Low tension strings

[mcconnachiea]

Hi guys, new to the forum. I need strings that can stay in tune with trem use but have very little tension - I need this because I have a very strange trem unit that will self destuct if there is too much tension (basically the pivot point just gets shredded). It is a fender jag-stang. I play early metallica and AiC mainly so I need a good heavy sound.

So by this I mean strings that do not pull on the springs at all - I cannot add springs like a strat or increase the tension any further so I need strings that are very light. I was using power slinky 9s but I don't mind going down to 8s

 

[TNT]

Mc,

Just out of curiosity, do you like that trem unit?? Wouldn't it be easier to replace it and then have the advantages of using std. EB strings?

Or better, yet get a pivot screw that does not "wear" out the edge so quickly on the trem.

 

[mcconnachiea]

Yeah, I love it but it would be impossible to put anything else in there because the vibrato is so unique. And the real problem is spring tension. If I can get that up, then it won't matter what strings I use

 

[mcconnachiea]

That is a diagram of the trem. It can't be replaced. And the bridge is not a mushroom but a sort of tune-o-matic thing that rocks bank and forward

 

[Big Poppa]

there is no such thing as lighter tension...If you want lighter tension the only way is to use a skinnier gauge

 

[mcconnachiea]

I think there is. I was using EB power slinkys 11s but I switched to fender 350 9s and the tension was even higher. I think I'll get some EB 8s.

But alternatively, does anybody know how to increase the spring tension?

 

[Big Poppa]

whoa Wire is wire my friend...Marketing would tell you that somes are less but its steel and our industry gets what we get we are a pimple on the steel industry and anybody who tells you that fenders 009 is lower tension that mine is smoking crack.

DOnt go from 11's to 008's that is prety drastic and will affect your touch and tone.

 

[TNT]

Mc,

That is one "unique" set-up. Sure makes life difficult though.

As BP mentioned I wouldn't go too far down the gauge either. Even if you
"shortened" the scale length (to 24.75) to get less tension, (I think you have a 25.5 now), that's not a possibility because of other issues.

Other than that play a half down, or get custom parts made for the bridge that will not wear out.

 

[mcconnachiea]

I have a 24" scale guitar and always play 1/2 step down and oce you round off the knife edge with a file, it will stop wearing down but still stays in tune.

 

[mcconnachiea]

whoa Wire is wire my friend...Marketing would tell you that somes are less but its steel and our industry gets what we get we are a pimple on the steel industry and anybody who tells you that fenders 009 is lower tension that mine is smoking crack.

DOnt go from 11's to 008's that is prety drastic and will affect your touch and tone.

And before I forget, I bought stainless fender strings and I believe that is higher tension. My cousin has worked in the steel industry for 10 years

As for tone, I have EMG pickups and have blown up many an amplifier because of that so low gague is better

 

[Jimmyb]

I love the way that some people can completely ignore physics!

In case you didn't catch it, BP aka Sterling Ball is the guy who owns the company - Ernie Ball. I think he probably knows a thing or two about strings, so if he says that there isn't a difference in tension between strings of equal gauge, logic would probably say that he knows the score.

You have blown up an amplifier by using EMG's?

 

[Big Poppa]

I defer to your cousin. Sorry for the input!

 

[Big Poppa]

hehehehehe

 

[mcconnachiea]

Well my cousin makes the things for suspension bridges but maybe its defferent for guitar strings . I was just saying what I thought

 

[mcconnachiea]

And also there is 9 11 16 24... and there is 9 11 14 22... so it depends on the other strings too

So the fender strings are just thicker as they go along

 

[mcconnachiea]

How are EB extra slinkies? Are they any good for heavy whammy use? I mean do they stay in tune and not break easily?

 

[TNT]

MC,

Man, you gotta spend more time playing your guitar dude!!! Ernie Ball strings are the "best" strings on the planet - hands down!!! So, let's get past this.

It doesn't matter which gauge you use or how much you use your trem (which doesn't appear to be too much these days, lol,lol,lol) it'll stay in tune if your guitar doesn't have tuning concerns (which it does).

The strings are not the issue, so pick the guage you like and start "wigglin' the fingers"!!!

 

[patpark]

classical nylon strings can be bigger and have a lot less tension. but may not help in this particular situation.

 

[mcconnachiea]

And I DO NOT have tuning problems! Floating non-locking fender trems FTW!!!

 

[Zenrad]

Mc,

Just out of curiosity, do you like that trem unit?? Wouldn't it be easier to replace it and then have the advantages of using std. EB strings?

Or better, yet get a pivot screw that does not "wear" out the edge so quickly on the trem.

This is like the '65 Mustang trem, it's a unique design and there aren't any drop-in replacements aside from units exactly the same.

It's not the most useful trem for sure (I owned a '69 Fender Mustang at one point), but for gentle wiggling it'll work ok. Kind of like a Bigsby in that sense.

To the OP - a set of .009's won't hurt the trem. You can't get much lighter gauge than that and have a usable tone. FWIW I used to use .010's on my Mustang, it was 20 years old when I got it and I played it for years without any issues at all.

Just play it with the strings you like, if the trem wears out in 10 or 20 years you can get a replacement.