HOW is this POSSIBLE? Re: string tension

[BassJunkie730]

So in my search for strings I pulled up the D'Addario string tension guide today.

I noticed that for a set of Light gauge Chromes (.45, .65, .80, .100) the combined string tension is 179.8 LBS.

NOW you'd think that the combined string tension for a set of XLS165 - Nickelwound rounds would be less right?

NOT SO!

for a set of nickel rounds (.45, .65, .85, .105)

The combined string tension was 182.8 LBS!

Not only that but "according to string tension" the E and A strings on that particular nickel round set needed 2 and 4 more lbs of tension - respectively to string to pitch than their Chromes counterparts. meaning to me that the Chromes are stiffer - BUT exert less string pull on the neck.

basically what I'm getting at is

I thought that moving from flats to rounds meant you'd have less tension on the neck (with the exception of TI Jazz Flats)

not MORE.


I really hope someone can chime in here and tell me that they are just numbers and I'm crazy.

 

[7flat5]

The A and E of the roundwounds are larger, so naturally have more tension. Tension does not equal "stiffness", either. There is more at play there--flexibility and elasticity. Also, 3 pounds difference in the total tension is less than 1% total. This is not significant at all, anyway. You are talking less than a pound per string difference. Those strings have virtually the same tension.

 

[knuckle_head]

You're right that 3 pounds isn't significant across 4 strings. You'll notice, though, that the E and A have between 2 and 4 pounds more tension on each of them - that is between 8% and 12% more per string and is significant/more than noticable.

I agree with the point made that there is a huge difference between stiffness and overall tension.