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Anybody Tried Circle K Strings?

bassplayer7770

bassplayer7770

Jan 3, 2002
3,110
11
Hour North of Columbus, OH
#1
Has anybody tried these strings? I'm really curious how they feel and sound compared to some of your preferred brands. I'm also curious how long they last. I'm currently enjoying DR Nickel-Plated Lo Riders.

Link Removed

Some interesting info:

Circle K Strings was launched Spring of 2009 by Skip Fantry, Christopher Cardone and David Brummett.

Circle K Strings are a nickel/steel hybrid that are fully harmonically present. Not quite as bright as steels and not as 'scooped' as nickels, with a tonality that shifts less and lasts longer.

Our strings are more flexible than most. We use a hex core for wind stability, but have designed them to vibrate more freely.

Link Removed
 
#7
Solarmist said:
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=557048&highlight=circle+strings

I'm seriously thinking about a 5 string set (45 / 65 / 80 / 105 / 135), but am a little concerned about cramming a 135 into a 130 slot.
Click to expand...

I ordered the 40-60-80-100-135 set. I like cramming. Don't think it will be that big an issue. Think I had a 132 in there at some point.

Happy about the set because I like light strings except on the B. I want a big fattie on the B.

Anyone know what kind of wait I have for my order to ship? Used to the just strings 3 - 4 days from order to receipt.
 
#8
I used a set for my last theatre run (2 weeks of playing the Who's Tommy). Wrote a lot about them on my blog found [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]. Overall, I liked them; a lot more definition and clarity than other strings, while still retaining a good low end.
 
#9
I always get black stains on my fingers from nickel plate. But there remains plenty on the strings I notice, when I finally give them a good cleaning... I've really had my K's on for a long time now - since before they were ever available for sale. But then, my basses are bright and my rig has hella tweeter so string that are really broken in are fine by me as long as the string "livelieness" is still there. And it is: still good harmonic balance and attack and sustain.

I'm sure I'd notice the difference if I put a new set on, however ; }
 
#10
greenboy said:
I always get black stains on my fingers from nickel plate. But there remains plenty on the strings I notice, when I finally give them a good cleaning...
Click to expand...

I was told from Dave (one of the three owners) that my black fingers were probably a result from some plating failing over anything else. I have never had issues with nickel strings giving me any finger residue.
 
#12
Got the strings. Very good strings nice even sound not too tight but not floppy. A little expensive for me but overall very nice. I think if they were priced the same as DR nickel lo riders I'd buy them again.
 
#15
While were on the subject of Circle K strings. Never heard of them till now and I checked out their website. Ultra confusing. If any of you have bought Circle K strings please help me out here. When I looked at them, the string gauges were confusing. Instead of the normal labeling for gauges like .045 - .105, they used a labeling of something like .045 - .015. It was really weird and you had to know the tension and the scale length of your bass. I was just really confused by their labeling of the gauges. The site didn't explain it. If someone could explain it, I would very much appreciate it.
 
#16
They offer every gauge possible pretty much to make balanced sets. If you want a regular set you want something from this page. Link Removed

.105 is normally regular set....I suggest going a bit lighter and getting .102-.041 or .098-.039

I bought the .106 last time and they are a bit thick.
If you have a normal jazz bass its long scale thats 34-35'
so you probably want these strings here Link Removed

They have some reviews there too...thats the most popular for a jazz bass...they are excellent strings! I need to get some more soon!
 
#17
tyadams2006 said:
While were on the subject of Circle K strings. Never heard of them till now and I checked out their website. Ultra confusing. If any of you have bought Circle K strings please help me out here. When I looked at them, the string gauges were confusing. Instead of the normal labeling for gauges like .045 - .105, they used a labeling of something like .045 - .015. It was really weird and you had to know the tension and the scale length of your bass. I was just really confused by their labeling of the gauges. The site didn't explain it. If someone could explain it, I would very much appreciate it.
Click to expand...

Thickest string first and know what you like on bottom. If you like a .105 then select a .106. If you prefer a .100 a .102 will work well.

On the treble side you need to know if you like your thin strings tighter than your thick ones - if you do then select from the traditional sets. If you want the tension evened out pick a balanced set.

If you know the gauges you prefer then you can select them as singles - singles combined cost the same as sets.
 
#18
Dredmahawkus said:
They offer every gauge possible pretty much to make balanced sets. If you want a regular set you want something from this page. Link Removed

.105 is normally regular set....I suggest going a bit lighter and getting .102-.041 or .098-.039

I bought the .106 last time and they are a bit thick.
If you have a normal jazz bass its long scale thats 34-35'
so you probably want these strings here Link Removed

They have some reviews there too...thats the most popular for a jazz bass...they are excellent strings! I need to get some more soon!
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info! Really helps.

Now I do have another question. My G string.. no not that kind of G string...LOL but EAD 'G' string, is really tight not tension wise but just string wise and its kinda hard to play it. Its not soft and light in feel like the 'E' and 'A' string is. Is there anyway to make the 'G' lighter, maybe softer in feel like the 'E' and 'A' strings are so that it would be easier to play. I hope I explained that so you understand what I mean.
 
#19
I can tell you that Kalium/Circle Ks are more flexible so some of that is addressed in the way the string is made. My sets are a little thinner on top than most so that will help too.

Traditional sets get tighter on the top of the set - but not as tight as most traditional sets. Balanced tension sets are decidedly smaller gauges on top and will be quite a bit looser on top than 'normal' sets - so you have a choice.

A decent place to start might be the .106 traditional set.
 

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