• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Stringjoy Nickel Wound Bass Guitar Strings? Any thoughts?

#21
Tried a set of nickel rounds, 45/60/80/100. On a Czech Spector. Nice and zingy. Really good feel. I may have to boost up the A string to my usual 85 because I’m getting some fret buzz on the open string after I let it ring. Did some relief adjustment and saddle height to compensate. It’s a brass nut and I don’t feel like dealing with that. The others are perfect.
 
#24
Gary fishman said:
theyre described as roundcore in this thread, but stringjoy site calls them hexcore, am I missing something?
Click to expand...
I seem to recall their site mentioning on one page or a comment someplace they they were. Even months back there was an indication they were roundcores. Even as another section of their site said otherwise. When I talked with the owner about them I even mentioned that their strings are roundcores and he didn't correct me but confirmed something of a similarity of GHS roundcores. (According to the email I still have.) As a result, I wonder if things changed. I haven't closely inspected my set to know one way or the other. Possibly they changed from what the were originally. The set I have is indeed very nice! Well balanced across the lows, mids and highs, but not bland by any means.
 
#26
I wanted to follow up on this thread. Since I tried and enjoyed the StringJoy strings, I've put them on all my basses except one (which has Labella flats on it). I have had nothing but great results and they seem to last a long time. They come out of the box sounding good and continue to be consistent for months.

I love they fact that they are local. I reached out to them and was disappointed to find that they don't have a retail store where I can pick them up. But since they are local, they come overnight via standard USPS mail...they don't have to leave town really.

I'm still really liking these strings!
 
  • Like
Reactions: 4StringTheorist and Dan_reeves
#29
Dan_reeves said:
Maybe I missed this earlier in the thread, but did we ever get to the bottom of whether they are round or hex core?
Click to expand...

They're hex core according to the email conversation I've had with Tom Mulvaney.

Here's what he wrote in his email:

Our Signature bass strings are indeed nicked plated steel wrapped on a hex core. Here are the current length/taper specs for our bass strings:

Bass Strings:
  • All bass strings are 54″ in total length, roughly 49″ of which is wound (slightly less on short and medium scale lengths)
  • Strings .060 and up have a taper at a certain length from the ball-end, depending on the scale. When installed, this taper should sit between the nut and the tuning peg, if you have picked the right scale strings for your bass.
  • Short Scale: 32.75″
  • Medium Scale: 34.75″
  • Long Scale: 37.1″
  • Extra Long Scale: 39.25″
  • Strings .055 and under are marked “Universal Scale.” Since they have only one wrap they have no taper, so they can be cut to any length to work for any scale bass.
  • Strings .125 and up have a very slight taper at the ball-end to keep them from getting stuck in bridges. It does not affect performance.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 4StringTheorist, Dan_reeves and dagrev
#30
It's confusing. As mentioned, my conversation with Scott at SJ talked about Round cores and he didn't correct me, which was what I was asking about. I don't think they are Round cores from the sound or feel. But given some of the wording on the site they seem to have used round cores in the past or still use them in something. This is why I was interested in them years ago and even contacted them.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Dan_reeves
#31
Weird!

This is what I looked at:
“Stringjoy bass guitar strings are roundwound from American nickel alloy windings and round steel core wire. They have a full, resonant low end and a medium top end—not too bright, not too mellow — giving these strings a balanced sonic profile with optimum output.”
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
 
  • Like
Reactions: dagrev
#32
I guess most people are no where near as particular as me about this stuff and they just either never changed their copy, or switch back and forth or something else.

It’s a mystery. Glad people like them though, I’ll eventually try them.
 
  • Like
Reactions: dagrev
#33
Dan_reeves said:
I’ll eventually try them.
Click to expand...
So will I. I looked at one set and put them in the cart to get an idea of postage to here, as some places charge way too much, and then was spammed with a number of emails/day which p*sses me off.
Don't need new strings on any of the basses at the moment though, but would like to try E-F on one of my 6s.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Dan_reeves
#34
Dan_reeves said:
Weird!

This is what I looked at:
“Stringjoy bass guitar strings are roundwound from American nickel alloy windings and round steel core wire. They have a full, resonant low end and a medium top end—not too bright, not too mellow — giving these strings a balanced sonic profile with optimum output.”
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Click to expand...
dont confuse "roundcore" with "roundwound". Easy mistake to make. I have myself many times. COuld be roundwound but a hexcore.
 
#36
Stan_da_man said:
Has anyone tried these recently?

Can they confirm if these strings are roundcore or hexcore?
What is the tension and flexibility like?
How is the feel?
Click to expand...

They're hex core for sure. In terms of the tension figures, they're very close to the GHS hex-core Boomers. Based on what I've read, they're on the stiffer side of the NPS roundwound stiffness/flexibility scale.

(DISCLAIMER: I have never tried them myself.)
 
  • Like
Reactions: dagrev
#37
I just put a set of their 45-105 nickel rounds on one of my basses and my first impressions are lukewarm. For the price, I thought they would feel more plush, but they feel more-or-less like nickel rounds I'd pay far less for. When I think of premium feeling strings, I think DR or Dunlop Hybrid Nickels, and the Stringjoys do not compare. They're also a little too stiff for my tastes.

They're a good string, but not $29.99 good. I can get DRs for 5 bucks less and they're 1000 times better.

So, no, I'm not impressed by Stringjoy.

EDIT: No regrets trying 'em, though. Anyone who knows me knows that I have string GAS. You know, "gotta try 'em all" like Pokemon. I wanted to try Stringjoys and now I have.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: dagrev and michael_t
#38
Dincrest said:
I just put a set of their 45-105 nickel rounds on one of my basses and my first impressions are lukewarm. For the price, I thought they would feel more plush, but they feel more-or-less like nickel rounds I'd pay far less for. When I think of premium feeling strings, I think DR or Dunlop Hybrid Nickels, and the Stringjoys do not compare. They're also a little too stiff for my tastes.

They're a good string, but not $29.99 good. I can get DRs for 5 bucks less and they're 1000 times better.

So, no, I'm not impressed by Stringjoy.
Click to expand...
Agreed.

I can get a 4-string set of SIT Power Wound Nickels or GHS Bassics for $18. Are Stringjoy good strings? Maybe... Are they worth $30? Probably not...
 
  • Like
Reactions: Dincrest
#39
Dincrest said:
I just put a set of their 45-105 nickel rounds on one of my basses and my first impressions are lukewarm. For the price, I thought they would feel more plush, but they feel more-or-less like nickel rounds I'd pay far less for. When I think of premium feeling strings, I think DR or Dunlop Hybrid Nickels, and the Stringjoys do not compare. They're also a little too stiff for my tastes.

They're a good string, but not $29.99 good. I can get DRs for 5 bucks less and they're 1000 times better.

So, no, I'm not impressed by Stringjoy.

EDIT: No regrets trying 'em, though. Anyone who knows me knows that I have string GAS. You know, "gotta try 'em all" like Pokemon. I wanted to try Stringjoys and now I have.
Click to expand...
Sorry you had a bad experience. Been there done that. When I got my first set years ago they were round core and sounded great on a couple basses. That changed at some point due to demand, I was told. I have a new set of the hex cores and they are in the average category. I don't think customers were asking for an average string at an above average price. The original round cores are magic on my '81 G&L L1k. Tried the new version and they came off after two practices. Boiled the old set and back on they went.

I'm still a GHS fan (on some basses), but SIT Powerwounds (NPS) have become my first try string these days. Similar to Boomers, but better mids on most basses for what I'm looking for in a round. Prices are great as well.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Dincrest
#40
michael_t said:
They're hex core for sure. In terms of the tension figures, they're very close to the GHS hex-core Boomers. Based on what I've read, they're on the stiffer side of the NPS roundwound stiffness/flexibility scale.

(DISCLAIMER: I have never tried them myself.)
Click to expand...
Don't bother Michael. Spend your money elsewhere trying something else.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back