A looser string will tend to go very sharp when initially hit, and then settle back into tune. This review is for the new D’Addario EXL115BT electric guitar strings. ( Log Out / Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. and their signature “balanced tension” sets. The only way to find out it is to try the strings for yourself. It’s time to re-tune your tone. Traditional guitar strings have been around for decades, but today guitarists have far more options when it comes to string tension. In short, traditional guitar strings totally get the job done, but they are not without their flaws, which is why modern innovations have sought out modern solutions.
Anu kind of view- How To Play Guitar: For Beginner Guitarist, Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), ← Guitar Tip: How to Remove the Ping Sound when Tuning Guitar Strings, Lenovo Announces New Tablets, Laptops And Smartphones At IFA 2014 →, D’Addario EXL 110BT Balanced Tension Guitar Strings Review, How to Remove a Stuck Q-tip Cotton Swab from Your Ear, Mabinogi Online: Guide to Commerce and Trading, How to tune your guitar to play “Name” by the Goo Goo Dolls, Can You Use a Karaoke Machine as an Electric Guitar Amp? Balanced Tension Strings Bass Review – De Gier BeBop 5 by Jake Wolf, Ibanez BTB7 and AFB200, Review by Jake Wolf, Benavente Guitars SCD5 & DCD4 Basses – Gear review by Jake Wolf, Circle K Strings Balanced Set – Bass String Review by Jake Wolf, Circle K just happens to make a handful of sets for us mortal bassists, Circle K’s balanced set does a great job of giving me what I want from a string without any substantial trade-offs. So are they all bogus? I’m not saying they’re perfect for every bass player, or every instrument for that matter, but the tension really is uniform from string to string, allowing for technique to be consistent no matter which string you’re playing on. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. balanced tensionguitar stringslight top heavy bottommulti-scaleprogressive tensionstrings, © 2020 Wired Guitarist, All rights reserved. have more consistent technique across the fretboard. At Circle K, all strings are stored uncoiled from the moment of manufacture”. Our lowest notes need the most tension, yet your low E string doesn’t have as much tension as your A string with a traditional string pack… doesn’t make much sense, does it? mmcm4, Jan 30, 2013. mmcm4, Jan 30, 2013 #3. Tonally, they have a deep, complex and authoritative voice, with lots of rich harmonic content. The EXL115BT guitar strings are a bit stiffer than the EXL110s, but I still found them to be easy on the fingers and responsive enough to perform slides and bends without any problems, and I also noticed that I didn’t have to apply as much pressure to the strings when fretting notes to get a clear sound. The benefits you see from these strings might not be so helpful to you at a jazz gig… but you’ll never know until you try! NB1252BT is a light balanced tension Nickel Bronze set optimized for even tension and playability across all strings. The standard off-the-rack guitar strings you’ve been buying for ages are good enough for all your guitar idols, I know. From Circle K’s website: “The greatest compromise to a string’s structural integrity and playable life is coiling and packaging them in the traditional manner. If guitar strings have worked for decades already, why should I switch? The outer strings will sound and feel good, but the inner strings are a little wonky. Hypothetically your thickest string should be the tightest, and your highest string should be the loosest, but. While this is indeed a popular solution to a widespread problem, it too has its own downsides. These strings were designed to give a more balanced sound from one string to the next to give your guitar a more even sounding tone.
“Why does tension matter, though?” The idea is that by having a consistent “feel” between strings that you might have more consistent technique across the fretboard. Drop me a line at jakewolf24@gmail.com with any feedback, suggestions, or requests for upcoming reviews. Many people ask if balanced tension will have any benefits on the instrument itself, whether it will be easier to set up, have improved tuning stability or have more even action across the neck… the short answer: no. Whereas most strings can vary widely in tension from string to string, Circle K’s intriguing balanced sets are designed to produce even tension across all the strings. This particular set comes as .136 .102 .076 .057 .041 .029. Publisher V.I.E., LLC. Circle K just happens to make a handful of sets for us mortal bassists, including traditional sets (review coming soon!) If guitar strings have worked for decades already, why should I switch? So, while it’s one step forward, it’s another step backward. These strings were designed to give a more balanced sound from one string to the next to give your guitar a more even sounding tone. Learn how your comment data is processed. Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. Rather than simply taking two sets of string gauges and mashing them together, they look at each individual string to make sure the tension increase happens over time, minimizing the awkward jumps between strings. On top of that, thicker strings tend to sound more round, darker, and produce less harmonic content. Typically these players want heavier strings on the bottom so they can play hard and tune to drop tunings while still having a good amount of tension and pitch stability, while the higher strings stay looser so they’re easy to bend. These strings tackle a very common request of rock and metal guitarists who tune down low. The outer strings will sound and feel good, but the inner strings are a little wonky. Find Out How. Here we have the best of everything! The idea is that by having a consistent “feel” between strings that you might have more consistent technique across the fretboard. The result can sound “dull” and lack in clarity. Progressive tension is similar to LTHB, but with additional benefits and a smarter execution. For more info, visit Circle K on the web at www.circlekstrings.com. Your email address will not be published. Decades of scientific improvement have gone by and yet we’re still using the same strings? I have never heard my B string sound so huge and focused with as clear of a fundamental.
Balanced tension strings primarily focus on the feel under your fingers from one string to the next rather than any kind of tonal or other practical benefits. You’ve already tried traditional sets, so take a look at what sounds most appealing to you and take the plunge!
It intonated with ease and plays in tune farther up the neck than many of my previous favorites. After a brief conversation with Skip at Circle K, I decided to check out, per his recommendation, a balanced .136 set (.136 .102 .076 .057 .041 .029) for my 6 string, the bass I use most frequently. Traditional guitar strings have been around for decades, but today guitarists have far more options when it comes to string tension.
Traditional Strings The Santa Cruz tagline proclaims “tension means everything,” eschewing the notion of classifying guitar strings by gauge, claiming that the strings are engineered with a focus on balanced tone and volume across the spectrum.
I've outfitted every one of my basses with Circle K strings. String Drop is cheap, ships internationally, made in the USA, and even comes with free stuff! The strings showed up in an oversized envelope, and they weren’t packaged in an unfamiliar large envelope. Even the strings with the most solutions might not be what you prefer, and that’s okay, but you’ll never know until you take the leap. If anything, it means that the technology is long overdue for an update. Luckily for us guitarists, it’s a very small financial leap to try new strings, what’ve you got to lose? Before I do, here are the new string gauges for the EXL115 balanced tension guitar strings: I also reviewed D’Addario’s EXL110BT guitar strings and in my opinion I prefer the heavier gauge of the EXL115BT strings because they have amazing sustain, their sound quality is loud and clear, they respond beautifully, and they are soft and smooth to the touch. You might be saying “How many more brands of strings do we need in this world?” or “It’s a string, what’s the big deal?” And by all means, if you’re happy with your favorite set, then keep on truckin.
Light Top/Heavy Bottom Strings (LTHB) I like their sound and feel and I also think they have pretty good sustain. Change ). … It took about 3 minutes of playing before the light bulb came on, and I realized that not only do they feel simply fantastic under my fingers, but also there really is something special about the ‘Balanced Set’ concept.