Anyone know the String tension of John Pearse Strings ?

[FaxMachine]

Does anybody know the string tension or John Pearse 600L (PB lights) strings ? They seem much louder/better sustain than other brands. Are they heavier tension ? Just better metal\winding ?

[Zissou Intern]

I have these tension charts on my phone for the past several years.

Martin Strings
Monel
Light 163.33
TR 184.9
Med 190.94

80/20
BG 176.9

D'Addario
Med 13 17 26 35 45 56
BG 12 16 25 35 45 56
LT 12 16 24 32 42 52
EJ19 175.87
EJ17 185.27
NB

JPearse
600L 163 lbs
610LM 152 lbs
650LM BG 173 lbs
960L (nickel) 153.7 lbs
980 M 174.10 lbs

SCGC
Low Tension 156 lbs
.012-20
.016-22.5
.023-27.9
.032-30.5
.044-28
.056-27

Mid Tension 163 lbs
.013-22.5
.0165-24
.024-28.5
.033-28.5
.045-32.5
.056-27

Straight Up
Medium 146.5 lbs
12-16-21.5-30-44-53.5
Heavy 167.5 lbs
13-16.5-23.5-34-45-55.5

Thomastik Infield Plectrum
Extra Light .010 .013 .016(F) .022(F) .030(F) .041(R)
Light .011 .014 .019(F) .027(F) .036(F) .050(R)
Medium Light .012 .015 .024(F) .033(R) .044(R) .059(R)
Medium .013 .016 .025(R) .034(R) .047(R) .061(R)

GHS Vintage Bronze
Lt 166.9
12 - 24.7
16 - 24
24 - 29.2
32 - 32.1
42 - 29.8
54 - 27.2

BG 182.2
12 - 24.2
16 - 24
26 - 34.2
36 - 37.3
46 - 33.3
56 - 28.7

Med 189.2
13 - 28
17 - 27.7
26 - 34.2
36 - 37.3
46 - 33.3
56 - 28.7

[SingingSparrow]

i think your best bet would be to email or call for convenience and accuracy. though i found this online --

600L = 163 pounds
610LM = 152
650LM = 173

[FaxMachine]

My gosh Zissou that is perfect. I may try and create a master list of all the different brands, their gauges, and their tensions. I may be the only person who cares about the tension enough to want a list, but it is never easy to find the information for any brand besides martin and D’addario.

[Eldergreene]

I've switched back & forth between light/custom light Pearse & Daddario PBs several times on different instruments, & always find the Pearses a tad lower tension, but with a slightly enhanced low-end, if that helps.

[JERZEY]

Originally Posted by FaxMachine

Does anybody know the string tension or John Pearse 600L (PB lights) strings ? They seem much louder/better sustain than other brands. Are they heavier tension ? Just better metal\winding ?

I have read charts over the years that claim the 600L set is about the same tension as most other standard lights but imo thats not how they feel. The 600L to me feel nearly as high tension as a set of mediums. While I LOVE these strings as a flesh and nail player sadly the lush tone only exists for a few days before they flatten out. This is coming from a guy who has at least 10 sets of the 600L and the bluegrass version at all times.

[fregly]

They always felt higher tension than other brands to my hands, with a more aggressive snap.

[FaxMachine]

Yes, agreed. They definitely do feel higher tension than other light strings. John Pearse replied to my email and stated the 600L set has a tension of 163.2 lbs. it may just be the particular metal blend that feel stiffer/creates the sensation of a greater tension string. I do love the sound of the 600L set more so than any other strings I have played so far, but will probably keep searching for a set to stick with long term. They feel too stiff for my liking and tire my fingers quicker than others. I suppose I will just default back to EJ16s for now. Sigh.