Absolute Beginner Posted February 22, 2014 Share Posted February 22, 2014 Hi all. Please can someone kindly explain the various types of strings available, and what sort of sounds they give ? FYI, I have an Epiphone Viola. Many thanks. PS As an aside, what does the term "low action mean" ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HowieBass Posted February 22, 2014 Share Posted February 22, 2014 Essentially four types of string - roundwound, flatwound, groundwound and tapewound which refer to the profile of the windings around the central core. Roundwound is a round cross section winding, flatwound is a flat ribbon, groundwound starts out as a round winding which is then ground down after winding so that it resembles a flatwound and tapewound has an outer plastic layer over a roundwound inner. Roundwounds have a rougher feel compared to all the others though nickel roundwounds feel smoother than steel roundwounds. Nickel roundwounds usually sound a little warmer in tone (or 'darker') than steel roundwounds. Flatwounds sound much less bright than roundwounds, they are more 'thuddy'. Roundwounds lose their bright character over time but flatwounds tend to retain their tone for far longer (since they have less 'brightness' to lose). Groundwounds are a compromise between a flatwound feel and a roundwound sound but will be more expensive than either. Tapewounds will feel like flatwounds but are (I think) supposed to sound like roundwounds (I've never tried them). A low action means the string is nice and low over the fingerboard, close to the fret (if it's a fretted bass) or close to the fingerboard surface itself (for a fretless). It requires less pressure to fret (or stop the string) with a low action but fret noise increases the lower you go and too low an action will probably choke the note when it's played (so you lose the tone/energy of the played note). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Absolute Beginner Posted February 22, 2014 Author Share Posted February 22, 2014 Thanks HowieBass. Really appreciate it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat Burrito Posted February 22, 2014 Share Posted February 22, 2014 It's hard to top that superb answer from HowieBass but noticing you have an Epiphone Viola probably worth mentioning black nylon strings too. McCartney used them on the rooftop concert on his Hofner and they are another alternative. They come in very heavy gauges because they are low tension but are very easy to play. The only potential hazard is the nut may need recutting if the E is too thick. Basses usually come with roundwounds these days but flats are probably the next most popular. Players who like an older school tone tend to favour flats (or indeed the aforementioned black nylons) with the grounwound & tapewound being a sort of (ducks for cover) halfway step between rounds and flats. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Absolute Beginner Posted February 22, 2014 Author Share Posted February 22, 2014 Thanks BurritoBass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGreek Posted February 22, 2014 Share Posted February 22, 2014 (edited) Status do a very nice 40-100 and 45-105 in a Black Tapewound for £13.99+vat - got the .40s on my Shuker fretless Jazz - one of my friends comes round just because he likes the feel of them. [url="http://www.status-graphite.com/status/frames/index_home.html"]http://www.status-gr...index_home.html[/url] The link for the strings doesn't come up - go to "online shop/bass strings/ single ball - available in all 3 scales. Edited February 22, 2014 by TheGreek Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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