Mid Presence and Tension somewhere between....

[winegamd]

I am looking for a string somewhere between SIT Foundations 30-120 set and DR Hi Beams 6-130 set.

The Foundations have a little too much mid when broken in and not enough tension (actual lbs, not action). The Hi Beams don't have enough mids and are either too sticky or too tight (action not as flexible as I would like). I was thinking the Pure Blues might be somewhere in-between, maybe lighter gauge Fat Beams, or maybe something in the new Fodera x DR line (their nickels or 30-120 SS)

I find the Foundations don't have enough tension (pull) on my neck so I have a flat relief instead of slight relief (graphite neck, no truss rod). I would also like the A/E/B strings to maybe be a smidge tighter in action. I find the Hi Beams a bit too stiff/tight on the A/E/B, at least with them being "grabbier" due to the stainless

I have been thinking about the Pure Blues 30-125 set or possibly going with Fat Beams 40-120 set and ordering a .030 single from Juststrings.

Would the Pure Blues slicker nickel wrap make them feel more like the Foundations but offer acceptable tension?

Would the Fat Beams .040-.120 gauges have more tension than the Foundations .040-.120 gauges (not so worried about the .030)?

Is there something in-between like maybe the new Fodera x DR strings?

I don't like the Dunlop, D'Addario, EB, or GHS offerings. I am not much of a fan of most hex core strings because they feel too tight in action. I loved the LaBella Slappers in the past, but don't think the new RX series is the same quality (plus, I always have bad luck with LaBella consistency).

 

[michael_t]

I am not much of a fan of most hex core strings because they feel too tight in action...

Interesting you say that... The SIT Foundations are hex core, but you find them a bit too loose, while the Hi Beams are round core, but you find them too stiff. Sounds to me like it has more to do with the gauge selections than the type of core that's making the difference for you.

 

[winegamd]

The SIT's have some special new material for the Hex core that makes them more flexible. I suspect they also have a smaller diameter core to add to this, and why they seem to have less tension. I would say it works because they are very flexible without feeling "floppy".

I like the DR round core strings because they are more flexible per given gauge, but the Hi Beams are just too grabby and seem to get lost in the mix with the scooped mids. Everyone talks about them being so "aggressive", but once they settle in, I find them rather relaxed.

I am coming back to rounds after three years of playing LaBella Gold and Copper tapes exclusively, so got used to their feel and action.

 

[Stan_da_man]

I believe Pure Blues are the string you're after.

 

[logdrum]

I even find the 45 Pure Blues soft but maybe that's what you are after, How can hex be more supple than round? What does SIT say? Maybe it's a thinner core

 

[michael_t]

How can hex be more supple than round? What does SIT say? Maybe it's a thinner core

It's the thickness of the core as well as the type that affect the overall stiffness/flexibility. Both the SIT Foundations and the Dunlop Super Brights are based on the idea for achieving flexibility by using hex cores of a smaller diameter.

As a general rule, a hex core is stiffer in feel than a round core, provided they're the same thickness.

 

[winegamd]

The Hi beams I am using are .030-.045-.065.085.105-.130 versus the Foundations .030-.040.0-0.080-.100-.120, so that accounts for some of it. However, I agree that Hex is typically stiffer. Usually I can get away with the lighter gauge and still have similar tension.

 

[GTHintz]

Maybe you might like fodera stainless steel. They struck me as hi beams but a little more well rounded.

 

[winegamd]

I tried the Pure Blues. Their tension is higher like I wanted, but surprisingly they are just as flexible as the lighter Foundations. In fact the D-C strings feel almost identical.

The tone is also, at least right now, exactly what I wanted. More mids than Hi Beams, but more even and balanced than the Foundations. They are also more clear than the Foundations.