Pick players: Do you prefer higher tension or lower tension strings?

[Jefenator]

IME string thickness & pick thickness are somewhat intertwined. I like to dig in & feel some resistance, so light strings & thin picks aren't really my bag. But I do want some "click" with my pick and excess thickness seems to inhibit that.
So, heavier side of medium for me on both strings and picks.
YMMV

 

[2thAche]

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.

My opinion then is that string tension doesn't matter, but pick thickness does. Is that acceptable for you? I didn't say what pick he should use, but meant that he needs to figure out what pick works first. Then see if string tension means anything, I don't think it will.

 

[Lobster11]

My opinion then is that string tension doesn't matter, but pick thickness does. Is that acceptable for you? I didn't say what pick he should use, but meant that he needs to figure out what pick works first. Then see if string tension means anything, I don't think it will.

I apologize for sounding critical of your post; I honestly didn't intend it that way. I was just afraid that once the subject of pick thickness came up the thread might easily get hijacked and lose it's focus, and you just happened to be the one who first mentioned it.

 

[Razman]

For me it's been a journey to find the right combination of string, pick and scale length. My preferred string choice is now Kalium balanced sets, and I generally go a couple of 'sizes' heavier than a 'normal' set because they are pretty flexible.

Even with the thicker gauges on my main fiver (34" scale) I can still feel a little flex from them, so a 35" scale works better for me with those strings. There are stiffer strings out there, but the Kalium's last a long time for me.

Side note: I found that Dunlop Tortex SHARP pics have lasted the longest for me - as in years - without dusting the front of my bass with pick dust or wearing out quickly, while maintaining a sharp point for the sound/attack/feel I want. I think they are about 1mm thick, the purple ones. YMMV.

 

[Vinny_G]

I think they are about 1mm thick, the purple ones.

The purple ones are 1.14mm

 

[Razman]

The purple ones are 1.14mm

You are correct, sir, yes.

Back to topic - I think Kalium's stainless steel strings are slightly stiffer than their hybrids.

 

[Dan_reeves]

I prefer higher relative tension because I also prefer a relatively low action and I don’t like buzz. I also have large strong hands so higher tension doesn’t bug me.

 

[KaraQ]

Generally, I like to keep very low action, with minimal to no fret buzz, which leads me often prefer higher tension; plus, I don't like floppy strings.
This also helps with lower tunings, as I often tune my 4-string basses to D-standard.

I've found that a lot of DR's strings have tension that I like. I also like Roto 77s

 

[JimmyM]

I like low tension, thin gauges, and heavy picks. Dunlop SBN 40 60 80 100 and sometimes 120. I also like low action and don't mind fret buzz at all unless the strings get choked out.

 

[woodyng2]

Picks-wise, I started using Hawaiian leather picks a few years back for a meatier thump sound.

 

[Dan_reeves]

I like low tension, thin gauges, and heavy picks. Dunlop SBN 40 60 80 100 and sometimes 120. I also like low action and don't mind fret buzz at all unless the strings get choked out.

Lol - I prefer orange Dunlop Tortex which I think are fairly thin. Different strokes!

 

[HaphAsSard]

Different strokes!

Literally!

 

[Wood and Wire]

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?
Thanks!

Personally, whether I'm playing finger style, slap, or with a pick, is irrelevant - I just need a string tension that is comfortably manipulated by my fretting hand, and allows the neck to be setup with the right amount of relief, and contribute to the over all playing action.

It's a one size fits all approach. If the string tension is right for one technique, it's right for all techniques that I will deploy in my playing style.

When I started out, I was using the standard gauge Rotosound (LD set 45-105), and Super Slinky (45-100).

Eventually I settled on the Rotosound LC set (40-95) which have a tension of 145.35 lbs

For comparison, the LD set (46-105) has a tension of 181.97 lbs, which is a pretty significant difference.

Generally, when I'm playing with a pick, or finger style, I'm playing on top of, or very slightly in front of the pickup (on a Music Man StingRay).

If I'm playing slap, it's half way between the end of the fretboard, and the pickup.

This is where string tension, or more accurately stiffness, and responsiveness comes into play, for me.

Depending on the feel, and tone I'm after, I'll play finger style anywhere between the 15th fret, and the bridge.

But when it comes to playing with a pick; too far behind the pickup, and it's too stiff & nasal. Too far in front of the pickup, and it's too floppy, and deep sounding.

Slap requires a sweet spot, where it's more about the responsiveness of the string rebounding from a thump on the E & A strings, and the stiffness of a pop on the D & G strings, as a fluid movement, with an equal amount of force being required - rather than fixating on the tone.

In all cases, the differences in tone can be significantly compensated for with the instruments preamp ; playability is king.

I'd be very surprised if you can't settle on a string that suits both your finger, and pick playing requirements, without any real compromise.

 

[JRT64]

I play with a pick 99.5% of the time. I use Labella 760 FL's on both of my Precisions, Dunlop flats on my Hofner basses, and D'Addario black nylons on my custom Schecter bass. When I do use my fingers, it's on the Schecter because I love the feel of the black nylon on my fingers. Plus, they cause me play lighter with my fingers, which is not a bad thing. As far as pick playing goes, the lower tension of the black nylons make no difference to me, as far a my pick attack goes. I use Dunlop Big Stubby picks, and Ernie Ball John Petrucci black nylon heavy gauge picks. As always YMMV.

 

[Arthur U. Poon]

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?
Thanks!

I’m learning how to use a pick, and I prefer the same high tension strings that I prefer when I play fingerstyle.

 

[Swerve]

I like Fender flats strung thru the body on my P.

Stiffer than the Dunlop flats I’m used to but not excessively so. Works fine for me with finger or pick.

I can’t stand floppy strings.

 

[HMZ]

Higher tension, the better.

 

[Akiyama]

I use Fender 7250M .045, .065, .085, .105. What tension is this set?

I am adding bass to my guitar (and keys) background : Strat, Parker Fly, and ESP LTD Eclipse, the stock Fenders just feel “right” for my Jazz. Like a logical extension from guitar.