Low tension, heavy gauge, bright SS...Is there such a thing?

j_nition · #1 02-24-2010, 06:17 PM

I just strung up my SX PJ with a heavy set of Dunlop SS strings and it seems to be putting some major stress on the neck. I love the tone from the heavier gauge but find the tension just too high.

any suggestions for a string with the criteria in the post title?

fretlessguy · #2 02-24-2010, 09:31 PM

Look for a string that uses roundcore wire. They are usually a little less tension heavy than hexcore wire strings. You may also have to drop down to medium gauge strings.

Meatrus · #3 02-25-2010, 06:23 AM

I would give a different gauge a go, the lack of tone you may be able to hear can probably be solved with the amps EQ. Other than downtuning (which you would need the high tension) theres not really a good reason to use heavy gauge IMO.

SwamiRob · #4 02-25-2010, 06:58 AM

Why do you think it is putting stress on the neck? You can probably sort out the tension issue by adjusting your truss rod, if the truss rod is engaged more then that will relieve alot of tension from the strings. If you imagine it like a bow and arrow, if you have a bow that flexes alot then you can pull back the string more and there will be more tension, if the bow is stiff then you can't pull back on the string as much and there is less tension. I don't know much about bows but that seems like an apt analogy.

You aren't gonna be able to simulate the bigger sound with EQ very easily though, especially the tightness from the increased tension. I like using them because they are a tad tighter but deeper sounding then lighter gauges, I can play a little harder without as much noise, and I like the feel of thicker strings. Three very good reasons for me personally. All depends what kinda tunes your playing, but for everything I'm playing at the moment I much prefer heavier gauge.

SwamiRob · #5 02-25-2010, 08:33 AM

If your over in the states you can give Circle K stings a go too come to think of it, they're a little bit more expensive then usual but they're low tension so you can get some pretty heavy sets, plus you can get balanced tension sets which mean that the high strings aren't tighter then the lower ones.

4Mal · #6 02-25-2010, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by j_nition

I just strung up my SX PJ with a heavy set of Dunlop SS strings and it seems to be putting some major stress on the neck. I love the tone from the heavier gauge but find the tension just too high.

any suggestions for a string with the criteria in the post title?

Are you comfortable with truss rod adjustments ? If not, this would be a good time to get so ...

Core type to Core type, heavier guage strings are going to be stiffer than lighter guage - that there would be physics ...
Often, a stiffer string will allow for a lower action though so there is that as an advantage as well. Of course, the lower you go, the more the quality of the nut and fret levelling come into play. Not to dog SX - but it isn't going to go down like a Lull or a pleked Lakland... going super low may require luthier intervention.

Another thought string wise. Thomastic Infeld PowerBass - not cheap but they sounds really big and play soft for a big string. Round core and I believe there are some other things in the wrap. I run them on my #1 & #2 J basses and .... well I see no need to change them out. A very good string. Probably 3x what the Dunlop's cost but - they'll sound better and will last at least 3x as long ...

IME strings is one of those places it is best not to skimp ...

Nedmundo · #7 02-26-2010, 08:22 AM

Try Dean Markley Blue Steel. I've used .045-.105 on my P, and I thought they were relatively low tension. They're bright due to SS winding, but thump nicely and sound great on the P.

j_nition · #8 02-28-2010, 12:02 AM

UPDATE:
Just strung a set of hi-beams (45-105) tonight and must say the lower tension is so much nicer! I feel like I could have stayed at the same 110-50 gauge with these DR's and probly gotten an acceptable tension compared the hex core dunlops.

I am still missing the piano tone brillinace I am wanting to hear from every string I have tried that markets itself as "bright". I will have to give the D'addario Pro-steels a try next time I guess, but I'm happy enough for now.

thanks for the input guys.

DavePlaysBass · #9 02-28-2010, 09:52 AM

A heavier gauge DR Hi Beam should be less tension that most other brands.

Also second the setup comments. In the setup forum there is lots of good information. IMO, every bass player should be comfortable setting relief, action, intonation, and pickup height. And once you learn how to do it, you will be able to dial in your bass for your music for your technique like no one else. And setup can have a noticable impact on your tone.

ggunn · #10 02-28-2010, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SwamiRob

Why do you think it is putting stress on the neck? You can probably sort out the tension issue by adjusting your truss rod, if the truss rod is engaged more then that will relieve a lot of tension from the strings.

No, it won't. The tension in a string is dependent on the mass per unit length of the string, the distance from nut to bridge, and the pitch to which it is tuned. The truss rod is there to assist the wood of the neck in counterbalancing the pull of the strings but it doesn't affect the string tension.

SwamiRob · #11 03-01-2010, 02:05 AM

Yeah I knew they all factored into it, but I thought the neck had an impact on it too, I've certainly had it before where a bad setup feels alot more tense and it was only after I sorted it out that the strings felt looser.

I play with a pretty high action, and even after adjusting the saddles so the action is pretty much the same but more even, making the neck straighter with the truss rod seems to have an effect on how tight the string are in my experience. Might well be another rationale behind it, but in my experience I've setup basses with a particular brand of strings, and then after changing the strings but not altering the setup there isn't the initial tenseness to the set I put on as there was on the one when I was setting my bass up up.

Meatrus · #12 03-01-2010, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SwamiRob

I play with a pretty high action, and even after adjusting the saddles so the action is pretty much the same but more even, making the neck straighter with the truss rod seems to have an effect on how tight the string are in my experience. Might well be another rationale behind it, but in my experience I've setup basses with a particular brand of strings, and then after changing the strings but not altering the setup there isn't the initial tenseness to the set I put on as there was on the one when I was setting my bass up up.

I used to think the same. But the reason it feels this way is that you are having to push the strings down harder with the fretting hand which makes it feel like there is more tension (as you are using more force to fret) especially round the middle frets (5-9 ish).

PSPookie · #13 03-02-2010, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ggunn

No, it won't. The tension in a string is dependent on the mass per unit length of the string, the distance from nut to bridge, and the pitch to which it is tuned. The truss rod is there to assist the wood of the neck in counterbalancing the pull of the strings but it doesn't affect the string tension.

This.

Similarly, a round core will not inherently have a lower tension than a hex core. Often the case is that the round core is amore pliable string a therefore feels less taught even though, at pitch, it caries the same amount of tension as the hex core.

There is a good bit of bad information in this thread.

Meatrus · #14 03-02-2010, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PSPookie

This.

Similarly, a round core will not inherently have a lower tension than a hex core. Often the case is that the round core is amore pliable string a therefore feels less taught even though, at pitch, it caries the same amount of tension as the hex core.

There is a good bit of bad information in this thread.

I think most people (as I do) refer to stiffness when they say tension, and most people (I think) know the difference.

SwamiRob · #15 03-03-2010, 07:32 AM

I dunno it just seemed like alot of stiffness was taken off when I've changed the setup and it was something a little more complex then just how close the strings were to the fretboard, nevermind.

masterFlash · #16 03-03-2010, 07:48 AM

My advice is DON"T PANIC, adjust your truss rod so that your neck is straight. Next play these strings for at least an hour a day for the next few weeks, you know break them in a bit. You'll find that they'll relax a bit and won't be so stiff. I am using a set of Labella Deep talkin' Flats Medium Gauge (49-109) and for the first two weeks I thought there is no way I can play these up to speed for a show. But now after 3 weeks they are a lot easier.