The different types of strings

muthafunkabass · 01-30-2006, 08:28 AM

I know this has probably been done before but it's not here anymore, so....

Most of us know this stuff, thats why this is just for beginners.

-ROUNDWOUNDS
These are the most popular types of strings. On almost every fretted bass, you will see roundounds. They are the brightest type of string. They dont last long (there is exceptions which we will get to). Their average shelf time is 3 months (not much compared to others). They are ridgedy and if you look closely, they look look like a tightley wound spring.

-FLATWOUNDS
These are usuallly only used on fretless basses. This is because they do less damge to the fingerboard. They last much longer then roundwounds. This is because they are smooth and they consist of no ridges. Their tone is much more "dead" and "dull" then roundwounds. Flats are smooth but they are a "sticky" smooth.

-GROUNDWOUNDS/HALFROUNDS
These are a new and rare breed of strings. So far they have proven to be only partially successful. They were made to combine the best of both roundwounds (their bright tone) and flatwounds (their long life). They feel smooth like flatwounds but have a slight grittyness to them. The most popular and available brand of these strings are the D'Addario Halfrounds.

-ELIXIRS
These are the roundwound exceptuions. IMO, this string brand deserves its own section. These are specially coated roundwound strings that last just as long as flatwounds, but they maintain a great brightnes throughout their shelf life.

There are two different kinds of elixers.

The first and original is the polyweb. It has numerous coats on it. These maintain a very long life but they present small problems. First of all, they shed. You strings will look like they are growing hair. this is because the coats will start to come off. They feel very "plasticy" becuase of all the coats, which will probably turn you off.

The other type is the new and improved nanoweb. They are very smooth (not sticky smooth like flats) and they don't shed. The reason for this is that they have a very smal microscopic coat that lasts very long and doesn't get hairy.
http://strings.ioffer.com/img/1104480000/_i/5007341/t_1.jpg (damn image limit!)

Then there is even more different brands of strings. All these can be found at http://www.justrings.com and http://webstrings.com

The_Fender_Bender · 01-30-2006, 03:24 PM

By dull, do you mean bassier? Or is it a very bad sort of dull?

Killer Fridge · 01-30-2006, 04:30 PM

i think he means less treble - sounds more mellow and smooth, not in a bad way

muthafunkabass · 01-30-2006, 06:40 PM

what killer fridge said.

i cant believe i never said mellow in that.

Elemetal · 02-05-2006, 12:36 AM

What about Tapercore? Those should have its own category if elixers do. Tapercores are different than regulars.

nopicks4me · 02-05-2006, 12:52 AM

are tapewounds the same as tarercore? if so or now, what category are they?

doodooking · 02-05-2006, 02:48 AM

You didn't even touch upon core types. Also, when you say shelf life, that means how long they last, not how long you use them. Shelf life is usually used when you talk about food and how long they last before they rot.

muthafunkabass · 02-06-2006, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elemetal

What about Tapercore? Those should have its own category if elixers do. Tapercores are different than regulars.

Tapewound?

Elemetal · 02-06-2006, 06:11 PM

Wow..... For someone who knows all about those strings you don't know what tapercore is???????? wow.......

muthafunkabass · 02-06-2006, 06:16 PM

i was just bored when i made this and i didnt feel like typing anymore so i stopped. i know what tapercore is, they are stainless steel strings, i was jsut making sure you were talking about that, not tapewound, sorry you ****in elitist.

Elemetal · 02-06-2006, 06:18 PM

Lol thats alright. I think you should review on tapercore though. They are different.

muthafunkabass · 02-06-2006, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elemetal

Lol thats alright. I think you should review on tapercore though. They are different.

I think i will do this again, when i have more energy. i just got tired, you know?

Elemetal · 02-06-2006, 06:27 PM

Fair Enough.

Elemetal · 02-06-2006, 09:30 PM

Also What about Half round?

MuRd0K · 02-19-2006, 11:37 PM

http://www.musicianforums.com/forums/showthread.php?p=9638259#post9638259

muthafunkabass · 02-20-2006, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MuRd0K

http://www.musicianforums.com/forums/showthread.php?p=9638259#post9638259

Oh shit. I had no idea. Was that in the archives?

WM- you can close this.

muthafunkabass · 02-20-2006, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elemetal

Also What about Half round?

Its where I put "Groundwounds/Halfrounds"; ironic, huh?

Genisis X · 02-27-2006, 05:15 AM

Elixir strings do deserve a class of their own. I bought a bass that came with the polyweb coated strings and they are the best strings I have ever seen. Nice and smooth and you don't get that finger screech when you slide.

-X

doodooking · 02-27-2006, 05:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Genisis X

Elixir strings do deserve a class of their own. I bought a bass that came with the polyweb coated strings and they are the best strings I have ever seen. Nice and smooth and you don't get that finger screech when you slide.

-X

Elixer's arent a type of string, it just has a coating. I use "type of string" as in a string with a certain kind of construction to it.

Also, if you're going to just type something up that's incomplete and finish it later, save it on your computer instead of wasting everyones time with this, especially since it's been written before.

Genisis X · 02-27-2006, 05:56 AM

the (-X)
is a signature.

You know, the things people put at the end of things they write?

(let me know if that's too complicated for your fragile little mind)

-X

01-30-2006, 08:28 AM	#1
muthafunkabass ¯\(º_o)/¯ Lefty Bassist Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Philly Posts: 8,350	The different types of strings I know this has probably been done before but it's not here anymore, so.... Most of us know this stuff, thats why this is just for beginners. -ROUNDWOUNDS These are the most popular types of strings. On almost every fretted bass, you will see roundounds. They are the brightest type of string. They dont last long (there is exceptions which we will get to). Their average shelf time is 3 months (not much compared to others). They are ridgedy and if you look closely, they look look like a tightley wound spring. -FLATWOUNDS These are usuallly only used on fretless basses. This is because they do less damge to the fingerboard. They last much longer then roundwounds. This is because they are smooth and they consist of no ridges. Their tone is much more "dead" and "dull" then roundwounds. Flats are smooth but they are a "sticky" smooth. -GROUNDWOUNDS/HALFROUNDS These are a new and rare breed of strings. So far they have proven to be only partially successful. They were made to combine the best of both roundwounds (their bright tone) and flatwounds (their long life). They feel smooth like flatwounds but have a slight grittyness to them. The most popular and available brand of these strings are the D'Addario Halfrounds. -ELIXIRS These are the roundwound exceptuions. IMO, this string brand deserves its own section. These are specially coated roundwound strings that last just as long as flatwounds, but they maintain a great brightnes throughout their shelf life. There are two different kinds of elixers. The first and original is the polyweb. It has numerous coats on it. These maintain a very long life but they present small problems. First of all, they shed. You strings will look like they are growing hair. this is because the coats will start to come off. They feel very "plasticy" becuase of all the coats, which will probably turn you off. The other type is the new and improved nanoweb. They are very smooth (not sticky smooth like flats) and they don't shed. The reason for this is that they have a very smal microscopic coat that lasts very long and doesn't get hairy. http://strings.ioffer.com/img/1104480000/_i/5007341/t_1.jpg (damn image limit!) Then there is even more different brands of strings. All these can be found at http://www.justrings.com and http://webstrings.com

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01-30-2006, 03:24 PM	#2
The_Fender_Bender I am Indie Incarnate Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Hertfordshire, England Posts: 722	By dull, do you mean bassier? Or is it a very bad sort of dull?

01-30-2006, 04:30 PM	#3
Killer Fridge Mx Pirate Cook Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Surrey Posts: 3,249	i think he means less treble - sounds more mellow and smooth, not in a bad way

01-30-2006, 06:40 PM	#4
muthafunkabass ¯\(º_o)/¯ Lefty Bassist Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Philly Posts: 8,350	what killer fridge said. i cant believe i never said mellow in that.

02-05-2006, 12:36 AM	#5
Elemetal DUMB DUMB! Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Saskatoon Saskatchewan Canada Posts: 48	What about Tapercore? Those should have its own category if elixers do. Tapercores are different than regulars.

02-05-2006, 12:52 AM	#6
nopicks4me Silly Llama Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Harrisburg, South Dakota USA Posts: 1,135	are tapewounds the same as tarercore? if so or now, what category are they?

02-05-2006, 02:48 AM	#7
doodooking Sinep Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 424	You didn't even touch upon core types. Also, when you say shelf life, that means how long they last, not how long you use them. Shelf life is usually used when you talk about food and how long they last before they rot.

02-06-2006, 06:11 PM	#9
Elemetal DUMB DUMB! Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Saskatoon Saskatchewan Canada Posts: 48	Wow..... For someone who knows all about those strings you don't know what tapercore is???????? wow.......

02-06-2006, 06:16 PM	#10
muthafunkabass ¯\(º_o)/¯ Lefty Bassist Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Philly Posts: 8,350	i was just bored when i made this and i didnt feel like typing anymore so i stopped. i know what tapercore is, they are stainless steel strings, i was jsut making sure you were talking about that, not tapewound, sorry you ****in elitist.

02-06-2006, 06:18 PM	#11
Elemetal DUMB DUMB! Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Saskatoon Saskatchewan Canada Posts: 48	Lol thats alright. I think you should review on tapercore though. They are different.

02-06-2006, 06:27 PM	#13
Elemetal DUMB DUMB! Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Saskatoon Saskatchewan Canada Posts: 48	Fair Enough.

02-19-2006, 11:37 PM	#15
MuRd0K I'm too gay for a man Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Chihuahua, MX Posts: 1,580	http://www.musicianforums.com/forums/showthread.php?p=9638259#post9638259

02-06-2006, 09:30 PM	#14
Elemetal DUMB DUMB! Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Saskatoon Saskatchewan Canada Posts: 48	Also What about Half round?

02-27-2006, 05:15 AM	#18
Genisis X Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 5	Elixir strings do deserve a class of their own. I bought a bass that came with the polyweb coated strings and they are the best strings I have ever seen. Nice and smooth and you don't get that finger screech when you slide. -X

02-27-2006, 05:56 AM	#20
Genisis X Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 5	the (-X) is a signature. You know, the things people put at the end of things they write? (let me know if that's too complicated for your fragile little mind) -X