What to string a Cirrus 6'r with??

ledyard · #1 03-06-2011, 11:15 PM

My new Cirrus 6'r is shipping out on its way to me tomorrow. I need some suggestions on new strings?? I ran DR Lo Riders on my Cirrus 4 and really liked them. I owned a different Cirrus 6'r for about a week but hated the finish so much I sold it (redwood with gloss) That one had long neck d'addario's with a Labella B string. I loved the B string!!! Best one I have personally played.
I tune half step down in Eb and have to tune in drop sometimes. I have never had any issues with 45-105 (including the 125 B) in this tuning (loose strings ect). But I am curious how different a 125 B will be from a 130. Especially with Cirrus' being 35" scale.
I used to run 50-135 on my Schecter 5'r tuned to drop C.

I'de like to avoid paying $60-70 for a set unless they are going to last a REALLY long time.
I play finger style, hard rock and metal (think pantera meets Testament meets L.O.G.)

Double Agent · #2 03-07-2011, 08:48 AM

If you are looking for something different to try, I would recommend La Bella Hard Rockin' Steels. The taperwound, .128 B string is nice, one of the best I've ever played, and I was never big on taperwound strings in the past (probably because I didn't know how to do a proper set up for them). They also have a set with a .135 B, in case you wanted to go heavier. I've used Lo-Riders a lot over the last several years and tried these mostly out of boredom, but I really do like them.

You might need the extra-long or super-long scale. I got the regular scale and only had to cut 3 of the 5 strings when stringing through the body of my Jazz V, so I would not take a chance with the regular long scale on a 35" scale bass with those strings. If you have to drop any lower than 1/2-step, you may want to consider something with a heavier B string. The DR DDT set, in .055-.135, are on one of my other 5ers right now and they are TOO heavy for 1/2-step down tuning....however, I can tune them down a whole step (A-D-G-C-F) on a 34" scale 5er and they hold up. Plus, they sound great, so that is another recommendation if you are altering tunings a lot.

J-O · #3 03-07-2011, 05:11 PM

+1 on the Hard Rockin' Steels. Despite my recent issue with a dead E string, I absolutely love the feel and tone of these strings. I just placed an order for a 5 string set and I'm really looking forward to trying the B string.

chucko58 · #4 03-07-2011, 06:16 PM

Circle K .142" balanced set.

Billnc · #5 03-07-2011, 08:28 PM

I liked Ken Smith Burners on mine.

ledyard · #6 03-08-2011, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Double Agent

If you are looking for something different to try, I would recommend La Bella Hard Rockin' Steels. The taperwound, .128 B string is nice, one of the best I've ever played, and I was never big on taperwound strings in the past (probably because I didn't know how to do a proper set up for them). They also have a set with a .135 B, in case you wanted to go heavier. I've used Lo-Riders a lot over the last several years and tried these mostly out of boredom, but I really do like them.

You might need the extra-long or super-long scale. I got the regular scale and only had to cut 3 of the 5 strings when stringing through the body of my Jazz V, so I would not take a chance with the regular long scale on a 35" scale bass with those strings. If you have to drop any lower than 1/2-step, you may want to consider something with a heavier B string. The DR DDT set, in .055-.135, are on one of my other 5ers right now and they are TOO heavy for 1/2-step down tuning....however, I can tune them down a whole step (A-D-G-C-F) on a 34" scale 5er and they hold up. Plus, they sound great, so that is another recommendation if you are altering tunings a lot.

***EDIT: I get the taper core thing now. I know them as exposed core.

Can you explain what would need to to be set up differently with taperwound strings? Also I have never dealt wit them, please explain "taper wound" to me. Your not referring to the exposed core going over the bridge saddle are you? If so I have had them once or twice. But not long enough to get a feel one way or the other.
I was considering the DDT strings (even though I have bad arachnophobia!) But If I did go with a heavy B, I would probably just jump to 130. The 128 sounds like a nice compromise though. I have to order whatever I get because the only thing around here with any string selection is GC and they have NO 6'r sets. Not even a 30 or 35 to use as a C so I could add it to a 5'r set.

ledyard · #7 03-08-2011, 01:56 PM

I just remembered that the 6'r I'm getting is set up with taper core (exposed core, I get it now

) Ken Smith 28-125's

I was looking on Juststrings.com and I dont see where it says taper core or anything like that under Labella with either the hard rockin steel or the deep talkin' ones.
Or is just the B tapered?

I was considering staying with Ken Smith just to check em out. Or trying Fodera strings. I'de like to stay with taper core for another set or two and see how i like it. Also I dont feel like re-setting up the bridge from taper to regular. Probably re-intonating too.

MNAirHead · #8 03-08-2011, 02:00 PM

something stainless... something balanced.. something taper core.

Double Agent · #9 03-08-2011, 02:05 PM

Just to clarify...there IS a difference between exposed core and taper core, though they are similar. An exposed core is exactly that, the core of the string is exposed near the ball end with no wrap wire at all around it. A taper core has fewer wraps near the ball end than the rest of the string, but is not exposed all the way down to the core.

That said, if you know how to set up a bass with exposed core strings, you would be ok with setting up a bass with taperwound strings. And, yes you would have to redo saddle height and reintonate if you went from taper to regular.

Also, IIRC, I believe that ALL Labella B strings have a tapered core. On the Super Steps, all the strings are exposed core, but on the Slappers, Deep Talkin, and Hard Rockin, it is only the B string that is tapered. If I'm incorrect, I hope someone will correct me. I'm still new to Labella strings. Either way, if you want to stay with exposed/taper core, Labella Super Steps are another option to look into.

ledyard · #10 03-08-2011, 02:07 PM

Taper core B only, or Taper core A,E,B is what I'm finding.

http://www.juststrings.com/ksb-aa-bbm-6tc.html

or

http://www.juststrings.com/ksb-aa-bbm-6n.html

He told me he has taper core Burners on them. But it must be one of these, not all strings taper core. No?

ledyard · #11 03-08-2011, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Double Agent

Just to clarify...there IS a difference between exposed core and taper core, though they are similar. An exposed core is exactly that, the core of the string is exposed near the ball end with no wrap wire at all around it. A taper core has fewer wraps near the ball end than the rest of the string, but is not exposed all the way down to the core.

That said, if you know how to set up a bass with exposed core strings, you would be ok with setting up a bass with taperwound strings. And, yes you would have to redo saddle height and reintonate if you went from taper to regular.

Also, IIRC, I believe that ALL Labella B strings have a tapered core. On the Super Steps, all the strings are exposed core, but on the Slappers, Deep Talkin, and Hard Rockin, it is only the B string that is tapered. If I'm incorrect, I hope someone will correct me. I'm still new to Labella strings. Either way, if you want to stay with exposed/taper core, Labella Super Steps are another option to look into.

I havn't actually set up a bass for taper or exposed. But how hard can it be? I mean as for it being any different than a regular set up. The taper or exposed core strings will just be closer to the fret board. You just have to adjust height and intonate to compensate right? Unless theres something I'm missing?

Double Agent · #12 03-08-2011, 02:15 PM

DR Long-Necks (tapercore Hi Beams)
http://www.juststrings.com/drs-tmh6-30.html

La Bella Super Steps
http://www.bigcitystringshop.com/ser...r-Steps/Detail AND
http://www.bigcitystringshop.com/ser...r-Steps/Detail

Quote:

Originally Posted by ledyard

I havn't actually set up a bass for taper or exposed. But how hard can it be? I mean as for it being any different than a regular set up. The taper or exposed core strings will just be closer to the fret board. You just have to adjust height and intonate to compensate right? Unless theres something I'm missing?

No, but some folks freak out if their saddles don't follow the radius of their fretboard perfectly. But, if you have the right tools and know what you're doing for a regular setup, it shouldn't be any more difficult than doing a setup with regular strings.

ledyard · #13 03-08-2011, 02:27 PM

I put in a PM to the seller and asked him to clarify exactly what set he used. I'll just use those unless when I get it...I drop it a half step like i need it and its too loose. I doubt it though because i dropped my redwood cirrus 6'r down and it didnt even need a truss rod adjustment, nothing, everything was perfect.
As for the saddles following the fretboard radius....if I re-set for one type of string or the other I would just adjust each string until there was no buzz or maybe an ever so slight buzz(which doesnt bother me). That would be good enough for me personally. Unless a string was lower than I like with no buzz then I might raise it. I like med-low action.

ledyard · #14 03-12-2011, 07:03 PM

The dude I bought it from made a slight error. The strings arent taper core. They are normal. So I figured great instead of ordering strings I'll just run up the road and grab a DR Lo Rider set. I loved em' on my Walnut 4 Cirrus. Then they only have Lo Riders in 5'r sets. No seperate 30 or 35 C strings I can buy with it.

So he has a 6 set of Hi Beams. I didnt know if I would like them or not. The bass is going to be used for heavy music and I didnt know if the round core strings would give me the bite and punch that the hex core would. (anyone?)
So I went with old faithful.....D'addario nickel XL's in "long scale".....but guess what..........

.....even long scale d'addario's dont work on a friggin Cirrus!!!!!!!!! So I gotta wait til monday and drive back up and grab a Hi Beam set I guess and try those.
Hopefully I dig em'....the strings on it now are freakin' dead!

BananaKing · #15 03-12-2011, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ledyard

So I went with old faithful.....D'addario nickel XL's in "long scale".....but guess what..........

.....even long scale d'addario's dont work on a friggin Cirrus!!!!!!!!!

Long scale is 34". You'd need extra long scale to fit it.

I currently use Extra long scale XLs and they work fine.

BananaKing · #16 03-12-2011, 07:33 PM

I'm seriously considering using D'addario Chromes with my Cirrus 5..... I love flatwounds and the natural brightness of this bass suggests to me that they would be a good fit.

Anyone with any experience or sound clips of Chromes or flats on this bass?

ledyard · #17 03-13-2011, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BananaKing

Long scale is 34". You'd need extra long scale to fit it.

I currently use Extra long scale XLs and they work fine.

You know, I seem to remember that now that you mention it. I went through that with my Cirrus 4 too. Since the "norm" for most basses is 34" you would think they wouldnt put any label on them. Then label long scale for 35". Then ofcourse short scale for the other. Blahhh....whatever. So I'm going to try Hi Beams tomorrow.

Texan · #18 03-13-2011, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ledyard

So I went with old faithful.....D'addario nickel XL's in "long scale".....but guess what..........

.....even long scale d'addario's dont work on a friggin Cirrus!!!!!!!!! So I gotta wait til monday and drive back up and grab a Hi Beam set I guess and try those.
Hopefully I dig em'....the strings on it now are freakin' dead!

I wish I would have read this yesterday, I picked up a Cirrus 4 earlier this week. I go to GC and ask the guy if the D'Addario long scales will fit a 35" scale and he says yes, I buy them get home and the E is about "1/2 short...I go back and the management will do nothing.

Will Ernie Ball Super Slinky's work on a Cirrus? The Nearest GC has a crap selection and I'm not going back unless I have to. My local Best Buy has EB's but I can't find anything that tells me where the taper starts.

ledyard · #19 03-13-2011, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Texan

I wish I would have read this yesterday, I picked up a Cirrus 4 earlier this week. I go to GC and ask the guy if the D'Addario long scales will fit a 35" scale and he says yes, I buy them get home and the E is about "1/2 short...I go back and the management will do nothing.

Will Ernie Ball Super Slinky's work on a Cirrus? The Nearest GC has a crap selection and I'm not going back unless I have to. My local Best Buy has EB's but I can't find anything that tells me where the taper starts.

If you didnt bend or cut the strings then tell them to take the strings and shove them up their ***!!! If you did then your S.O.L.

I just opened the baggie thing. Only string I even took out of its circle winding was the B string. Didnt cut it, bend it ect...
The guy's going to take them back in the morning or he's gonna be bummin' . It wasnt GC BTW.

captainhaddock · #20 03-13-2011, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Texan

I wish I would have read this yesterday, I picked up a Cirrus 4 earlier this week. I go to GC and ask the guy if the D'Addario long scales will fit a 35" scale and he says yes, I buy them get home and the E is about "1/2 short...I go back and the management will do nothing.

Will Ernie Ball Super Slinky's work on a Cirrus? The Nearest GC has a crap selection and I'm not going back unless I have to. My local Best Buy has EB's but I can't find anything that tells me where the taper starts.

I`ve got Super slinkys on my 35"scale Yamaha 6 and they fit fine?