I think I need less string tension - which way to go?

[steamthief]

I believe the thumb on my fretting hand is starting to get arthritic, which is causing some issues in being able to consistently fret cleanly. I believe it's time to consider strings with less tension.

I'm currently using hex core EB Cobalt rounds 45-105, and I'm not sure where to start. I tried round core strings decades ago but felt they were too floppy.

Would I be better off trying a 45-105 set with round cores, or keep using hex cores and drop down to 40-100?

 

[JonathanPDX]

How hard are you plucking with the right hand?

I love TI light gauge jazz rounds, they have lower tension and play very easily. However, I find they respond best to a light touch, so I'd be hesitant to invest in them if you are the type to really dig in and attack with the plucking hand.

 

[BassicJazzy]

Yeah, I'd say round cores, round wounds, or pressure wounds are pretty easy to play too. Light gauge will help too.

I have Pressure wounds on my Jazz Plus and they are the easiest on my fretting fingers of all my strings. They are more pliable than my d'Addario black tapes, or the LTFs on my Sire P5R.

As @JonathanPDX pointed out, you may need to adjust your technique as you go to either more flexible or lighter gauge strings. Should be an easy adjustment to make.

 

[steamthief]

How hard are you plucking with the right hand?

It's not feather touch, that's for sure! I'm not digging in hard, but definitely plucking. I'd say ham handed is the best desciptor!

My past perceived "floppiness" of round cores was based on my right hand plucking technique.

 

[BassicJazzy]

It's not feather touch, that's for sure! I'm not digging in hard, but definitely plucking. I'd say ham handed is the best desciptor!

My past perceived "floppiness" of round cores was based on my right hand plucking technique.

Well, your choices are 1) lighten up or 2) raise the action. Of course #1 is the correct answer, or you could just play through the pain, keep the stiff strings you have now?

I have arthritis too. My fretting pinky looks like a broken popsicle stick, end joint is a mess. I just lighten up on my fretting fingers and pluck lightly, so I can work a really low set up.

@JazznFunk also taught me a trick that helps. Use your upper arm and shoulder to pull your fretting hand to the neck, rather than using grip pressure, for fretting. This keeps your fingers flatter and eases up on tension in your hand, which helps with arthritis. Can play faster too, since hand muscles aren't as tense.

 

[Ggaa]

Start with 40 100 cobalts if you like them otherwise. More flexible would be something like DR Fatbeams(round core). Ime the difference between a 45 and 40 set of the same string(sound and feel) is less marked than going to a different type string. I had to find the right stiffness because of my plucking hand, Fats were a little soft, 40 125 Daddario XL nickels do the trick.

 

[michael_t]

Would I be better off trying a 45-105 set with round cores, or keep using hex cores and drop down to 40-100?

You can go either way. There is also a third option... You can try strings that use thinner-than-average hex core for added flexibility. SIT Foundations and Dunlop Super Brights are hex core, but due to the smaller diameter of the core wire, they're more flexible than typical hex-core rounds.

I'm a huge fan of SIT strings, and would recommend the Foundations Nickels 45-105, which are not as stiff as EB Slinky of the same gauges.

SIT Foundations Nickel Plated Steel Bass String Long Scale Set - 4-Str

SIT Foundations Nickel Plated Steel Bass Strings Part Number: FN45105L Gauges: .045 .065 .085 .105 Scale Length: Long Scale Winding Length: 37.5" The S.I.T. String Company Foundations Nickel bass strings are brighter and more flexible than any other bass string. Start building the foundations...

fretnation.com

 

[srayb]

Another option is checking some short scale basses. By default they have lower string tension, but also by requiring less reach on the neck, it might help your fretting hand.

 

[DCCat]

If you like the tone of your current strings, yet another option is to down-tune everything a half step and see what you think.

 

[Prodigus Filius]

Tapewounds can give you a familiar girth but less tension than same gauge rounds.
E.g D'addario XL tapewound .105 has a similar tension as D'addario XL Nickel Plated round XLB100. The Nylon wrap adds girth but not tension to the underlying round wound string. Beneath the nylon lurks a set of 45 60 80 100 rounds

50-105 Medium, Long Scale, XL Black Nylon Tapewound Bass Guitar Strings | ETB92 | D'Addario

XL Nylon Tapewound bass guitar strings are the warmest, smoothest bass strings we have to offer. Made for long scale basses, this 50-105 Medium set has a higher tension, affording increased low-end response and output. Learn more.

www.daddario.com

 

[L-u-A-R]

Stranded core is another option. They are a bit rope-like and easily the most comfortable rounds I've played.
Expensive though.

 

[fretno]

Try the Wooten set. This will be your gateway in to how awesome sub 100ga. Is.

 

[SC Bassboy]

I believe the thumb on my fretting hand is starting to get arthritic, which is causing some issues in being able to consistently fret cleanly. I believe it's time to consider strings with less tension.

I'm currently using hex core EB Cobalt rounds 45-105, and I'm not sure where to start. I tried round core strings decades ago but felt they were too floppy.

Would I be better off trying a 45-105 set with round cores, or keep using hex cores and drop down to 40-100?

I recommend dropping to a .100 string set, maybe even .95 depending on your standard tuning. I play 1/2 step down and use .100 strings. The string tension is beautiful.

 

[scuzzy]

i'll go against the grain. if you don't like floppy (me either) go with a lighter gauge hex core. they won't flex as much with the plucking hand, but if your string height/action are good, the fretting hand should benefit from the reduced tension. even going with an E as low as .095 might be a happy spot.

that is nickel lo-riders. a great string.

 

[TomB]

You can go either way. There is also a third option... You can try strings that use thinner-than-average hex core for added flexibility. SIT Foundations and Dunlop Super Brights are hex core, but due to the smaller diameter of the core wire, they're more flexible than typical hex-core rounds.

I'm a huge fan of SIT strings, and would recommend the Foundations Nickels 45-105, which are not as stiff as EB Slinky of the same gauges.

SIT Foundations Nickel Plated Steel Bass String Long Scale Set - 4-Str

SIT Foundations Nickel Plated Steel Bass Strings Part Number: FN45105L Gauges: .045 .065 .085 .105 Scale Length: Long Scale Winding Length: 37.5" The S.I.T. String Company Foundations Nickel bass strings are brighter and more flexible than any other bass string. Start building the foundations...

fretnation.com

I’m not sure if Labella RX Nickels have a smaller core than some others, but they do achieve surprising flexibility for their gauge, I’ve found. …very similar to Super Brights. I have both sets active at present so it’s easy to compare them. The Dunlops are, in fact, a tad brighter.

 

[steamthief]

Thanks to everybody chiming in!

 

[michael_t]

Would I be better off trying a 45-105 set with round cores, or keep using hex cores and drop down to 40-100?

I recommended the SIT Foundations as one of the more flexible hex-core strings earlier.

I personally like hex-core strings in lighter sets. SIT Power Wound Nickels 40-100, GHS Pressurewound 40-96, GHS Boomers 40-95, etc. What I like about them is they're comfortable for the left hand (fretting) but don't feel too loose and floppy for the right hand (plucking). I've tried a few round-core sets by DR in the past, but they felt too loose for the right hand as they tended to bounce around too much under the plucking fingers.

 

[mikecd1]

two years ago diagnosed with no cartilage in fretting thumb and though cortisone helped, changing to a short scale bass with flats has made all the difference for me. YMMV

 

[Thunderthumbs73]

I believe the thumb on my fretting hand is starting to get arthritic, which is causing some issues in being able to consistently fret cleanly. I believe it's time to consider strings with less tension.

I'm currently using hex core EB Cobalt rounds 45-105, and I'm not sure where to start. I tried round core strings decades ago but felt they were too floppy.

Would I be better off trying a 45-105 set with round cores, or keep using hex cores and drop down to 40-100?

What's the action on your instrument? How do you hold the instrument? How hard do you play? Do you have these hand issues immediately or at some other later time and in what context? Can you lighten up your fretting hand technique enough to let the notes ring clearly and reliably, or have you already gotten to the point you're doing that but it's still not staving off the problem?

Just some things that come to mind.

My approach would be to make the instrument the easiest to play, possible, including setup changes to the instrument if possible and perhaps even changes to the way you hold and play the instrument if possible. I say this from the perspective that a string change (and btw what you have already in string gauge is not extremely heavy), may not fully address the problem, alone. The string gauge is but one of many interactive factors likely contributing to the problem you are having.

 

[Zooberwerx]

Some paresthesia of the 3rd & 4th fingers / left hand. Strings in use and in the "batter's box" (awaiting installation):

Dunlop Superbrights - sick of 'em but that's a long story. Time to move on. Last remaining set went on my Bogart headless 5.

TI Jazz Rounds - Got a great deal...wouldn't pay the insane prices I see nowadays. They say they last forever. Feel great but you will have to lighten your touch. Currently on my Soundgear 755 and I have an extra set!

LaBella LTF's - certainly minimizes fret noise which had become increasingly worse.

Cobalt Flats - 45 & 65 were too stiff for me...replaced with 40 & 60. Used them for a year then pulled and replaced with roundwounds. Nice strings but not terribly exciting...I will re-install somewhere down the pike.

DR Sunbeams 40-120 (not yet installed) - alternative to the TI Jazz Rounds or so I understand.

DR Lo-Riders 40-120 (not yet installed) - notoriously stiff so I went with the lighter gauge. Targeted for my 32" headless.

Riis