Medium scale, 5-string, pressurewound-like strings?

[campersand]

Hi all,

I have a 32" scale Serek Midwestern II 5-string that I'm having a heck of a time finding strings for. I'd like to find something like GHS Pressurewound strings but those only come in long scale. Something between round and flat, tonally, would be ideal.

Measurements: Ball end to tuner side of nut = 33"
Ball end to B-string post = 35.5"

Can anyone think of a type of string that would check all these boxes?

 

[Rocket Queen]

Hi all,

I have a 32" scale Serek Midwestern II 5-string that I'm having a heck of a time finding strings for. I'd like to find something like GHS Pressurewound strings but those only come in long scale. Something between round and flat, tonally, would be ideal.

Measurements: Ball end to tuner side of nut = 33"
Ball end to B-string post = 35.5"

Can anyone think of a type of string that would check all these boxes?

Alembic puts their own brand of pressurewound-type strings on their own basses. You'd probably need to contact them directly, as there's only one other independent source (on Reverb) that I know of, but they do sell strings separately. And be sure to specify a "short scale" set, as, due to their bridge placement, their short scale is every one else's medium scale, with a medium scale winding length.

 

[michael_t]

Alembic puts their own brand of pressurewound-type strings on their own basses.

As far as I know, the "elliptical winding" by Alembic is the opposite of the "roller-winding" process used by GHS for the Pressurewound.

The "elliptical" winding was also used by Dean Markley for the Helix line.

"Roller-winding" by GHS compresses the outer round wire the other way.

 

[michael_t]

I have a 32" scale Serek Midwestern II 5-string that I'm having a heck of a time finding strings for. I'd like to find something like GHS Pressurewound strings but those only come in long scale. Something between round and flat, tonally, would be ideal.

Measurements: Ball end to tuner side of nut = 33"
Ball end to B-string post = 35.5"

GHS Brite Flats are half-rounds (aka groundwound) which use the same Alloy 52 as the Pressurewounds. Their tonal character is more flatwound than the PWs, but the nice thing is they come in "medium scale" with 35.5" winding length (ball end to silk).

EDIT: Sorry, but forget what I said about the Brite Flats. No 5-string set in "medium scale".

 

[michael_t]

Measurements: Ball end to tuner side of nut = 33"
Ball end to B-string post = 35.5"

Can anyone think of a type of string that would check all these boxes?

The only "medium scale" non-roundwound 5-strings sets I can think of are the Dunlop Flats. Both 40-120 and 45-125 come in "medium scale" with 34" winding length.

I realize Dunlop Flats are not anything like the PWs in their tonal character, but at least they come with black silk like the PWs.

 

[funkinbottom]

The only "medium scale" non-roundwound 5-strings sets I can think of are the Dunlop Flats.

La Bella makes a medium scale - 34 1/4" winding length - .045, .065, .085, .105, .128; as does DR Legend - 34" winding length - .045 .065 .085 .105 .125

Love my Dunlops. Two of my medium scale sport Dunlop. The other two are strung with La Bella and Dr Legend. (all are 5 string) All great sounding strings. Not quite as bright as the pressure wound or ground wounds, but I get plenty top end for my needs.

 

[HaphAsSard]

The La Bella 760QMB (= Quarter Round, medium-scale, low B) set would have been a good option, if not for, well, it being long-discontinued...

 

[michael_t]

...as does DR Legend - 34" winding length - .045 .065 .085 .105 .125

DR Legends 5-string set is only available in "long scale" as part of their regular offering. The "short scale" (33.5" winding) 5-string set has only been available as a special limited-time offer in the past.

 

[Rocket Queen]

As far as I know, the "elliptical winding" by Alembic is the opposite of the "roller-winding" process used by GHS for the Pressurewound.

The "elliptical" winding was also used by Dean Markley for the Helix line.

View attachment 4500935

"Roller-winding" by GHS compresses the outer round wire the other way.

View attachment 4500936

In defense of the Alembic strings, even though the construction process differs in terms of the axis of the wrap flattening, the end result might, repeat might, be something the OP would benefit from. The elliptical wrap seems to produce an effect somewhat similar to the approach employed by Thomastik-Infeld with their Jazz Rounds, where the final wrap is an extremely small diameter alloy winding. In both cases, the result is more wraps per inch, which in turn, according to the advertising, serves to decrease both fingering noise and fret wear, while still retaining a roundwound tone. And this is simply what I thought the OP was after. And the Alembic winding length will fit his bass.

@michael_t , if you haven't done so yet, I would encourage you to try the Alembic strings yourself, so that you could base an evaluation on direct experience rather than on details of the string construction. In fact, I would be very happy to buy you a free set to try out. PM me if you'd like to follow up on my offer.

 

[michael_t]

In defense of the Alembic strings, even though the construction process differs in terms of the axis of the wrap flattening, the end result might, repeat might, be something the OP would benefit from. The elliptical wrap seems to produce an effect somewhat similar to the approach employed by Thomastik-Infeld with their Jazz Rounds, where the final wrap is an extremely small diameter alloy winding. In both cases, the result is more wraps per inch, which in turn, according to the advertising, serves to decrease both fingering noise and fret wear, while still retaining a roundwound tone. And this is simply what I thought the OP was after. And the Alembic winding length will fit his bass.

First, "elliptical winding" (Alembic) vs. "rollerwinding" (GHS)... I was simply pointing out the difference in the two processes.

Secondly, I'm still not sure if this "elliptical winding process" would result in a tonal quality that's "between rounds and flats", which is what the OP is looking for. When Dean Markley was using the same winding process for the Helix line, they were known for their "extra brilliance and sustain", combined with the exposed core design.

@michael_t , if you haven't done so yet, I would encourage you to try the Alembic strings yourself, so that you could base an evaluation on direct experience rather than on details of the string construction. In fact, I would be very happy to buy you a free set to try out. PM me if you'd like to follow up on my offer.

Thanks for the offer, but I'm not interested in exploring yet another rabbit hole at this point. I'm perfectly content "rollin' with the rollerwound" in 2022.

 

[micguy]

Ok, here’s an odd suggestion:

Pressurewounds sound like slightly dead rounds. I have encountered a few round wound B strings that are slightly dead when compared to the rest of the set.

my approach would be to get a regular 4 string set of long scale pressurewounds (they will work fine), and try a few different round wound, medium scale B strings. I’ll bet if you try 3 or 4 different B strings, you’ll find at least 1 that works with the other 4 strings.

Upright players do a lot of mix and match stuff with strings: this isn’t that off the wall.

 

[michael_t]

my approach would be to get a regular 4 string set of long scale pressurewounds (they will work fine), and try a few different round wound, medium scale B strings. I’ll bet if you try 3 or 4 different B strings, you’ll find at least 1 that works with the other 4 strings.

A great suggestion!

The only challenge, though, would be to find a low B with a winding length between 33" and 35.5" that matches well tonally with the PWs.

 

[micguy]

A great suggestion!

The only challenge, though, would be to find a low B with a winding length between 33" and 35.5" that matches well tonally with the PWs.

I agree that’s the challenge. I just think it’ll be easier than you might think. I’ve done mixed sets a few times, because the “matching” B’s were a bit more dull than the rest of the set - they would match Pressurewounds better than the set they were supposed to “match”

 

[campersand]

Hi everyone, just wanted to say thanks for all the suggestions. This will be very helpful next time I buy strings!