Question for fellow E-bass players

[Didn't know really where to put this, didn't sound like an "Artist's Corner thing" nor a "Ask/Tell Me About thing". If it's in the wrong place, then you can lick me. It can always be moved.]

Lately I've been trying out many different brands of bass strings, such as DC, Elixir, and even good old Ernie Ball...and they are all BALLS. None of them have the distinct feel of the strings that came with my 6-string when I first bought it. These strings taper off into a weird kind of...I don't know what. It's black, and hard like wire...but it's got a kind of fuzzy, yarn-like texture. There's also some of this stuff wrapped around the base of the strings near the anchors. Pics:

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...sh/String1.jpg

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...sh/String2.jpg

If anyone knows of a brand of bass strings that have these weird, tapered ends - in a set of 6 - please notify me. I'm desperate.

haha bass strings are expensive, so maybe you should call some music stores instead of trial and error. what is the make of your bass? the only thing that i can think of that might have that kind of core would be a hand-made string, like DR.