String WINDING gauge?

[mountainhick]

I used to really play bass a long time ago! I didn't pay attention much to strings. Now getting back to it after a very long while, and I'm playing around with refretting, defretting, setting up, and tweaking several cheap electric basses. I've played around with swapping strings between them and have found that I really prefer round wounds with smaller gauge windings. Not into the coarser heavier gauge winding feel, and I'm quite sure they also have less fret buzz and better intonation. Problem is, these strings came on the basses. I don't know what brand/models they are.

I've bought only one set of new strings just to see if a lighter gauge was preferable for getting started... Uh, no. SIT 40-95 are too slinky, prefer 45-105.

What makes/models offer smaller gauge windings for smoother feel?

 

[michael_t]

What makes/models offer smaller gauge windings for smoother feel?

Based on my experience, roundwound strings by DR have the finer texture I like. If you like them relatively stiff, try the Lo-Riders, which are hex-core and come in both stainless steel and nickel-plated versions, depending on your preference.

For something even smoother in texture, you can also try the GHS Pressurewounds. Instead of using thinner wires for the outer winding, they're "rollerwound", meaning the outer round wire is slightly compressed into an oval shape, resulting in a smoother surface feel than typical rounds.

 

[mountainhick]

Based on my experience, roundwound strings by DR have the finer texture I like. If you like them relatively stiff, try the Lo-Riders, which are hex-core and come in both stainless steel and nickel-plated versions, depending on your preference.

For something even smoother in texture, you can also try the GHS Pressurewounds. Instead of using thinner wires for the outer winding, they're "rollerwound", meaning the outer round wire is slightly compressed into an oval shape, resulting in a smoother feel than typical rounds.

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Thanks!

At the risk of hijacking my own topic: I am reading around manufacturer's product blurbs, and cutting through hyperbole is a challenge. I think I need a basic education on the overview when it comes to bass stings. I understand the winding type spectrum, but other aspects, like steel vs stainless vs nickel vs nickel plated... is there a brightness (i.e. tone) chart somewhere for this kind of info? Such a tendency for talking up brightness, but that's not my gig. I generally play with tone rolled way back to get rid of scratchy brightness and finger drag string noise. Also play with higher action to reduce fret noise.

I've noticed that the term "vintage" is thrown around, does that generally mean duller sound?

 

[michael_t]

I've bought only one set of new strings just to see if a lighter gauge was preferable for getting started... Uh, no. SIT 40-95 are too slinky, prefer 45-105.

You mentioned SIT... They do offer something similar to GHS Pressurewounds called the "Silencers", which also have a smoother feel than rounds with reduced finger noise.

The main difference between the GHS and the SIT is Alloy 52 (nickel-iron alloy) vs. Nickel-plated Steel (SIT).

 

[mountainhick]

You mentioned SIT... They do offer something similar to GHS Pressurewounds called the "Silencers", which also have a smoother feel than rounds with reduced finger noise.

The main difference between the GHS and the SIT is Alloy 52 (nickel-iron alloy) vs. Nickel-plated Steel (SIT).

How are those two alloys in relative brightness and longevity?

 

[michael_t]

How are those two alloys in relative brightness and longevity?

Alloy 52 is all about "punch and crunch". Due to the highly magnetic nature of the alloy, they tend to have a stronger midrange without too much zing up top. The Silencers are the brighter of the two but with a smoother midrange.