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Circle K strings...
- Thread starter James Hart
- Start date
I crossed over from ProSteels to these; they do not feel raw (rough) like the stainless so you should be fine there.
As for tension, the thing I noticed about my Dingwall was that I couldn't feel the string flex in between the frets like I could on other basses. CK's may flex more at the higher tensions that the Dingwall has but I wasn't able to test that theory.
If it were me, i'd pick an identically-sized set or maybe slightly thicker, and unbalanced to get the even tension provided by the different scale lengths.
On a side note, one month into my CK's (.150 balanced 5 string set, 34" scale bass) and I'm very pleased. I get excellent tone and clarity, and the feel - albiet a little tight - is good and I can really dig into the strings without a ton of rattle. And, when our light crew hit me with a yellow spot last night during our concert, the strings shimmered and sparkled in it - cool.
Raz
The Circle K traditional sets are made to be balanced tension on multi scale instruments. Balanced sets on multi scale basses will have a tighter B and E string and floppier D and G string.
Might be too late for this but ... what are the stock gauges and what are your scale lengths? Also check this: Link Removed
It's 37-34" scale, gauges are 045, 055, 075, 095, 127 according to an online search.
If the CK's really are more flexible in the same gauge, I think I'll go one size up. I'm going with the Traditional (balances on a Dingwall) set no matter what.
If the CK's really are more flexible in the same gauge, I think I'll go one size up. I'm going with the Traditional (balances on a Dingwall) set no matter what.
Yeah i would suggest this set for the best match:
.136 5 String 36 to 37 Scale Length Traditional
.136 .102 .079 .059 .045
On the CKS site is says:
"A characteristic that will remain with our strings is their flexibility - there is greater tonal content in a string that is more free to move. This gives them a feel that leans toward the loose side, but can be compensated for by upping slightly the gauges you may be accustomed to."
I remember someone here found the CKS .136 to feel looser than another brand's .130, if i remember correctly, so probably a good match for your .127.
.136 5 String 36 to 37 Scale Length Traditional
.136 .102 .079 .059 .045
On the CKS site is says:
"A characteristic that will remain with our strings is their flexibility - there is greater tonal content in a string that is more free to move. This gives them a feel that leans toward the loose side, but can be compensated for by upping slightly the gauges you may be accustomed to."
I remember someone here found the CKS .136 to feel looser than another brand's .130, if i remember correctly, so probably a good match for your .127.
Yup have to agree there, I have used 136 on the B string of a balanced set and have just moved up to a 142. On 'regular' strings I tend to go for 125 or 130 at most but the circle K's are a bit too relaxed at that guage... for my liking anyways.
First thing, You can count me in as a satisfied Circle K String user.
I was using a 4 string set of Elixer's plus an oddball 28 on my fretless five string (35" scale) bass.
I ordered the Circle K set :.106 5 String 34 to 35 Scale Length Balanced
(E .106) (A .079) (D .059) (G .043) (C .031)
After reading the comments here about the tension, I was a little concerned that I should have gone a little heavier. However, I was pleasantly surprised at just how good these strings feel on the bass. They sound great and that makes me very happy.
Also, this is just follow-up to my earlier questions prior to ordering. It does seem that PayPal is the only mechanism for ordering. I did not know, until ordering, that you could actually use paypal as a "guest" and not open an account. The shipment came in a timely manner.
Again, count me as a satisfied customer.
I was using a 4 string set of Elixer's plus an oddball 28 on my fretless five string (35" scale) bass.
I ordered the Circle K set :.106 5 String 34 to 35 Scale Length Balanced
(E .106) (A .079) (D .059) (G .043) (C .031)
After reading the comments here about the tension, I was a little concerned that I should have gone a little heavier. However, I was pleasantly surprised at just how good these strings feel on the bass. They sound great and that makes me very happy.
Also, this is just follow-up to my earlier questions prior to ordering. It does seem that PayPal is the only mechanism for ordering. I did not know, until ordering, that you could actually use paypal as a "guest" and not open an account. The shipment came in a timely manner.
Again, count me as a satisfied customer.
Can anyone give me any idea how quickly skip is dispatching stuff at the moment? I'm recording the 1st of next month and was waiting for an invoice from him cos the international shipping costs are messing up, but since he's been so busy he's been getting back to me every couple of weeks or so, so I've just gone ahead and ordered and hope there's some way he can refund me if I've been overcharged (since it's so late I went for the express 3-5 day delivery).
Put in my order on the 19th, so it's only been 2 days since I'd imagine skip is probably only getting out of bed now at my time, but I'm hoping it's gonna be dispatched today or tomorrow otherwise it looks like I might have to settle with something fairly rubbish in comparison.
Put in my order on the 19th, so it's only been 2 days since I'd imagine skip is probably only getting out of bed now at my time, but I'm hoping it's gonna be dispatched today or tomorrow otherwise it looks like I might have to settle with something fairly rubbish in comparison.
less than two weeks.. I orderd on a Sunday, I'm pretty sure they came the following Monday (8 days).
- Aug 5, 2005
- 7,243
- 92
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: J.C. Basses
Unfortunately, there is no shipping guarantee once things leave the country. Things can get caught up in customs for weeks at a time (especially during the holidays when there's serious shipping traffic).
Oh yeah can appreciate that, I just meant in terms of how long he might take dispatching the order out his own doors after you've ordered. I hope you get a dispatch confirmation at least that is, not sure if he sends you one or not. I know skip is a little snowed under at the moment otherwise I'd chase him up about it via email, customer service has been really good just a bit slow.
Welp,...looks like I could have found a reliable source for strings for my Thumb BO. It's been a struggle that I've been more than happy to play on 3 year old strings to avoid going crazy trying to find strings. Local shops? Fuhgetabout it.
I will have to make and initial investment to get my bass to the point that it can accommodate such heavy gauged strings (considering the .166 as seemingly recommended for tuning a 5 string down a whole step). New nut with wider slots plus a relief adjustment and setup.
May take the opportunity to update my bass with a refret as well. The frets on this 14 year old Warwick have always had a bit of a flat profile and I think is contributing to some dullness and playbility issues.
I will have to make and initial investment to get my bass to the point that it can accommodate such heavy gauged strings (considering the .166 as seemingly recommended for tuning a 5 string down a whole step). New nut with wider slots plus a relief adjustment and setup.
May take the opportunity to update my bass with a refret as well. The frets on this 14 year old Warwick have always had a bit of a flat profile and I think is contributing to some dullness and playbility issues.
- Aug 5, 2005
- 7,243
- 92
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: J.C. Basses
A fret crown will probably suffice (and be cheaper too). Welcome to Circle K's, may you never look back.
Sorry to be a pain in the arse but does anyone know if you get a confirmation for when your delivery's been dispatched and handed to the postie and all that? Just eager that they'll make it over in time to record with them, can imagine as well as sounding good it'll mean the guy we're recording with won't have to use nearly as much compression which would be nice.
Usually not. They usually just show uo in a big envelope a few days after ordering (depending on location...)
Cheers, I'm at least partially assured now, that's if skips not so busy his packing area resembles a scene from Terry Pratchett's Going Postal 
Hopefully if they're out his workshop and the 3-5 day estimate on my shipping is right I'll be very relieved some time next week.
Hopefully if they're out his workshop and the 3-5 day estimate on my shipping is right I'll be very relieved some time next week.
I still really want to try these strings. I'm hoping one day, circle K can make a nickle free, or coated version? (I have a nickle allergy and it seriously jacks my fingers up using nickle strings) 
- Aug 5, 2005
- 7,243
- 92
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: J.C. Basses
A lot of folks have asked for stainless steels and flats, but Skip hasn't really addressed either. Given the general tonal goals of the current CKS line (flat, even response) and the stainless steel tones I've experienced (rather scooped in the low mids), I can see how much more R&D would need to be done to get them to sound good.
Something you could try, though it might be a long shot, is to contact Elixir and see if they would coat a set of CKS strings for you because of your allergy.
Something you could try, though it might be a long shot, is to contact Elixir and see if they would coat a set of CKS strings for you because of your allergy.
