Any source of string tension comparisons?

davesisk · #1 02-27-2007, 04:09 PM

Hi Folks:

I use BP Mag's string review from Dec-04 quite a bit for picking strings based on the characteristics I think I want. It really helps narrow down the search. (If you search their site, it's still posted...great resource IMO.)

One key thing they didn't list though is the string tension (or more accurately, it's elasticity...more elastic = "less tension"...they feel looser). This is big factor for me in picking strings as much as sound and feel. I really wish they had included some kind of assessment of string tension in their review...but alas. Now, some mfg's list the tension and some don't...but we don't know how they actually went about measuring the tension, so it's kind of a useless number, especially since most of the mfg's don't list tension.

Anyway, does anyone know of any compiled source or string review that lists string tension? I'd love to find something like that.

I'm considering changing to some lighter guage strings at the moment. I have traditionally liked fairly high-tension strings, but after putting some light-guage medium-tension strings on my fretless, I'm starting to see the value of improved playability from less string tension. I'm hoping to nail it down without a lot of trial and error though, thus the question.

Dave

snowdan · #2 02-28-2007, 08:00 AM

there is a bassplayer magazine string shootout from 1996 that delivers quite good tension info, like medium, soft, tight and so on. should work for you.

davesisk · #3 02-28-2007, 08:13 AM

Ah...very cool then...I'm searching the BP site, but I'm not getting any hits on this. Got a URL directly to the article handy? (I'm hoping they actually have it online still...)

Thx!
Dave

snowdan · #4 02-28-2007, 08:20 AM

it's been published here and there.
i found this review a couple of times through the search engine of this board. good luck.

Ravens · #5 02-28-2007, 01:11 PM

I am also looking for this, but so far no luck.

Can someone recomend strings with tension similar to Elexirs, would DR HiBeams be the same?

davesisk · #6 02-28-2007, 01:29 PM

Hmmm...I've found the Dec-04 BP string review (which doesn't list anything about string tensions), but so far no dice on finding a URL to the 1996 String Shootout that DOES list string tension info. If anyone reading happens to have that URL handy (or maybe a PDF copy of the review even?), post it up! I'll return the favor with the Dec-04 string review (PM me and I'll tell you how).

Dave

greenboy · #7 02-28-2007, 02:10 PM

Except that BassPlayer magazine doesn't even seem to notice that string TENSION is pretty much a given that is derived from tuning a string of a certain mass up to pitch on a given scale length (for some ballpark help in TENSION look at D'Addario's string guide pdf).

What the magazine has called tension, is actually more about FLEXIBILITY, which has more to do with core to wrap ratios, number of wraps used over core, core wire and wrap wire sizes, taper-winding and exposing cores, all that.

And the dumbest thing about it all - if you want more flexibility with a given string, just go to a lower tension set; ie from 45-105 to say 40-100. They've always ignored this completely in their shootouts, and especially with some brands there's quite a tonal difference between sets of different gauges, as well as the changes in tension and flexibility.

davesisk · #8 02-28-2007, 03:03 PM

Hello Greenboy! Haven't seen you in a while...good to hear from you.

OK, cool...I'll check out that doc from D'Addario that you mentioned...

Cheers,
Dave

greenboy · #9 02-28-2007, 03:19 PM

Ah, jeez, Dave,

didn't even look at the handles when I posted!

Anyway, tension and flexibility are related but not one-to-one, a lot of variables there - that's what I was trying to get across. And as someone who has done a lot of types/brands/gauges experimentation, anther item comes into play to: string set matching. Say you have a set with .045-.065-.085-.105, and want a B that doesn't feel floppy. Depending on your bass and other things, you might go for a .130 and even a .135 - I've seen some mention .140 and .145 because to them that .130 feels floppy.

But play with a .040-.055-.075-.095 set awhile and that .130 might actually seem a tad unresponsive. Especially if you've gotten your technique to work well with very light sets, it can really throw you for a loop when there's a string or two there that aren't similar in flexibility. Context.

And then there's the bass: there really seems to be a lot of interaction between actual string TENSIONS, and neck resonances - actually the whole system including neck stability, resonances, pickups - it's crazy how a set that seems perfect on one bass can seem tinny or unmatched on another.

I don't know if there's any substitiute for trying a lot of string types, brands, and gauges, and keeping a stock pile of old ones around just to check out on any newer bass that you want to optimise for some certain approach. I sure found a lot of variance in what BP mag was saying and what I was hearing and feeling on MY basses, with my rigs.

davesisk · #10 02-28-2007, 04:57 PM

Yup, understood. I'm thinking of dropping to lighter guage, mainly because I put some Dean Markley ultra-light guage (128 - 40) on my fretless, and I was amazed at how the playability increased. AND the b-string sounded much brighter. These seem to be medium-low tension, even ignoring the lighter guage.

And this got me to thinking about how much playing effort (particularly slap) my Killer B-5 takes with DR Fat Beams on it (130 - 45...and quite high tension on top of the guages), and how that B-string sounds so thuddy. I like the Dean Markley's on the fretless, but my gutt tells me they wouldn't be a good match on the Tobias bass. I'm thinking the light guage DR Hi-Beams might work well, or possibly light guage DR Lo-Riders (I haven some heavier guage Lo-Riders which I like almost as much as the Fat Beams).

Anyway, what I'd really like is a matched-tension set...but that would put the B-string huge and dark, and the G-string tiny (I think). So, if I can just get close, end up with a little lower tension/greater elasticity strings, and get a brighter B-string without really destroying a lot of lows, I think I'll accomplish my goal. The Tobias has a very tight bottom...I want it to sound articulate and very growly for both slap and fingerstyle, but not at the expense of a tinny tone.

Dave