Are there round wounds with smaller winding wire?

[GiantSteps]

I've only used a few brands/models of strings. Noticed that some have a larger gauge wire wrap, and these create more fret buzz on a well set up bass. I don't have records of the previous strings I've used, but I know I've had strings that don't buzz as much.

Without going to flats, are there brands/models that have a finer wrap for a given gauge string that do not create as much buzz?

 

[michael_t]

DR roundwound strings generally have thinner outer wrap wires than most others, resulting in smoother surface texture. I'm not sure it has anything to do with "fret buzz", though. I can see how larger outer wrap wires can create more "finger noise", but fret buzz?

The ultimate in a roundwound in finest texture with thinnest outer wrap wires is the TI Jazz Rounds, which are also one of the lightest and the most flexible.

By the way, what brands and models of strings have you been using?

 

[newwavefrank]

I Love these. Very smooth feel.

 

[michael_t]

In my experience, "fret buzz" is more of a setup issue. Not enough neck relief, strings that are too flexible with too low of an action, etc...

 

[GiantSteps]

In my experience, "fret buzz" is more of a setup issue. Not enough neck relief, strings that are too flexible with too low of an action, etc...

OK, semantics, not talking about setup issues. Let's call it "string noise".

 

[GiantSteps]

By the way, what brands and models of strings have you been using?

Said it in my first post: "I don't have records of the previous strings I've used"

I have my friend's bass to set up for her and noticed how bad the string noise is. It has very coarse roundwounds.

 

[RattleSnack]

Over the years, I have noticed it is easier to setup bass with hex core strings, as - strings can be lower than round core type.
As I understand, hex core makes string a bit stiffer, or less flexible. Subjectively, it also vibrates less "everywhere", but more in the direction of pull (if that makes sense).
DR Low riders and GHS Bassics are example.
Try some hex core string, I would like to hear your impressions.

 

[michael_t]

OK, semantics, not talking about setup issues. Let's call it "string noise".

Ok... It makes more sense now.

For reduced "finger noise" I use the GHS Pressurewound/Ken Smith Compressors, which are both Alloy 52 (nickel-iron) "rollerwound", meaning the outer round wire is compressed into an oval shape, resulting in a smoother surface with less finger noise while retaining most of the "roundwound" tone.

 

[onda'bass]

I'd look in to the already suggested GHS pressure wound string. They should cut the finger squeak. As for buzz let's call that a technique issue if setup is ruled out.

 

[Drop1]

I'll second higher tension strings can usually be run with a lower action.

Also, weaker magnates in the pups allow a lower action. I have had bart mk1 pups (relatively weak magnets ) and nord big singles with very strong magnats in the same bass amd I can run a much lower action with the mk1s . I tried using nord dual coils in this bass and the magantes were CRAZY strong. I had to put he action way higher than I'd like to stop the dual coils from causing buzz. The big singles , while stronger than the mk1, still allow me to run a tolerable action. Anything with magnates stronger than nord singles would be a no go for me.

It's also not just the pups inducing fret buzz when running lower action. Stronger magnates also cause more warble when fretting near the body which forces you to raise the action even more.

Lots of things to consider.

 

[mdogs]

I'll second higher tension strings can usually be run with a lower action.

Also, weaker magnates in the pups allow a lower action. I have had bart mk1 pups (relatively weak magnets ) and nord big singles with very strong magnats in the same bass amd I can run a much lower action with the mk1s . I tried using nord dual coils in this bass and the magantes were CRAZY strong. I had to put he action way higher than I'd like to stop the dual coils from causing buzz. The big singles , while stronger than the mk1, still allow me to run a tolerable action. Anything with magnates stronger than nord singles would be a no go for me.

It's also not just the pups inducing fret buzz when running lower action. Stronger magnates also cause more warble when fretting near the body which forces you to raise the action even more.

Lots of things to consider.

Interesting amount of bad information here. First off, they are MAGNETS, “magnates” are something else entirely. Second, adjusting string height to account for magnet pull is about as bad as adjusting the truss rod to change string height. Pickups are adjustable for a reason, you raise or lower them to optimize their position on that particular bass…eliminating warble included.

 

[Drop1]

Interesting amount of bad information here. First off, they are MAGNETS, “magnates” are something else entirely. Second, adjusting string height to account for magnet pull is about as bad as adjusting the truss rod to change string height. Pickups are adjustable for a reason, you raise or lower them to optimize their position on that particular bass…eliminating warble included.

It's not bad info. Apparently YOU haven't dealt with this. I had my nord dual coils darn near buried in the bass and they still caused fret buzz and warble. A bunch of people just like you laughed at me until I swapped pups on camera and it became obvious the pups were causing buzz even when almost fully seated. They were so deep in the bass i was wortied the screws were gonna come out the back. Nord acknowledged this can be a problem with certian types of pups and swapped them out for pups with s less strong magnet.
It's not that I completely disagree. Lowing the pups is generally how they are adjusted, it's just not possible with all pups. Sometimes raising the action a bit will let you run pups you otherwise couldn't without buzz.

It also doesn't change the fact that some pups cause buzz at certian string heights. To run the pups in the desired height for sonics, the action may need to slightly be raised.
Exactly like I said, I have pups were I can run an extremely low action with no buzz and pups I have to either run a higher action OR run the pups outside of their sweet spot. I prefer a little give and take. A slightly higher action with the pups still in the sweet spot sounds a lot better than a low action with pups so low they become super weak.
My point is, If you want to have the pups in the sweet spot, sometimes you need to slightly raise the action to get there. It's not as simple as just dropping the pups till it stops buzzing. That doesn't always work and even when it does, do you really want your pups to sound weak? Nah.

 

[Yahboy]

Dunlop Super bright nickel. Smaller outer winding wire and smaller inner hex core.

Fret buzz are not setup issue or low action issue , it is relation within fret leveling , neck relief and nut slot depth.

All my bass are well setup by myself, very low nut slot depth , .010 neck relief and 1.6mm E to 1.25mm G string, no single fret buzz with Ti flat , LTF4A and Dunlop SBN 40-100 through my medium plucking hand.

 

[GiantSteps]

OK, following up here I want to present something that I think might be overlooked in this fret noise/string noise/finger noise discussion in terms of my original question.

I suspected something which I think no one actually picked up on, and experimenting it appears to be true. While there may be other variables in the different brands construction I think it comes down to the gauge/coarseness of the outer winding when comparing round wound to round wound

The kind of noise I have been referring to is NOT due to set up problems, and it is NOT the squeaky sound of fingers sliding on the string. It is noise generated from the string's contact with the fret that is being fretted.

I have several sets of strings and counted winds per inch as best as I could. I changed only the single low E so that combined string tension, neck relief etc would be as unaffected as possible. The offending noisy string has about 36-37 winds/in. I put on a string with 40/in and it quieted it significantly. Then finally one with about 46/in (DW Low rider as @RattleSnack recommended. No remaining buzz.

I am quite sure that the coarser wind createc less consistent contact across the fret crown and produces buzz.

Y'all can argue about it , I am convinced. This eliminated the buzz and made a frustrating bass (Strings actually) a pleasure to play.

 

[Killing Floor]

I Love these. Very smooth feel.View attachment 6995566

^^^^^
These

Get them now or get them later.