Round Core Vs Hex Core Strings

[2bornot2bop]

I’ve used TI Bebop’s and GB’s almost exclusively for over 14 years. Recently someone here suggested I give Martin Retro’s a try on an acoustic. I’m impressed. They felt very similar to TI Bebop’s, but created more volume, and all that at 1/3rd of the price.

[ThatRhythmMan]

I’ve used TI Bebop’s and GB’s almost exclusively for over 14 years. Recently someone here suggested I give Martin Retro’s a try on an acoustic. I’m impressed. They felt very similar to TI Bebop’s, but created more volume, and all that at 1/3rd of the price.

I’ve become a pretty big fan of Martin Retros over the last few years. I find them a little harsh at first, but they settle in quickly. I agree with your observation that they have good volume. I like that they have the benefit of being great on both acoustic and electric.


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[skykomishone]

Something round by definition is smooth. It has no edge. I expect the behavior of the vibration associated with a round string core to exibit a smoothness, and one with a hexagonal core to have edges. Just a thought. They must vibrate differently.

[EmanueleFaggion]

Not directly related to the topic, but I think it is an interesting read - with a referral at hex strings too.
I took this paragraph from ABOUT — The Archtop Project , and I advise you to visit this extremely interesting website.

“In the 1930’s, most of the wound strings produced for musical instruments used large diameter core wires in relationship to the wrap wire diameter primarily because it was easy to make a string this way. This was the beginning of a key breakthrough that D’Angelico and D’Addario explored.For example, the most popular steel string of the time, the Black Diamond brand, would have a low E string composed of a core with a diameter of .022” and wrap wire of .017”. D’Angelico intuitively instructed D’Addario to try to make a .056 string with as small a core and as large a diameter wrap wire as possible. The challenge was to get that core as small as they could without the string prematurely breaking. D’Addario and D’Angelico would land upon an .018” core and a .020” diameter wrap wire which was a significant departure from standard string design. The resulting difference in tone and feel was astonishing. The thinner core enabled the string to vibrate more freely, providing a louder, deeper fundamental tone, without sacrificing the bright crisp overtones of a string properly wound on a hexagonally shaped core wire. And the bond the hex core provided insured that each string would be consistent and longer lasting than other competitive offerings. The specifications for the steel core acoustic and electric guitar strings of the future had just been redefined by D’Angelico and D’Addario!
John, Sr. always enjoyed approaching artists and trying to find out what they were looking for in a string. He had close relationships with some of the most influential players of the time, often making special string sets for them and always learning from each experience. They were also willing beta testers and tested many of the work-in-progress experiments he would work on. The most famous jazz virtuosos of the era knew Dad as a friend and a valued resource. These professionals provided continuous feedback to John, Sr. and he passed that intel on to D’Angelico and other luthiers throughout his career.”

[RJVB]

Is it explained anywhere in this thread why a hex core string "binds better"? Is that simply result of a longer circumference w.r.t. the core wire mass?

[sgosnell]

The 'points' of the hex core cause the winding to kink very slightly, and hold the windings in place. With a smooth cylindrical wire the windings can move on the core more easily. Rotate a hex core through your fingers (the exposed end of a larger wound string) and you can feel how there is more friction from the hexagonal shape than from a smooth round wire. As for which is better, round or hex, round or flat windings, we all can vote with our pocketbooks. Perfect tone is not scientifically definable.

[garybaldy]

Dumb question? So if you cut the ball end off a round core string, expose the core at the other end and pull, will the core pull out easily?

[Cunamara]

Interesting question. My experience with round core strings is that if you just cut them, the wrapping wire loosens and the string is unusable. If you cut both ends, I don't know that you could just pull the core out but it seems like you could unwrap it fairly readily. Could be tried with a used string readily enough.

[sgosnell]

Easily? No.