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Overall String Tension?

Thomas-Hawk

Thomas-Hawk

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 7, 2012
Messages
52
Location
Kansas City, Missouri
Does anyone know which EB string set of .10 thru .46 has the least overall string tension? For example, I believe BP stated the Cobalt set has slightly less string tension compared to Regular Slinkys.

A list of string sets from least amount of tension to most would be great to have! :D

Thanks in advance,
Tom
 
TNT, he means total tension of the whole set.

All sets use the same plain strings, so any differences are only in the wound strings. Standard slinkys and coated slinkys are pretty much identical. Cobalts are slightly lower tension. The difference is slight and didn't affect my set up at all but the difference in comfort was noticeable. As for the stainless steel or the classic pure nickel set, I do not know.
 
Thanks DrKev. Just bought a set of Cobalts to try out on my new JPXI. I put my normal go-to strings (Elixirs) on my new JPXI, and the string tension was noticeably higher than with the strings that came on the guitar, pulling the floating bridge up by a couple of millimeters. Bending feels a lot stiffer too compared to what the guitar came with. I don't know if the strings that came on the guitar were the actual ones that shipped from the factory or not; my guitar was born on 3/29/2012, and I just bought it brand new from GC online a less than a week ago, so it's probably been in their warehouse most of that time... the strings seemed to be fresh sounding, so I don't know if they put a fresh set on before shipping it to me or not.

Anyway, gonna try out the Cobalts, and I'll provide some feedback here, if anyone is interested.


-Tom
 
Thanks Doc, I think I'm getting senile! I use the #2253 almost exclusively, and I sense no difference between those and the #2203.
 
Strung up the Cobalts last night. Sure enough, tension is definitely less than the Elixirs. Bridge pulled back down to where it should be.

The feel of the wounds is definitely more rough/gritty than I'm used to, but I've been playing the coated Elixirs for years now so that's just what I'm used to. The tone of the strings seems to be more... harmonic? Don't know if that's the right adjective to use. So far I like them. Going to keep them on to see how long they last, and if I can get used to the feel. If these don't work, I'll probably try a Coated Titanium RPS set, which would probably feel closer to what I'm used to.
 
Well, I just couldn't get used to the feel of the Cobalts. And, the tone was not what I'm looking for either. Not to say Cobalts are bad... just not my thing. Lots of folks dig 'em!

So, I tried the Coated Titanium RPS set. LOVE THEM! Not as slippery as the Elixirs, but I like the feel, and the tone! And, dig the fact that they have less tension than the Elixirs. I think I've found my new go-to strings! Thanks EB!
 
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