Taper Core - Ken Smith

gnoj_LL · #1 01-21-2008, 05:52 PM

pardon for my ignorance

im not sure if this question applies only to all bass strings or just for ken smith strings.

question is: what's the difference between taper-core strings than regular ones?

just browsed juststrings.com and noticed that in ken smith strings, it was indicated in some of string guages with a "T" some with out.

im interested with the Ken Smith RM-ML-5 Rock Master Medium Light 5-String Bass String Set. (45-65-80-100-125T). what's the 125"T" for? what would be the difference if it was just 125?

sorry for the newb question.

anyways thanks for your insights =)

gnoj_LL · #2 01-21-2008, 09:13 PM

bump..

funkometer · #3 01-21-2008, 09:18 PM

taper core strings have a thinner diameter on the bridge side, so that they sit on the bridge saddle better. This helps when you think about how thick a low b string is. The string on the bridge side starts the same size as on the nut side, but it slowly tapers out to normal size. Hope this helps, Smith taper core are my favs.

gnoj_LL · #4 01-21-2008, 09:22 PM

ow, so it only affects the bridge side. and not the whole string. right? i think i get it. thanks so much!

woody357 · #5 01-22-2008, 03:46 PM

get the meds the B is fatter, but it really has a big sound. I use Kens also, I like the burners, but right now i have the rock masters mediums on. imho ken smiths are good strings u wont be sorry

gnoj_LL · #6 01-22-2008, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woody357

get the meds the B is fatter, but it really has a big sound. I use Kens also, I like the burners, but right now i have the rock masters mediums on. imho ken smiths are good strings u wont be sorry

are you talking about the .130 B instead of the .125?

thanks woody, i'll look that up

well i've been thinking about getting the bass burners isntead of rock masters since its nickel.

right now, im looking for a balanced bright sound. but not too bright that empahasizes finger-noise overtones

they say the bass burners are the brightest nickel out there in the market. is it true? do their brightness last?

phat5 · #7 01-22-2008, 08:51 PM

They're bright, but not harsh, the top end on Burners is sweet sounding, will last for quite awhile. I also liked the .125 B on my Fender 5; the .130 was a tad bit wooly for me. Imo, one of the smoothest feeling nickel wounds out there.

Fuzzbass · #8 01-22-2008, 11:29 PM

On the premium Tapercore steels, the B, E, A, and D strings are tapered. Great set of strings, IMO. Bright but not too bright. Nice harmonic richness in the mids.

P.S. You'll almost certainly have to raise the saddle when switching from a normal string to a tapered string. Small price to pay. I prefer the tone and intonation of tapered strings, especially low B.

woody357 · #9 01-23-2008, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gnoj_LL

are you talking about the .130 B instead of the .125?

thanks woody, i'll look that up

well i've been thinking about getting the bass burners isntead of rock masters since its nickel.

right now, im looking for a balanced bright sound. but not too bright that empahasizes finger-noise overtones

they say the bass burners are the brightest nickel out there in the market. is it true? do their brightness last?

Yes IMHO they are, I just changed mine after 6 months(longer than i norm for me) The only reason I got the rock masters was because they were the only tapered core i could find in this town, but i like them also. I have to order the Burners off line or sometimes i get one of the stores to order them, the only problem is the stores tend to get the ones without the tapered B. I play a lot of funk style stuff, and i like the bite the burners have without being too bright, and when I have to do jazz they have a nice warm sound.