Circle K strings...

[KingRazor]

Ahh.... I can remember the first time I drank the cool aid.

Best strings EVER!!!! Best feel, best tone, best all around strings. I can set my action lower due to the balanced tension of the set and no floppy B string. Even on a 34" scale bass.

Thanks Circle K.

BTW, how do I sign up for the "Circle K customer for life" fan club?

I'm in!!!

Ditto

 

[ixlramp]

On the subject of balanced tension, look what I discovered at D'Addario ...

"EXL111 Balanced Regular Light 10-46

Balanced Tension electric guitar sets are designed using scientific formulas to create an equal feel between all strings. This allows for each string to be played equally with the same downward force and flexibility across the set.

PL010 E 0.010 16.2 [pounds of tension]
PL0135 B 0.0135 16.6
PL017 G 0.017 16.6
NW024 D 0.024 15.8
NW034 A 0.034 17.6
NW046 E 0.046 17.5"

DAddarioFretted Strings » Electric Strings » XL Nickel Round Wound » EXL111 Balanced Regular Light 10-46

 

[cassius987]

Those idiots are finally catching up, eh? Well, I'm sticking with Circle K... I compared their strings to some other ones that were also balanced (by me picking out singles) and still preferred them by leaps and bounds.

 

[FunkMetalBass]

I've seen various clues over the past year or so that indicate the D'Addario has been up on their string tension game (the tension chart and extremely vast array of gauges, for one), but they probably couldn't warrant marketing a balanced tension pack up until recently when players started to take notice.

And before we all go bashing string companies, I'll remind that Skip (of Circle K) had a very logical reason as to why strings used to be more focused on a light bottom, heavy top - amplification.

Acoustically speaking, if you want the bass frequencies to be louder, you have to do one of two things - increase the size of the resonance chamber, or increase the amount of string vibration. The latter proved to be a better choice and so the lower notes were given thinner strings to, amazingly enough, balance out the volume.

Now that amplification has been getting better, that notion is a little less important today, so arguably, the string manufacturers are a bit behind.

Also, some people really like the wide array of tonalities that each string offers. Traditional bass sets, along with the backwards nature of the P-pickup, make the higher strings sound like they have a lot of bite, and the lower strings are low-mid-punch city. That timbre change can definitely be used to an advantage if it's something you so desire.

 

[cassius987]

I have been very frustrated trying to talk to D'Addario about the issue of tensional balance in the past few years (I did not start focusing on tension because of Circle Ks, I have been thinking about it years before I knew about them), so for them to suddenly begin offering a balanced set just makes it all the more annoying that they never gave me the time of day before now. Color me bitter.

 

[FunkMetalBass]

I have been very frustrated trying to talk to D'Addario about the issue of tensional balance in the past few years (I did not start focusing on tension because of Circle Ks, I have been thinking about it years before I knew about them), so for them to suddenly begin offering a balanced set just makes it all the more annoying that they never gave me the time of day before now. Color me bitter.

Understandable. That would leave a sour taste in anyone's mouth.

My post wasn't directed at you though, it was just a blanket statement.

The good news is that D'Addario is a huge company, and you can bet your *anatomical feature of choice* that other string makers are going to start heading in a similar path.

 

[G On Bass]

I just ordered my second set of Circle K's. I ordered the balanced 130 set which, according to he wisdom of this thread, should string up around the Med/Light setup that I tend to prefer on active basses. I moved the balanced 136 set from my 55-02 (active) to my 5 string P/J w/Nordstrands (passive) and it sounds absolutely astounding. Geez.

Now I'm checking my paypal balance and eyeing my semi-hollow.....

 

[FunkMetalBass]

I just ordered my second set of Circle K's. I ordered the balanced 130 set which, according to he wisdom of this thread, should string up around the Med/Light setup that I tend to prefer on active basses. I moved the balanced 136 set from my 55-02 (active) to my 5 string P/J w/Nordstrands (passive) and it sounds absolutely astounding. Geez.

Now I'm checking my paypal balance and eyeing my semi-hollow.....

I don't know how people are able to use such light strings like that. Ca-razy.

 

[Joe Smithberger]

I don't know how people are able to use such light strings like that. Ca-razy.

It's all about setup and touch. I like the .130 set quite a bit on my P5 in a rock setting where I am hitting hard much of the time. It really does help with the left hand. I don't wear out as fast. Slapping is much easier on the light strings.

The only issue I have with them is when I play at church and go from rockin one minute to soft and smooth the next. I have to ride the volume control more because they are capable of a wider volume range. If I come down too hard, they really speak out. I am still learning to control my touch. However, I think it is a step in the right direction.

Also be aware that the B and E strings aren't any looser than your garden variety DR or whatever. The higher strings is where they feel light.

 

[FunkMetalBass]

It's all about setup and touch. I like the .130 set quite a bit on my P5 in a rock setting where I am hitting hard much of the time. It really does help with the left hand. I don't wear out as fast. Slapping is much easier on the light strings.

The only issue I have with them is when I play at church and go from rockin one minute to soft and smooth the next. I have to ride the volume control more because they are capable of a wider volume range. If I come down too hard, they really speak out. I am still learning to control my touch. However, I think it is a step in the right direction.

Also be aware that the B and E strings aren't any looser than your garden variety DR or whatever. The higher strings is where they feel light.

I realize this, and I was never satisfied with the feel or high action of those lower strings.

For a few years, I used the Fodera Heavy 6-string sets, which feel far less flexible than the Circle K's. The .150 that I use now feels similar in terms of the tension+flexibility combination, but sounds better and allows me to have lower action and better intonation.

I just can't go back to using such a light low B string for fingerstyle playing - I'm too well adjusted to low action and relatively click-free, aggressive playing.

 

[chubrocker]

I just ordered the Balanced 136 for my TL-5. I'm really curious about these strings. I think they'll be exactly what I've been looking for.

 

[G On Bass]

I realize this, and I was never satisfied with the feel or high action of those lower strings.

For a few years, I used the Fodera Heavy 6-string sets, which feel far less flexible than the Circle K's. The .150 that I use now feels similar in terms of the tension+flexibility combination, but sounds better and allows me to have lower action and better intonation.

I just can't go back to using such a light low B string for fingerstyle playing - I'm too well adjusted to low action and relatively click-free, aggressive playing.

I got my 130 set today. I'll put them on later tonight and report back.

 

[EndlessNameless]

The whole "balanced tension" concept convinced me to combine the E and A strings from a "Medium" set of DR chromes and a the D and G strings from a "Light" set of chromes. I happened to have the heavier set lying around because I broke the G string (noob error) and consequently switched to the light gauge, and the difference was like and day... I love it!!!

But as much as I love the feel of Chromes and their gutsy sound, I want more tone variety (more high end to play with if I feel like dialling it up).

I'm very happy with the tension of my current strings but I expect Circle K strings to have lower tension since they're rounds.

If anyone could give me an idea of what (balanced tension) set of Circle K's I should get in order to achieve a similar tension and feel to my current setup, I'd be extremely grateful.

 

[KingRazor]

The whole "balanced tension" concept convinced me to combine the E and A strings from a "Medium" set of DR chromes and a the D and G strings from a "Light" set of chromes. I happened to have the heavier set lying around because I broke the G string (noob error) and consequently switched to the light gauge, and the difference was like and day... I love it!!!

But as much as I love the feel of Chromes and their gutsy sound, I want more tone variety (more high end to play with if I feel like dialling it up).

I'm very happy with the tension of my current strings but I expect Circle K strings to have lower tension since they're rounds.

If anyone could give me an idea of what (balanced tension) set of Circle K's I should get in order to achieve a similar tension and feel to my current setup, I'd be extremely grateful.

Do you know the exact gauges of your current set? That would be helpful.

 

[EndlessNameless]

Do you know the exact gauges of your current set? That would be helpful.

E: 50
A: 70
D: 80
G: 100

No idea what their tension is though and I'm looking for a similar tension from the Circle K's regardless of gauge.

 

[KingRazor]

I'm assuming you meant that in the opposite order? as in:

G - 50
D - 70
A - 80
E - 100

?

Anyway, DR doesn't post their string tension, so, using D'Addario's string tension guide for their chrome flat wounds, this should be fairly close to your set:

G - 55.0 (pounds of tension)
D - 60.2 (pounds of tension)
A - 43.7 (pounds of tension)
E - 30.2 (pounds of tension)

Based on that, I'd probably recommend a set like this:

G - 0.043 (gauge) 42.8 (pounds of tension)
D - 0.058 (gauge) 42.7 (pounds of tension)
A - 0.080 (gauge) 44.3 (pounds of tension)
E - 0.106 (gauge) 43.2 (pounds of tension)

 

[EndlessNameless]

I'm so sorry, I posted the wrong two strings from each set (and, as you pointed out, in the wrong order).

I meant to say....

E: 105
A: 85
D: 65
G: 45

Heavy bottom, light top.

 

[G On Bass]

OK. New .130Balanced set installed and noodled on.

I'll preface this by saying that I have 5 basses, all 5 string and tuned BEADG: 2 with Light gauge Chromes, 1 w/DR Black Beauties and 2 w/Circle K's. The .136B set of CK's is on a passive P/J, and these new .130B's are on an active 55-02. I prefer higher tension strings in general, except for this one active bass that I play with a lighter touch.

First off: Again, some of the gauges I received (.130 .98 .73 .55 .39) were just slightly different than the ones on the website).130 .096 .072 .052 .037). Again, no big deal. They're the experts!

This set definitely seems to check in on the Light/Med-Light side. I've had light strings in the past, and always disliked the wimpy .125 B string that came with them. I love having that .130. The B and E sound and feel great.

What I noticed the most is that the G string doesn't sound out of place like it has on pretty much every other light gauge string I've had. It really sounds like a natural part of the set.

I think I'll be keeping these, too...Lights for the active, .136 for everything else.

 

[KingRazor]

In that case, here's what your set looks like (again, using D'Addario's guide, the DRs may vary):

G 0.045 45.7
D 0.065 52.0
A 0.085 50.2
E 0.105 41.5

Looks like you like things a little heavier (unless you find this set too heavy currently), so simply based on the tension of your current set, I would recommend this set from Circle K:

G 0.043 42.8
D 0.061 46.5
A 0.084 48.3
E 0.112 47.7

That just happens to be the exact set I'll be ordering as soon as my current set dies

 

[EndlessNameless]

In that case, here's what your set looks like (again, using D'Addario's guide, the DRs may vary):

G 0.045 45.7
D 0.065 52.0
A 0.085 50.2
E 0.105 41.5

Looks like you like things a little heavier (unless you find this set too heavy currently), so simply based on the tension of your current set, I would recommend this set from Circle K:

G 0.043 42.8
D 0.061 46.5
A 0.084 48.3
E 0.112 47.7

That just happens to be the exact set I'll be ordering as soon as my current set dies

That sounds great. Thanks again!

Do you know if I'm going to experience a tremendous difference in feel switching to these from chromes? I've grown very comfortable with the smoothness of flats.