The Standard - Hex or Round?

[NobodyImportant]

I recently dropped a line to Dunlop inquiring about the core of the new, non-tapered, SS Robert Trujillo strings. I learned that all Dunlop bass strings, according to email, are hex core. That kinda struck me as odd, and limiting, but they seem to be doing quite well.

Anyway, the bass products manager went on to say that hex core is the standard at "almost all other string manufacturers." Now, I'm pretty clueless about the origin of bass strings, but would like to know which came first, or is indeed "standard". It seems when I'm shopping around looking for hex's (I prefer higher tension), that there are just as many round-core strings as there are hex's on the market. Curious what you all think, or if there even is a standard?

 

[michael_t]

I would say 85% of bass strings in today's market are hex core and 15% round core. Just an uneducated guess...

I don't know the complete history of bass strings, but as far as I know, D'Addario is the company who helped establish the hex core as the "standard". And we know how ubiquitous that particular name is.

 

[michael_t]

DR is one company who built their reputation on round cores. Hi Beams, Sunbeams, Fat Beams, Pure Blues, Black Beauties, Neons... all round core.

 

[HaphAsSard]

I recently dropped a line to Dunlop inquiring about the core of the new, non-tapered, SS Robert Trujillo strings. I learned that all Dunlop bass strings, according to email, are hex core. That kinda struck me as odd, and limiting, but they seem to be doing quite well.

Anyway, the bass products manager went on to say that hex core is the standard at "almost all other string manufacturers." Now, I'm pretty clueless about the origin of bass strings, but would like to know which came first, or is indeed "standard". It seems when I'm shopping around looking for hex's (I prefer higher tension), that there are just as many round-core strings as there are hex's on the market. Curious what you all think, or if there even is a standard?

A number of innovations in steel-core string making date back to many decades ago, but for various reasons fell by the wayside, were reintroduced in the late '60s or '70s and are now commonly attributed to, or claimed by, modern companies that started in the latter age.

One such innovation was the hexagonal steel core. This Curt Mangan page
What Guitar Strings are do I need?
says "the string industry converted to hex-core beginning in the mid 1970’s".

...Which doesn't mean that is when it was actually invented.

Guitar brand catalogues from 1930 onwards, as can be browsed here
Catalogs - Acoustic Music
and conveniently summarised here:
String history – what did guitar players use in the pre-war era? - Online Custom Music Production Services by Tinderwet Studios
The author assumes quite a bit, but his research is valuable nonetheless.

For example, as pointed out in the article, first mentions of hex-core strings are surprisingly old, as per this old C. F. Martin & Co. catalogue: bronze-wound (and polished, probably meaning groundwound, to an extent) strings "on special hexagon steel wire" (page 29 of original booklet, p. 16 of pdf file) were already a thing, back in July 1935 (sic - nineteen thirty-five).
___

Now, bass guitar strings, yeah, as far as I've read they were roundcore until the aforesaid mid-Seventies.
Which, if true, is hilarious considering how many swear that current La Bella "original" 1954s and GHS Precision flats are made exactly as they came back in the Sixties.
(I would only trust Dogal Traditional flats, and perhaps Optima RB flats, to be made just like their respective counterparts of way back when.)

 

[NobodyImportant]

A number of innovations in steel-core string making date back to many decades ago, but for various reasons fell by the wayside, were reintroduced in the late '60s or '70s and are now commonly attributed to, or claimed by, modern companies that started in the latter age.

One such innovation was the hexagonal steel core. This Curt Mangan page
What Guitar Strings are do I need?
says "the string industry converted to hex-core beginning in the mid 1970’s".

...Which doesn't mean that is when it was actually invented.

Guitar brand catalogues from 1930 onwards, as can be browsed here
Catalogs - Acoustic Music
and conveniently summarised here:
String history – what did guitar players use in the pre-war era? - Online Custom Music Production Services by Tinderwet Studios
The author assumes quite a bit, but his research is valuable nonetheless.

For example, as pointed out in the article, first mentions of hex-core strings are surprisingly old, as per this old C. F. Martin & Co. catalogue: bronze-wound (and polished, probably meaning groundwound, to an extent) strings "on special hexagon steel wire" (page 29 of original booklet, p. 16 of pdf file) were already a thing already, back in July 1935 (sic - nineteen thirty-five).
___

Now, bass guitar strings, yeah, as far as I've read they were roundcore until the aforesaid mid-Seventies.
Which, if true, is hilarious consider how many swear that current La Bella "original" 1954s and GHS Precision flats are made exactly as they came back in the Sixties.
(I would only trust Dogal Traditional flats, and perhaps Optima RB flats, to be made just like their respective counterparts of way back when.)

Super cool, thanks for the great info and links! Pre-WWII hex cores!

 

[Selim]

I would say 85% of bass strings in today's market are hex core and 15% round core. Just an uneducated guess...

… which begs the question, why is hex core the dominant string design today? A question for the whole bass community.

 

[HaphAsSard]

… which begs the question, why is hex core the dominant string design today? A question for the whole bass community.

As far as I've read, they make production more consistent, with fewer duds and user-error related failures: roundcores are more delicate to make and install, whereas hex core corners dig into the (under)windings, making the assembled string stiffer, all else being equal (with minor yet detectable repercussions on tone and feel), but also preventing separation of core and wrap. This is their main appeal from a manufacturing standpoint.

 

[BOOG]

… which begs the question, why is hex core the dominant string design today? A question for the whole bass community.

Good point. Of seven bass’s, one of them has hex core.

 

[blr2]

… which begs the question, why is hex core the dominant string design today? A question for the whole bass community.

They are easier to get consistent in terms of winding tension over the core, so the quality is more consistent. I remember reading something to that effect long time ago.
Hex core wire used to be quite a bit more expensive back in the 70's-80's, but with the wide adoption of today's manufacturers, this is not a problem anymore.

 

[JRA]

Curious what you all think, or if there even is a standard?

i hope there are 'standards of quality', but i can't get behind the idea of "a standard" regarding 'type'. and i'm glad there are so many great choices. i might have guessed that hex core strings were more common and abundant. @HaphAsSard's post sure is enlightening!

even though hex cores are more common, i'd hope that variety remains the standard in the marketplace.

 

[trothwell]

I had read somewhere -- not sure this is a reliable factual bit, as I don't recall exactly where I read it, but anyway -- that another reason for hex core popularity is that, compared to an otherwise equivalent round core, the hex core uses a little bit less material. So you could make a comparable hex core string with (say) 10% less metal than the same round core string. Which, for manufacturers, that can add up to good cost savings.

 

[kgbeast]

I like what D'A says about the hexcore. They say it is not better that round and every musician should try both and pick the one that works. I did not find that round core lasts less or less stable in tuning. I have a set of round core that so far outlived D'A XL Nickel and Rotosounds (do not recall the number). They are also as bright as SIT foundations give or take. I am sure there are round cores that are warm sounding as well. The problem comparing round and hex core string is a usual comparing apples and oranges. If it was possible to wind two sets of strings made with exact the same material, on the same factory, at the same time with only difference in core, then this comparison can be valid, other than that it is a fools errand. Same as comparing pickups with different magnets.