I have decided that after years of finger style, I would now add playing with a pick, because why the @#$%! not? Any string preferences for pick players out there?
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Pick players: Do you prefer higher tension or lower tension strings?
- Thread starter CM63
- Start date
I like lower tension strings, Sun Beams, Pure Blues, TI Jazz flats, no matter if I am playing pick or fingers. But, I’m a little disturbed, I play for months at a time with my fingers and never touch a pick, then I’ll play with a pick for months and not with my fingers, then I’ll practice only with my fingers and gig only with a pick. But, I never practice only with a pick and gig only with my fingers, I’m not an idiot. Anyway, clearly any advice from me is questionable at best.
I prefer higher tension strings. I play 5-strings exclusively, and I find the higher tension yields a clearer B-string.
Well, in my case? I've been playing bass for 50+ years; almost always with flat wounds, and with a pick about 95% of the time. All but 2 of the 23 basses I own now have flats, and all but 2 have flats that most people would consider stiff. And, some of them are considered very stiff. I play all of them with a pick - about 95% of the time. One of the basses without flats, is my violin bass - which wears Roto TruBass 88 Tapes. They're plenty stiff, too, and I almost always play that bass with a pick. As for the other 3 basses?
One wears "short scale" TI Jazz Rounds, which aren't what I'd consider very stiff. One bass wears long scale TIJF's - which nobody considers stiff. The other one wears long scale Dogal "Jaco" Carbonsteel flats. I've only had them on a bass for a couple of days, but... first impressions? They're even less stiff than the TIJFs. However...
I could play every bass with a pick if I wanted to; but, after pick-playing stiff strings for decades? It takes some serious technique adjustment to pick-play those 3 basses. Frankly, it isn't worth the effort; so, I just play them finger style all the time - and leave it at that.
So, bottom line? My advice would be - decide right now, whether you want to go with "stiff" strings - or not - when you play with a pick. And, stick with your decision. It'll be easier, and you'll be happier in the long run...
I prefer lower tension strings up to a point. (TI Jazz flats are that point).
Been playing with a pick for decades, started mixing it up the last few years and playing more fingerstyle.
Labella low tension flats or Optima RB flats are both great strings, work well with both techniques.
My favorite strings are Labella Copper White tapewounds, which also sound great either way.
Been playing with a pick for decades, started mixing it up the last few years and playing more fingerstyle.
Labella low tension flats or Optima RB flats are both great strings, work well with both techniques.
My favorite strings are Labella Copper White tapewounds, which also sound great either way.
D
. Thanks! Duh (that duh is on me) i see lots of post’s about string tension and honestly I just kinda glaze over. I guess I never connected gauge with tension even though that totally makes sense. I use 50-105 sets and play with a pick 98% of the time.
OK. In my most humble opinion, that means you prefer medium-highish tension. The 70 D in particular is pretty high-pull.
When I was asked to play with pick, I prefered low tension rounds, because for me, pick playing goes hand-in-hand with other guitar techniques (bending, vibrato, glissando) and they are easier to pull off with lower tension.
I have noticed that some pick playing bass players tune down, I guess that's another way to get lower tension.
I have noticed that some pick playing bass players tune down, I guess that's another way to get lower tension.
I think it depends on the attack sound you want.
The post is about tension, agreed.
"0.05 - "0.105 is wildly unbalanced. High tension on on the "0.05, assuming it's tuned to G, & low tension on the "0.105, assuming it's tuned to E.
- Apr 18, 2008
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- I'm highly opinionated and extremely self-assured
D
Way too much for me to think (or care) about. Once I found the he EB slinkies and how comfortable they are for me, I just stuck with them.
As well, Im probably wildly unbalanced too.
Just keep using whatever you're using now; you don't need a certain kind of string to play with a pick. Besides, once you get handy with a pick, you won't want to have to switch basses every time you switch techniques.
I used to be finger style only, but have transitioned to playing alot of guitar and started using the pick on bass where the song is better for it (Green Day, lots of 80s, some 90s). I've gotten pretty good with the pick and now can do either style comfortably.
IMO string tension doesn't matter, and won't for me because i still play finger style and know what i like, but pick thickness is everything for me. I have tried all, and like Fender Medium picks, the standard celluloid. I can tolerate Dunlop Yellows. Heavier picks I lose dexterity, and lighter lose tone.
IMO string tension doesn't matter, and won't for me because i still play finger style and know what i like, but pick thickness is everything for me. I have tried all, and like Fender Medium picks, the standard celluloid. I can tolerate Dunlop Yellows. Heavier picks I lose dexterity, and lighter lose tone.
I'd like to suggest that we not turn this thread into a discussion of pick choice, since there are already numerous lengthy threads about this and they are all the same: By the end, every single kind of pick -- of every possible thickness, material, size, and shape -- will be recommended by someone. O.P.'s question about strings is a different and interesting one, and I'd hate to see posts about that get buried under an avalanche of pick recommendations.
