Santa Cruz Parabolic Tension Strings

[George]

Santa Cruz swears that tension outweighs gauge to the point where there are no charts that compare either one that I can find.  Have we had discussions about the merits and or cons of these strings?  Any experience with them out there?

[ST]

You've piqued my curiosity.
https://www.santacruzguitar.com/santa-cruz-parabolic-tension-strings/

[George]

I found a tension chart with gauges and put them into an Excel sheet...  Quite a bit less than D'Addario EJ equivalents...

Low tension:         
         
.012, .016, .023, .032, .044, .056         
         
GAUGE - TENSION in pounds         
         
0.012   20      
         
0.016   22.5      
         
0.023   27.9      
         
0.032   30.5      
         
0.044   28      
         
0.056   27      
      155.9   
Total tension – 156 lbs low tension         
         
         
         
Mid tension:         
         
.013, .0165, .024, .033, .045, .056         
         
GAUGE - TENSION in pounds         
         
0.013   22.5      
         
0.0165   24      
         
0.024   28.5      
         
0.033   28.5      
         
0.045   32.5      
         
0.056   27      
      163   
Total Tension 163 – mid tension         

[broKen]

Hey George , would you mind checking your figures again. Thanks for posting it

[George]

Hey George , would you mind checking your figures again. Thanks for posting it

Here is where the numbers came from, I just put them in a spreadsheet...  I cannot attest to their accuracy, this link was sent to me by someone that uses them.

https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=468898

Lots of discussion on this AGF thread about the validity of the numbers too

[George]

Fretboard journal article on their test of the strings...

https://www.fretboardjournal.com/columns/hands-on-santa-cruz-parabolic-tension-guitar-strings/

[George]

Another review...

https://sixstringhub.com/2015/11/10/santa-cruz-parabolic-tension-acoustic-guitar-strings-review/

P.S.  They are expensive at $18.  I ordered a set from Chicago Music Exchange and will put them on a bluegrass guitar to test...

[George]

The AGF thread puts forth comparisons to string sets that are not even the same gauge diameter of the SCGC strings.  They are comparing .012-.052 or .053 not the larger diameters of an EJ17 or EJ19.  Below is where I compare the gauge and the tension of comparable D'Addario strings and the total tension of the EJ17/19 for comparison.  Assuming the AGF thread numbers are correct, and there is little reason to doubt them (?), the differences in core diameter and windings can make a significant difference. 

Edit:  Sorry that the table alignment lost its structure during the paste...  The numbers on the left are Santa Cruz's numbers, the numbers in the middle column are tension comparisons of D'Addario strings of the same or near gauge size, and the numbers on the right are the gauge diameters of the actual EJ19 and EJ17 sets with their tension totals at the bottom.

Low tension:                        
                        
.012, .016, .023, .032, .044, .056                        
               D'AD Equivalent         
GAUGE - TENSION in pounds   no known set      EJ19
                        
0.012   20            23.36         0.012
                        
0.016   22.5            23.31         0.016
                        
0.023   27.9            27.9                 0.025
                        
0.032   30.5            29.9                 0.035
                        
0.044   28            32.77  (0.045)           0.045
                        
0.056   27            27.75         0.056
      155.9         164.99         175.87
Total tension – 156 lbs low tension                        
                        
                        
                        
Mid tension:                        
                        
.013, .0165, .024, .033, .045, .056                        
                        
GAUGE - TENSION in pounds   no known set      EJ17
                        
0.013   22.5            27.4                 0.013
                        
0.0165   24            26.3   (0.017)      0.017
                        
0.024   28.5            30                 0.026
                        
0.033   28.5            29.9   (0.032)      0.035
                        
0.045   32.5            32.77         0.045
                        
0.056   27            27.75         0.056
      163         174.12         185.27
Total Tension 163 – mid tension                        

[broKen]

Here is where the numbers came from, I just put them in a spreadsheet...  I cannot attest to their accuracy, this link was sent to me by someone that uses them.

https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=468898

Lots of discussion on this AGF thread about the validity of the numbers too

Not trying to be contentious, but the D string was of particular interest.
EJ 24s allows for more evenly distributed tension across the neck. Just a couple pounds less than mediums.

[George]

Not trying to be contentious, but the D string was of particular interest.
EJ 24s allows for more evenly distributed tension across the neck. Just a couple pounds less than mediums.

I don't think it is contentious at all.  As long as single strings are available, and the charts to compare tensions, creating an evenly distributed tension set in any gauge tier is not that difficult.  Santa Cruz is also touting that their tension selections are intended to voice the strings the most evenly across the fretboard.  Funny that their emphasis is intentionally focused away from gauge, but both sets match typical light and medium gauges?  I will have to feel it and hear it to believe it, but I intend to try them out to see.   

They certainly are intended to be Santa Cruz hype whether it is factual or not.   They said it took a decade to develop?


I may stick with Nickel Bronze .012-.056 they sound and feel just fine to me...

[George]

Well I received my set of mid tension Santa Cruz parabolic tension strings today.  I put them on one of my large soundhole Bluegrass guitars designed for medium strings.  The string diameter gauges are just about the same as any set of mediums, but the tension is quite a bit less.  They are smooth to the touch but not overly so like many coated strings.  They are well balanced and are not as harsh as new PB strings normally are.  Actually quite pleasing, but terribly expensive....   I play this guitar regularly so we will see how long the honeymoon lasts...

[Yippie]

I'm interested to see what you think after you get some time with them.

[George]

So far I have put on three sets, two mid tension and one low tension.  I put the low tension set on my Larrivee D-10 Braz.  The D-10 sounds and plays better than ever.  The other two sets went on Bourgeois guitars.  Great for guitars designed for Bluegrass.  I have since ordered three sets of low tension and three sets of mid tension and put them in my acoustic string box.  I like them better than EXP's which I have played for years.  I still like Nickel Bronze and Newtone Master Class nickel for really clear vintage tone without the brashness of PB, but the Santa Cruz Parabolic tension is likely the best coated PB I have ever played.  Very well balanced with lots of ring, harmonics and sustain.  I am convinced they are appropriate for some applications.

[B0WIE]

Thanks for the update, George. How do you find the general brightness/energy? I tune most of my instruments down half a step because I like the "growl" it brings out but I have to use bright strings because many types just end up sounding boomy and bass-strong. Do these tend to be on the softer side, tone-wise?

[George]

I would say yes, they are a little on the softer side, but not dull...

[Yippie]

Thanks, I will have to order a couple sets to see if I like them. I have been using DR sunbeams on my D-04 and really like them because it gives it a real clear bell like tone with a ton of sustain. 

[Yippie]

Just thought I would pass on that Santa Cruz has a deal on where you get 3 sets of their Parabolic strings for the price of 2.  The sale is on until the 17th 

Here's the link:

https://santacruzguitar.com/shop/