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Circle K strings...

The taper is apparent on the .110 at the bridge. All strings thicker than .085 taper at the headstock.

The .105 isn't tapered on my bass. Where the string is tapered at the ball end there is a single outer wrap around the core at the witness point. These are three wrap strings so the taper appears to 'step'.

So only the B string is tapered, and "stepped down" - great - I don't like the non-stepped to exposed core type.

Will using a 135 gauge harm my (plastic) nut slot cut for 130 so I can't go back?
I realize it's only .005, but that can create a little slop.

The A is an 80 rather than 85 for even tension purposes?
 
Will using a 135 gauge harm my (plastic) nut slot cut for 130 so I can't go back? I realize it's only .005, but that can create a little slop.

The A is an 80 rather than 85 for even tension purposes?

You can likely run the string back and forth to get the slot to accept the .135 - you'll be able to go back to .130 if you want to.

Yes, the .080 is for balance with the remainder of the set.
 
I'm gonna have to try a set of these out soon...I have been using Elixir's for a long time, and have several new sets laying around here to be used... but have been looking for something else because the Elixir guys were kinda condescending to me when I contacted them with a question (don't asked it's not a big deal...it just bugged me a little)...

Anyways I've bookmarked the Circle K website and will pick up a set soon to give a test drive...
 
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.

It gets real subjective, but I myself like them better than any other SS or nickel-plated strings, giving near the treble of good SS and the lower mids fullness and upper mids dig-in bite of better nickel-plated, which aids in string-to-string balance when using a low B or whatever sub-E tuning one might be into. They seem to last ages without changing much after the first few days. They feel nice, not too grabby, and not too floppy even with lower gauges.
 
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.

Mine are starting to die; I've had them for a little over two weeks. HOWEVER, I just did 19 rehearsals & shows of the Who's Tommy with them at a theatre that doesn't run amps through the house system (not enough power there to do it). So, I put them through what many might consider a horrible situation.

Comparatively, the D'Addarios I used for the show prior lasted only the first week of shows before dying, as have many other strings I've used at that same venue (under the same circumstances). So, all in all, I would easily say that Circle Ks will last longer than most strings out there.
 
I recently got a 6-string "Balanced" set (.135 .100 .080 .060 .040 .030) and wanted to comment that the lighter gauged high strings (G & C) are really working well for me.

I've always found my high C string to be too "plinky" or "twangy" to mesh with the rest of the instrument, so I seldom use it. With the balanced set, the high strings have a lot more low mids in the tone, so I may be able to work the high C into some bass lines now without cringing at the sound.

EDIT: This is on a 35" scale bass.
 
Full Fledged Convert here :bassist:

So I've had my super ultra light set of Circle K strings on my Bee for about a week now... I love them!

I ended up with a balanced set of .106 - .080 - .061 - .046 - .033 - .025 - .018p and the Depth and Girth of tone from the .106 B and .080 E are thunderous. Excellent focus and clarity... good over all tone across the board.

I'm a die hard Stainless Round guy and these have NONE of the typical nickel round traits I dislike... yet they are clearly not stainless rounds either. They hit it pretty good as a happy medium between Stainless and Nickel rounds.

I can't wait to try my .118 Balanced set on my fretless 6 (might take the time to install them tonight)
 
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I ended up with a balanced set of .106 - .080 - .061 - .046 - .033 - .025 - .018p and the Depth and Girth of tone from the .106 B and .080 E are thunderous. Excellent focus and clarity... good over all tone across the board.

Holy Shmolies James! If I did my math right, your .106 B would have about 24 lbs of tension. Wow...that would seem so loose to me. If your B has excellent focus and clarity under tension that low...that certainly speaks well for Circle K strings! (You must also have some great technique!;))

Bryan
 
Holy Shmolies James! If I did my math right, your .106 B would have about 24 lbs of tension. Wow...that would seem so loose to me. If your B has excellent focus and clarity under tension that low...that certainly speaks well for Circle K strings! (You must also have some great technique!;))

Bryan

Thanks... it's also a speaks well for my basses build quality :)

It only took a few moments to adjust to the feel... the higher strings took a little more to get a handle on. It's a balanced set... so the higher strings have less tension than expected when judged against the lower strings.

I hope to record some samples soon.