Author Topic: Low tension strings (Read 129 times)

artswork99 · « **on:** March 06, 2009, 07:18:34 AM »

From experience can some suggestions be made for low tension strings in 35 scale?
Thanks kindly for any input,
Art

crgaston · « **Reply #1 on:** March 06, 2009, 10:46:12 AM »

Seems like DR's (I've tried Sunbeams and Nickel Lo-Riders) are significantly lower in tension than Alembic CX3's. I use .045-.130's

olieoliver · « **Reply #2 on:** March 06, 2009, 11:13:59 AM »

Now that I'm playing more and will change my strings much more often I'll probably go back to Boomers. They inexpensive and sound good for the price.
I prefer John Pearse but you just can't get the gauges I prefer, 40-125. The Pearse were probably the lowest tension strings I've used and still didn't flop around everywhere.
The DR's are great as are the TI and Alembic. I agree the DR's were lower tension but all three are $$$. cha-ching!

Finding the right gauge-tension-price combination is getting harder to do these days.

OO

olieoliver · « **Reply #3 on:** March 06, 2009, 11:16:24 AM »

On a side note I beleive John Pearse died last year. Not sure if the company is still going or not.
OO

artswork99 · « **Reply #4 on:** March 06, 2009, 11:26:53 AM »

Thanks thus far.
I always like the sound and feel of moder Dave's basses (Thomastik-Infeld strings in a light gauge).
I may have to spring for a set of those.
Agree Olie, extra long scales are much harder to find locally.
I'm currently using DR's on this bass which are available locally.

olieoliver · « **Reply #5 on:** March 06, 2009, 11:38:50 AM »

That's whats on my 35 MK at the moment, DRs. I like them but they aren't cheap. I like TI's but $$$$ wow!
I've been ordering my strings from juststrings.com Good price an they get them to me in a couple of days.

flaxattack · « **Reply #6 on:** March 06, 2009, 12:08:03 PM »

ti;s would be the lowest tension

artswork99 · « **Reply #7 on:** March 06, 2009, 12:11:21 PM »

Yea, TI's are def $$$. Thanks for your suggestions Olie. I'm trying to control neck setup with no truss, therefore tension is so critical.

artswork99 · « **Reply #8 on:** March 06, 2009, 12:20:00 PM »

Thanks Jeff. I had a feeling that the tension on the TI's may win out over others. They make a 36 set (no 35) that would most likely be a very relaxed set on a 35 scale.

David Houck · « **Reply #9 on:** March 07, 2009, 04:34:15 PM »

I would think a 36 set of low-tension strings on a 35 bass would be too relaxed. Perhaps a 36 set with a higher tension would work. For instance, TI makes a string called the Infeld, a round wound that has a bit more tension than the same length TI Jazz Rounds, but at about the same string gauges. It's also significantly less expensive than the Jazz Rounds.

artswork99 · « **Reply #10 on:** March 07, 2009, 06:49:29 PM »

Thanks for the additional info Dave.