Round core strings

[dwasifar]

Who here uses 'em? Which ones? Do you do anything specific to keep them from unraveling?

For myself, I really like DR Sunbeams. To prevent dead strings, I use the string-lock "Martin" method at the post. (But only on the wound strings.)

 

[Rocky]

I've been experimenting with DR Pure Blues on electrics, but they sound ok on some guitars, but not others.

 

[penname]

I use round core strings. Martin Titanium strings on one guitar and Newtone Monel on several others. I have Newtone Monel round core on my Guild M-20 at the moment.

On the paddle head guitars I just cut the strings after bringing them up to final tension. Never has a problem. On the slot heads, I tried the string lock but didn’t like it. Now I just make a 90+ degree crimp on the string before cutting.

 

[MLBob]

Use only Kurt Mangan round core PB “True Medium “ sets (13-56) on all my 6 string acoustics, and have been using them for quite a few years now. I have been very satisfied with them, and like the sustain I get from them.

I am playing in Open D tuning. I also use a capo with a number of songs.

When I wind each string, I start by making a hard angle crimp where the round core string exits the back end of the tuner, then make the first wind above the protruding tail end, and then drop down below it as I continue on subsequent winds. Just changed the strings on my D 55 today. Also have them on a D 46 and a Studio 24.

 

[chazmo]

Aren't most strings round core? What am I missing? Are electric guitar strings not usually round core as well? Forgive my ignorance...

 

[Walter Broes]

Aren't most strings round core? What am I missing? Are electric guitar strings not usually round core as well? Forgive my ignorance...

Almost all strings are hex-core, and have been for a long time.

I use Pyramid roundcore pure nickel rounds on electrics

 

[chazmo]

Almost all strings are hex-core,

OK, cool. You're referring to electric strings, then? Or am I learning something new about acoustic strings? I mean, hey... it's possible.

 

[Walter Broes]

nope, all strings, regular acoustic strings are hex-core too.

 

[chazmo]

nope, all strings, regular acoustic strings are hex-core too.

Wow. OK, so I'm looking at some D'Addario strings and indeed they say they're hex cores! I was really scratching my head about this, after all I've snipped off the ends of hundreds of wound strings over the years... I must say, though, that even looking at them with my reading glasses right now, I can't tell that they're not round. I never suspected!

Good day! I learned something new about strings! I can't believe it.

 

[MLBob]

Wow. OK, so I'm looking at some D'Addario strings and indeed they say they're hex cores! I was really scratching my head about this, after all I've snipped off the ends of hundreds of wound strings over the years... I must say, though, that even looking at them with my reading glasses right now, I can't tell that they're not round. I never suspected!

Good day! I learned something new about strings! I can't believe it.

Here ya go Chazmo:
https://www.curtmangan.com/what-is-the-difference-between-round-core-and-hex-core-guitar-strings/

 

[chazmo]

Excellent! Well garsh darned, @MLBob ... I can't believe that I've learned even another thing about strings today. Amazing! I never heard the word "swage" before but now I have edumacated myself on that, and I understand what that means for forging these core wires!

OK, so, final question. And, seriously, I'm astonished at all this.... Since I can't tell regarding unwound strings (vs. wound) using my glasses, are those also hex, or even swaged at the ends to make tuning easier, or are they just plain, round strings?

 

[kostask]

Wound string are almost always hex cored. Plain strings are round. The hex core on wound strings helps secure the wind wire from unravelling. The plain strings don't have that requirement, so are round core. There's a lot of aspects that can be played with; for example, cryo treating the wind wires, core wires, or both, different platings for the cores on wound strings and for plain strings, changing the diameter of core wires and wind wires on wound strings, materials for both wound and plain strings, and of course, plastic coatings for wound strings as well.

 

[Dadzmad]

I use round core strings on a flat top and a couple of electrics i have. That said, there is a reason why hex core strings are mainstream today. They are an improvement in many ways over the old round wounds. Each have there own sound and the round wound strings go well with modern but retro style guitars. The arguments against using round wound strings are sort of like "why would you play an acoustic guitar these days when you can play an electric". Getting my tongue out of my cheek, string choice is a sound pallet and string material, how they are wound, and flat or round wound all make a difference. Since this is Guild Talk, I have a S4CE and used round wound, hex core, phosphors for years. I tried Curt M. round core Monels on her and have settled on them for now. In a couple of years - who knows?

 

[dwasifar]

Wow. OK, so I'm looking at some D'Addario strings and indeed they say they're hex cores! I was really scratching my head about this, after all I've snipped off the ends of hundreds of wound strings over the years... I must say, though, that even looking at them with my reading glasses right now, I can't tell that they're not round. I never suspected!

Rotate the exposed core end between your fingers under a strong light. If it's hex, you'll see the faces glint as you turn it.

 

[Westerly Wood]

I’m a recent convert to round cores. Sunbeams to be exact. Great string and they break in well and produce a pretty fat and round tone. Good projection too.

 

[rmoretti49]

I use round core strings on a flat top and a couple of electrics i have. That said, there is a reason why hex core strings are mainstream today. They are an improvement in many ways over the old round wounds. Each have there own sound and the round wound strings go well with modern but retro style guitars. The arguments against using round wound strings are sort of like "why would you play an acoustic guitar these days when you can play an electric". Getting my tongue out of my cheek, string choice is a sound pallet and string material, how they are wound, and flat or round wound all make a difference. Since this is Guild Talk, I have a S4CE and used round wound, hex core, phosphors for years. I tried Curt M. round core Monels on her and have settled on them for now. In a couple of years - who knows?

I believe you may be confusing "round wound" with round core. They are not the same. "Round wound" refers to the wrapping wire, as in round wound vs. flat wound.

Lots, probably most, of string sets are round wound. Far fewer are round core.

 

[plaidseason]

Sunbeams are all I use on short-scale acoustics. I love them. I lean toward DR Rares on long-scale guitars, but I haven't actually ever tried a set of Sunbeams on one, and probably should at point.

 

[Dadzmad]

rmoretti49 - All the strings I use, except for Rotosound Top Tapes on my Tele are round wound. The round core strings that I use and am referring to are:

• Stringjoy Broadways
• Pyramid Nickel Classics, round core
• Curt Mangan Electric/Acoustic Guitar Monel, round core
• DR Sunbeams

These are all marked round core on the packaging

 

[rmoretti49]

rmoretti49 - All the strings I use, except for Rotosound Top Tapes on my Tele are round wound. The round core strings that I use and am referring to are:

• Stringjoy Broadways
• Pyramid Nickel Classics, round core
• Curt Mangan Electric/Acoustic Guitar Monel, round core
• DR Sunbeams

These are all marked round core on the packaging

If you are interested in others, you might take a look at Newtone strings from England. They offer a few different selections that are round core, as well as their Heritage line, which are low tension in addition to being round core. The website isn't the best, so you will have to navigate a bit to find what they offer.

 

[dwasifar]

If you are interested in others, you might take a look at Newtone strings from England.

I'm waiting for the second version, Newt Two.