Author Topic: Taper Wound Strings (Read 98 times)

mike1762 · « **on:** October 06, 2010, 05:31:28 PM »

My band is playing a few songs where I'm going to have to pull out my 6 string (for the low B). I really hating the feel of the B. I have taper wound strings on it (DR Long Necks). Wouldn't the narrow winding passing over the bridge serve to decrease the string tension? I'm thinking that if I went to a non-tapered set, the tension would be higher and it wouldn't feel so floppy. Thoughts?

2400wattman · « **Reply #1 on:** October 06, 2010, 06:00:21 PM »

Mike, the taper wound string just makes the string easier to intonate. You may want to use a heavier string to make the B string tighter.

mike1762 · « **Reply #2 on:** October 06, 2010, 06:19:59 PM »

Hmmm... I really hate heavy strings. Maybe I'll try some Lo-Riders (the hex core is supposed to make the strings stiffer).

adriaan · « **Reply #3 on:** October 07, 2010, 01:03:11 AM »

LoRiders are pretty stiff - it's what made me change back to HiBeams.

mike1762 · « **Reply #4 on:** October 07, 2010, 06:41:41 PM »

I just ordered a set of 125 Lo-Riders... I'll report back on my findings. Back to my original question: it seems to me that the decreased mass at the anchor point (the bridge saddle) WOULD result in less tension. But admittedly, the E string is also tapered and it feels about the same as my other LS basses.

mike1762 · « **Reply #5 on:** October 13, 2010, 05:43:26 PM »

I just got the strings (DR Lo Riders 30 - 125) and they are a definite improvement over the Hi Beams (from a B string perspective). If you have a floppy B you might want to try these.