Tension - What does it mean?

[Goose72]

The title says it all...

Is tension how much the strings will pull on the headstock/neck or how stiff/not flexible they are. I am looking for a string that I can really dig into and it will be tight and not wobbly. There is nothing worse than strings flyin around all over the place, clankin off my frets just because I like to get into my music.

[fretlessman71]

Tension is both of the things you mentioned.

There are a few strings brands that seem to have higher tension - DRs come to mind. LaBellas too.

Be willing to consider that 1) your bass may need a setup/fret dress, and 2) you may simply have to adjust your picking technique if that's where the real issue lies. The best setup in the world with the best strings cannot overcome heavy-handed technique.

[seamonkey]

In general - The thicker the string the higher tension it is.
All you might have to do is adjust the neck rod.

[bassteban]

Tension: Wife, mother & ex-girlfriend at the same table; no drinks.

On topic, you might try a heavier-gauge string, & slightly higher action. Do your homework first; it's equally easy to make a bass play nicely or poorly via a few minor adjustments.

[AlembicPlayer]

as well, the longer the scale length of the bass, the higher the tension

[Goose72]

Well I just restrung my bass for the first time...I am not sure what was on it previously (I bought it from soholounge, and he said that most likely they were Ken Smiths, but could also be D'addarios...how can I tell??) I have had the bass for nearly 2 years, and my A string was actually bent above a fet, so I knew it was time for new strings! I loved the sound of these strings besides the fact that they were probably just a little bit (I swear just a little bit) dead. I put on Hi-Beams and now they are floppin' all over. I tend to play like Flea (pretty hard, get really into it...you know) and I can't do it with these, they are too wobbly...any suggestions?

The strings I had on, had orange silk at the top and blue at the bottom(by the bridge). D'addarios have the different colored balls at the bridge end right?

[bassteban]

D'Addarios have no silk & different-colored ball ends; Ken Smith SS are purple at the ends, some of their nickels are red-orange.
I can't suggest anything for high-tension; I like it light. I used to beat my strings pretty hard(I've broken E & A strings)but it was usually because my rig was weak & I was trying to get more volume. Not telling you how to play but for me, plenty of power+light gauge strings & lighter touch/better control=better sound.

[PSPookie]

There are two things at work here. First is tension which is the amount of force along the length of the string. For a given scale length and tuning the tension in the string at pitch will be proportional to the mass (therefore gague) of the string. Hence a highe gague will yield a higher tension.

The next factor is pliability which is what most people are referring to when they talk about the tension of their strings. This has to do with the flexibility or stiffness of the string. IME High Beams (round core) tend to be fairly flexible and can feel a bit floppy. If you like DRs you might try some Low Riders (hex core) which tend to be a bit stiffer.

Good technique is also important.

[knuckle_head]

Originally Posted by Goose72

The title says it all...

Is tension how much the strings will pull on the headstock/neck or how stiff/not flexible they are. I am looking for a string that I can really dig into and it will be tight and not wobbly. There is nothing worse than strings flyin around all over the place, clankin off my frets just because I like to get into my music.

Tension is the amount of pull along the string's length - it is the relationship of gauge and scale length to bring the string to a specific pitch.

Stiffness is a physical property of the string itself - whether or not it is mounted on a bass - that suggests how pliable it is.

The less flexible a string is the less capable it is of producing the full range of harmonics most of us expect. A flexible string under high tension may, at its worst, be less loud. That string will have at least as much harmonic content, and likely more.

If you are liking the sound you get out of the strings you have but don't like the behavior of them then up the gauge a bit to invite less movement and prevent the 'clank'. Your tone might shift some but not dramatically.