• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Holy cow, just discovered exposed cores

#21
I first ran across the exposed core on SuperWound - made by Rotosound - strings back in the '80s. Loved them.

My fiver wears GHS Contact Core Super Steels, my other basses are short scale and there's not a lot of exposed core offerings in that segment of the market. La Bella Super Steps were the only ones I've ever tried, and didn't like them under my fingers although I'll admit that they recorded exceptionally well.
 
  • Like
Reactions: tindrum
#22
Oddly, I went from exposed core on my F Bass to tapered core to tape wound. I do remember being really impressed with the exposed core strings when it first arrived. I wonder if I should string it back up with the exposed cores to see how I like them again.
 
#23
monsterthompson said:
Oddly, I went from exposed core on my F Bass to tapered core to tape wound. I do remember being really impressed with the exposed core strings when it first arrived. I wonder if I should string it back up with the exposed cores to see how I like them again.
Click to expand...

The biggest problem with them I found was if you didn't get the witness point on the bridge right, you'l end up with terrible chorusing beyond the 7th fret on the lower strings.
 
#24
frankie5string said:
The biggest problem with them I found was if you didn't get the witness point on the bridge right, you'l end up with terrible chorusing beyond the 7th fret on the lower strings.
Click to expand...

That's the complaint I read about. My warble/chorus was on the low B (open and first few frets) and primarily when using a flat pick. I adjusted pickup heights and changed strings. Ultimately, I think my picking position/technique is most of the problem.
 
#26
A story from the Three Kingdoms: a dictator murdered the Emperor and took over the state oppressively. He wanted his daughter to marry the son of a well-known polymath and musician, who refused by getting drunk for a straight 60 days. The musician went out and cried "there's no hero in our times, so that anyone could be famous!" The Super Steps seems like the "anyone" here, even though the Rotosound 99 isn't murdered by La Bella.
 
#27
michael_t said:
DR Long Necks are designed for thru-body with 3" of taper at the ball end. They're stainless rounds.
Click to expand...
It seems to fit my Rickenbacker and Thunderbird! I'll likely try them. The last time I used DR's I remember they sounded remarkably similar to Rotosound, but they didn't last much longer than Rotos in my hands. With tapered cores I've heard descriptions that they last longer, so longevity is a non-issue in this case.
 
#28
I'll add Dean Markley SR2000 to that list of exposed core. They also made helix strings that were a little unusual but it would be nice to have more unique options these days. SR2000 is hard to find and expensive when I do run across them. But taper core especially on 35" scale basses feel nice and kinda accentuate the clarity and definition of the low strings which is what the whole point of 35 and up scale basses.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Iristone
#29
My old Warwick Thumb came with Warwick Black Label strings, which were SS taper core. I kept using the same string as they sounded great on that bass, and the one time I did try using another brand, the B string wouldn't fit in the tailpiece or saddle. It would appear Warwick were design for taper core strings.

That bass had a fab sounding B string. You could almost call it 'piano tone'.
 
#31
Wow....I haven't tried exposed cores in a VERY long time....back in the 90's I think. I'll have to give them a go again just to see
 
  • Like
Reactions: tindrum
#32
monsterthompson said:
That's the complaint I read about. My warble/chorus was on the low B (open and first few frets) and primarily when using a flat pick. I adjusted pickup heights and changed strings. Ultimately, I think my picking position/technique is most of the problem.
Click to expand...
I bought a 5-string sadowsky metroline some years ago, and it had the WORST warbly dissonant overtones you could imagine on the B string. It started to sound wrong at the 4th fret and was absolutely unplayable above the 9th fret. I have never experienced anything like it. I tried all kinds of setup adjustments and could not put a dent in that awful sound. It defied physics - a conduit to another place, one of nightmares. Like listening to the wailing souls of the damned as they made their final steps into the deepest circles of hell. There was a Stephen King book called Cell, in which a tone suddenly goes out through all cell phones that turns anyone who hears it into a mindless, murderous zombie. This string probably sounded something like that.

At the time it was said that every metroline underwent final setup and inspection in NY by the man himself. YEAH RIGHT. No chance any man on earth would ship a bass that sounded like that, unless their only goal in life was the downfall of mankind.

But anyway, the B string was the only one that was tapered, so I replaced with with one that was not, and that solved the problem completely. And except for that issue, the bass is lovely. 5 stars. However I am someone put off by tapered and exposed-core strings now.
 
  • Haha
  • Like
Reactions: spiritbass, tindrum and monsterthompson
#33
I recently did a diy taper on a 145 hex core nickel round. I didn't notice any difference in sound, feel. No intonation change.

Exposing the core would be no drama me thinks and seeing if I notice anything
IMG_1035.jpeg
 
Last edited:
#34
Trouztrouz said:
I bought a 5-string sadowsky metroline some years ago, and it had the WORST warbly dissonant overtones you could imagine on the B string. It started to sound wrong at the 4th fret and was absolutely unplayable above the 9th fret. I have never experienced anything like it. I tried all kinds of setup adjustments and could not put a dent in that awful sound. It defied physics - a conduit to another place, one of nightmares. Like listening to the wailing souls of the damned as they made their final steps into the deepest circles of hell. There was a Stephen King book called Cell, in which a tone suddenly goes out through all cell phones that turns anyone who hears it into a mindless, murderous zombie. This string probably sounded something like that.

At the time it was said that every metroline underwent final setup and inspection in NY by the man himself. YEAH RIGHT. No chance any man on earth would ship a bass that sounded like that, unless their only goal in life was the downfall of mankind.

But anyway, the B string was the only one that was tapered, so I replaced with with one that was not, and that solved the problem completely. And except for that issue, the bass is lovely. 5 stars. However I am someone put off by tapered and exposed-core strings now.
Click to expand...
Im willing to bet that string was twisted when installed. I've encountered that a few times on different strings and that 100% was the issue every time.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BrentSimons and s_wood
#35
tindrum said:
Im willing to bet that string was twisted when installed. I've encountered that a few times on different strings and that 100% was the issue every time.
Click to expand...
Oooh that is an interesting idea! If it has been strung up twisted and left that way for a while, would the twist be permanent? It's a top loading bridge and with all my efforts to figure it out, there must have been ample opportunity for it to un-twist if it was able.
 
  • Like
Reactions: tindrum
#38
Jonahlane said:
Anyone know of any string sets with exposed core that fits a dingwall combustion 5? XL length labella's aren't consistent enough to clear the nut on the B string every time. Looking for something like super steps but with the proper nut to ball end length
Click to expand...
SIT offers both Power Steels and Power Wound Nickels in 5-string sets specifically designed for Dingwall. B, E and A are taperwound at the ball end. The taper is 1.5".

EDIT: I just corrected the typo in my previous post. The taper length on the SIT Multiscale set is 1.5", not 0.5". Sorry for the confusion.

sitstrings.com

Power Steel Bass Extra Long Multi-Scale Strings - S.I.T. Strings

S.I.T. Strings Power Steel Bass Extra Long Multi-Scale Strings. Built specifically for the "Dingwall Style" basses.
sitstrings.com sitstrings.com

sitstrings.com

Power Wound Bass Extra Long Multi-Scale Strings - S.I.T. Strings

S.I.T. Strings Power Wound Bass Extra Long Multi-Scale Strings, designed specifically for Dingwall-style basses, deliver a warm, punchy tone with deep lows and clear highs. Featuring a high-tension hex core and nickel-plated steel wrap, these strings offer exceptional durability, balanced...
sitstrings.com sitstrings.com
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: One Way and monsterthompson
#39
UPDATE:
After 2 weeks the strings have become dull sounding. Not sure why but pulled them and put a set Smith Rock Masters on and it is sounding great. Any ideas why the exposed core would die so quickly? I'm just glad I didn't pay much for them.
 
#40
Thumpin6string said:
UPDATE:
After 2 weeks the strings have become dull sounding. Not sure why but pulled them and put a set Smith Rock Masters on and it is sounding great. Any ideas why the exposed core would die so quickly? I'm just glad I didn't pay much for them.
Click to expand...
My experience actually indicates an exposed-core B retains clarity longer than a non-tapered counterpart.

I've had situations where I was able to keep the same B (exposed core) when the other four were ready to be replaced.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back