string tension and different brands...

[john1880]

years ago i had a pro guitar shredder tell me that it's not just the gage of string, it's the brand that matters. Some brands have less tension even though they are the same gage as others. Its in the construction of the string.
Does anyone have any info on this? I dont remember what brand he recommended for me, but I am looking for strings with less tension for easier bending.
Thanks.

John

[TommyGuitar]

If I remember correctly there are only 4 guitar string factories in the world. So I think he's full of ****.
However, I think some strings may vary in tension despite the diameter, like classical strings.

[NaHuELoidE]

it's true. fender's have more tension than dean markleys or daddarios. I tried them on my floyd rose equiped guitar and had to buy another set again. Imnot going to change the tension just because a set of strings...

[phantoms]

Originally Posted by TommyGuitar

If I remember correctly there are only 4 guitar string factories in the world. So I think he's full of ****.

I'm sure that if there are only 4, that they build many more models than one each. Like most major manufacturering, the factories build the product line to the company's spec who subs it to them.

[john1880]

that makes sense phantoms. i mean GHS has those fatties strings, which are cheap, but i broke them all the time. i went to another GHS type or earnie ball and no more breaking strings. so they are obviously manufactured to different standards, different materials, etc...which should add up to different tension somewhere along the line.
i cant find much info on the tension but i found some for 2 brands.
thanks.

[mar01]

hey john.. what strings are u using now?.. well for me..ive use some..like dean markley, diaddario's, erni ball, fenders, martin's.. and i stayed using the same gauge from 10's - 46 .. markley's and diaddario's is abit thight for.. so till now i ive been playing with ernie ball RPS10's regular slinky theyr nice.. well for me..

[john1880]

i just went to ernie ball 9-46 gage. so you did notice a difference in tension between the markelys daddarios and the ernie balls?
i have this one guitar that i really like, RG550,and it's just tight. no matter what i do, if i play that for an hour, my fingers hurt. all my other guitars have the same setup and strings and they're fine. so i was trying to find strings with less tension for that guitar. but maybe that won't happen.
it's a maple fretboard and i'm thinking of sanding it to bare wood. maybe that will help??????? i tried everything else. polished the frets, cleaned the fretboard, took out a spring...and it's still stiff action. not horrible, but just enough to make a difference. thanks.

john

[Phishphood42]

I switched from dean markley to D'Adarrios. Theres definitely less tension.

[john1880]

i'm gonna try some d'addarios. i had a bad experience with d'addario strings like 20 years ago, and i never bought them again. but i think i will give them another try. thanks!

john

[Dee]

I've noticed no so much a difference in tension between strings manufactured using the same materials, but rather between the materials themselves. Nickel, stainless steel, etc., they can feel quite different from each other.

As for 9 gauge D'Addario vs. Dean Markley vs. Rotosound vs. X manufacturer, I can't really tell much difference if they're the exact same gauge and construction/material.

[Phishphood42]

Originally Posted by Dee

I've noticed no so much a difference in tension between strings manufactured using the same materials, but rather between the materials themselves. Nickel, stainless steel, etc., they can feel quite different from each other.

As for 9 gauge D'Addario vs. Dean Markley vs. Rotosound vs. X manufacturer, I can't really tell much difference if they're the exact same gauge and construction/material.

Yeah, I forgot to mention I went from steel to nickel wound.

[The Euphor]

The material of the core and the windings will add up to different tension. Not always enough to feel. But with a floating Floyd Rose it's easy to notice that the tremolo does not return as it used to.