D'Addario Balanced Tension

[camthebassman]

Strung up my P-bass with the new D'Addario balanced tension set last night (EXL170BT). My fingers (and ears) are happy. I had been complaining about a floppy E string forever (EXL165 set), and now I need to find something else to complain about. Even tone and feel across the fretboard...nice! At ~$12 a set, they are a real bargain as well!! Try them!

I also bought a single 105 Elixir to help balance my tone on my Rumblefish XL. Up from a 100. I had no idea that a ~10% change in string tension would yield such a good and "measureable" result.

Cam

[SoVeryTired]

I'm sold on balanced tension - I'm interested to hear any comparisons between Circle K and the new Daddarios.

[Jaco Taco]

I love Balanced Tension! I'm looking forward to trying these out.

[Sundogue]

I've used D'Addarios and now have Circle K's. I've ordered separate D'Addario strings just to get a more balanced set. I liked them, but the low B of the Circle K's makes the low B of the D'Addario sound like mud and the playability of the CK low B is so even with the rest of the set it isn't even a fair comparison.

Having Said that, I've liked D'Addario strings. Still have my old set as a backup (haven't broke a string in over 20 years though). The Circle K's still win out in several areas. Low B is far better. The Circle K's feel and play more like they are truly balanced in tone and feel (can't speak to the D'A "balanced tension" sets as I've only made my own balanced set). The Circle K tone has much more clarity and evenness to them. Circle K's seem more articulate.

Between the two, the only real MAJOR difference is the low B. Otherwise the differences aren't noticeably great.

[ilmaio]

I've just ordered a set of EXL170BT from stringbusters.co.uk, i can't wait to try them out!

I also ordered a set of Labella Hard rockin' steel M43, wich are 0.41 - 0.58 - 0.86 - 0.106, and as the labella site says, are quite balanced too

[Ian_Flash]

On an ATK 305, the LaBella HRS M43 should give you KILLER Tone! They are also extremely balanced in both tone and feel.

[JimmyM]

Ya, the balanced tension sets rule.

[tylerwylie]

Originally Posted by Sundogue

I've used D'Addarios and now have Circle K's. I've ordered separate D'Addario strings just to get a more balanced set. I liked them, but the low B of the Circle K's makes the low B of the D'Addario sound like mud and the playability of the CK low B is so even with the rest of the set it isn't even a fair comparison.

Having Said that, I've liked D'Addario strings. Still have my old set as a backup (haven't broke a string in over 20 years though). The Circle K's still win out in several areas. Low B is far better. The Circle K's feel and play more like they are truly balanced in tone and feel (can't speak to the D'A "balanced tension" sets as I've only made my own balanced set). The Circle K tone has much more clarity and evenness to them. Circle K's seem more articulate.

Between the two, the only real MAJOR difference is the low B. Otherwise the differences aren't noticeably great.

I've noticed I dig D'Addarios and GHS more on my 4 strings, but prefer other brands for 5 and 6 string basses. I love a good low B.

[petrus61]

So are they balanced as in the G will feel just like the E? I've always noticed the D and G on D'Addarios to be noticeably higher in tension compared to the lower strings. Does this mean more or less tension on the lower strings?Or are they just "balanced" by gauge?

[FourBanger]

In a set like 45 65 85 105 the G and the E were always close, in the other popular set of 45 65 80 100 the D and G were higher tension than the other half. The balanced tension sets start with the more even of the two, the 45-105 or even a 40-100, and bring the tension of the middle two strings down to better match the G and E. with the 165 set the E was increased by .002 to 107 to bring things even closer together in tension to the G.

Savvy?

[Harpo61]

Just ordered 2 sets from Bassstrings Online they will waiting for me when I get home. Going to put them on my Jazz Bass and try them at practice tonight.

[Randyt]

Daddario/Circle K comparison :
I just put on a set of D'addario EXL160BT on my 6xer(120B and added a 0.035G and 0.025C...Just took off a full set of CK's 118B set.
The CK had a little less tension yet the actual tension calculations states that the D's would have less, but to the feel the D's are little tighter to the feel...which is not a bad thing as I was able to lower my string height. The 120B string on the D's is very solid and no rattle or quick decay of note..Maybe its the Hex core of the D's ???...the D's are louder...maybe being nickel???... I like the lighter guage feel and sound of the D's and you cant beat the price ...I had to add the two strings G and C...but when comparing price the D's are half the price....Well worth the investment..

[Randyt]

The main reason what brought me to try the Balanced Daddarios is that you are able to use with String Through Body designs as Circle K strings are strictly top load only.

Also, the longevity of the CK strings are very good...I have only had the D's on for a few days...more info to follow

[Ian_Flash]

The D'addarios (Balanced Tension) DO have almost equal pull tension from the low E to G. The standard set had low tension on the E, higher on the A and G and highest on the G. Pull (actual) tension does not always equal "feel (perceived) tension" but on this set it works out just right.

[Jaco Taco]

Kinda bums me out that the D'Addario balanced set is Nickel. I vastly prefer stainless steel. Guess I have to stick with singles.

[JimmyM]

It probably only works out to a buck or two's difference putting together singles or buying a set. I did it with Chromes. At least you can do it with Pro Steels now.