Strings and feedback.

[kurt]

I do a lot of loud volume gigs and I'm wondering about the effect of strings on feedback. I've read a lot of posts by people saying gut are the most feedback resistant. Would steel strings that are dark with little sustain be just as resistant? How about low tension versus high? Nylon?

[Bobby King]

You'll notice that slappers that like steel strings often will use strings like Jargar or Flexocor -- strings that ordinarily are used for orchestral use and aren't bright sustaining strings. The feedback issue may have something to do with that choice.

I find gut to be the least prone to feedback, but also nylons like Supernil can get pretty loud. Quicker decaying strings seem to feedback less. My guess is that higher tension = more feedback, but that's not based on any real testing.

Also, pickups contribute to the feedback question. I find that the more microphonic pickups like the Realist and The Full Circle will feedback sooner than an Underwood or Bass Max or a magnetic pickup.