String Types

[element]

Hey, I was just wondering if someone could tell me the difference between roundwound and flatwound strings? Or any other types too. Thanks

[dlloyd]

Hey, I was just wondering if someone could tell me the difference between roundwound and flatwound strings? Or any other types too. Thanks

Roundwounds are wound with round-profiled wire, flatwounds are wound with a flattened ribbon.

You can feel the windings on roundwounds, flats feel smooth.

Rounds squeak when you run your fingers over them, flats don't.

Rounds have a bright tone, flats sound more mellow.

There are types that fall in between. You can get groundwounds, half rounds and pressure wounds. There are even strings that are groundwound for the area covering the fingerboard and roundwound for the rest.

There are lots and lots of other variables, such as material, core profile (hex vs round), various coatings, cryogenic treatment, exposed and tapered cores, etc. etc.

[element]

Thanks alot for that... Was just wondering because its time I bought new strings, and didnt have a clue what they all meant.

[dlloyd]

Thanks alot for that... Was just wondering because its time I bought new strings, and didnt have a clue what they all meant.

What are you playing?

[element]

A Stingray. Been playing for a few years now so I guess I should know about strings, but I dont.

[dlloyd]

A Stingray. Been playing for a few years now so I guess I should know about strings, but I dont.

Here's two articles that should help...

http://archive.bassplayer.com/gear/industry.shtml

http://www.bgra.net/features/strings.html

Since you're in the UK, you might want to have a look at Bass Guitar Magazine;

http://www.bassguitarmagazine.com/frames.htm

They had a superb article about strings last month, you can still buy it from them.

[element]

Thanks again... I'll have a read of those later.

[Metal_Messiah]

I recently tried using Ernie Ball's Hybrid Slinky strings, and my jaw dropped when I started to play. They are by far THE best strings my fingers have ever touched. The bends were f*cking amazing. I never realised how much the type of string you use can effect your playing ability so much. Comming from a guy who writes all of his solo's on an acousitc electric washburn, the jump to electric makes things easy enough, but throw these strings into the mix, and an insane solo is nothing anymorePlaying them was like an orgasm for my fingers. Okay, so perhaps that went a little far, but these strings f*ckin rule!

And yes, I realise that this post had nothing to do with anything else in this particular string...lol

[element]

lol.... Are these bass strings?

[Metal_Messiah]

lol...not the ones I was just talking about.

[element]

ok then