String Tension

[08 Ric 4003]

Anyone know where to find string tension from differnet manufacturers? I have only seen D'addario post theirs.

[cassius987]

Circle K, LaBella, and Thomastik-Infeld share at least some of their data as well. Others simply will not, I guess they consider it proprietary.

If you want to match lbs tension/string for each string fairly closely then, if you use the same kind of string (same core, same wrap, same manufacturer) for each you can usually follow the "four-thirds rule" and do okay. That is, (4/3)X=Y, where X=string tuned up one perfect fourth higher than string gauge Y. Put into practice:

(4/3)0.045'' = 0.06''
(4/3)0.06'' = 0.08''
(4/3)0.08'' = 0.107''

So if you put together a 45-60-80-105 set (or thereabouts) you should have fairly well-balanced strings. Check this out using D'Addario nickel-wrapped rounds and I believe the results from their tensional data give a very low standard deviation and an RSD below 5% (which ought to be a benchmark). Circle K Strings is the best manufacturer I know of for balanced rounds (they also sound and feel better than other rounds to me), and LaBella Deep Talkin' Flats for flats, although Fender's 9050CL set is also near-perfectly balanced.

[08 Ric 4003]

That is deep. I may need a math degree to figure it out.

[cassius987]

Nah, just middle school algebra! But these guys have already done the math for you:

http://circlekstrings.com/store/index.html

[DavyR]

Nah, just middle school algebra! But these guys have already done the math for you:

http://circlekstrings.com/store/index.html

Joel, do you mean the relative tension between sets and manufactures? If so, it is frustrating. There have been 100s of posts about it here and on other forums over the years. One way is to spend money trying different sets. There are just too many variables. (There is an equation out there but then you need all the measurement to input into it like mass, lengths, etc.) For example, I just put long scale D'Addario Half-Rounds with a 100 'E' on a RIC 4001 and they seem about average tension. I put the medium scale version of this same set onto a medium scale bass and the tension is too high. IMO, generally, Pyramid strings are very high tension, then Labella a bit lower, then D’Addario, then Rotosound and GHS, then TIs which are very low tension.

[08 Ric 4003]

I use Dean Markley 45 - 100 round strings and want to try some flats but I don't want to change my set up. My top truss rod is just snug and if I put anything lighter on it will back bow any thicker and I will need to mess with the truss rod and I like this gauge. I want to find a flat gauge with the same tension. I got the bass used and it had flats on and I had no idea how long they had been on there, so I slapped on a fresh set of rounds and got it set up for those strings.

[08 Ric 4003]

Damn Circle K makes a ton of strings. It says I can't use them on my Jazz. Can you only get them though mail oreder?

[cassius987]

Damn Circle K makes a ton of strings. It says I can't use them on my Jazz. Can you only get them though mail oreder?

Right now only mail order--and yeah, you can use them on a Jazz Bass, but you'd need to top-load the strings instead of string through. Which is fine because string through is only helpful if your bridge has a bad break angle on the saddles... which Fenders do not. They have more break angle over the saddle than on a Ric.

[08 Ric 4003]

My Jazz Bass only has string through.

[cassius987]

My Jazz Bass only has string through.

Say what?? Is it a Fender? Most Fenders should be able to do both or just top-load... what kind of bridge does it have?

[08 Ric 4003]

Not mine. Mine is a '95 with only string through. I am even holding the bass in my hands as I am typing. I bought the bass used and it does not appear the bridge was changed as far as I can tell. The only other holes in the bridge have screws in them to adjust the saddles back and forth.

[cheyenne]

Never heard of Circle K strings.

Is this something new and exciting? They look very interesting.

[rickenbrother]

Never heard of Circle K strings.

Is this something new and exciting? They look very interesting.

I think they might be affliated with Everly strings, at least they were in the same booth at the NAMM show.

[08 Ric 4003]

I just went to a guitar store and looked at D'addario 45 - 100 round wounds and also at the Chrome Flats in the same gauge. Each E-E, A-A, D-D and G-G string was different by about 2 lbs of tension. Not sure if it would make a difference on my Ric. I have the upper truss rod on my current set up to where it is just snug. I think from what I have read. I will need to put heavier gauge strings on if I want to make the upper truss rod have any effect. If I go any lighter in gauges I have the neck will back bow. Correct me if I am wrong.

[cassius987]

Never heard of Circle K strings.

Is this something new and exciting? They look very interesting.

They're new and exciting to me anyways. They make the strings more flexible and they're a nickel-steel hybrid wrap, and in addition to that the feel from string to string is exceptionally even. But to be sure I wasn't just honeymooning I recorded the same song with Circle Ks, a Rickenbacker set, and some D'Addario nickel XLs, that were close in gauges. Even ignoring the better feel and tension the Circle Ks blew the other two away for sound. So, unless something drastic happens, I'm pretty much "married" to Circle Ks now as far as rounds go.

I think they might be affliated with Everly strings, at least they were in the same booth at the NAMM show.

No, they're a small business originally from Denver, CO but now located in Seattle, WA; I believe they have three co-owners, and one of them is the guy who builds those huge 42'' scale 6-string basses.