Most of the string sets I look at are pretty badly specced, especially on 5 string. the B string is always too thin compared to the rest of the strings and there's just overall a wide difference between string tension. It must be that people don't care, right? To me, it feels much better when the strings are similar in tension. If a company is starting why not make all their strings balanced. Could it also be some of the guitar/ bass traditionalism?
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Why don't more manunfacturers make balanced tension string sets?
- Thread starter Ljk225
- Start date
Some are made with balanced tension but they don’t always advertise it. My Dunlop Super Bright Nickels and Flats are balanced pretty closely. Don’t have a list of them but they do exist.
But not everyone is that picky and that’s why you can still find them. I don’t think it’s lack of trying, but people seem to think proportionately wider gauges are proper and less problematic, even though it’s not necessarily true.
But not everyone is that picky and that’s why you can still find them. I don’t think it’s lack of trying, but people seem to think proportionately wider gauges are proper and less problematic, even though it’s not necessarily true.
As a former "balanced tension enthusiast" I've learned "balanced tension" doesn't guarantee "balanced tone". I used to live and die by the tension numbers, only to realize some of the best balanced sets in tone are not the ones with perfectly balanced tension.
Also, a string set doesn't necessarily need to be balanced in tension (as in pulling weight) to FEEL balanced (as in stiffness/flexibility). If a set of strings sounds and feels balanced, I really don't care if they're balanced in terms of tension numbers.
Also, a string set doesn't necessarily need to be balanced in tension (as in pulling weight) to FEEL balanced (as in stiffness/flexibility). If a set of strings sounds and feels balanced, I really don't care if they're balanced in terms of tension numbers.
No doubt this is a factor. It’s a balancing act between what’s academically or demonstrably better, and what’s accepted or preferred as customary.
To be fair, as a listener I’ve never once heard a song and thought it would be improved by using different tension strings. However, as a player I can certainly appreciate the little things that make that experience more enjoyable.
Some people are used to the tension imbalance, and sometimes it doesn't help with tone balance if the strings aren't well-scaled.
With traditional acoustic guitar strings it could be a necessity for volume balance. I used to have a set of balanced-tension classical guitar strings from the Soviet Union, and the high E string is quieter than a modern unbalanced high E string.
With traditional acoustic guitar strings it could be a necessity for volume balance. I used to have a set of balanced-tension classical guitar strings from the Soviet Union, and the high E string is quieter than a modern unbalanced high E string.
I’m also one of those who prefers balanced tension, or ate least more balanced than is often typical.
I think you’re right that most people don’t care. If they really did, the market would adjust and a standard set would be 45-60-80-105 and not 45-65-85-105. As noted, this creates problems for 5-strings, though, as for standard D’Addario rounds the right gauge for the B string is 145, which is unpleasantly huge. It’s why my next 5-string will be multiscale.
I think the reason is that most basses used to come with more curved fretboards. Many were 10.5” or less in radius, which if the pickups are flat means the middle two strings are further away from the pickups and thus require higher tension to make the strings sound in balance. Many are now 12” or more in radius, which is pretty flat so this is not an issue, but strings haven’t changed along with fretboard radii.
I think you’re right that most people don’t care. If they really did, the market would adjust and a standard set would be 45-60-80-105 and not 45-65-85-105. As noted, this creates problems for 5-strings, though, as for standard D’Addario rounds the right gauge for the B string is 145, which is unpleasantly huge. It’s why my next 5-string will be multiscale.
I think the reason is that most basses used to come with more curved fretboards. Many were 10.5” or less in radius, which if the pickups are flat means the middle two strings are further away from the pickups and thus require higher tension to make the strings sound in balance. Many are now 12” or more in radius, which is pretty flat so this is not an issue, but strings haven’t changed along with fretboard radii.
Firstly it's because when they started making strings they made unbalanced sets, look up the original fender strings, they are insanely tense on the G and D and super loose on the E, the GHS heavey precision flat set is the same, with 30 lbs of difference between E and G. Also they used 0 and 5 digits for the last number on those early sets as well. SO TRADITION.
honestly i think it's as simple as people like numbers that end in 0 or 5. 40 60 80 100 is easer to say, to see, to remember, and to hear, than 43 56 72 101. Also when sending specs to manufacturers making them it's easier for them to decipher. SO EASE OF USE
Meanwhile you look at european manufacturers and it's a little different. Pyramid and TI have pretty balanced sets with odd numbers, it seems the stereotype of german/austrian engineering and precision could be applicable here, both sets of flats i've used were well balanced and within 5 lbs. that's it.
honestly i think it's as simple as people like numbers that end in 0 or 5. 40 60 80 100 is easer to say, to see, to remember, and to hear, than 43 56 72 101. Also when sending specs to manufacturers making them it's easier for them to decipher. SO EASE OF USE
Meanwhile you look at european manufacturers and it's a little different. Pyramid and TI have pretty balanced sets with odd numbers, it seems the stereotype of german/austrian engineering and precision could be applicable here, both sets of flats i've used were well balanced and within 5 lbs. that's it.
Just use a string tension calculator and buy separate single strings.
What I do.
I love the feel and sound of tension balanced strings, at least it has been a huge success for me with all the brands of nickel-plated hex steel core roundwound strings I have tried so far.
To me it both feels much better and actually also sounds better, that is more uniform tone and output across the strings.
Not sure though if this would be true as well with a fretboard radius less than 12", or with other types of strings.
What I do.
I love the feel and sound of tension balanced strings, at least it has been a huge success for me with all the brands of nickel-plated hex steel core roundwound strings I have tried so far.
To me it both feels much better and actually also sounds better, that is more uniform tone and output across the strings.
Not sure though if this would be true as well with a fretboard radius less than 12", or with other types of strings.
The spacing of the strings and the tension differences do not really present torsion issues for the neck. I do not dig balanced sets. I like the tone and volume of light B strings. Some folks really want thick B strings. Not me.
Agreed.
I’d rather have a good sound across all strings, and avoid the G string blues or lack luster E string than a balanced tension set.
If you like low tension (I do), you can easily make a balanced set where the B sting isn't "too fat". I use 40-55-70-95-130 gauges, which is a very well balanced set tension wise, at about 35 pound tension per string. The bigger gaps in string diameters are not what people are used to , but that is what's required for a well balanced set. There are several manufacturers where I can buy singles in these gauges, and along with a tapered B string yo can make up very nice sets of strings that work very well for me.
There are a lot of excuses put out there about why string manufacturers do what they do, but the proof (when you put together a well balanced set, and it works very well) is they are just that...excuses. If you understand the Physics of string tension, and make good strings in the right gauges, everything works very well - no excuses needed.
I get good sound across all strings (5, in my case) with balanced sets - the two are NOT mutually exclusive.
Agreed. Never said or implied you can’t have both, just that if I had to choose between two evils, one being unbalanced tone and the other being unbalanced tension, I would choose tone.
My 2 current basses are relatively new and I haven’t found my unicorn strings yet. Eventually I will find my unicorn.
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I haven't needed to choose - that's a false dichotomy to me. I regularly make up sets with no "evlls" in sight.
Well I’m happy for you.
I’m still in the experimental stages and will be happy when I find my ideal set.
