Another thread about string tension... What exactly is "high string tension?"
Dear All,
This is my first post, I'm Rob! I've been playing the ukulele for around 2 years. Introduction over!
So, I've been reading up on string tension... And, I'm still none the wiser - OK, I think I have a grasp on the basic principles, but I still have some questions. I've looked at various websites and many of the forum posts on UU, yet haven't really been able to find an answer to my questions.
I have been comparing information from various string manufacturers and sometimes it is hard to find out the precise string tension of popular sets of strings.
For this post, I will use soprano string tensions to compare.
I'm sure at one point or another we have all heard the term "higher string tension" being used, sometimes as a selling point. I read an article by the Ukulele Site, which raised alarm bells! In the article they mention 'Microwound' strings and NOT to use them on lightly braced ukes in case they create a 'belly' - http://www.theukulelereview.com/2012/10/01/ukulele-strings-nutshell-and-new/ Whenever I hear about higher string tension it is usually referencing fluorocarbon strings and comparing them to Aquila's (if I'm not mistaken?) So, having read that article my first question was could fluorocarbon strings create this 'belly' if the instrument was designed for Aquila strings? With cheaper instruments this may not be a problem because they are usually heavily braced, but with higher end instruments would this be the case? One brand that springs to mind is Kanilea who specifically voice their instruments with Aquila in mind...
I then found a useful document comparing major string brands - https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&s...ghSMAs&usg=AFQjCNHnZpTR5Smu5r40IHPpaXJzAqQGoQ (downloadable PDF) initially I skipped over Daddario and went looking for information on Worth string tension, there was no information except for string diameter. I then looked for other fluorocarbons and found some tension information was included about Martin strings all 4 strings are listed as having 30lb/13.6kg (for M600 Soprano/Concert) string tension - am I correct to presume this is the total for all strings, instead of per string?
Again, the document also includes per string information about Daddarrios and gives individual string tensions, but misses the Pro Arte EJ99SC fluorocarbon strings. Luckily, searching for these strings Daddario includes string tension information (A = 7.9lbs/3.586kg, E = 7.130lbs/3.237kg, C = 6.770lbs/3.073kg, G = 7.490lbs/3.400kgs) the total tension of these strings is 29.29lbs/13.296kg - slightly less than the Martins.
Looking again at the downloadable string comparison chart, Aquila nylguts have a string tension of (A = 8.157lbs/3.7kg, E =7.0547lbs/3.2kg, C 6.6138lbs/3kg, G = 7.4956lbs/3.4kgs) the total tension being 29.3211lbs/13.3kg - again completely comparable to the Daddario fluorocarbon strings.
So, basically it appears that string manufacturers are aiming for around 30lbs of string tension for a soprano - this website claims 33lbs http://www.vintageukemusic.com/ukuleles/tuning.htm which maybe the case for other fluorocarbon strings?
This also begs the question, considering fluorocarbons come from the same factories - are all the string tensions of other popular fluorocarbons such as Worth comparable to the above results? What is the difference in tension between CL, CM etc.?
From my understanding, fluorocarbons can be thinner because they are denser than nylon - so, what exactly is the "higher string tension" people often refer too?
Dear All,
This is my first post, I'm Rob! I've been playing the ukulele for around 2 years. Introduction over!
So, I've been reading up on string tension... And, I'm still none the wiser - OK, I think I have a grasp on the basic principles, but I still have some questions. I've looked at various websites and many of the forum posts on UU, yet haven't really been able to find an answer to my questions.
I have been comparing information from various string manufacturers and sometimes it is hard to find out the precise string tension of popular sets of strings.
For this post, I will use soprano string tensions to compare.
I'm sure at one point or another we have all heard the term "higher string tension" being used, sometimes as a selling point. I read an article by the Ukulele Site, which raised alarm bells! In the article they mention 'Microwound' strings and NOT to use them on lightly braced ukes in case they create a 'belly' - http://www.theukulelereview.com/2012/10/01/ukulele-strings-nutshell-and-new/ Whenever I hear about higher string tension it is usually referencing fluorocarbon strings and comparing them to Aquila's (if I'm not mistaken?) So, having read that article my first question was could fluorocarbon strings create this 'belly' if the instrument was designed for Aquila strings? With cheaper instruments this may not be a problem because they are usually heavily braced, but with higher end instruments would this be the case? One brand that springs to mind is Kanilea who specifically voice their instruments with Aquila in mind...
I then found a useful document comparing major string brands - https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&s...ghSMAs&usg=AFQjCNHnZpTR5Smu5r40IHPpaXJzAqQGoQ (downloadable PDF) initially I skipped over Daddario and went looking for information on Worth string tension, there was no information except for string diameter. I then looked for other fluorocarbons and found some tension information was included about Martin strings all 4 strings are listed as having 30lb/13.6kg (for M600 Soprano/Concert) string tension - am I correct to presume this is the total for all strings, instead of per string?
Again, the document also includes per string information about Daddarrios and gives individual string tensions, but misses the Pro Arte EJ99SC fluorocarbon strings. Luckily, searching for these strings Daddario includes string tension information (A = 7.9lbs/3.586kg, E = 7.130lbs/3.237kg, C = 6.770lbs/3.073kg, G = 7.490lbs/3.400kgs) the total tension of these strings is 29.29lbs/13.296kg - slightly less than the Martins.
Looking again at the downloadable string comparison chart, Aquila nylguts have a string tension of (A = 8.157lbs/3.7kg, E =7.0547lbs/3.2kg, C 6.6138lbs/3kg, G = 7.4956lbs/3.4kgs) the total tension being 29.3211lbs/13.3kg - again completely comparable to the Daddario fluorocarbon strings.
So, basically it appears that string manufacturers are aiming for around 30lbs of string tension for a soprano - this website claims 33lbs http://www.vintageukemusic.com/ukuleles/tuning.htm which maybe the case for other fluorocarbon strings?
This also begs the question, considering fluorocarbons come from the same factories - are all the string tensions of other popular fluorocarbons such as Worth comparable to the above results? What is the difference in tension between CL, CM etc.?
From my understanding, fluorocarbons can be thinner because they are denser than nylon - so, what exactly is the "higher string tension" people often refer too?