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Your experience with tapered strings

shizoz

shizoz

Mar 18, 2010
257
1
NW Arkansas
#1
I have used DR Long Necks for a while now on my 5 strings, but I'm thinking about switching to a nickel string, since the Long Necks are steel. Just wanting to try a different sound since I've used steel for so long. I see threads about steel vs. nickel, but haven't found much in the way of tapered vs. non-tapered.
Can you sound off on whether I will be able to keep my action as low without tapered strings? Will I notice any difference in how the B responds/sounds? Will it be tighter, floppier?
I realize there are nickels with tapered B's, but I prefer DR's and I can't seem to find a nickel set that is tapered.
Thanks all!
 
#2
I see no reason why you cannot find a set of strings made the same way your steels currently are, so setup and action ought to very similar.

Low action can be got from either full thickness over the saddle or a taper, but this is dependent on your bridge hardware. Tapers require more saddle height, so this will be the determining factor for you.

A taper doesn't alter tension - a thicker string is the only thing that will. Different brands are made differently and can be more or less flexible than each other, but this is a feel/rigidity thing strictly.

A taper allows more harmonics/upper transients than a full thickness across your saddle - they ought to be more articulate sounding.
 
#3
You simply have to adjust the bridge saddle to diff height for tapered string compared to nontapered, for same action height. In my experience. The saddle is simply lower with nontapered E or B string then it is with tapered ones. Thats the only diff I noticed the very few times Ive used tapered strings. I prefer nontapered that said. If string was to break at the bridge theres far less chance of flying string hurting someone. Since with nontapered the outer wrap generally stays instact and just stretched some. So string dont go zinging toward headstock or something. Lol. I havent broken a string in decades, but that idea allways bothered me about taper strings. I noticed no sound advantage when I compared rotosound and warwick strings tapered to non tapered.
 
#4
I may be misunderstanding what you are looking for, but SIT makes a nickel set with every string tapered. And Dean Markley has a set of steel strings that are all tapered. Rotosound has steel tapers, too. But I've heard that the adjustable ball ends were kind of a pain to work with. May be needed, though. depending on your bridge.
 
#5
Toptube said:
I may be misunderstanding what you are looking for, but SIT makes a nickel set with every string tapered. And Dean Markley has a set of steel strings that are all tapered. Rotosound has steel tapers, too. But I've heard that the adjustable ball ends were kind of a pain to work with. May be needed, though. depending on your bridge.
Click to expand...

Hmmm.... Ok, I'll look into the SIT strings. I've been happy with DR's but may need to branch out a little. Thanks for the replies.
FYI, the basses I'm re-stringing are an American Jazz 5 deluxe and a StingRay 5. Saddle adjustment shouldn't be a problem.
 
#8
I like tapered for the B - I think it has a slight bit more sustain, same tension, and fit the saddle better.

Also, there is no standard taper length among string manufacturers - email them for actual lengths if needed. I've seen from 1 1/2" to 2 7/8"
 

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