String tension calculator program!

[Jack Deth]

25702054[/URL], member: 99422"]It's because balanced sets aren't nearly as big of a deal in the real world as Talkbass would have you believe.

I've found that, after publishing my company's tension chart (which involved a lot of string destruction and swearing at Excel), the majority of the musicians using it are not using it for balanced tension. They're using it or altered tunings, drop tunings, general curiosity, etc.. Balanced tension is on the bottom of the users' list.

Could it be that shrink wrapped sets have always included string sizes ending with "5" or "0" for so long that they are now simply accepted as the de facto, or worse, never even questioned? I personally mandate balanced tension unless there is literally no other option.

EDIT: my go-to preference is 36 ft/lbs. In reality, even when I order singles, I end up with 35-37.

 

[Jon Moody]

Could it be that shrink wrapped sets have always included string sizes ending with "5" or "0" for so long that they are now simply accepted as the de facto, or worse, never even questioned? I personally mandate balanced tension unless there is literally no other option.

They haven't always. I think Ernie Ball was the proponent of doing everything in the 00/05 increment back in the 70s? There are still a number of companies doing the 44-63-84-106 sets, like they have been since day one. There are also a couple of companies putting together a 44-106 set but selling it as a 45-105 set, because of marketing.

Which is another story, and why I raise an eyebrow when someone is hellbent on gauge and its "importance."

Personally, if someone never questions the sets they use, have "played the same set since I started playing twenty years ago," et al.. it really doesn't bother me. They're still playing music and having a great time; that's more important.

For the people that want to know what their string tension numbers are, a chart/table is a wonderful resource.

 

[SunByrne]

I have to say I don't really get the "multiples of 5" thing, but it's certainly become popular in the string world. I'm glad GHS hasn't gone that way—it's one of the things I like about GHS Pressurewounds; the medium set is pretty balanced, tension-wise.

BTW, @Jon Moody, I think the "String Tension Guide for Bass Guitar" has an error in it. On page 3, it says 'GHS has used the 25.5" scale length (typical for Fender) in the enclosed guide.' Should be 34" for bass strings, shouldn't it?

We now return you to your regularly-scheduled thread...

 

[Jon Moody]

BTW, @Jon Moody, I think the "String Tension Guide for Bass Guitar" has an error in it. On page 3, it says 'GHS has used the 25.5" scale length (typical for Fender) in the enclosed guide.' Should be 34" for bass strings, shouldn't it?

Thanks for catching that. The error has already been fixed, but it looks like the file wasn't updated; it should say "Updated Dec, 2020" on it. I'll get that up shortly.