Ken Smith Slick Round Dead B string?

[Bassman8416]

I was wondering if anyone else has had this problem? I love these strings, but the last couple sets I have received had very dead sounding B strings. meaning the B sounded more like a broken in flat wound string, very different from the rest of the set.
I went to D'Addario Halfs, and they are decent, but I like the Slicks a little more...when the set is happening. anyone else?
Maybe I just had really bad luck?

 

[mmbongo]

Smith will probably replace them, did you contact them?

Other than that, you can order singles from www.bassstringsonline.com

 

[Bassman8416]

Jason from Bass Strings Online helped me out in the past, I just ordered another set, so hopefully all is good with this one.

 

[Tim Bishop]

Make sure Ken is aware of this. He will take care of you.

 

[TigerInATrance]

There's a lot of discussion about the slick rounds in the rukind.org community and more dead B strings than not from what I've read. It seems as though getting a set with a good B comes down to luck. It was about half good, half dead for me while I was using them. If you contact Smith they will make it right, but for me it wasn't worth the hassle every time I came up on a string change. They are really great sounding strings though. From what I can tell, GHS Brite Flats are essentially the same and the few sets I tried had no problems.

 

[Bassman8416]

I just got a set for my Q6 and the b turned out fine!!!!

 

[And I]

I just put a set on my 4 string. The Low E is totally dead... I emailed 'em.

I love the way the other 3 strings sound. I think I may have found "my string"... if this is not common...

 

[/\/\3phist0]

I tried them 3 out of 3 sets dead B. And they went flat like dead tone wise in short order so the B sounded like it belonged after a week. But they weren't good dead just lifeless.... YMMV

 

[And I]

I heard back from Ken Smith already.

Hi,

I just bought a new set of Slick Rounds, 44 to 103 gauge. The A through G strings sound perfect, but the E string is dead. The low E sounds like an old flatwound with no zing to it at all, while the other 3 strings have plenty.

Is this common? Could I have put the string on wrong? Stretched it too much??

Thanks

and his reply:

The Slick E and B is like that. Essentially a flatwound sound made with round wire and the outer cover wire is ground half way to look and feel flat. Compressors are slightly brighter and are made differently. Same wire, different process. Both made with nickle-iron (Niron) round wire.

I don't know how you put it on or know anything about your bass. Anything is possible. I use about 3 wraps around the tuner. I cut the excess off first. Maybe 4 wraps to improve the angle and tension.

Bummer.

 

[loveandbass]

i thought you had to buy the B string separately anyway

LOL @ I dont know how you put it on or know anything about your bass....what a tool

 

[And I]

In my case it's a 4 string and the low E is dead. To be fair, I did mention maybe I put the string on wrong--hoping that I had done something and the low string was supposed to sound like the other three... But apparently not.

 

[And I]

Heard from Ken that he is looking into this. Good customer service.