What Kalium String set should I get?

[Quantized Harmonic]

Hey guys, I should be getting a 5 string bass later this year and so I've been looking at strings to put on it when I get it. My current 4er has a D'addario balanced tension (XL Nickel) set of: 45-60-80-110 and the respective tensions are: 42.52 - 40.86 - 39.59 - 40.63. I have looked at adding a .145 B string to this for my 5 string when I get it but I have heard some good talk about Kalium strings.

I've looked at their balanced sets for 5 strings and there's two I'm looking at: BH-136-5BS & BH-142-5BS. There's a catch on me though and I need help on this, the 136 set has roughly the same tension as my current set but the strings are a slightly smaller gauge than what I play. And, the 142 set has slightly more tension than what I play but has roughly the same string gauges. Which do I go for? I just don't know what to expect.

I'm thinking the best way would probably be to order both sets and see what I like, it may cost a bit but it's the easiest way. I'm also thinking about that D'addario 145 too :|

 

[bholder]

I'd go for the larger gauge, might mean a truss rod adjustment either way. But that's just me.

 

[ixlramp]

Normally i would say go by tension not gauge, as tension is much more significant to feel and playability than gauge.
But also keep in mind Kaliums are very flexible and have a 'perceived tension' or 'feel' that is low for a particular scientific tension.
From the old D'Addario tension chart pdf your tensions are 46 42 43 43 EADG, the tensions given on-site are a little different.
The Kalium 142 set has roughly 43 pounds per string and considering the low perceived tension i think would be the better match, even if it does actually have 2 pounds more tension per string.

 

[winegamd]

The tension, for me, has way more to do with the feel than the guage/thickness. The Kalium 136 set is the one I would go with.

 

[Quantized Harmonic]

Thanks for the info guys, it's appreciated

I'm still thinking I will just buy the two sets and try each one to see what I like. The 136 set has a 38.5lb tension G string though, which is less than the other strings in the set (around 40lbs) whereas the 142 set has, roughly, a 42lb G string and the rest of the set is around 43lbs. Why is the G string made with less tension in the set? I was thinking of just making a custom set by having the 42lb G string (from the 142) in the 136 set.

 

[Quantized Harmonic]

@ixlramp which D'Addario string tensions chart thing is correct? Because I've always used their string tension pro website.

 

[tom-g]

My advice would be to go with .142 as you're coming from a .110 4 string set. Kalium strings are very flexible. The feel should be about right. It was for me.

 

[ixlramp]

Indeed the old pdf has been around for 10+ years and they might have changed their string formulas, perhaps it is best to go with String Tension Pro.
D'Addario | Offline

The 42 lb G belongs in the .142 set and would be out of place with 40 lb strings, so they used the next gauge down, 38.5 is closer to 40 than 42.
Also, it helps to have the G slightly looser, thinner strings have a higher perceived tension, the lower tension may also mellow the tone to combat the 'G twangyness' people here dislike.

The optimum tension profile is to have tension fallng slightly and steadily from low to high, for many good reasons, but this is too radical for bassists who are only just beginning to accept equal tensions. It will also 'sound wrong' to ears accustomed to inherently bad traditional sets.

 

[Watchootognbout]

So what do you do if you want a set with less tension.
And don't know the brand and/or tension of the strings on your bass?