New D'Addario string

[Sytka]

Ok, don't know if this is the right place to open this thread, but some days ago I've had a glad conversation with D'Addario company who told me that they are developing and have released a "Balanced Tension" guitar string.

seems damn cool ! I also told they, that I'm an old customer of D'Addario (since I've started playing), and I have some issue on find 7 (or 8 why not) string set in 0.9/0.42. I always have to add the 7th string to a regular 6 string D'Addario pack.

What are you're preferred 7 and 8 string gauge ?

Hope to hear your thoughts !

More info here http://www.daddario.com/balanced_tension.page

 

[Lilarcor]

Been using the balanced sets for a few weeks now and really, really like them
The .10 set feels and sounds very even across the strings. For the 7th string I used to use a .60 by D'addario which matches quite good (better than the .59 D'addario uses in their sets) but recently tried a single Dunlop Heavy Core .59 which is imo an even better match as it's slightly higher tension than the standard .60 but feels a little thinner under the fingers.

 

[Sytka]

I'm waiting my package from D'Addario, can't wait to try them out !

Hope they make 0.9/0.42 set ! I've tried some EB also, but I feel like D'Addario is more bright and for sure EB wear out more quickly than D'Add. imho

What tune do you usually use ?

 

[patdavidseven]

i'm really keen on getting a set of these next week, sounds like such a clever idea!

 

[JoeChugs]

Doesn't help me playing in Drop C

 

[Sytka]

I dont' well understand what that "balanced tension" mean, in practice. What effect do you have compared whit other D'Addario string ?

 

[Lilarcor]

Balanced means that the string tension is about the same for every string in standard tuning in contrast to regular sets where the tension can vary a lot across the strings. This is supposed to give you an even feel all across the strings when playing.
They do make a balanced .09 set but it's got a .40 for the low E. Gauges are 0.09 - 0.12 - 0.15 - 0.22w - 0.30 - 0.40 if I recall correctly.

 

[Sytka]

Balanced means that the string tension is about the same for every string in standard tuning in contrast to regular sets where the tension can vary a lot across the strings. This is supposed to give you an even feel all across the strings when playing.
They do make a balanced .09 set but it's got a .40 for the low E. Gauges are 0.09 - 0.12 - 0.15 - 0.22w - 0.30 - 0.40 if I recall correctly.

Yes that's true. So I've imagined well. Have you recognized some better difference ?

 

[pushpull7]

They don't have them in store here yet.

 

[Sytka]

I've ordered a pack on the site, waiting to receive soon, but some people have bought yet !

 

[pushpull7]

GC says they have the 9-40's in stock. I don't want 10's.

I'm having a tough time understanding how a lighter gauge is "balanced tension"

12 is higher than 11, but 15 is lighter than 16....22/30/40 are lighter than 24/32/42.

Seems to me Ima have to adjust my guitars significantly to accommodate.

 

[Sytka]

Me too. I have bought some 0.9/0.40 gauge to try on some other guitar, just for taste the difference. I usually play 0.9/0.42 and I don't want to move.

 

[1b4n3z]

Can't believe it took string manufacturers all these decades to come up with this

I tend to balance my sets manually, but quite a bit of strings are left unused if I just combine regular sets. So this is a very welcome addition to the lineup

 

[ddawson2012]

Don from D'Addario here - remember this has less to do with Gauge and more with how the string "feels". The gauges have changed in order to make each string have the same tension. The concept is that the tension on the Low E string will be close to the same "Feel" as the High E. Bends, runs, sweeps should feel the same both for the right and left hand. Your picking hand is constantly adjusting to the tension differential. With the Balanced Tension sets, this adjustment isn't as necessary.

 

[Sytka]

Don from D'Addario here - remember this has less to do with Gauge and more with how the string "feels". The gauges have changed in order to make each string have the same tension. The concept is that the tension on the Low E string will be close to the same "Feel" as the High E. Bends, runs, sweeps should feel the same both for the right and left hand. Your picking hand is constantly adjusting to the tension differential. With the Balanced Tension sets, this adjustment isn't as necessary.

I'm feeling like a kid in Disneyland now !! Some guy on Twitter (very kind and helpfull) also told me that probably they would release a 7 string set BT, true ?

 

[pushpull7]

When GC get's them in stock locally I'll try a set.

 

[Sytka]

Sure you have to do ! This look so damn cool !

I truly hope that this new string could solve some tuning issue that I have in one of my axe.

 

[pushpull7]

Did anyone ever try a set of these? I should have ordered a couple of sets with my kontakt order but just forgot.

None in local stores yet.

 

[1b4n3z]

I doubt the strings themselves are any different from regular production strings, it's only the set is now selected to provide equal tension between strings. It's easy enough to fire up a string tension calculator on the 'net and pick individual strings to match a desired tension (depends on tuning, scale and string type). I do that all the time, but it's a bit of work to combine sets and some strings are left unused. So overall, for me, this is a time-saving innovation which I applaud.

EDIT: Well there are some strings rarely found in regular sets, like a .025 or a .037, meaning the tension really is as close as possible to being the same across strings. Now - where's the 7th

 

[Orgalmer]

I really wish that companies started doing ERG strings for my 8. Ernie Ball have 10-74's but even then, the 74 and 64 are pretty damn squishy, as in barely playable squishy. Same goes for bass tunings in drop F#.

Please, someone tell me there is a light at the end of the tunnel for me