String Tension - why is it important? (or not...)

[bobalu]

As a newbie to bass, could I get some feedback on what exactly string tension has to do, in general, with technique, sound or feel? I've heard the "very floppy...really tight etc. references while reading through string reviews here, but I really don't quite understand what or maybe how these affect ones playing. I hope this question isn't too general.

[Roland777]

I don't get what you don't understand... But I'll explain quickly, and from scratch.
Take your E-string. Tune it down to... let's say B. Or just spin the key a couple of times. Now play the string. Feel that? That's floppy. Tune back up to E now.
Take your E-string again. Tune it up to G#, for example. Now play it. Feel that? That's tight.

As far as string-tension in general goes, it's all about personal taste. Light strings in general are easier on the fingers but are more prone to fretbuzzing. Heavier strings are harder to play (depends on just how much heavier you go), but are less prone to fretbuzzing. What I'm talking about here in the last paragraph is in VERY general terms.

[bobalu]

No, I understand the physical concept of string tension. What I'm asking is, how does tension equate to a style of play or a specific sound (if it does at all. Maybe it doesn't?). For example, can you play "faster" with a higher tension string? Are lower tension strings best suited to jazz, and higher tension to funk or slap? Are lower tension strings clankier/noisier because they flop around more, and higher tension cleaner sounding because there is "less" fret clanking? Does tension have anything to do with the sound of the string, or just the "feel" of it when you play?

Perhaps I should have been more specific in my original post. My apologies.

[knuckle_head]

Looser strings excurd more - so they are usually set higher off the frets. A looser string tends to have a stronger fundamental as compared to a tighter string tuned to the same note which will offer more robust harmonic content.

I've noticed that touch style players lean toward looser tension as there is less effort in playing, but this is an observation strictly as I don't employ finger/touch style techniques myself.

Keep in mind, these characteristics are dependent on string construction. YMMV

[fretlessrock]

I don't think that I would make any overly general connections, but if you play with a very heavy touch then more tension will keep it from being a clank-fest. If you play with a light touch and let the amp do the work then you may get more dynamic range while using less force by using a lower tension set. But I'll bet that there are players with a light touch that play heavy-gauge sets, and v-v.

For me the switch to lighter gauge and lower tension strings was part of an overall move to play with a lighter touch and more dynamics. I found sets like the TI Jazz Rounds were excellent, but they would get as loud as they were going to get well before I was really digging in. Sort of like a mechanical limiter.

Similarly, a friend was looking for mules to test a custom super-heavy flatwound set and I had them on a P for a while. My hands hurt after 15 minutes, but my bandmates at the time though the tone and punch were exceptional. I agreed, but just started bringing a bigger amp and went back to my usual set.

So be aware that string tension differs between brands and types, and if you think that you would benefit from more or less tension, give it a whirl.

[Kael]

Originally Posted by knuckle_head

Looser strings excurd more - so they are usually set higher off the frets. A looser string tends to have a stronger fundamental as compared to a tighter string tuned to the same note which will offer more robust harmonic content.

I've noticed that touch style players lean toward looser tension as there is less effort in playing, but this is an observation strictly as I don't employ finger/touch style techniques myself.

Keep in mind, these characteristics are dependent on string construction. YMMV

-1,

In my experience loose strings have more harmonic content and tighter strings are more fundamental and less about overtones. The tighter a string is the more fundamental punch it will have.

Also, I strictly play fingerstyle nowadays and have no problems playing with a very light touch. I, however, find certain strings (ex: TI flats) to be too floppy. Floppy strings restrict how fast you can play unless you plant your plucking hand down by the bridge where there is more resistance/tension.

Bottom line, it is more about personal feel and whether or not a given string will do what you ask of it.

[Mean Mr Mustard]

I pluck at the neck, its harder for me to pluck faster by the bridge where the string is tighter.

Not that I want to pluck by the bridge.