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String tension...

bassyeah

bassyeah

Nov 2, 2008
336
0
Thousand Oaks, CA, USA, Earth
#1
I'm looking for suggestions on finding a string with more tension. I use (GHS Boomers 105-45) and do like the strings. Trouble is when I D-tune and especially when I tune the whole bass down a half step (E flat-G flat)... it just gets kinda smooshy! I was thinking of trying DRs (round wound hex core) but wanted to hear any suggestions.
I do like round wounds... :help:

Thanks
 
#3
My understanding on string tension is that it's based primarily on gauge, so going to higher gauge strings will increase your tension.

Again, as I understand it, hex core strings aren't higher "tension", but are higher *stiffness*. This can feel like higher tension but the force on the strings is the same for a given gauge.

That said, I gained a noticeable improvement by going to DR Lo-Riders (hex core) on my drop D 4-string because the stiffness helped overcome the drop in tension.

Hope that helps.
 
#5
Even though the gauge is the same, how they are wound and what they are made of effects the tension...that being said Rotosound Stainless Roundwounds 45 to 105 are a little tighter tension or try the Billy Sheehan signature set 43 to 110.
 
#8
bassyeah said:
I'm looking for suggestions on finding a string with more tension. I use (GHS Boomers 105-45) and do like the strings. Trouble is when I D-tune and especially when I tune the whole bass down a half step (E flat-G flat)... it just gets kinda smooshy! I was thinking of trying DRs (round wound hex core) but wanted to hear any suggestions.
I do like round wounds... :help:

Thanks
Click to expand...

I tune DGCF using 110-50 Rotosound rounds and am finding the same thing , the strings feel a little loose (especially since the Daddarios that were on it previously were like bridge cables) I am thinking of either finding a .115 set of strings or getting some 110-50 Lo Riders as they are meant to be high tension
 
#10
I ran across the boomers by mistake... getting my bass set up and that was all he had. I liked the way they sounded and played. Now I'm in this band that does a lot of drop d tuning and eflat... so started my quest. I'm going to try the lowriders soon and see if that makes a difference. I have tried 110s and didnt like the larger guage.
I had wanted to try the SS hex core anyway to have a less bright string and was told that would do it.
thanks for the input-
 
#11
I was in a similar situation as you are in now and I went on a little string hunt. I've tried DR High Beams (round core), Sadowsky black label and blue label stainless steel (hexcore), and Elrick stainless steel (hexcore), and out of those 4 I'd say that the Elrick strings have the highest tension. I liked their tension but I think I like the tone of the Sadowsky blue label strings better.
 

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