Tapered vs Solid Core B Strings

[Bassdudeman]

I am mostly writing this for any 5 string brothers out there that have used tapered B strings vs solid core.
This could also apply to any string.

 

[michael_t]

"Solid core" as in "exposed core" or "non-tapered"?

 

[Bassdudeman]

No, tapered...Not exposed core.

Exposed core, IMHO, is the single Inner wire that everything is wrapped around.

What I mean by tapered is that wrappings are tapered so that the mass traveling over the bridge is MUCH less than
the Full wrap.

 

[michael_t]

I understand "tapered" or "taperwound". I'm asking about the term "solid core". Do you mean exposed core by it?

 

[Bassdudeman]

No, the full-wrapped core going over the bridge.

 

[michael_t]

No, the full-wrapped core going over the bridge.

That's what I mean by "non-tapered".

Taperwound = at least one layer of winding over the saddle.
Exposed core = only the core wire over the saddle.
Non-tapered = full winding over the saddle.

I haven't heard the term "solid core" used commonly, so I asked.

 

[michael_t]

So, you're asking about the potential benefit of "taperwound" B string vs. non-tapered?

 

[michael_t]

The answer is "it depends on the bass". Some basses benefit from taperwound/exposed-core B strings, while others don't. You just have to experiment to find out which works better on any given bass.

 

[_Some Dude]

I recently (about a month or so ago) switched to a tapered B after using non-tapered for years, and in all honestly, I couldn't tell you the difference.

When standing on stage there's nothing that reminds me that the B is any different than it's ever been.

Part of the reason I switched to tapered was because non-tapered have to be force fit into my bridge. If it weren't for that, I would probably use non-tapered as they're easier to find.

 

[baxter_x]

In my experience, tapered strings are way better. Non tapered feel a bit muffled and lack sustain.

 

[Stefan Verbeeck]

I tried many and I can't pinpoint any particular advantages to being tapered/non tapered.

Best b I ever heard was the 128 gauge from the discontinued La Bella hard rocking steel set. Bright, consistent and long lasting.

On the other hand, the tapered 130 sadowsky black label and tapered dr long necks sounded dull.

 

[One Way]

I recently fitted a string set with a tapered B on my 5 string. With the previous non tapered string I couldn’t adjust the saddle back far enough to intonate the B string properly. The tapered string allowed the saddle to move forward (toward the nut) about 3/8” and allow proper intonation of the B string. If I listen very critically to the upper register notes on the B string with the tapered string I hear a very slight warble that isn’t present with a non-tapered string. In a band setting you can’t hear the warble so on this particular bass the tapered B string is preferred.

 

[Zooberwerx]

Intonates well-ahead of its full wrap counterpart, easier to set witness points, have to raise the saddle height a bit to compensate for the "step-down". Other than that, I've got nothing.

Riis

 

[Discount Bassy]

What is the question?

 

[Zooberwerx]

What is the question?

I'm guessing it's a compare & contrast, pros & cons of each.

Riis

 

[Chris Chong]

You have to try both to decide if its worth the effort to get a tapered set.

 

[HaphAsSard]

I am mostly writing this for any 5 string brothers out there that have used tapered B strings vs solid core.
This could also apply to any string.

I haven't heard the term "solid core" used commonly, so I asked.

Just as an aside
- as you've pointed out, it's neither here nor there in relation to tapered strings -
"solid core" means "not stranded / not braided/ not multifilament / not rope-core".
It is obviously only relevant to areas where multifilament or ropecore strings are used, e.g. classical guitar wound strings, or orchestral bowed string instruments.

By the way, as regards steel-core strings, the double-bass string market is roughly the reverse of the electric bass-guitar one, in that solid-core upright-bass strings are rarely used nowadays (it appears as one such product, Thomastik.Infeld Präzision Bass, has been recently discontinued, though their cello, viola and violin siblings are still out there), whereas electric strings are uniformly solid-core save for the 'multicore' Dogal Perfect Pitch (Jonas Hellborg signature) rounds and flats, and the D'Addario NS Electric Bass/Cello set.

 

[Dirk Diggler]

I certainly prefer exposed core on my touchstyle instruments.
Labella Super Steps specifically.

Here's a quote from the Labella site:
"This product line has an exposed core at the bridge, which brings out the high overtone content of each note. This design maintains an exceptionally quick response with a clear, distinct sound."

Also you do need to adjust your action a bit higher since the bridge end is directly affected by the reduction in size.
I do believe they are beneficial for through body stringing too, it helps with the break angle there.

 

[michael_t]

As I mentioned earlier, taperwound/exposed-core low B's don't always work equally well depending on the bass, the bridge design in particular. One of the important considerations is to make sure the length of the taper is just long enough to go over the saddle without expending too far beyond; otherwise, it could result in too much "inharmonicity" (= harmonic overtones not properly lining up with the fundamental note).

My Yamaha TRBX505 is one of those basses that benefit from tapered B strings. Non-tapered B's always sounded "choked" with uneven sustain (= warbly) on it whereas an exposed-core seems to open it up with better clarity and even sustain.

SIT Power Wound Nickels 40-100 with an exposed-core .125...

 

[Bassdudeman]

This is what I meant when I said "Solid Core"... sorry, probably the wrong terminology... full wrap?

This is what I meant when I said, "tapered".
I do remember in my younger days having used strings that only had the core cross the bridge, no windings at all crossed the bridge, just the core.
Maybe made by Dean Markley? I haven't seen those in years.