string material in relation to tension

[mkmusic]

obsessively researching strings, www and first-hand, for a couple of new basses. Typically, I'm finding that tensions for strings of the same gauge go (low to high): steel, nickel-steel, flatwound stainless, halfround (unsure of the material). any Idea where a pure nickel string fits in? Something like the fender "original bass" set. thanks

[greenboy]

You haven't researched enough then. Use D'Addario and compare every gauge of XL against every gauge of Pro Steel. Make a chart/table. You will find that some are this and some are that. The reason for this is because at different points in the lineup they have used a different sized core and wrap wires to arrive at the same final diameter. Often the steels of the same gauge are lighter tension, and often they are not.

[Slater]

IME, it's more about the core, than the material. Typically, hex-core strings have higher tension than round-core...

[greenboy]

The potential for tension is greater with round core wire since there is no dead air space between the core and the wrap wire as there is with hex wire, thus more MASS.

Don't confuse tension for flexibility.

[mkmusic]

Thanks, greenboy. The published D'addario charts are a great tool, no doubt. the problem is that they don't make a pure nickel string. i'm kind of finding that there are probably more variables that contribute to the overall feel of a strings. I'll just have to keep on trying them out.

[greenboy]

You can weigh strings of the same gauge and length if you have a sufficently fine weighing instrument. The heavier string will be the one that makes for more tension. Actually, that's what Unit Weight comes from: weighing the string minus any taper or ball end and dividing it up to an inch's worth.