What roundsounds have a rep for being high tension?

[chilliwilli]

We all know about the stuff hard to play flats such as the Jamerson's, but what bridge cable rounds have you come across?

I used GHS progressives exclusively for years and thought they were pretty stiff for what they were.

 

[trothwell]

I agree that Progressives are pretty stiff for roundwound strings; just perfectly stiff, in my opinion! I remember D'Addario XL nickel strings being fairly stiff also, but I have not used them for a while.

 

[mmbongo]

GHS Boomers and LaBella's are the stiffest I've ever encountered.

GHS Pressurewounds are even stiffer because they start out as a larger string and are squeezed down to get to the right size.

 

[Jon Moody]

GHS Pressurewounds are even stiffer because they start out as a larger string and are squeezed down to get to the right size.

Close. The final cover is squeezed down through a couple rollers as it's being wound. So, the final cover is the only part that starts out slightly larger (we're talking .002 at most); everything else is like winding a regular roundwound.

 

[Gorn]

How about a heavier set of whatever rounds you know you like?

 

[TomB]

GHS Boomers and LaBella's are the stiffest I've ever encountered.

GHS Pressurewounds are even stiffer because they start out as a larger string and are squeezed down to get to the right size.

I don't find them unusually stiff at all. Like with any string, larger guages are stiffer.

 

[mmbongo]

I don't find them unusually stiff at all. Like with any string, larger guages are stiffer.

That's why Pressurewounds are generally stiffer than other strings of the same size. As Jon explained, they start with a larger outer wrap.

 

[ixlramp]

You're asking about stiffness, which is not tension. Tension is determined only by mass, which is primarily determined by gauge.

 

[BigBenH18]

You're asking about stiffness, which is not tension. Tension is determined only by mass, which is primarily determined by gauge.

I'm totally with you. I like high tension but don't like stiffness. The strings have to be flexible and give in when I dig in hard.

 

[michael_t]

I like high tension but don't like stiffness. The strings have to be flexible and give in when I dig in hard.

I'm actually the opposite; I like strings that are not too hard on the neck of my bass but still be able to provide enough resistance (ie stiffness) under my plucking fingers when I dig in. That's what I like about the GHS Pressurewounds.

 

[BigBenH18]

I'm actually the opposite; I like strings that are not too hard on the neck of my bass but still be able to provide enough resistance (ie stiffness) under my plucking fingers when I dig in. That's what I like about the GHS Pressurewounds.

Fair enough. To each their own.
Although I found the Pressurewounds in ML pretty flexible regarding my definition.

 

[michael_t]

I found the Pressurewounds in ML pretty flexible regarding my definition.

Maybe I should clarify what I said...

The reason why I love the PW ML7200 set so much is they provide a perfect balance between being stiff enough for my right hand (ie plucking) and still being pliable enough for my left hand (ie fretting).

 

[Nephilymbass]

Ever tried DR hi Beams? I use them on all my basses with a low B. I can use a lighter gauge (45-125) and get a lot of tone out of them but still have playable tension even when I occasionally drop my low B down to A. Typically when i gig with my band with my 5 strings I'm using those strings. For tenor and piccolo tunings I normally use daddario XLs. They are cheap and do the job.

 

[MasonMinor]

105 gauge Rotosounds were pretty tense as I recall. It's been years, but that's the best of my recollection.

 

[fakeneckplate'65]

I used Labella Nickel roundwounds in 40 - 100 & they were much stiffer than the Dunlop Nickel Super Bright strings I use currently.

 

[Arthur U. Poon]

I'm actually the opposite; I like strings that are not too hard on the neck of my bass but still be able to provide enough resistance (ie stiffness) under my plucking fingers when I dig in. That's what I like about the GHS Pressurewounds.

Same here. Being a Blue Collar work guy since my youth, I have seriously strong hands, and I have to have high tension strings that fight back. I keep my action fairly low, but I pluck with quite a bit of conviction.

 

[Arthur U. Poon]

GHS Boomers and LaBella's are the stiffest I've ever encountered.
....GHS Pressurewound

I agree. I'll also add D'Addario XLs, Prosteels, and Rotosound Swing Bass 66's. The Hybrid set of Ernie Ball Slinkys, 45-105, IMO are higher tension too.

My plucking hand requires a higher tension string and I personally like the feel of all these sets.

I have limited experience with round core strings, but I also liked the tension of Fodera Nickel Roundwounds, but they felt a bit different for my fretting hand. I prefer a bit of high tension for fretting too.

There's a ton of other brands I've yet to try, but IME/IMO strings wound on a hex core seem to have higher tension.

I hope this helps.

 

[Jon Moody]

That's why Pressurewounds are generally stiffer than other strings of the same size. As Jon explained, they start with a larger outer wrap.

Doesn't make them stiffer. Larger outer wraps usually require LESS winds on a string, and ones that are rollerwound even less so. Meaning, Pressurewounds actually have less material on them than a comparable roundwound, because of the construction.

 

[TomB]

Doesn't make them stiffer. Larger outer wraps usually require LESS winds on a string, and ones that are rollerwound even less so. Meaning, Pressurewounds actually have less material on them than a comparable roundwound, because of the construction.

IMO, Pressurewounds are no stiffer out of the package or on the bass than say, equivalent guage XL's. They are not a soft string by any means, but I find "stiffness" related only to the guage. I'm sure someone could measure deflection force required, but who'd be interested in the findings? I'm glad you weighed in, Jon. We have enough myths on Talkbass already - or maybe they're just opinions .

 

[michael_t]

IMO, Pressurewounds are no stiffer out of the package or on the bass than say, equivalent guage XL's. They are not a soft string by any means, but I find "stiffness" related only to the guage.

I find the PW ML7200 set (44-58-80-102) to be very similar in overall playing feel in terms of stiffness/flexibility to the D'A EXL170BT (45-60-80-107).

I do understand the difference between "tension" (pulling weight on the neck) and "stiffness/flexibility", but it is interesting to note that the PW 102-E weighs in at 39.5 lbs. and the XL 107-E at 39.45 lbs.