What are the differences between normal and high tension strings?

[TBman]

Pros and cons of each?

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[rgregg48]

High tension are louder with more presence. Do to the increased tension feel a little stiffer and harder for pulloffs,
legato, etc.
Medium tension is not as loud, has a little better sustain
And less tension makes them easier to play and articulate.
It also.depends on the scale length of the guitar.
A lower tension on a 660 will feel the same
As a higher tension on a 640, etc.
Also not all string brands are the same.
Medium tension Savarez are like high tension D'Addario
it can get confusing. But thats the Basics Of it.
Rick

[hesson11]

Originally Posted by rgregg48

High tension are louder

That's the generally accepted rule of thumb, yes, but it's not universally true. As I learned from Strings by Mail, higher-tension strings, on certain guitars, can actually reduce volume because the hold the top too tightly, so to speak, reducing its amount of vibration. This is generally the case with more lightly-built guitars. I have found this to be one of the most valuable insights ever in my classical-guitar playing. There's simply no substitute for buying and trying for yourself.
-Bob

[rgregg48]

Bob is correct,,,so many variables as to brand of string
Make of the guitar, scale length,
Top wood,,, it's impossible to
To have absolute answers..I personally stay away from extra hard, and super light!

[TBman]

Thanks everyone!

[Michael D Bryce]

I always use high tension trebles and medium basses. Gives me the strong sound in trebles. The basses are easier to play than high tension, and I like the sound better than high tension basses. High tension basses seem to significantly increase effort. Sets like this are often called something like "medium high tension" which means high tension trebles, medium tension basses - not that the whole set is between high and medium.

[MatthewMMandel]

Actually I am a beginner in guitar practicing. I have joined the guitar class recently. These information would be helpful to get more knowledge for me. Also coincidentally I have got a music related writing work to do in which I have chosen to write about guitar as I have began to practice it. Here I think I can get more information regarding this. Hoping to get much more information.

[AfterViewer]

Depends a lot on the type of music you play, also. High tension for faster response time. Less sustain per note but if you prefer a drone style you may not need that. Less bend, not quite as expressive works well with a drone style which can emphasize the big picture/composition for emotional content.

[Johan Madsen]

Hi TBman, higher tension gives you more bass, more projection, and more control about the strings, but lower tension allow the higher notes to "sing" more, it will help to give you a more expressive and more organic playing. Hope that helps !