Round core strings play "faster" than hex cores?

[Salem6127]

I can't help but notice in my perennial quest for the perfect string that round cores give me more speed, respond better to hammer on/pull offs, tapping, and just make fast playing smoother and less clunky.

Now I'm well aware that the generally stiffer nature of hex cores means they should, in theory, be better for technical work... Especially since they should offer lower action and have less flop. But with every comparison I try the result is the opposite.

Just makes me question the whole round=vintage, hex=modern statement.

Also noticed round cores make harmonics articulate so much more, which again, shouldn't make sense.

Anyone else had this experience?

 

[michael_t]

My experiences have been exactly the opposite.

Round core strings in general slow me down by getting too bouncy under the plucking fingers while hex core strings allow me to move around more efficiently by providing the firmness and stability I need.

EDIT: I should also add that I tend to prefer lighter gauges (40-95/40-100) for the sake of left hand comfort.

 

[Lee Moses]

When I first went from Rotosound Swing Bass to Sunbeams, I noticed the same thing. I can't explain why; because theoretically speaking, what @michael_t is saying makes perfect sense.

 

[Pyrrho Epoche]

DR High Beams are round core and so are Dogal Carbonsteels. Their tension is not too floppy, but indeed not the tightest and I can fly with them...I can fly with Hex too....I change my strings often though. I think it really varies from maker to maker. I play plectrum mostly. Alot depends on what guages you use also.

 

[Wisebass]

Hi folks

Feeling is very subjective!

round cores give me more speed, respond better to hammer on/pull offs, tapping, and just make fast playing smoother

Anyone else had this experience?

IME lower tension strings (roundcore) force me to play with a much lighter touch (right hand)

=> the result is not only that I can pluck faster, but also that I finger (left hand)

a lot more relaxed! Playing faster runs across the board up and down the neck becomes easier.

Round core strings in general slow me down by getting too bouncy under the plucking fingers

Hex cores (or higher tension strings) are more forgiving, played with a harder touch (right hand).

They don't become as wobbly as roundcores when you hit them or when you pluck "through" the string.

=> Sounds that need a lot of attack and a fast decay are a lot easier to play with stiffer strings.

Easier= more relaxed => faster is possible!

I tend to prefer lighter gauges (40-95/40-100) for the sake of left hand comfort.

String gauges of course are also important! And whatever feels right is right!


Kinda funny how that works!


greeetings

Wise(b)ass

 

[maturanesa]

Probably, the less tension roundcore would make fretting easier. But is also true that a floppier string is difficult to pluck fast. Also lighter tension in general requieres a bit more action because they move around

 

[Moondog]

Round core strings in general slow me down by getting too bouncy under the plucking fingers while hex core strings allow me to move around more efficiently by providing the firmness and stability I need

This has been my experience as well. I’m much prefer the stability of hex core strings. But of course this is all entirely subjective.

 

[Lee Moses]

Probably, the less tension roundcore would make fretting easier. But is also true that a floppier string is difficult to pluck fast. Also lighter tension in general requieres a bit more action because they move around

My experience is that it is the right hand plucking that moves more quickly with the more flexible round core string. Again, it makes no sense to me in terms of physics, but that has been my experience as someone who played hex-core strings for around 30 years before discovering round core.

 

[hasbeen]

I apologize for getting on my soap box again, but tension and flexibility are terms that are often used interchangeably and usually shouldn't be. Everything else being equal, round core strings will be more flexible but have the same tension as hex core.

That flexibility, depending on technique, should make pull-offs and hammer-ons "easier". As some have mentioned though, the string under the plucking hand loses some quickness in response. How one's technique affects and/or interacts certainly comes into play.

On fretted bass and usually on fretless, I pluck way....way...way back towards the bridge where the string response is very tight. So to me, the added flexibility of round cores don't slow me down while playing double-time samba or 16th note funk kinds of things.

I love how round core strings feel under my fretting hand. I really dislike the "mwah" term, but they also get more "mwah" on my fretless too and respond very well to my fretless vibrato technique.

 

[booch29]

Funny, i just played a gig with new DR lo rider nickel and they are very supple and easy to play, i thought they were round core, apparently not.
I too love a string with higher tension, such as Daddario XL, i just need the extra pull on my right hand

 

[Yahboy]

I have no problem play fast and precise fretting on LTF4A ,Ti flat , hibeam and sunbeam.

Funny that GHS Pressure wound , boomer and lo rider SS cause my fretting hand easily gets tired even action set low.

 

[Drop1]

I usually find that round core feels a little loser than other types. You can fly with rounds, but you almost "have" to use a lighter tough.
Stiffer strings feel far faster to me. They come off your fingers a bit faster when using the same amount or pressure. Im really sure is this is even a rounds vs (other) question but more of a tension thing. For me, the higher the tension, the easier it is to play fast, especially if you are digging in.
I prefer bendy over speed though.
I feel like having a little more loose strings let's you articulate in many more different ways.
This becomes especially true for me when using a round core steel string vs a hex nickle or coated.
Round core steels have so many more points of articulation where the nickle or coated hex strings I feel like I'm either playing hard or soft without a lot of middle ground. Nickle hex imo are by far the easiest to play.

 

[J Posega]

Yes, if you record the same bass part played at the same tempo with both ground and hex core strings, mysteriously, the round core recording will be somehow several BPM faster on playback. It’s like the Bermuda Triangle of bass guitar.