest hint of bridge lift, just enough to make the owner nervous.

Said strings would most likely be mailordered, and again would need to be available with a high C (presumably purchased as an additional single string).

Any suggestions ?

teleharmonium · #2 06-23-2006, 02:13 PM

OK, I'll lower my standards a little. Anyone care to recommend some lower tension strings that are not flatwound ?

SherpaKahn · #3 06-23-2006, 02:57 PM

Hmm, I am curious, as I just recieved a set of Ken Smith compressors in the mail, along with a set of Ken Smith Slicks. I am at a loss as to which I should string onto a neck-through ash Ibanez Musician with EMGs, so I just chose to put on the Slicks. If you'd like, I could take off the slicks tomorrow or later tonight, put on the Compressors, and let you know my opinions regarding the two. The change in sound would be different than what you'll get, but the tension changes should be the same. Also, what are your opinions on the Ken Smith compressors?

-Stephen

teleharmonium · #4 06-27-2006, 10:11 PM

Yeah, I'd like to hear what you think about those, particular as far as the relative tension goes (and, of course, the sound). The compressors are interesting, I have those on my 4 string 4001, it's hard to get specifics across when describing finer differences in sound but I guess I would say they are kind of like Brite Flats with a smoother finish. They have a pretty good combination of a flatwound sound plus some roundwound treble complexity (not a lot).

SherpaKahn · #5 06-28-2006, 04:18 PM

Well, I only switched out the E and A strings on my bass for a few hours, as I really don't enjoy fraying the silk wrapping, and putting the coiled ends back on the tuning machines was a bit of a wench. However, my immediate observation was how different the E string sounds. both strings were much growlier than the Slicks, with the A string having a particularly pleasing sound. It just felt...Clear, I suppose. very clear, and light, but not thin. Very strong and not quiet or thin, but very clear and defined. The Compressor E-string was also much more clear and defined thant the Slick E string, too. The E string on the Slicks was much deeped and less defined than the rest of the strings on the Slicks, almost disproportionately so, but the E string on the Compressors was much clearer. Something to keep in mind is that the gauges for the medium-light Compressors are the same on the two treble strings of G and D, but are very slightly higher for the E and A strings, which may have led to them sounding tighter. The tension was also a little bit higher with those two Compressors. I hope this is of help to you. From the way it sounds to me, you may not want to use Slicks if you want to keep a roundwound sound. To me, the Slicks are flatwounds with a weensy bit of bite, and the Compressors are rounds with a smoother feel and MUCH less string noise. As much as I loved the way the Compressors sounded, and believe me, I do lpve that sound and tightness, for the style of music that I play and the way I prefer to fit into the mix, I think I'll be sticking with the Slicks.
...Which just makes me want to fix up my other Ibanez Musician that much more, so I can string that one up with compressors. It's a passive bass with rosewood fingerboard and neck-through construction, too, and in my experience sounds much warmer than my current bass, so I'm really looking forward to using my spare pack of Compressors on that bass.
Anyway, if you see a set on sale or slightly used, I'd string your Ric up with Slicks just to see how they sound, but short of that, you may want to look elsewhere.

-Stephen