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Hex core or round core
- Thread starter woody357
- Start date
Hex for me, although I've used round cores that I liked in the past. Light gauges (40-95/40-100) + hex core = comfy but not floppy.
I don't really care one way or the other, to be honest. All but 2 of my 27 basses wear flats - usually 45-105s or thereabouts; I imagine most of strings they wear, are hex core. But, I know some of them are round core - the TIJFs, for instance; I'm pretty sure the Optima RBs; the Dogal R44s; and the Galli Jazz Flats, are round core, too. I don't spend my time thinking about core wires, anyway. All I'm really interested in, is how they sound on a particular bass, and... how nice they are to play with a pick. The TIJF's aren't so great for that - for me; but that bass (Alembic Epic) is the only one I use for Jazz. And, IMO, a pick doesn't seem to be the way to play Jazz, anyway, so...
Hex cores for me. I’m very much a creature of habit. I’ve been using hex core strings since I started playing in the mid 70’s. I’ve only tried a couple of round core sets, and I didn’t like their more flexible feeling.
And, for my more aggressive plucking style, I prefer a higher tension feeling from my strings. I use GHS PWs, Bass Boomers, Brite Flats, and stainless steel Rotosound Swing Bass 66’s.
And, for my more aggressive plucking style, I prefer a higher tension feeling from my strings. I use GHS PWs, Bass Boomers, Brite Flats, and stainless steel Rotosound Swing Bass 66’s.
I've extensively used both and I prefer hex. Round core strings feel too "rubber bandy" to me and can be more finicky to string up and intonate.
And the in-between of the two, Dunlop SuperBrights which have a very thin hex-core for that round core feel, is not to my liking either. Dunlop SuperBright steels are solid strings but they are not for me at all and feel more rubber bandy than, say, DR Hi-Beams. On a side note, Dunlop SuperBright Steels don't have the tone I like either. They're too timid sounding, whereas the Hi-Beams have more personality.
(I plan to try Dunlop "black box" strings on a couple of my basses when they're due for their annual setups this year. I have a feeling I might like those better than the SuperBrights).
And the in-between of the two, Dunlop SuperBrights which have a very thin hex-core for that round core feel, is not to my liking either. Dunlop SuperBright steels are solid strings but they are not for me at all and feel more rubber bandy than, say, DR Hi-Beams. On a side note, Dunlop SuperBright Steels don't have the tone I like either. They're too timid sounding, whereas the Hi-Beams have more personality.
(I plan to try Dunlop "black box" strings on a couple of my basses when they're due for their annual setups this year. I have a feeling I might like those better than the SuperBrights).
Roundcore is a hill I'm willing to die on. Love the supple feel, especially for chords and melodies. But I know that alone puts me in a bass playing niche. I have no problem slapping them however, I guess thatmostly depends on how acclimated you are to your strings. I favor TIJFs when playing flats, DR Sunbeams or Hi-Beams when playing rounds. (Hi-Beams on my #1 right now)
I would agree that HC are easier to 'dial-in' my preferences for setups, but they just don't 'give' in-the-hand the same way as RC.—a real Sophie's choice for me.
For LH feel, Ive been in the RC camp for a long time and prefer it for the articulation and expression. Though recently, im reconsidering HC, for better RH control of slap techniques.
Not to muddy the waters... but 'in the middle' is stranded/rope cores. I love the Dogal Hellborgs. they so far have been a great balance of the two. (Though, they are still more sensitive in the RH than HC)
For LH feel, Ive been in the RC camp for a long time and prefer it for the articulation and expression. Though recently, im reconsidering HC, for better RH control of slap techniques.
Not to muddy the waters... but 'in the middle' is stranded/rope cores. I love the Dogal Hellborgs. they so far have been a great balance of the two. (Though, they are still more sensitive in the RH than HC)
Ehh too many variables. That's like saying 'blonde or brunette?' Well..it depends!
My fretlesses are LaBella DTF
My J is TI Jazz Rounds
My MMs are DR High Beam
All the rest, Ps, short scale, semi hollow, all are TI Jazz Flats.
Oh, my ABGs, one has LaBella tapes and the other has TI flats.
Which core are those?
My J is TI Jazz Rounds
My MMs are DR High Beam
All the rest, Ps, short scale, semi hollow, all are TI Jazz Flats.
Oh, my ABGs, one has LaBella tapes and the other has TI flats.
Which core are those?
I never really paid attention to that sort of thing. I like pure blues and sunbeams and TI flats.
My VERY limited survey has led me back to round cores.
About two years ago, I picked up a VERY nice 2007 Fender Jazz 5 Deluxe. It arrived with a set of strings, which seemed very lively and worked really well with the bass; more “articulate” than my favored DR Hi Beams at the time.
So, I inquired about the strings from the seller and learned they were the LaBella Hex Cores. I immediately switched three of my main gigging basses over, and started gigging with the hex’s.
On the positive side:
1) Roger Sadowsky has a high opinion of them.
2) They seem to last almost forever, retaining the good high end
On the negative side
1) They seem VERY fussy to mount in terms of string twist, particularly the lower strings. I had to reset at least two new string mounts for what seemed to be bad strings; but, which I figured out were VERY slight twists when taking up the slack.
2) The lower strings are articulate, but have no booty. My NYC Sadowsky is VERY articulate to begin with, owing to the chambered body. The hex core E was like putting ice on ice cream. Didn’t work.
3) Not only did the strings feel stiffer; but they actually made my Detuners way more touchy and hard to work with.
Yesterday, I changed out the strings on all three basses. I’m home again.
I’m sure the hex cores work for some players on some basses. They certainly last a long time. Just not my thing. FWIW
About two years ago, I picked up a VERY nice 2007 Fender Jazz 5 Deluxe. It arrived with a set of strings, which seemed very lively and worked really well with the bass; more “articulate” than my favored DR Hi Beams at the time.
So, I inquired about the strings from the seller and learned they were the LaBella Hex Cores. I immediately switched three of my main gigging basses over, and started gigging with the hex’s.
On the positive side:
1) Roger Sadowsky has a high opinion of them.
2) They seem to last almost forever, retaining the good high end
On the negative side
1) They seem VERY fussy to mount in terms of string twist, particularly the lower strings. I had to reset at least two new string mounts for what seemed to be bad strings; but, which I figured out were VERY slight twists when taking up the slack.
2) The lower strings are articulate, but have no booty. My NYC Sadowsky is VERY articulate to begin with, owing to the chambered body. The hex core E was like putting ice on ice cream. Didn’t work.
3) Not only did the strings feel stiffer; but they actually made my Detuners way more touchy and hard to work with.
Yesterday, I changed out the strings on all three basses. I’m home again.
I’m sure the hex cores work for some players on some basses. They certainly last a long time. Just not my thing. FWIW
I discovered by chance that my favorite strings happened to be HC.
I’ve since tried other strings that I didn’t care for and some of those were RC. But that’s not the reason I didn’t like them.
I’ve since tried other strings that I didn’t care for and some of those were RC. But that’s not the reason I didn’t like them.
I’ve been using DR Lo Riders primarily for the last 20 years. Zero complaints from anybody about how the sound, including me. Nice feel and reasonably priced which allows me to retire them after about 75 hours of usage without taking out a second mortgage.I don't really care one way or the other, to be honest. All but 2 of my 27 basses wear flats - usually 45-105s or thereabouts; I imagine most of strings they wear, are hex core. But, I know some of them are round core - the TIJFs, for instance; I'm pretty sure the Optima RBs; the Dogal R44s; and the Galli Jazz Flats, are round core, too. I don't spend my time thinking about core wires, anyway. All I'm really interested in, is how they sound on a particular bass, and... how nice they are to play with a pick. The TIJF's aren't so great for that - for me; but that bass (Alembic Epic) is the only one I use for Jazz. And, IMO, a pick doesn't seem to be the way to play Jazz, anyway, so...
GHS Bass Boomers that are round core have a similar feel and don’t sound as refined as Lo Riders. I only buy them when Lo Riders aren’t available.
Dogal Hellborg Pure Nickel Stranded Core FLAT Wound Bass Strings for 34" scale basses
Gauges: .037, .053, .074, .090
Dogal Hellborg strings are made by wrapping a single wire of Pure Nickel on a stranded core, offering low tension, improved intonation and impressive flexibility.
The evolution of the Hellborg round wound series developed in collaboration with bassist Jonas Hellborg. Combining our experience in manufacturing bowed instruments strings, we have created the world's first electric bass strings made with a 'Multicore'. The combination of alloys emphasize the whole range of frequencies. From the highest to the lowest, without sacrificing the midranges.
The last winding is made of a special alloy and each string is smoothed by hand with a tolerance of 1/100 of a mm throughout its whole length. These strings produce a richer overtone series, more in tune with the fundamental, resulting in a more precise and stable pitch and intonation across the whole spectrum.
Optima RB flats and Dogal Traditional flats are round-core all right (as are the Dogal Jacos); Galli Jazz Flats are hex.
