Effect of tapered strings?

[GastonD]

I recently got my first 5 string bass, an Ibanez SR505, and while I like it pretty much the strings need changing. So, before I do it, I was wondering how the tapered B (and maybe E for that matter) would affect the sound and/or feel of the 34" bass?

Would it make the sound punchier or not, and would it help the B string feel even closer to the rest?

Bear in mind I will probably be tuning the whole bass half a step down for most gigs with my band.

 

[LowB-ing]

The point of the taper is to make the string more flexible at the bridge witness point, which adds a little bit of brightness.

 

[hasbeen]

The point of the taper is to make the string more flexible at the bridge witness point, which adds a little bit of brightness.

I would agree with this too. At least in theory. I have clinical evidence, but no scientific evidence, but it seems intuitive. I've worked with a lot of string design for various companies and I prefer a non-tapered string. I think you get more punch and quicker response with the added mass over the bridge.

 

[lz4005]

Its not so much brightness as it is better intonation and better sounding overtones.

 

[hasbeen]

Its not so much brightness as it is better intonation and better sounding overtones.

I haven't seen any evidence of better intonation. Better sounding overtones? That is subjective.

 

[lz4005]

I haven't seen any evidence of better intonation. Better sounding overtones? That is subjective.

Taperwound strings were designed to improve intonation on thicker strings, and by extension make the overtones more in tune.

 

[GastonD]

Thanks everyone, it is already of help...hasbeen points to important issues of punch and response, and that is definitely something that is of importance in my decision.

 

[Linnin]

Taperwound strings were designed to improve intonation on thicker strings, and by extension make the overtones more in tune.

This plus the the tapered string is designed to vibrate more true to pitch. It is more accurate.

 

[Zooberwerx]

You will have to raise the saddle height a bit to compensate for the "step-down" which occurs with tapered and exposed core strings. Intonation / saddle position may be well-forward of that with a conventional full wrap string. It is easier to set the witness point(s).

Riis

 

[knuckle_head]

A taper does indeed affect intonation - better or worse will always be subjective, but a tapered string will generally intone at a similar length point as a non-tapered thinner string where a full thickness across the saddle will require the witness point to be further back.

In a perfect world a musical string would vibrate from the actual center of the string - sadly, a physical impossibility. The thinner the string is across the saddle the more freely it will vibrate. Less restricted harmonic structure results.

 

[David Jayne]

It's standard procedure with piano strings but I haven't been able to detect any great difference on my bass. I suppose it makes sense for large diameter B strings, which tend not to want to bend sharply over a bridge saddle.

 

[lz4005]

It's standard procedure with piano strings but I haven't been able to detect any great difference on my bass. I suppose it makes sense for large diameter B strings, which tend not to want to bend sharply over a bridge saddle.

I've never found non-tapered strings to be a deal breaker, at least on anything thinner than a .110 or so. But some people swear by them, particularly folks who are into a full range, high-fi tone and playing above the 7th fret on the B string.

 

[LowB-ing]

IME The taper will only improve intonation if it's lined up perfectly in front of the bridge. If there is too much tapered section, intonation and overtone pitch will get worse instead. With the typical so-so taper alignment of most strings on most bridges I'd say it's a wash.

The slight increase in highs is still there though. This is also the reason why Anthony Jackson originally suggested the concept back in the 80s.

 

[rohanarchy]

I used to use them on a 5 string, allowed me to run a heavier gauge (135) and get better sustain and intonation..

If you hit too hard they break though :/

 

[El Spearo]

I've just put a set of Ken Smith balanced tapers on my six string, haven't really played that much since, but i can tell the difference in feel. I think that might have to do more with the fact that they are a balanced set though.

But I took the bass to my lesson yesterday and my teacher really liked them, he's ordering a set for himself.

I did think that the B string sounded clearer and had more sustain

 

[Jools4001]

And there's always the issue that if you want a nice tight B string, and want to run much heavier than a 130, the string may not physically fit without running a taper core or modifying the bridge....taper core is easier.

 

[Fernando Costa]

I heard more defined and focused lows, and a bit more of brights too. I think all strings over .110 thicker should be tapered or exposed core. Almost all not tapered B strings sounds death to my ears. A set with tapered B are more balanced.

 

[BobaMosfett]

IME The taper will only improve intonation if it's lined up perfectly in front of the bridge. If there is too much tapered section, intonation and overtone pitch will get worse instead.

This effect gets even worse when playing higher up the neck. I had tapered strings on my 5-er, and notes above the 8th or 9th fret sounded awfully out of tune, while my tuner said they were fine. Overtones were out of tune with the fundamental...

I will never again buy tapered strings.

 

[Stealth]

From a purely physical perspective, I'm not exactly sure how an overtone can be more out of tune with the fundamental than it normally is.
A overtone (harmonic) is an integer multiple (1f, 2f, 3f, ...) and they are all naturally a bit "off" of what we consider normal pitches in equal temperament (all perfect fifths are off by 2 cents, all major thirds are off by 14 cents... But all of that shouldn't really affect higher fret notes more than low notes.

 

[LowB-ing]

From a purely physical perspective, I'm not exactly sure how an overtone can be more out of tune with the fundamental than it normally is.
A overtone (harmonic) is an integer multiple (1f, 2f, 3f, ...)

Only in theory, for a "perfect" string with no stiffness. A real string will have overtones going more and more sharp up the overtone series. This effect gets more prominent the stiffer the string is compared to its length, especially at the witness points (bridge and fret).

Pianos, in addition to being tuned for equal temperament, are "stretch tuned" so that the lower notes are tuned flat and the higher notes are tuned sharp. One of the reasons for this is to make the (slightly sharp) overtones of the lower notes be in tune with the higher notes.

and they are all naturally a bit "off" of what we consider normal pitches in equal temperament (all perfect fifths are off by 2 cents, all major thirds are off by 14 cents... But all of that shouldn't really affect higher fret notes more than low notes.

Some would argue that it's equal temperament that is "off", and the overtone series is "right" ;-)