Lowest Tension Strings?

[WilliamJames]

What is the lowest tension type of string material that still audible?


How do the nylon Weedwackers stack up as far as tension?


Is there a chart somewhere comparing different types/brands?

[Rebop]

In my experience, the whackers are tighter than guts. At least, on my bass.

[bassist14]

Originally Posted by WilliamJames

Is there a chart somewhere comparing different types/brands?

you can find links to 2 charts here:
String tension chart

[ERIC A]

GUT

[WilliamJames]

Originally Posted by Rebop

In my experience, the whackers are tighter than guts. At least, on my bass.

Are the nylon whackers signifigantly less tense than steel strings?

[kurt]

Originally Posted by WilliamJames

Are the nylon whackers signifigantly less tense than steel strings?

Yes. Whackers and plain guts are pretty comparable in tension depending on the gauges and brands. Both are much lower than any steel string (including solo gauge at orchestra pitch) string I've tried and Innovation rockabillies and eurosonics.
Maybe silver slaps or velvets are close but I doubt they are as low. The E on whackers and guts is especially low, too low for most people. You have to play with a lighter touch or the string will bottom out and just make a twangy sound. At a certain point low tension starts to make it harder to play, you just have to figure out where that is for you.

[Jaromir]

Any metal strings solo tuning tuned to regular tuning. For example Spiros solo. Miroslav Vitous uses solo La Belas.

[sevenyearsdown]

Even velvets and innovations are noticeably higher than wackers. Wackers are garbage for pizz playing.

[Rebop]

Originally Posted by sevenyearsdown

Wackers are garbage for pizz playing.

It's all in the hands. Neither of my basses are set up for straight pizz right now and when a jazz gig comes up I usually use the whacker bass, not the gut bass. Maybe depends on the type of whackers?

[Marcus Johnson]

William, if these are for your Roth Fiberglass, you might want to try the Spiro Weichs as an alternative, as I mentioned in your bass thread. The old Roth from my old high school really woke up pretty well when I put on an old set of Spiros. Not sure if the whackers will drive the bass enough to get any real volume, since there isn't much there to begin with. Since you already ordered the whackers, give 'em a shot.. you never know, it might be fine.

[WilliamJames]

Originally Posted by Marcus Johnson

William, if these are for your Roth Fiberglass, you might want to try the Spiro Weichs as an alternative, as I mentioned in your bass thread. The old Roth from my old high school really woke up pretty well when I put on an old set of Spiros. Not sure if the whackers will drive the bass enough to get any real volume, since there isn't much there to begin with. Since you already ordered the whackers, give 'em a shot.. you never know, it might be fine.

I can't afford a set of Spiro Weichs, even used. Haha, I already tried to find some. If someone has an old set to donate, keep me in mind.

Here is a video of my Roth fiberglass for you guys who enjoy them. May need to apply some headphones as the camera has a pinhole mic.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gO-chJqjoAg

[Matt Ides]

Originally Posted by bassist14

you can find links to 2 charts here:
String tension chart

The charts are helpful but do realize strings will feel and react differently on different basses.

[Marcus Johnson]

That doesn't sound bad at all. I think what you have there is a screamin' good deal on a decent bass. Way better than spending twice as much on a CCB. Hey, I got started on a Roth, and I'm still playing for a living four decades later. I even still play that old high school Roth sometimes when I go back home for family jams, and the only time it hurts me is when I carry it around. LOL

I guess I'll be the first to bring it up... take a couple of lessons from a DB teacher, so he or she can help you start off with proper technique. Real different approach from bass guitar. A teacher can help you play more efficiently and avoid injuring yourself.

[WilliamJames]

Originally Posted by Marcus Johnson

That doesn't sound bad at all. I think what you have there is a screamin' good deal on a decent bass. Way better than spending twice as much on a CCB. Hey, I got started on a Roth, and I'm still playing for a living four decades later. I even still play that old high school Roth sometimes when I go back home for family jams, and the only time it hurts me is when I carry it around. LOL

I guess I'll be the first to bring it up... take a couple of lessons from a DB teacher, so he or she can help you start off with proper technique. Real different approach from bass guitar. A teacher can help you play more efficiently and avoid injuring yourself.

Haha, you aren't the first to bring it up.

I really can't afford lessons. I'm a working class guy with a family. I could only afford the $250 bass because I just happened to have the money that day when the guy posted the ad. Usually I would not have been able to even afford that. It was just meant to be.

I do know an older cat who has played double bass professionally since the 70s. I will probably go by there and have him show me some things......and brag about the deal I got.

Are there any free websites or teaching videos on Youtube you could recommend?

[Marcus Johnson]

Originally Posted by WilliamJames

I do know an older cat who has played double bass professionally since the 70s. I will probably go by there and have him show me some things......and brag about the deal I got.

Do that... he can probably show you enough in an hour to get you started off right.

[WilliamJames]

Originally Posted by Marcus Johnson

Do that... he can probably show you enough in an hour to get you started off right.

I definitely will. Probably go by there tommorow.

[donn]

Originally Posted by Matt Ides

The charts are helpful but do realize strings will feel and react differently on different basses.

The charts would be more helpful, if they included tension figures for more strings, particularly the strings that might actually be among the low tension options. I realize that whoever made the chart (the big one at tamu.edu) went to a good deal of trouble to scrape that together, the problem apparently is that either the manufacturers don't know or they aren't telling, and no one else has the means to get the data.

I have resolved to get a low tension string set because I believe it would be better for my old '37 plywood Kay. That means it isn't enough that I perceive the strings to be low tension, they really must be low tension in the most mechanical way, and having no way to measure it myself I have only the published figures to go on. I can't buy Innovation strings, Velvet, half the Pirastros, Jargar, LaBella ...

It could be worse, there is some useful data, I'm just surprised that Innovation et al. who particularly are known for supposely low tension strings, don't publish that information.

[DaveAceofBass]

The lowest tension strings I've found are the Corelli 370M.

[Jason Sypher]

We often forget that set up has a lot to do with tension on any particular string....

[Francois Blais]

We must also take care to not confuse tension and stiffness.
Tension is the pull, in pounds or kilos, thus an objective measurement, while stiffness is a subjective impression.
A low tension string may feel tight and rigid, while a high tension string may feel very supple.