6th string query

Dave Hepworth · From: West Yorkshire, UK

Hi Folks,
I have always used a 22 wound on the 6th string.
If I changed to a plain one, (20?),what would I expect to hear sonically .I reckon the string would whip up quicker ,but are there any other tonal/ sonic differences .After adjustment could I achieve the same pedal feel as a wound.Would this potentially increase any cabinet drop .( I have minimal ).
As a fan of Buddy Cage's playing does anyone know what he used on his 6th string.
Regards Dave

Jon Light (deceased) · From: Saugerties, NY

Going from a wound 6th to a plain 6th:

-- it will be significantly more sensitive to 'cabinet drop'
-- if 3 and 6 are synchronized at present, it will likely require re-rodding to maintain the sync
-- the wound 6th requires significantly more pull-train movement. If you lower the 6th string, keep in mid that it will require a LOT of lever movement. Much more than a plain string.
-- plain 6th has very different overtones. The wound is more subdued and has a less complex timbre.

edited to add: tuning stability (resistance to 'cabinet drop') is the hands-down reason why I use a wound 6th string. Sonics and length of throw......these are factors in choosing and I can go back & forth on this....there are trade-offs. But after going back to plain several times over the years, I keep coming back to the detuning issue and the difference is pretty large.

Tucker Jackson · From: Portland, Oregon, USA

Ian Rae · From: Redditch, England

My first instrument was a pull-release with a single-coil pickup, and a wound 6th sounded magnificent. I didn't lower it, of course.

When I switched to 12-string uni with a humbucker I tried a wound 6th but it sounded terrible. It lowered just fine, but it just didn't fit somehow so I went plain.

That was my home-built one. Professionally made 12-stringers I've bought since have come with plain and no discussion.
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Make sleeping dogs tell the truth!
Homebuilt keyless U12 7x5, Excel keyless U12 8x8, Williams keyless U12 7x8, Telonics rack and 15" cabs

Jack Stoner · From: Kansas City, MO

Both the Franklin I had and the GFI Ultra I have now are set up for plain 6th string. I used the Franklin Guitar Co recommended "Nashville/Sho-Bud gauges) on the Franklin. GFI sells SIT Buddy Emmons strings that have a .022 plain for the 6th string. I'm using SIT Sho-Bud gauges on my GFI and no tuning or cabinet drop issues with the lighter .020.

Paul Sutherland · From: Placerville, California

It's entirely your personal preference. I have tried a wound sixth at least several times because it does offer some advantages; it doesn't detune nearly as much as a plain sixth, and the travel is close to equal to the third string. But I always go back to a plain sixth because of the tone. It just sounds better to my ear.
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It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing.

Ron Pruter · From: Arizona, USA

The wound 6 is lower in output volume also.
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Emmons SKH Le Grande, '73 Fender P/J bass, Tick tack bass, Regal high strung, USA Nashville 112.

Donny Hinson · From: Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.

I use a .022w or .024w for better tonal balance. What I mean by that is that it gives me both a major triad of plain strings (3-4-5), and a major triad of wound strings (6-8-10). As I do a lot of rhythm playing, the .020 or .022 plain just tends to sound too "boingy" when I play the lower major triad; it stands out too much, as opposed to blending with the 8 & 10. I think most pros use the plain 6th, but it just doesn't fit in with my style.

I say, "Use whatever you like"! Neither choice will make you or break you, it's just a preference.

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