The Low Tension Holy Grail

[mrjim123]

I feel like I've discovered the low tension holy grail!

I'm 70, and I've been on a low tension string quest for years. Until very recently the lowest tension strings I've found are GHS Round Core Bass Boomers and TI Jazz Rounds ... until yesterday.

I just installed an even lower tension set on my G&L SB-2 (which had been wearing low tension TI Jazz Flats) and immediately had to loosen the truss rod. The new strings are the DR Pure Blues PB6-30 six string set. I use the lowest gauge 4 strings and discard the two highest tension strings. Seems wasteful, I know, but at $34.99 a set on Amazon they are still cheaper than buying any individual low tension strings, at least as far as I've found so far.

I was worried that the strings might sound thin, being thin themselves (30, 45, 65, 85), but they sound great and I LOVE the tension! The outer wrap is a nickel/stainless alloy, so they are somewhat bright without being overly zingy.

 

[michael_t]

Funny you should post this. I was just looking up the tension figures on the Rotosound RS66LA set (30-50-65-85), which is only 103.99 lbs. That's pretty light considering the TI Jazz Rounds weigh in at 122.34 lbs. Pure Blues 30-45-65-85, being round core, would probably feel even more flexible than the Rotos.

I'm 64 and have been on a downward trend for my gauge selection, but I don't think I'm ready to go quite that light yet.

 

[mrjim123]

I briefly looked into Rotosounds (I used to play them exclusively in the 70's) but I'm not a big fan of stainless steel.

 

[michael_t]

The new strings are the DR Pure Blues PB6-30 six string set. I use the lowest gauge 4 strings and discard the two highest tension strings. Seems wasteful, I know, but at $34.99 a set on Amazon they are still cheaper than buying any individual low tension strings, at least as far as I've found so far.

If I were you, I would contact Jason at Fret Nation, [email protected], and ask him about the cost of putting together a custom set, 30-45-65-85. I would bet it's going to be far less than $34.99.

 

[mrjim123]

If I were you, I would contact Jason at Fret Nation, [email protected], and ask him about the cost of putting together a custom set, 30-45-65-85. I would bet it's going to be far less than $34.99.

Thanks. I'll do that!

 

[Lammchop93]

I love Pure Blues as well!! Usually I used 45-105, but I always felt I like the 50-110 on my Pure Blues basses. So that makes me feel less crazy that we both had similar experiences with the lower tension than other strings.

 

[thisheregiraffe]

Pure Blues are indeed great strings! Sunbeams have been my favs for a while now, but I just installed the Victor Wooten Pure Blues set (40, 55, 75, 95) on my bass and they're incredible. I am absolutely loving the feel and sound of them so far.