Best sounding strings for 20-25# tension

[TheSuzie]

Due to physical issues I need to play with strings that have very low tension. I am willing to live with some floppiness and adjust as needed. Clank on frets is not currently an issue as FTM I am playing fretless. I think I can reduce fingerboard slap to manageable levels with technique. Of course, most strings do not sound their best at these very low tensions. I'm just looking for suggestions as to what might sound passable. I usually play on flats or dead rounds but do like some definition.

TIA,
S

[Pilgrim]

Lowest tension strings I've heard of in years are TIs. not cheap, but good strings by all accounts.

[CapnSev]

Originally Posted by Pilgrim

Lowest tension strings I've heard of in years are TIs. not cheap, but good strings by all accounts.

Especially the jazz rounds.

[ixlramp]

Is that 20 to 25 pounds tension you're looking for?

Over the last few years I've been experimenting with D'Addario ProSteels roundwound and D'Addario XL nickelplated roundwound, searching for the lowest practical tension. I've been using these strings on fretted and fretless at 20 to 25 pounds of tension and have been surprised how good they sound.

The ProSteels have a rough surface, not good for fretless. I'm using the smoother XL nickels on my fretless.

Looking at the daddario tension chart pdf, an EADG set would be 80 60 45 32 for roughly 25 pounds, 75 55 40 28w for roughly 20 pounds. Both these sets have roughly equal tension on each string for comfortable and even technique across the strings

Using these gauges in another brand will result in similar tensions.

[TheSuzie]

Yes, that is the sort of thing I am looking for. I have a set of .095 chromes tuned down two steps in order to save my hands. Trouble is that the notes are a bit too undefined for my tastes and I'm not sure if CFA#D# is what I really want. I think I would like to be able to have standard tuning if I can get the low tension I need and a decent sound, something that has some definition but does not sound like a guitar.

Good thing I like experimenting. Just wish it didn't suck up so much cash.

[telglen]

Just yesterday,I restrung a bass with Daddario half rounds using 30-45-65-80,sounds real nice ,cant wait to do a gig.

[Jensby design]

Maybe you should consider one of these http://www.kalaukulele.com/UBASS.asp

[ixlramp]

Originally Posted by ixlramp

an EADG set would be 80 60 45 32 for roughly 25 pounds, 75 55 40 28w for roughly 20 pounds.

Whichever brand you choose, I recommend building a custom set from single strings, the top 4 of a 6 string set usually have unbalanced tension

[ixlramp]

As far as I understand string physics, the more flexible a string is, the better it sounds at low tension. Flats are inherently stiffer than roundwounds.

When a string is displaced by plucking, the restoring forces are a combination of stiffness and tension. Stiffness tends to produce an inharmonic 'solid bar' type sound, like a piano. Tension tends to produce a harmonic 'string' sound, with in-tune harmonics. So the key is to minimise stiffness, so that it is small in proportion to tension.

As you decrease tension the stiffness of a string becomes proportionally larger, creating more inharmonicity.

This is all AFAIK, someone please correct me if I misunderstand.

Apparently Circle K Strings are also very flexible, they are nickel roundwounds so might be good for fretless. They sell singles in finely stepped gauges.

[TheSuzie]

Yes, I will be buying an assortment of various singles when money becomes available in a week or two. I am encouraged by what I am hearing in this thread. It sounds like I can find what I need with just a little bit of testing. I am considering several vendors ATM and will likely get nickel plated rounds.

Thanks,
S

[telglen]

TI rounds are probably the nicest low tension,if you go to rounds,I just took them off and replaced them with the made up set of Daddario half rounds.

[TheSuzie]

OK, I got a set of D'Addario singles 75 55 40 28w and put them on about a day ago, tuned EADG on my 34" scale fretless. I did not stretch them at all. I just put them on and tuned them up. They are much lower tension and more flexible than the old flats I had. Tuning has been stable and I think they will sound OK once a bit of the zing goes out of them. I did have some problems with bridge rattles due to so little pressure on the bridge saddles allowing the allen set screws to rattle but that is easily fixed.

I may have to make some setup changes because at such low tension the strings seem to move in a larger arc even when playing with a soft touch. Also, for faster play I have to move my right hand more toward the bridge than before. The only thing that concerns me is that at times the strings seem to sound a bit chorus-y. Seems like it may be worst playing at particular nodes along the string but I'm not sure. This may be a consequence of using such low tension on the strings. I will see if it improves over time and if some adjustments will help.

The bass is surely much easier for me to play than before. I still may not be able to continue to play a regular scale bass but time will tell. I am fortunate to have as much use of my wrist and hand as I do. The guy who kicked me is the strongest kicker I have ever seen. Put me in a cast right through a 6" thick practice pad.

I will check in again after I get a bit more experience with this combination.

Peace,
S

[ixlramp]

Thanks for the update.

[natw42]

Some guy kicked you!?!

What kind of effin coward beats up on a woman?

[ixlramp]

Originally Posted by TheSuzie

Put me in a cast right through a 6" thick practice pad.

Sounds like a martial arts injury.

[TheSuzie]

Originally Posted by ixlramp

Sounds like a martial arts injury.

Yes it was but old history back in the 90s. Guy outweighed me by a good 60 pounds. He came from a heavy knock-down fighting background. Had a mutant roundhouse kick that mostly came from his hip and the weight of his body moving forward. Did not need to turn his body at all and it was really fast. He broke his GFs jaw with that kick when they were training. The guy had ego and control problems for sure.

Anyway, between that and the generalized inflammatory and neurological problems I have developed, I have to make big adjustments to try and play. I am finding that strings are a really big part of the equation. I am also finding that conventional wisdom about what will work WRT strings is just that, conventional. It appears that many other paths are possible.

Thanks for all the input. I am a step closer to being able to practice again.

S

[natw42]

Originally Posted by ixlramp

Sounds like a martial arts injury.

I thought practice pad was a drum pad or sumthin...

[TheSuzie]

OK, some updates and additions

Originally Posted by TheSuzie

OK, I got a set of D'Addario singles 75 55 40 28w and put them on about a day ago, tuned EADG on my 34" scale fretless.

A couple of things I noticed. First, the .075 has two layers of wrap. All the others appear to be single layer. Even though the .075 comes with the first layer of wrap pared back at the tuner end, the thick part still ends up on the E tuner. This is a pretty standard P type bass with a top loader bent metal bridge. I did not bother to remove more of the outer wrap because I have big post vintage style tuners and the string is only .075. If it was something larger or if I had tiny mini tuners, I would have removed more of the outer winding.

Originally Posted by TheSuzie

I did have some problems with bridge rattles due to so little pressure on the bridge saddles allowing the allen set screws to rattle but that is easily fixed.

It is not just the tension. It turns out that at least a couple of my saddles are junk. This is on a virtually unused bass. The holes are way too big for the set screws. I will try some replacement saddles. If they are not better, I will be forced to upgrade the bridge.

Originally Posted by TheSuzie

I may have to make some setup changes because at such low tension the strings seem to move in a larger arc even when playing with a soft touch.

I have loosened the truss rod most of the way. There is a good amount of relief but things may require a bit more fiddling. I would not be surprised to find a high spot or two on the fingerboard. The nut also requires some changes, meaning eventual replacement. I will use the usual mickey mouse methods to get things temporarily functional.

Strings like this are a big piece of the puzzle for me. Even if I am forced to a shorter scale bass, I will continue to use strings chosen for very low tension.

Peace,
S

[ixlramp]

When I use ultra light sets like this, I like to keep the action medium-low and relief small, and pluck carefully near the bridge. Plucking away from the bridge seems to create too much amplitude.

Oh and the .075 ... these are normally used as A strings, so the tuner post is never close to the nut, so D'Addario wind this with a very long winding length for use on all scales. Also of course, it's thin enough to wind round a post at full gauge.

[TheSuzie]

There are definitely some compromises that need to be made on setup, especially where the bass does not have a double action truss rod. I have the truss loose and more relief than I would use with regular strings but I could use a bit more. I decided to live with a bit of buzz at the first stop on the E and A strings, as totally removing the buzz means raising the action quite a bit. after some nut adjustments all strings play very cleanly open and things are mostly clean up the board. It is just that first stop that is the worst.

I end up with about 3/32+- at the octave with the first stop fingered on all strings. the neck may eventually move toward more relief on it's own without the truss rod in play. For now this is more playable than any setup I have encountered in a long time. I am able to play for a few minutes a few times a day without being totally crippled. Hope to be able to build up to more.

Playing toward the bridge does help those buzzing notes. I am just not used to playing there that much yet.

Peace,
S