Benefits of low tension vs. high tension..

[makkE]

Hi,
I did a search, but I didn't really find the info I am looking for:

Here's my question:

What are the benefits/drawbacks in low tension strings vs. high tension? Is it solely a matter of taste (or less strain on the neck) ?

How does tension affect technique, playability or tone?
I play labella fm's at the moment, and I am starting to find them a bit too rigid and boomy, so I was thinking of getting lighter strings... I used to think that low tension would feel too floppy for me, but I have recently lightened my touch, so I am not sure what I'd be happy with (or how much tension I really need).

[Phalex]

I think it has everything to do with personal preference and playing style.

I personally like strings with fairly high tension, mostly because they stay where they are and don't try to stick to my fingers. I find light gauge strings to be too "stretchy" feeling if that makes any sense.....

[Jay2U]

Very low tension requires a soft, barely touching, playing style, otherwise the strings rattle the frets off the neck. High tension requires firm fretting, but does support heavy picking. To my experience, strings with high tension do interact a little more than lower tension ones do.

[kcole4001]

Low tension strings are usually a poor choice if downtuning, also, though it really depends on playing style and scale length among other things.
You most likely get less sustain with lower tension strings, though it may be only noticable in extreme cases.

[Double Agent]

I used to prefer higher tension, but have started to prefer lower tension over the last year or so. Lower tension requires less effort to play, which makes a difference in wear and tear over the course of a gig. They also seem to respond better dynamically, light touch vs. digging in...where with higher tension, you are pretty much ALWAYS digging in. I can get the digging in tone with less effort on strings that have a loose feel but I can also back off, barely touching the strings, and get a nice, mellow tone from that.

One thing to point out, there is a difference between actual tension and how tight the strings feel. Generally, round core strings are thought to have less tension than hex-core strings, but when tuned to pitch they will be relatively the same tension. However, the round core strings FEEL looser than hex core strings. The only way increase actual tension is to use a lighter or heavier gauge.

It is also easy to get overly wrapped up in this kind of thing. Find strings that you like the sound of...if they feel too tight, use a lighter gauge; if they feel too loose, use a heavier gauge.

[Jkaz]

Strings do come in different tensions. I'm not sure how the technology works, but its interesting that two different strings with two different tensions can produce the same notes.

I never thought much of string tension, until I placed DR Black Beauties on my bass, and I had major fret buzz through the first 5 frets. I tweaked the truss rod, and that solved the problem. I believe the Black Beauties are coated highbeams, which DR claims is a highly flexible string, and from experience, I would have to agree.

My experience with Black Beauties has been very positive. I like the feel of the strings, they're easy to bend, and it doesn't take much finger pressure to produce a note. Very easy on the hands.

The strings feel great, but they ride a little higher off the frets, as compared to my previous strings. This might be discomforting for some people. I'm sure I could get a full set up, and get the strings low as possible again, which I prefer, but I don't have the money to reset the bass every time I try different strings.

DR makes low riders, which I never tried, but from the posts I've read, these strings are very taught, which allows them to be set up very low to the frets. I always thought this would be an ideal string for hard rockers that like to use pics when they play.

It's fun to try out different strings, but it's expensive. If you want to experiment with strings, I think trying out the low riders, sun beams, and high beams, will give a reasonable range of tension that is discernable.

[boynamedsuse]

Originally Posted by Jkaz

. . . .
DR makes low riders, which I never tried, but from the posts I've read, these strings are very taught, which allows them to be set up very low to the frets. I always thought this would be an ideal string for hard rockers that like to use pics when they play.
. . . .

As you may have read, Lo-Rider strings have a hex core (maybe the only hex core in the DR line). Although this makes them stiffer than DR's round core strings, they are not that stiff. My guess (not having tried every brand) is that they are similar to other hex core strings with regard to stiffness.

[TinIndian]

It's interesting, I have DR Nickle Lo Riders on my 5 string and I have Elixirs on my 4. Both are medium gauge but the Elixirs have a much higher tension than the DR's. Same scale length on both basses.

[pasta4lnch]

I personally dont like too low a tension - on some gigs I have to tune to Eb for the singer and there is a noticeable less than desirable difference (granted not crazy) and w/ a V'r it's even more noticeable on the B. Feels like I'm playing w/ rubber bands . . .

[Mike M.]

About a month ago I put DR Sunbeams on my Jazz bass. Read where they have a round core which equals less tension and I found this to be true. They're not floppy by any means but not as tight as some hex core strings either. But at the same time I've had to lighten my touch a bit using them or I get fret rattle.

One benefit I've noticed is that they're helping me get more comfortable with learning slap style bass. I've found that the less tension (for me) equals less effort. I don't have as much time to practice as I would like (hardly any), but with the Sunbeams my efforts don't sound as "strained" as they do with a hex core string.

I actually prefer something with a higher tension (sounds more "there") but I'm hoping that once I get more fluid with the slap style to go back to a higher tension.

[knuckle_head]

There is more to the stiffness of a string than the nature of its core. A hex core wire is measured on the width, flat surface to flat surface. This gives a hex core wire 12% more mass than a similarly sized round core. This is part of the explanation.

There are some string designs that reduce the size of the wrap wire and increase the size of the core while using a round wire. This also makes for a more rigid string.

There is also a method of putting extreme tension on the wraps and along the string's length as the string is made. This makes for a rigid string as well.

None of this makes a string any more or less tense when brought to pitch - that will always be a matter of mass and pitch given a specific scale length.

A rigid string will have fewer overtones - it will be less bright. Bringing a rigid string to a higher tension will bring back some of the brightness but will invite inharmonics. Inharmonics are when a string rings out as a marimba key does in addition to the pitch it has as a string - they won't necessarily be sympathetic tones.

[bassbrad]

On my main basses i use a fairly light set 35-55-80-100 because it allows me to play more dynamically and articulate the strings a bit easier. There is a bit of a trade off needing to play lighter and on some basses it may thin out the tone but those basses have a robust tone to begin with so no loss there.
On the rest of my basses and fretless a more normal light set 40-60-80-100 adding a 25 or 120 for fivers does the job.

[darkstorm]

I prefer medium to medium light tension 45-105. Though 40-100 can be great to.

[maturanesa]

Too low tension would produce some "out of tune" and "fart" vibe cause the strings moving all around, and very high would be too hard to play.. I always go with 040-100, or 045-105, and work fine

[Metaldood19]

I find that low tensions allows me to play faster which is critical is some very technical genres. All that is needed is a light touch and strike, no digging in as one poster put it earlier.

[turbo chicken]

Recently having got a new bass that has some light rounds compared to the med chrome flats i normally use ... i can use a lighter touch ... it's less strain on my left hand and my right hand speed has picked up a little

but again it's all about fell and what you think feels good... got me thinking about those Fender Light Flats ... or even sticking with rounds for a while.

[MelodicExp]

wouldnt scale length have something to do with it do. i play a 5 string with a 34inch scale length and my strings always seem floppy.

[Joebone]

I find that dynamic range and expression (vibrato, bends, digging in) increase as string tension decreases, although there is probably some point of diminishing returns, and when I use lower tension strings I have to refine my right-hand technique (I'm left-handed, and often play harder than I need to with my right). Right now I've just set aside some Sadowsky flats that sound really, really good, but I want that extra expression (and, honestly the velocity and ease of play) that I get from TI Jazz Flats. On rounds I like a bit more tension, which is one of the several reasons leading me to prefer R. Cocco nickelrounds over DR Sunbeams.

[knuckle_head]

Originally Posted by maturanesa

Too low tension would produce some "out of tune" and "fart" vibe cause the strings moving all around

You may be referring to pitch dive, where on attack the striking of the string puts more tension on it and as it resolves the tension lessens.

No notion what you're getting at with the "fart" vibe . . .

Originally Posted by MelodicExp

wouldnt scale length have something to do with it do. i play a 5 string with a 34inch scale length and my strings always seem floppy.

This is a gauge issue and not a scale length thing. If you like a .100 for E a like-tensioned B is a .135. If you prefer a .105 a like-tensioned B is a .140.

Most 5 string sets have a .125 for B regardless of the E string - 5 pounds less tension than on a .100 E

[Audiophage]

Originally Posted by Jkaz

Strings do come in different tensions. I'm not sure how the technology works, but its interesting that two different strings with two different tensions can produce the same notes.

Different masses, which can be a product of different materials and or gauges.