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D'Addario Balanced Tension

C

camthebassman

Guest
Jan 7, 2012
306
8
#1
Strung up my P-bass with the new D'Addario balanced tension set last night (EXL170BT). My fingers (and ears) are happy. I had been complaining about a floppy E string forever (EXL165 set), and now I need to find something else to complain about. Even tone and feel across the fretboard...nice! At ~$12 a set, they are a real bargain as well!! Try them!

I also bought a single 105 Elixir to help balance my tone on my Rumblefish XL. Up from a 100. I had no idea that a ~10% change in string tension would yield such a good and "measureable" result.

Cam
 
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#4
I've used D'Addarios and now have Circle K's. I've ordered separate D'Addario strings just to get a more balanced set. I liked them, but the low B of the Circle K's makes the low B of the D'Addario sound like mud and the playability of the CK low B is so even with the rest of the set it isn't even a fair comparison.

Having Said that, I've liked D'Addario strings. Still have my old set as a backup (haven't broke a string in over 20 years though). The Circle K's still win out in several areas. Low B is far better. The Circle K's feel and play more like they are truly balanced in tone and feel (can't speak to the D'A "balanced tension" sets as I've only made my own balanced set). The Circle K tone has much more clarity and evenness to them. Circle K's seem more articulate.

Between the two, the only real MAJOR difference is the low B. Otherwise the differences aren't noticeably great.
 
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#8
Sundogue said:
I've used D'Addarios and now have Circle K's. I've ordered separate D'Addario strings just to get a more balanced set. I liked them, but the low B of the Circle K's makes the low B of the D'Addario sound like mud and the playability of the CK low B is so even with the rest of the set it isn't even a fair comparison.

Having Said that, I've liked D'Addario strings. Still have my old set as a backup (haven't broke a string in over 20 years though). The Circle K's still win out in several areas. Low B is far better. The Circle K's feel and play more like they are truly balanced in tone and feel (can't speak to the D'A "balanced tension" sets as I've only made my own balanced set). The Circle K tone has much more clarity and evenness to them. Circle K's seem more articulate.

Between the two, the only real MAJOR difference is the low B. Otherwise the differences aren't noticeably great.
Click to expand...

I've noticed I dig D'Addarios and GHS more on my 4 strings, but prefer other brands for 5 and 6 string basses. I love a good low B.
 
#10
In a set like 45 65 85 105 the G and the E were always close, in the other popular set of 45 65 80 100 the D and G were higher tension than the other half. The balanced tension sets start with the more even of the two, the 45-105 or even a 40-100, and bring the tension of the middle two strings down to better match the G and E. with the 165 set the E was increased by .002 to 107 to bring things even closer together in tension to the G.

Savvy?
 
#12
Daddario/Circle K comparison :
I just put on a set of D'addario EXL160BT on my 6xer(120B and added a 0.035G and 0.025C...Just took off a full set of CK's 118B set.
The CK had a little less tension yet the actual tension calculations states that the D's would have less, but to the feel the D's are little tighter to the feel...which is not a bad thing as I was able to lower my string height. The 120B string on the D's is very solid and no rattle or quick decay of note..Maybe its the Hex core of the D's ???...the D's are louder...maybe being nickel???... I like the lighter guage feel and sound of the D's and you cant beat the price ...I had to add the two strings G and C...but when comparing price the D's are half the price....Well worth the investment..
 
#13
The main reason what brought me to try the Balanced Daddarios is that you are able to use with String Through Body designs as Circle K strings are strictly top load only.

Also, the longevity of the CK strings are very good...I have only had the D's on for a few days...more info to follow
 
#14
The D'addarios (Balanced Tension) DO have almost equal pull tension from the low E to G. The standard set had low tension on the E, higher on the A and G and highest on the G. Pull (actual) tension does not always equal "feel (perceived) tension" but on this set it works out just right.
 
#19
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my only "complaint" is the e string doesn't fit in the nut. i notice this when i first put on the string. i thought it would sink in over time. after a little filing and tuning and untuning, it fits in just fine.

just to make clear, the second pic is not the after pic.
 
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