Anyone set up a Smith bass without taper core strings? I was hoping to use some DR Hi-Beams but wondered if anyone here has used non-tapered core strings and hopefully didn't have to to too much trouble to make it work.
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Non-Taper Core Strings on a Ken Smith
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A lot of the Ken Smith brand strings are non-tapered. Is it the bridge design on the specific model you have that needs tapered strings?
What's nice about DR strings is their "long scale" is longer than most at 37.75" in winding length (ball end to taper), which is the closest to Ken Smith's "long scale" at 38" (except for low B's).
Well…
I think Ken "recommends" taper core for Smith basses and I've never used anything other than taper. I bought a set of DRs but before I went through the trouble I wanted to see if anyone has gone from taper to round core on a Smith and if it was a simple switch or did it require a whole new setup.
I've used Hi-Beams on my Jazz and wanted to use them on my Smith.
I think Ken "recommends" taper core for Smith basses and I've never used anything other than taper. I bought a set of DRs but before I went through the trouble I wanted to see if anyone has gone from taper to round core on a Smith and if it was a simple switch or did it require a whole new setup.
I've used Hi-Beams on my Jazz and wanted to use them on my Smith.
I use DR Lo Riders on my Ken Smith. It came with tapered Ken Smith strings and an extra set when I bought the bass in 2003. You should be fine. Might have to adjust the height of the saddles
that's simple enough! I wasn't sure if it would require filing down the saddles and I didn't want to do that. Thank you!
I've done it, too. I used to own a Smith 6. I used both Taper Core and conventional strings on it. It does require a new setup, and intonation adjustments. Nothing too major. But the saddles will have to be lowered by quite a bit. And, intonation will be off. At least it was in my case. No big deal. I do all my own setups. But, can be a pain if you have to wait on a tech to set it up.
So let's say you buy a set of regular Rockmasters. They won't be tapered. Rockmasters are Ken Smith strings. All you'd have to do is possibly lower the bridge action slightly and maybe adjust your action at the truss rod if you're going from Ken Smith tapercore to high beams. I did on my Warwick bass. The high beams are cool but they are a little more flexible and lower tension so it'll probably buzz a bit especially if you set up low already.
