Low tension strings? Whats the 'softest' feeling out there...

[Greg.Bassman]

Hi everyone.

I’ve heard that low tension strings promote a relaxed light touch. As a (very) light player myself, I require as little ‘fight’ from my strings as I can, so I’m keen to do some experimenting. What is some of the lower (if not the lowest) tension strings on the market right now to get my strings feeling soft like wool? lol

Thank you!

EDIT: Ideally nickel roundwounds (40-95) is what I’m looking for (just soft low tension feeling). Also, I’ve heard that core shape can be a big factor. What core shape should I be looking for?

Edited February 18, 2018 by Greg.Bassman

[Owen]

Try TI Jazz Rounds. They are proper lush. You could also tune everything down a tone and capo on the 2nd fret for floppy goodness. 

[fretmeister]

La Bella Low Tension Flats are lovely.

[fretmeister]

Or you could use some D'Addario 6 string sets, but use the lightest 4 strings

 

32, 45,65,80

 

That would be very light. I couldn't cope with that"!

 

[Greg.Bassman]

9 hours ago, fretmeister said:

La Bella Low Tension Flats are lovely.

Thanks for the suggestion, I've heard good things about La Bella. I'm only interested in roundwounds though I'm afraid.

 

9 hours ago, fretmeister said:

Or you could use some D'Addario 6 string sets, but use the lightest 4 strings

 

32, 45,65,80

 

That would be very light. I couldn't cope with that"!

 

I doubt that I could cope with that either lol, but certainly an interesting idea though!

[Greg.Bassman]

On 15/02/2018 at 08:31, owen said:

... You could also tune everything down a tone and capo on the 2nd fret for floppy goodness. 

Aha, thats an interesting thought. That might be a little too 'floppy' for my liking. Cheers for the suggestion though!

[The59Sound]

TI Jazz Rounds > TI Jazz Flats > La Bella Low Tension Flats > DR Sunbeams 40-100.

Lowest to highest tension. 

They are all pretty close though. IMO Jazz Rounds are unplayable because of the low tension! 

[ped]

Hi Greg I too like low tension and 40-95s and find Elixirs have the best feel, plus super long life.

[scrumpymike]

Hi Greg, bear in mind that having to increase string height to avoid fret buzz can sometimes be the trade-off for lower tension strings - which would be counter-productive.  My low-tension experience is enhanced by the fact that I play short-scale basses, so I can't really recommend a specific standard scale-length string.

[Owen]

22 hours ago, The59Sound said:

IMO Jazz Rounds are unplayable because of the low tension! 

He is lying! They are the yummuest! Heinously expensive though

[mickster]

And another vote here for Ti Jazz Rounds. They seem really floppy at first but I found I adjusted quickly and now love 'em! They do promote a softer style of playing, but strangely still manage to sound big...not tinny / thin at all.

[Greg.Bassman]

1 hour ago, owen said:

He is lying! They are the yummuest! Heinously expensive though

Definitely too expensive I’m afraid

[Guest ixlramp]

Gauge is the primary determiner of both scientific tension (a pull force in lbs) and 'perceived tension' so restricting yourself to 40-95 is self-defeating.

String construction, however flexible, can only get you so far in reducing 'perceived tension'. It makes more sense to just use a string line you already use and like in smaller gauges, and keep moving to the next lighter set until you find what's right for you. If a string line doesn't go particularly light (such as 30-90) then build a set from singles since a 30 is likely to be available for 6 string sets.

Also i must add that 40-95 is not at all low tension, to me that's high tension. Try 35-95 and 30-90. I like 25-80.

Recommendations for string brands and string lines, without mentioning gauges, are missing the most important aspect.

The silly but true answer to this topic is this .009 to .028 set https://store.kaliummusic.com/index.php/electric-bass-guitar/shop-by-material/hybrid-bass-guitar/balanced-tension/bh-028-4bs.html

Edited August 13, 2018 by ixlramp