Strings Advice - Low Tension Roundwounds

jon · Post by **jon** » Wed Jan 03, 2007 5:31 am

Firstly, apologies for starting a thread on the same subject as one I did ten months ago, but I cannot find the original thread...

I'm looking for roundwounds with a relatively low tension, as I don't want to stress the neck on my 4080.

Last time I asked, TI Jazz Rounds seemed to be the most popular suggestion. I've used a few sets over the past few months, but have decided that they are probably just a bit too floppy and 'flat' feeling for my taste. So, can anyone suggest something a wee bit more like my usual Rotos, but still with low enough tension not to bother a '75 neck?

I promise to save the suggestions this time.

Thanks

Jon

rickfan60 · Post by **rickfan60** » Wed Jan 03, 2007 5:37 am

Most modern strings will fill the bill these days. Even Rotos seem to have improved in that area. The lowest tension rounds I have ever seen are TIs. They are too soft IMHO. I use DRs (Highbeams and lowriders) on nearly all of my basses. They work great on Ricks and they don't eat up the frets.

hieronymous · Post by **hieronymous** » Wed Jan 03, 2007 6:38 am

+1 on DRs. My '76 has been strung up with Lo Riders for 4-5 years with no problems.

rickfan60 · Post by **rickfan60** » Wed Jan 03, 2007 6:57 am

I even have a set of Highbeams on my '63 4001.

teeder · Post by **teeder** » Wed Jan 03, 2007 8:05 am

My '72 4001 had Ernie Ball Super Slinkies on it when it arrived and played great. I then put a set of light GHS Boomers on and they don't have enough tension. I don't see a tension listed for them anywhere, but they must be low in comparison.

pflash4001 · Post by **pflash4001** » Wed Jan 03, 2007 1:20 pm

I just got a set of DR Highbeams for my '79 4001 last week. I have done 3 gigs with those strings. All I can say is JOY! Those strings are comfortable on the fingers and they sing. Thanks to the guys here for all the advice!

aceonbass · Post by **aceonbass** » Wed Jan 03, 2007 1:56 pm

D'Addario EXL-170's are gauged 45-65-80-100 with a total tension of 163.5 lbs. I think these are pretty popular with the old 4001's.

kidvett · Post by **kidvett** » Wed Jan 03, 2007 2:29 pm

Recently went to Hi Beams and WOW !! The best I tried so far. I use'em on my 4003 & T-Bird. They are not high tension and feel kind of ``loose`` ( Sorry if this is not the correct word for it but as a french speaking guy, I sometimes search for the right word...) What I mean is that they are easy to bend...I recently switched a set of Rotos 66 to a 4003 ( the one with the lifted bridge ) only to find them very ``tense`` & stiff...Perhaps it's the crooked bridge but the feel is not at all the same as when on the P Bass....Same strings-different bass = different feel !! So I'll stay with the Hi Beams...

prog_rockin_metal_man · Thu Jan 04, 2007 2:22 am

I had a set of GHS sub-zero boomers on my 4001 and found them to be pretty low tension...too low for my tastes in fact. they were 95-40 though so that probably contributed to the low tension but I thought they they had good tone and were a pretty good string other than the low tension.

rickfan63 · Post by **rickfan63** » Thu Jan 04, 2007 12:12 pm

I like the nickel Lo-Riders the best. I tried the Hi-Beams on my Jazz Bass, and even though the tension was low, the sound was too cold for my tastes. I like the warm sound of nickel for rounds and the Lo-Riders fit the bill perfectly. And like Ted said, they are both real nice on the frets.

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Thu Jan 04, 2007 12:25 pm

Try Carvin Stainless steel round wound strings ...

cheyenne · Post by **cheyenne** » Fri Jan 05, 2007 4:32 am

I have the DR High-Beams on my 4004CII and love them. I have D'Addario EPS 165 Stainless Steel roundwounds on my V63 and like them alot too.

The DR's do have a bit of a "smoother" feel than the D'Addario's.

bobcat · Post by **bobcat** » Fri Jan 05, 2007 11:37 pm

DR. Hi-beams, Lo-riders, Sunbeams, whatever. I don't think DR makes a string that *isn't* absolutely amazing. And all of them are pretty much $20 a pack, and they last at least 6 months before dying, if not longer (a friend of mine has had his steel Lo-riders on his bass for almost a year, and, while they don't sound brand new, there's certainly life still left in them).

If you want something that's similar to DR Hi-beams but a bit more "unique" sounding, try Rotosound RS55 Solo Bass strings. They're compressed steel rounds like Hi-beams, but they have their own characteristic sound. VERY low tension too.

bob_atherton · Post by **bob_atherton** » Sun Jan 07, 2007 12:41 am

I'm going to try a set of HiBeams as I want to get back into round wounds on my new (to me)'S'.

I don't know what gauge to try, thought the lites, 40-60-80-100 would be a good bet. Any advice from Hi Beam users would be very much appreciated.

cheyenne · Post by **cheyenne** » Sun Jan 07, 2007 4:31 am

On my 4003's, I use D'Addario XL-170's guaged .45 .65 .80 .100

However, I use the standard guage DR Hi-Beams. .45-.105

They have a nice "lighter" feel. Dont feel "heavey" like most standard guage roundwounds.