Low Tension Steel Strings

[grooveguru]

I'm looking for a set of "Low" tension steel strings to get my hands back in shape. What do you guys suggest?

[bribass]

Originally Posted by grooveguru

I'm looking for a set of "Low" tension steel strings to get my hands back in shape. What do you guys suggest?

I find Corelli Mediums to be pretty low tension. They'e thin gage and more like light gage strings.

Some players like to take solo gage strings like Thomastic Spirocore solos which are meant to be tuned F#, B, E, and A and tune them down to the standard E, A, D, G. This makes them feel especially loose.

BG

[Phil Rowan]

I use Spiro Mittels on one of my basses, and I don't feel like they're too high tension at all. There's plenty of looseness to work with, and this is coming from someone who played gut for years.

[Bobby King]

I'd also say Corelli 370 Medium. They are very good, low tension strings -- they sound good for pizz and the arco is great. The only thing some people don't like is the thin diameter, but I found that you can get used to them quickly.

Pirastro Flatchrome Steel or Spirocore Weich are others to consider.

[Uncletoad]

Originally Posted by Phil Rowan

I use Spiro Mittels on one of my basses, and I don't feel like they're too high tension at all. There's plenty of looseness to work with, and this is coming from someone who played gut for years.

Well that's going to confuse the OP for sure. While they seem to be low tension strings to you they are certainly not low tension strings compared to everything else on the market. They are however an excellent string to play on and not a bad recommendation for someone just starting out or returning to playing.

Any one of these would be considered lowest tension steel strings available:

1. Spirocore Solo tuned to concert pitch.
2. Corelli Medium
3. Pirastro Obligatos.
4. Thomastic Dominant Solo tuned to concert pitch
5. D'Addario Helicore Solo tuned to concert pitch.

Numbers 1,2 and 5 are all steel strings, 3 and 4 have nylon/plastic cores with steel wraps.

Super low tension strings aren't always the best answer for getting "back into shape". Consult a bass instructor for the best results.

[Phil Rowan]

Well, that's how they feel to me at least. I didn't mean to confuse anyone, but I do agree with you about the low tension strings not always being the best way to get back in shape.

[Dave Whitla]

Bel Cantos are actually quite low tension, compared with other orchestral steel strings, and they are even from one string to the next which I find makes them very comfortable (unless you're a primarily pizz player, as so many have pointed out on the other thread!).