Why do you use the tension you do?

[MYLOWFREQ]

I'm not an expert but imo when you talk about string tension, scale length, tuning pitch, and the string type all matters. If the scale length, tuning pitch, and the string type are the same, we can say that a thicker string would have a higher tension compared to a thinner one. The higher tension string would require more power to be strung, but from my experience it would have a more dominant fundamental frequency and it would sustain more.

I prefer nickel rounwound strings gauges 45 to 105 on my 4 string bases (34", regular tuning) because I think it has a good balance of the percussive highs for slapping, and the rich fundamental for finger style. Plus, I generally have a heavy touch (rock!) and I mostly play around the neck pickup to get the fundamental, and I think lighter gauged strings move all over the place which makes paying harder especially if you play fast passages. It is less of an issue if you play over the bridge pickup, but you get a different sound there.

It all depends on your preferences, style, tuning, string type, scale length, and the sound you're after. No wrong or right number when it comes to string tension.

 

[CatSquare]

Low tension, low action, tuned to B standard. I can't get enough of that floppy rubber band feeling the low tension gives me, it's a perfect match for my light touch. I don't know how to qualify it, I just instantly connect with low tension where high tension feels like a struggle. I always loved the sound of the bass, but for the longest time just went along with the notion that it was inherently uncomfortable to play, until I met my life-partner: TI Flats.

 

[Nev375]

I don't use logic and reason to select what feels good under my fingers and sounds good to my ears.

I use my sense of touch and sound.

So far, I like Elixirs best. The problem is that they last so long (year or two) I have not had a chance to experiment with many gauges. The light and light/medium ones are both great though.

First world problems... (sigh)

 

[Dojix]

40 - 60 - 75 - 95 user here.
Fingerstyle has a lovely semi-hollow Rick sound to them, like a disco bass tone. I find that slapping on them is super sharp sounding, and almost like metallic clanging, which I, a Djent whore, find most pleasing.

 

[crust_cheese]

I strung my bass with some GHS Precision flats and am enjoying the higher string tension. It makes playing close to the neck feel less like you're stroking a quintet of noodles.

 

[bench]

i like both ways... depends on what you want to do... for example for years i tried to understan how les claypool achieved his sound, especially this quirky sound of his fretted 6 string (dmv...) until i read, that he used extremly light strings and thats pretty much the solution... on the other hand if you try to get a jamerson sound you'll need to pluck hard and probably need some resistance from the strings...

what i don't understand is that string sets tend to have the d and g with higher tension than a, e (and b)... makes no sense to me as string noise is much more a problem with the lower strings, at least for me...

there should be more sets like 40-60-85-105 instead of the usual 45-65-80-100 of many manufacturers

cheers, bench

 

[JimmyM]

I don't require that anyone else understand or like my preferences.

 

[Bassometer]

I always played roundwound hex core, it was all I knew. About 10 years ago I bought my first round core rw's (sunbeam's) and even though I liked the tone I hated the floppies (or should I say relative floppines compared to a hex core string of the same guage). As time went on I really started to like the way I could dig in a bit more when I played over the bridge pick up, and those natural glorious mids started to shine. I still play hex core, I have one bass with hc and the other round core. I could never appreciate the feel of flats, even though I dig the tone, I just don't like the way they feel. Maybe I'll give it another try.

 

[static0verdrive]

For me it started as a way to prolong the life of my instrument due to the extremely dry winters here, not to mention ergonomics for extended play sessions and avoiding repetitive stress injury. I preferred higher tension strings so I wasn't too keen on the idea at first, but they grew on me thanks to the tone. I'll occasionally play closer to the bridge for the added stiffness if I need it, but with a little adjustment of technique I don't have the issues with speed I had when I first switched.

 

[Sputnik Monroe]

Years ago when I made the switch from GHS Pressure-wounds to Thomastik Infeld flats there was a bit of a learning curve involved. It was not only the sound of flats but the low tension feel changed my playing style. I play a floating thumb style, from over the neck to right on the bridge and usually play pretty hard with both the right and left hand. All manner of new technique started working into my style with the switch to low tension strings, bends, vibrato, hammer ons, even bouncing the E string off the fretboard. About a year ago I found the Dunlop Nickel Super Bright strings (also low tension), so now half of my basses have that round wound clank too. To each his own, and I agree with Jimmy, no need to justify ones choices, but higher tension strings are off my radar screen.

 

[mmbongo]

I always played roundwound hex core, it was all I knew. About 10 years ago I bought my first round core rw's (sunbeam's) and even though I liked the tone I hated the floppies (or should I say relative floppines compared to a hex core string of the same guage). As time went on I really started to like the way I could dig in a bit more when I played over the bridge pick up, and those natural glorious mids started to shine. I still play hex core, I have one bass with hc and the other round core. I could never appreciate the feel of flats, even though I dig the tone, I just don't like the way they feel. Maybe I'll give it another try.

If you miss the response of round core, but with the stability of hex core, try Dunlop Super Brights. Best of both worlds.

 

[Doner Designs]

I play super high tension flats because they are easier to play. How so you say? The higher the tension the lower the action can be - completely effortless fretting. For plucking it's easy too if you have a powerful enough amp. I use a little pillow feathers as picks. Ok, not really, but that is how lightly I touch the strings.

 

[Gorn]

I play super high tension flats because they are easier to play. How so you say? The higher the tension the lower the action can be - completely effortless fretting. For plucking it's easy too if you have a powerful enough amp. I use a little pillow feathers as picks. Ok, not really, but that is how lightly I touch the strings.

You can have super low action for effortless fretting with super light strings too. It just requires a lighter touch. My bass playing friends can't play my bass because they're buzzing all over the place and I can't play their basses because I end up not fretting or plucking hard enough with their "normal" tension strings.

 

[Doner Designs]

You can have super low action for effortless fretting with super light strings too. It just requires a lighter touch. My friends can't play my bass because they're buzzing all over the place and I can't play their basses because I end up not plucking hard enough with their "normal" tension strings.

That's a great point. My preference probably developed during a time when I played lower quality necks that were not perfectly flat. The higher tension and reduced movement helps compensate sometimes.

 

[Rogatien022]

Some folks like peanut butter, some don't. They are both right for many reasons.

 

[Pilgrim]

I have no idea what the tension of my preferred strings is. I like the Labella Deep Talkin' 760FL strings. I tried the Jamerson set once and they felt like tugboat hawsers - I couldn't play them and removed them immediately. I don't know whether that was because they are much larger gauge, or because the tension is different...and I don't care.

To me, worrying about tension is getting way too deep into the weeds. When the strings feel right, they're right.

 

[superheavyfunk]

I don't require that anyone else understand or like my preferences.

I agree with Jimmy, no need to justify ones choices[/QUOTE]
I don't know why any of you feel the need to make comments such as these. Nobody is asking anyone to "justify" anything. I am interested in having a conversation with people who feel like sharing their opinion. If one doesn't, that's fine... I really don't care whether Jimmy or alembicguy use spaghetti noodles or steel cables. Just keep your non-starter comments to yourself and let the rest of us enjoy our talk.

 

[Hounddog409]

I can't for the life of me understand why some bassists use light tension strings. For me, high tension strings allow me to put less energy into each pluck and move my right hand faster across them, as well as do things like triplets and sixteenths. I've played many a bass with light strings and always felt like I was trying too hard... In fact, this is what led me to flats in the first place and I've been using them exclusively for close to the last ten years (760fm).

I can understand, I suppose, if a person is big into slapping - although I slap on my steel cables just fine, I can totally see how having something lighter would make that style easier to play for longer periods of time but for the most part, picking, or plucking, gimme my high tension strings.

So, for those of you who prefer light strings, what is your reasoning?

I really have no clue about this tension you speak of. I think some folks over analyze way more than is needed.

I like DR strings...standard 45-105... Black beauties. They sound good. No clue what "tension" they have, nor do I care.

 

[superheavyfunk]

I have no idea what the tension of my preferred strings is. I like the Labella Deep Talkin' 760FL strings. I tried the Jamerson set once and they felt like tugboat hawsers - I couldn't play them and removed them immediately. I don't know whether that was because they are much larger gauge, or because the tension is different...and I don't care.

To me, worrying about tension is getting way too deep into the weeds. When the strings feel right, they're right.

I have no idea what the actual tension is on my strings, in terms of lbs or kg. I just know that they're very stiff and that seems to work for me. Also, I assume the tension is super high because when I first moved to these strings, I had to do some fairly serious neck adjustment.

 

[Nev375]

Maybe I should also point out that I play with my fingernails. That might be a factor in my string preference. I don't know.