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Post subject: String tension
Posted: Sun Jun 16, 2019 7:42 pm
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Is there a correct string tension? My strat is in tune but my hands are wearing out quickly and I feel like there may be too much tension on the strings all around. Bends seem to be particularly difficult. I've played for a few years but something seems off.


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Post subject: Re: String tension
Posted: Sat Jun 22, 2019 10:48 am
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Shanep02 wrote:
Is there a correct string tension? My strat is in tune but my hands are wearing out quickly and I feel like there may be too much tension on the strings all around. Bends seem to be particularly difficult. I've played for a few years but something seems off.

String tension is more of a concern to bass players where a stringset easily equals 170 to 200 pounds of tension. The 0.055 G from the Fender 9050M flatwound set is a good 68 pounds all by itself. String feel and flexibility are related to tension, but are not the same thing. First thing to do is measure your neck relief and make sure you are on Fender spec. If that's off and need a trussrod adjustment, you'll want to run through your entire set up. What stringset are you playing? You may want to drop one gauge lighter or opt for a different brand known to be more flexible such as D'Addario NYXL.

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Post subject: Re: String tension
Posted: Sat Jun 22, 2019 11:43 am
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Thanks for the tip. Currently I am using Regular Slinky 10's.


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Post subject: Re: String tension
Posted: Sat Jun 22, 2019 12:36 pm
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Shanep02 wrote:
Thanks for the tip. Currently I am using Regular Slinky 10's.

Ernie Ball Slinkys are pretty flexible strings and are used by a number of pros. 10's are pretty light and that's a fairly low tension set. You may find this of interest. http://www.stringtensionpro.com/
and this: http://www.daddario.com/DAstringtensionguide.Page?AxPageID=2371&Mode=0&ActiveID=2871


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Post subject: Re: String tension
Posted: Sat Jun 22, 2019 1:05 pm
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I happen to be sold on balanced tension string sets. I played D'Addario EXL170BT on my Jazz bass for a year or so before switching over to GHS new Balanced Nickle strings.

Here's a very interesting balanced super light set that is around 13 pounds of tension per string for less than 80 pounds of total set tension. Now that's light! Balanced tension gives you very even string feel; fretting pressure, and also even string-to-string volume and tone.
http://www.daddario.com/DADProductDetail.Page?ActiveID=3769&productid=793&productname=NYXL0940BT_Nickel_Wound__Balanced_Tension_Super_Light__09_40

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Post subject: Re: String tension
Posted: Sun Jun 23, 2019 5:07 pm
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Unfortunately, higher string tension is a characteristic of longer scale guitars.
Example: Take a Strat, tune to pitch.
Now put a capo on the 1st fret.
To re-tune to pitch, you now have to tune 1/2 step down (like SRV, Hendrix, and others).
Interestingly enough, with the capo on the 1st fret and tuned to pitch, you now have the identical scale length as a Brian May Guild.

Personally, I run Ernie Ball '9s on my Fender scale guitars and 10's on my Epiphone/Gibson scale. That keeps the tension pretty comparable between guitars.

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Post subject: Re: String tension
Posted: Sun Jun 23, 2019 11:28 pm
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linnin wrote:
First thing to do is measure your neck relief and make sure you are on Fender spec.

Also check the string height. And all in all, has the guitar been set up properly?
I mean, Slinky10's aren't usually referred as too-tensioned, hard-to-bend strings.


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Post subject: Re: String tension
Posted: Mon Jun 24, 2019 5:26 am
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jmattis wrote:
I mean, Slinky10's aren't usually referred as too-tensioned, hard-to-bend strings.

I dunno... when I was a beginner I stick with 8's.
It wasn't until probably 10 years later that I moved up to 10's and experimented with 12's on my G&L in the 90s.
Now, I'm finding that I'm moving back to 9's on my 25.5" scale guitars.

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Post subject: Re: String tension
Posted: Mon Jun 24, 2019 7:31 am
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I like 10s better but as someone who bends a lot, I use 9s to save my finger tips. I do have one guitar set up with 10s (with a wound 3rd string) for when I am just playing chords.


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