Bass setup - balanced tension vs. traditional tension strings

Scott Lynch

Scott Lynch

Supporting Member
Nov 27, 2002
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Delaware, USA
#1
I just swapped my strings for a set of Kaliums today and am curious if I should be considering anything when fine tuning my setup for these new strings.

A question for you balanced tension string users - did you change anything about your setup when moving from 'regular' strings to balanced tension strings, i. e. string height, truss relief, etc.?
 
#2
nah.

just adjust the truss rod to the correct relief, since it might change from the slight overall tension difference from a "regular" string set.
 
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#3
I havent changed anything about how i like to set up my basses. for me, the draw of balanced tension is just a consistent feel between strings, but havent changed how i like the overall setup. i ordered a few sets of kalium. like the feel, but one set is just way less tension than i am used to. its causing me to have to set my action and neck a little differently. that has to do with overall tension and not balanced sets or kalium as a brand though.
 
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#4
I'm not sure what advantage "balanced tension" strings have over regular tension, but it seems to matter to some folks. It doesn't really matter to your bass, so if you choose to use them be sure it's not the hype that's selling you on the idea. Regardless, just adjust your bass as usual as walterw suggests.
 
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#5
Turnaround said:
I'm not sure what advantage "balanced tension" strings have over regular tension, but it seems to matter to some folks. It doesn't really matter to your bass, so if you choose to use them be sure it's not the hype that's selling you on the idea. Regardless, just adjust your bass as usual as walterw suggests.
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Yeah. ive bought a few sets from different makers. i know when i like how a string sounds and feels. not every set that ive liked has been balanced either. i like the idea, and will buy them if i have the chance, but i know also that i can get used to something like different tension pretty easily. im more picky about my overall setup than balanced tension from string to string. as an idea though, if price is comparable id try more balanced sets
 
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#6
Thanks for the replies, guys! @Turnaround i am interested in trying a set with even feel between the strings. I just put the strings on today, and even though it's not even quite set up right, I can already tell that I like the even tension between the strings.
 
#7
Turnaround said:
I'm not sure what advantage "balanced tension" strings have over regular tension, but it seems to matter to some folks.
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i gotta say i feel it myself. regular 45-65-85-105 strings have noticeably tighter A and D strings. following the d'addario balanced tension gauges, i use an assembled set of ernie ball cobalts with the D and A dropped down to 60 and 80 and the E kicked up to 110 (d'addario specs 107, but EB doesn't do anything finer then .005" increments).

they do feel more even with both pick and fingers, to the point that i've kinda stopped thinking about it.
 
#10
walterw said:
OK, that's interesting.

the big universal chart indeed shows this, but their bass-specific "family tension chart" shows something different, it shows the middle two as being tighter like i mentioned earlier.
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Wow! I hadn't looked at the "family tension chart" before - I always referred to the universal chart. Since there's a difference, one is wrong. Or are both wrong?
 
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