Circle K Strings

[Fezzey]

Just played my second gig last night with Circle K Strings on my Lakland 55-02 Deluxe and, thus far, they are the best strings I have ever used. I chose a balanced set with a B string that's .142 and these things are amazing! I have never before heard a B string sound or play like that! They stay in tune as well as any string I have ever used, they are clear, articulate and they feel great. The concept of balanced string gauges basically eliminates any need for a fanned fret system, such as the Dingwall. Give these strings a try. Their service is quick and their prices are quite competitive as well.

 

[Hollywars]

I'm using a set that has like .146 and I'm also really liking them.

 

[James Hart]

I've got them on a fretted and a fretless... they instantly became my favorite strings.

 

[DerHoggz]

Which B string gauge would you recommend for use on an Ibanez sixer, I've been very dissatisfied with most I've tried. What is the tension like at that thick of a string?

 

[chadhargis]

I was worried about having to cut or replace my nut for such a thick B, so I ended up going with the .136 (since I know a .132 fits fine). I anxiously awaiting their arrival.

 

[Hollywars]

The .146 fitted perfectly after a little stretching in my nut.

 

[CapnSev]

How's the sound and feel?

If they're nice and mellow, and smooth on the fingers, I'll have to check these out.

 

[lug]

How's the sound and feel?

If they're nice and mellow, and smooth on the fingers, I'll have to check these out.

Feel great and they are a nickel/steel blend. They sound in between the two and so far seem to last quite well.

 

[Joe Smithberger]

I'm still lovin them on my P5. I'm using the .136 B balanced set also. Next time I will step up to the .142 and see if it is even better.

 

[DrSmaggs]

I will seriously check them out if I see them at a shop near me... but I couldn't help but think of this...


We have Circle K gas stations all over here.

 

[kcamsdog1387]

Never used/ heard of them, but I can never pass up a Bill & Ted quote:

"Strange things are afoot at the Circle K"

 

[Jon Moody]

I've been using them since I needed a new set of strings for a two week run of TOMMY at the local theatre last July (you can check my blog to read all my ramblings about them). Talked with Skip a bit before ordering the strings, and am very glad I did. They're currently on both my Warwicks and my Kydd EUB and I couldn't be happier. I've beaten these things up quite a bit, and they hold up longer than any other strings I have used.

 

[DrSmaggs]

Interesting... I checked out their site and I'm honestly not sure what set I would use for my basses.

 

[Joe Smithberger]

I see from your profile that you play 34-35 inch scale 5 stringers. I would start with the .136 B string, Balanced set first (wait, in fact I did start with that set...). If you down tune at all, I would go up accordingly.

Interesting... I checked out their site and I'm honestly not sure what set I would use for my basses.

 

[lug]

I will seriously check them out if I see them at a shop near me...

Mail order only. The company is run by the same guy that makes the Knuckle extented scale basses. He's a member here, one of the most helpful guys you will find, and really knows his shite about strings/scale length, materials, etc.

 

[chadhargis]

I had a similar quandary. I wanted to get the right size B string that wouldn't require me to modify my bass.

 

[Jon Moody]

Interesting... I checked out their site and I'm honestly not sure what set I would use for my basses.

Toss them an email. Chris (he's probably the one to answer them) is a very knowledgeable guy and was very helpful (as was Skip) in giving me the information I needed to make a decision as to the gauges I would want. I use a balanced .136 set on my Streamer LX, and a traditional .136 on my Corvette. There are pros and cons to both, but those seem to work the best for my basses, and applications.

 

[EagleMoon]

I wonder how these are different from the Dunlop nickel plated steel strings? I didn't really care for those.

 

[chadhargis]

I got my strings today and put them on. I have a lot of setup to do as they are tapered strings. My string height is way too low at this point, but I couldn't resist plugging in and trying them out.

Wow! These suckers practically play themselves. I went with a balanced set, and I can tell the difference. I'll get things set up properly tonight and give them a good test play.

The one thing I noticed is that they aren't as thick as the gauges suggest. The set I took off were Chromes with a .132 B string. The .136 Circle K is DWARFED by the Chrome B. They ship the strings in a little cardboard hanger and the Chrome B would barely fit into the hole. Very strange, but my initial impression is very favorable. I always thought I couldn't slap, but I was wrong. The Chromes didn't slap well, and I always thought it was me since I am a newbie player. But the Circle K's sound great. Just barely slap them and you're rewarded with a nice tone, and the "pop" tone is fantastic too.

As soon as I get the string height set right on my B string so I can give it a good workout without it hitting the frets, I'll let you know how it sounds. So far, it sounds really good. Very cool that you can use the same "pluck pressure" (that's the best way I can put it) to get the same volume from any string. The Chromes required a hefty pluck on the B string to get anything out of it where the D and G strings were really sensitive. The Circle K strings seem to have good even sound to them. I set the EQ on my bass flat and the strings don't seem overly bright (even thought they are new).

 

[Joe Smithberger]

Is anyone using the .142 size B in a newer Fender with the high mass bridge? I am wondering if it fits without modifying anything. I really like the .136 set, but last night when the band got loud and I was really digging in, I was wishing for a bit tighter feel. The P5 was a beast though with these strings. I was riding that B string a lot