The best strings to give my bass tight tension?

**colcifer** · #2 01-15-2012, 11:05 PM

The heavier the gauge, the more tension required to bring the strings to pitch. There's no "best." Other criteria to narrow down the search by?

LwoA Bassist · #3 01-16-2012, 02:12 AM

You can try circle k strings, they have damn near everything. Link below.
Circle K Strings - Circle K Strings

SLaPiNFuNK · #4 01-16-2012, 03:36 AM

Heavy gauge strings in genearl.

Depending on the sting construction it may or may not also make the string tighter...

Black Nylon Tapewounds may be high in string gauge, but they are generally pretty light tension...

Some flatwounds even at lighter gauges are tighter in tension than rounds at the same gauge.

But besides those, larger gauge generally = tighter tension.

**countbassiedad** · #5 01-16-2012, 03:42 AM

Try flatwounds - maybe Ernie Ball Group II's. Daddario's Chromes, Roto77 and Ernie Ball are all quite bright (and similar) - you might dig the tone and feel too.

baltsen · #6 01-17-2012, 10:27 AM

Hi,
I guess you know already that it depends mainly on the gauge you use.

... I for myself prefer 45-105 strings. And the tightest I remember are the Elixir Nanoweb.

imanbrewer · #7 02-09-2012, 11:43 PM

tight tension= lowrider ss or lowrider nickel

MycooLeeyun · #8 02-09-2012, 11:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by imanbrewer

tight tension= lowrider ss or lowrider nickel

+1

tabdog · #9 02-10-2012, 12:18 AM

ROTO RS 77LD flat wound

Tabdog

mmbongo · #10 02-10-2012, 07:26 AM

I think D'Addario Chromes are the highest tension strings I've ever used.

DR LoRiders are not really high tension...they are just high tension compared to DR Sunbeams. Compared with other hex core strings, they are not higher..probably lower actually.

Circle K's are not high tension strings at all.

All comparisons done with identical gauges in mind.

masonsjax · #11 02-10-2012, 07:32 AM

Look for hex core construction. They will feel more rigid. SIT Rock Brights are my personal favorites.

crashonskis · #12 02-10-2012, 07:34 AM

not ghs bass boomers. Those murder string tension.

Lorenzini · #13 02-10-2012, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmbongo

I think D'Addario Chromes are the highest tension strings I've ever used.

DR LoRiders are not really high tension...they are just high tension compared to DR Sunbeams. Compared with other hex core strings, they are not higher..probably lower actually.

Circle K's are not high tension strings at all.

All comparisons done with identical gauges in mind.

Ya rite. Lo Riders are super high tension strings.

Dean Markley Blue Steels are high tension.

mmbongo · #14 02-10-2012, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lorenzini

Ya rite. Lo Riders are super high tension strings.

What are you comparing them to?

I use them on my Lakland, even on 35" scale they're no higher tension than the D'Addario's that came on it.

tdub0199 · #15 02-10-2012, 12:20 PM

If you don't mind Flats, Chromes do have pretty good tension.....

Lorenzini · #16 02-10-2012, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmbongo

What are you comparing them to?

I use them on my Lakland, even on 35" scale they're no higher tension than the D'Addario's that came on it.

GHS makes Lakland's strings, and they are definitely lower tension than DR Lo Riders.

But tension and stiffness are 2 different things. Lo Riders are the stiffest strings I've played, while tension... well tension-wise I have no idea which string has the most pulling power on the neck.

ixlramp · #17 02-12-2012, 08:02 PM

RBX4, study this pdf: http://www.daddario.com/upload/tension_chart_13934.pdf. This explains everything and you will be able to design your own sets with the precise tension you prefer on each string.

mmbongo · #18 02-12-2012, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lorenzini

GHS makes Lakland's strings, and they are definitely lower tension than DR Lo Riders.

.

Skyline's don't come with Lakland strings. They have D'Addario XL.

Epitaph04 · #19 02-12-2012, 08:15 PM

The elixirs that came on an ibanez I previously owned were pretty dang high tension. Also own a set of roto flats that were also very high tension. So yeah, elixirs and flats haha.

tylerwylie · #20 02-12-2012, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmbongo

I think D'Addario Chromes are the highest tension strings I've ever used.

DR LoRiders are not really high tension...they are just high tension compared to DR Sunbeams. Compared with other hex core strings, they are not higher..probably lower actually.

Circle K's are not high tension strings at all.

All comparisons done with identical gauges in mind.

Chromes aren't too high tension, they are stiff however.

45-100 Chrome Total Tension: 179.800

45-100 XL Nickel Total Tension: 172.600

Very small difference between their standard Nickel sets and their flat wound sets.

They are probably very stiff.

The same is true with DR Lo-Riders. In fact, moving from same gauge Lo-Riders to Fat Beams / Sunbeams might actually increase the total tension on the neck, however you may need more relief to accommodate for the more flexible strings.