Balanced tension strings

[brensabre79]

OK tried a couple of gigs with my homebrew balanced tension set. I got some D'Addario singles at 45 - 60 - 80 - 110, which roughly is balanced based on the Circle K chart (although different makes will probably be slightly different). Its a bit more pricey than a set, but I have compensated for this by getting some DR stringlife so they will last a bit longer!
So, first impressions... I have to say the difference is noticeable in the extreme! and in a good way.
The bottom E is great, no flapping around - I'm a heavy player and usually end up choking the strings or rattling them along the frets towards the end of a gig because the E is so baggy. Similarly I usually pull the G off its saddle at some point too, not any more, even though its the same as my usual guage its all about the transition between strings and the force used to pluck/pick being more consistent.
The difference from the E to A is marked, but I got used to it in about 10 minutes.
Suddenly my playing has sped up considerably, everything is so effortless.
I didn't even need to adjust the truss rod, the intonation needed a tweak though but that took 5 minutes, and now the saddles sit in a fairly straight line which looks nice
As soon as the Circle K ones are available in the UK I for one will be making the switch. Although I don't think it will be long before other manufacturers follow suit...

[charic]

[quote name='Pete1967' timestamp='1334218608' post='1612573']
All,

I read Alex's articly about balanced tension strings with real interest. It all seems sooooo logical to me and it made me realise that I'd come to the same conclusion, but without the science which I'm very happy to leave to Mr C.

To cut to the chase I really want to try a set of CIrcle K 43 - 142's on one of my 34" Shuker 5ers, but ordering a single set is way expensive. If I ordered 5 sets it makes the per set price reasonable after shipping, import duty and VAT at around £34.

So my question is... are there four more folks out there that would like to give a set a try? The deal would be that I finance the 5 sets and get them delivered to me then forward on to you in exchange for the cost price, which should be around £34 for the strings and at a guess a couple of quid for postage. I have absolutely no interest in making a profit out of this and its just a way of me getting a set to try at a reasonable price!

If anyone's interested PM me. If I get more than four responses I may be persuaded to order more sets.

Cheers

Pete
[/quote]

Newtone can do the same, I know I mention them a lot but I promise there's no affiliation other than liking their strings!

[Prime_BASS]

I really want to hear the strings before I buy a set.

[Sibob]

Yeah just talk to Newtone, they'll sort you out with whatever you want!
Simples

Si

[ead]

[quote name='ead' timestamp='1332850081' post='1593879']
Since I can't get hold of the "right" gauges in the D'Addario Chrome flats I'm going to try a set of Thomastik JF344 that get a bit closer to balanced tension at 43-56-70-100 to see if my fingers find it easier to deal with - if only the A had been 75...
[/quote]

I've had these on the fretless for a couple of weeks now, reset the intonation, and the difference is definitely noticeable compared to my other bass that is strung with a "standard" gauge strings. Feels easier to play across strings - I'd really advise giving a balanced tension set of strings a go next time you are due to change a set of strings.

[brensabre79]

Beware different makes, and even different models of strings don't have the same tension per gauge. Even for example the D'Addario XL nickels vs D'Addario Prosteel vs D'Addario EXP are all different tension at a given gauge and tuning (at least D'Addario put the tension on the packet though, most makes don't). So the Circle K tensions that they have on their website only apply to their strings!

I've emailed Newtone (thanks Charic) about their tensions in an effort to get a true balanced tension set together, as they don't put them on the website. It would be great to get a UK manufacturer to do proper balanced sets, even better for me if they did them in steel as nickel makes my fingers (and strings) go black!

[chrismuzz]

[quote name='brensabre79' timestamp='1334576526' post='1617799']
I've emailed Newtone (thanks Charic) about their tensions in an effort to get a true balanced tension set together, as they don't put them on the website. It would be great to get a UK manufacturer to do proper balanced sets, even better for me if they did them in steel as nickel makes my fingers (and strings) go black!
[/quote]

Yep they can make you a set of steels

[ead]

Do Newtone make flats? Couldn't see any evidence on the website.

[charic]

[quote name='brensabre79' timestamp='1334576526' post='1617799']
I've emailed Newtone (thanks Charic) about their tensions in an effort to get a true balanced tension set together, as they don't put them on the website. It would be great to get a UK manufacturer to do proper balanced sets, even better for me if they did them in steel as nickel makes my fingers (and strings) go black!
[/quote]

No problem

I'm starting to wonder whether I was ahead or behind the curve with Newtone

[brensabre79]

Newtone cannot provide any tension data for their strings unfortunately, but they reckon my .110 .85 .60 .45 would be pretty balanced. They will also make any custom gauge to order, but I don't have the means to test tension either so it would be a bit of guesswork, and a bit of a punt.
I'm not sure if they do do flats, I know they will make stainless steel to order though. i think its a minimum of two sets on a custom order.

[charic]

[quote name='brensabre79' timestamp='1334656921' post='1619119']
Newtone cannot provide any tension data for their strings unfortunately, but they reckon my .110 .85 .60 .45 would be pretty balanced. They will also make any custom gauge to order, but I don't have the means to test tension either so it would be a bit of guesswork, and a bit of a punt.
I'm not sure if they do do flats, I know they will make stainless steel to order though. i think its a minimum of two sets on a custom order.
[/quote]

That doesn't sound right, I recently asked them to increase the tension on my drop - c a little as it wasn't quite as tight as I would like and they got it spot on. Weird...

[chrismuzz]

[quote name='ead' timestamp='1334613589' post='1618712']
Do Newtone make flats? Couldn't see any evidence on the website.
[/quote]

I'm almost certain that they don't, but all it takes is a quick email to be sure

[brensabre79]

[quote name='charic' timestamp='1334751061' post='1620612']
That doesn't sound right, I recently asked them to increase the tension on my drop - c a little as it wasn't quite as tight as I would like and they got it spot on. Weird...
[/quote]
Well i dunno, I asked the question and that's what they said... I've still got a couple of sets of singles waiting to go on but I'll give them a whirl when I replace these...

[charic]

[quote name='brensabre79' timestamp='1334754375' post='1620701']
Well i dunno, I asked the question and that's what they said... I've still got a couple of sets of singles waiting to go on but I'll give them a whirl when I replace these...
[/quote]

Wasn't arguing and assumed it was from you having spoke to them, just confused me

[brensabre79]

No worries man, didn't think you were arguing Maybe I spoke to someone different, or they just sent you a slightly thicker string. They couldn't give me figures for tensions but they probably have a fair idea of the sort of tension between one string and another...

[brensabre79]

Maybe I should change my avatar, everyone thinks I'm picking a fight today

[charic]

[quote name='brensabre79' timestamp='1334754640' post='1620709']
No worries man, didn't think you were arguing Maybe I spoke to someone different, or they just sent you a slightly thicker string. They couldn't give me figures for tensions but they probably have a fair idea of the sort of tension between one string and another...
[/quote]

Nope same thickness string, it's just higher tension

I know there's one guy there who specialises in the bass strings

[Pete1967]

[quote name='brensabre79' timestamp='1334322483' post='1614505']
I got some D'Addario singles at 45 - 60 - 80 - 110, which roughly is balanced based on the Circle K chart
[/quote]

I've just done the same thing with some Rotos from Strings Direct, except of course I had to add a low B, for which I chose the .140.

First impression... much better balance across the range - absolutely no doubt, and the .140 is definitely a taughter sound, but it's like playing an effing bridge cable and just a bit too unwieldy for me. Heaven knows what a .146 would be like. Which brings me back to the age old understanding that playing bass is a life of compromises, and that we're so much more on the edge than the little instruments ... I do think I'll stay with the 45-60-80-110 combo because that works, but I'll be trying a .135 at the bottom. If that's a decent compromise between playability and compliance then I'll live happily...

The bizarre thing is that I really don't think I had a problem before and this was more of an experiment, but now I have tried, I realise that stock sets aren't the best compromise.

Anyone want to buy a .140 Roto Swingbass, barely used, and cut down for a Shuker custom build?

[brensabre79]

Yeah I think it is a bit of a compromise, I'm finding the .80 A string a little light to be honest now its played in and gotten a bit rubber bandy (technical term), its also the lowest tension of the 4 (only by a smidge) the ideal match would be an 82 / 83 but they don't make them so I think I'll go for an 85 when I try the Newtones out...

[iiipopes]

A great balanced flats set is the one that changed me from rounds to flats: Fender 9050CL, in 45-60-80-105. This is the most balanced and consistent set, both up the neck and string-to-string, I have played in all the 36 years I've played electric bass.

[Teobass88]

I've two 7strings balanced sets in my closet...my bass will be ready after summer. I've bought balanced set because my lutist advise me higly on that!
I will post my considerations ..... in October!

CircleK for life!! Only for their incredible proposal and innovation!!!!



If they're long lasting strings and sound as I read over the web.....they're the absoluteley best strings on market!!! Proportionally cheapest than Elixir!

[brensabre79]

My Newtones arrived today, still experimenting have got one each of the Diamond and Platinum. Both Stainless steel,
45-60-85-110

So I'll whack one of the sets on tonight and report back!

[brensabre79]

Tried out my balanced Newtones at a gig. Feel wise the balance is perfect, but the volume of the strings isn't quite balanced, which defeats the object of this entirely as I ended up playing the D and G harder. As the higher strings seem quieter - I'm adjusting pickups before tonights gig to compensate. Also, this may be due to using the studio grade strings which certainly do have a strong fundamental (where's all the harmonics?) - I have the Live set in the same ready to go on but will try one more time with these first... To be fair to Newtone though, these strings are meant for recording. I'll lay down some tracks tomorrow and see how they fare.

[4 Strings]

[quote name='brensabre79' timestamp='1341648329' post='1722183']
Tried out my balanced Newtones at a gig. Feel wise the balance is perfect, but the volume of the strings isn't quite balanced, which defeats the object of this entirely as I ended up playing the D and G harder. As the higher strings seem quieter - I'm adjusting pickups before tonights gig to compensate. Also, this may be due to using the studio grade strings which certainly do have a strong fundamental (where's all the harmonics?) - I have the Live set in the same ready to go on but will try one more time with these first... To be fair to Newtone though, these strings are meant for recording. I'll lay down some tracks tomorrow and see how they fare.
[/quote]

More please. Just ordered a set of the Platinums, hoping for a warmer sound, more depth and less squeak. I was really after halfrounds but thought I'd give these a try. Not looking forward to a lightweight sound on the 'G'. Is it still the case?

[brensabre79]

Sorry, forgot about this post, I've been blissfully playing away on my Newtones since!

So the studio set really didn't do it for me, but the Live set (Diamond?) really did! Amazing difference between the two.
I did adjust the pickups and it did sort out the sound balance issue - so no worries there.
So over to the Live set... and a slight adjustment again with the pickups.

It's all there! all the frequencies and a great sound not too harsh at the top, but there's plenty of it, and what I would call a significant bottom end - especially on the neck pickup. The tone is great actually, it sounds alive.
The playing balance is also great, so much so that I picked up another bass that has normal 45-105s on the other day and found it almost unplayable for 10 minutes until i got used to it again. You really have to adjust for the flappy strings.

Back to my Jazz with the balanced Newtones and I swear my playing has improved significantly with these on, not having to compensate for the variation in tension has made a huge difference to both the speed and dynamics I play with. So much more control.

In summary:
Balanced tension is definitely a winner - I thought it was my technique, and it may be that its suited to balanced tension, but a lot of my shortcomings and frustrations as a player seemed to dissipate with them on. I dig in quite a lot and not having a significantly more sensitive string in the middle has made a real difference.
I've not tried other brands of balanced tension strings, but the Newtone strings definitely have an awesome (big) sound to them and they do last (if you look after them). I have ordered some more sets. My only criticism is the 28 day waiting time, but I guess this is because they are increasing in popularity. And rightly so!