Santa Cruz Parabolic Tension Acoustic Strings - Low Tension (3-Pack)

The Santa Cruz Parabolic Tension Strings in Low Tension are a testament to the beauty of balance, a study in how subtle forces shape sound. In a world where string makers have long measured their work by gauge alone, Santa Cruz Guitar Company turns instead to the deeper poetry of tension. Gauge reveals only diameter, yet it is tension that defines the living relationship between strings, that governs their interplay of tone, volume, and resonance. It is tension that allows an instrument to breathe in harmony with itself, revealing its true and intended voice.

For Richard Hoover, founder of Santa Cruz Guitar Company, the pursuit of perfect tone has always been a sacred calling. Every Santa Cruz guitar is tap-tuned and voiced by hand until it sings with natural equilibrium, but for decades, no commercially available string could properly support that refinement. Hoover’s search for the ideal string became a ten-year journey, a collaboration between luthiers and experts in audiological science. Their shared mission was to design strings that would not merely perform, but elevate—strings that could fully unlock the complex sustain and overtone structure of a Santa Cruz guitar. The result is the Parabolic Tension String, a creation that redefines what strings can do.

Each set is built upon the principle of balanced tension, achieved through exacting control of the core-to-wrap ratio. These ratios are calculated with microscopic precision—tolerances within one half of one thousandth of an inch—to ensure that every string contributes its precise share of energy to the soundboard. The Low Tension set, measured at .012" (20 lb), .016" (22.5 lb), .023" (27.9 lb), .032" (30.5 lb), .044" (28 lb), and .056" (27 lb), is a masterwork of equilibrium. The result is a natural, consistent EQ across all six strings, where no frequency overwhelms another and every note blooms in graceful proportion.

Crafted with phosphor bronze windings, these strings carry a warmth that feels organic and deeply musical. The wound strings are protected by a proprietary micro-coating that guards against wear while preserving clarity, while the unwound strings receive an anti-corrosive vapor treatment that keeps them bright, resilient, and pure. Each component is nickel- and lead-free, and every material has been chosen not for convenience, but for the honest preservation of tone.

The Low Tension set is perfectly suited to smaller-bodied guitars such as the OOO, OM, H, and F models, where touch sensitivity and expressive nuance are paramount. Under gentle fingers, they sing with fluid ease, responding to every whisper and flourish without resistance. Yet their voice remains full and articulate, capable of both sweetness and strength.

The Santa Cruz Parabolic Tension Strings are more than an accessory—they are a continuation of Richard Hoover’s lifelong philosophy that every element of a guitar should serve its voice with devotion. In these strings, science and soul meet in perfect alignment, allowing each note to ring true, balanced, and eternal.

Other features include:

• Phosphor Bronze Windings
• Proprietary Micro-Coated Wound Strings
• Anti-Corrosive Vapor-Treated Unwound Strings
• Balanced Tension - Core to Wrap Ratio
• .056" - 27 lb
• .044" - 28 lb
• .032" - 30.5 lb
• .023" - 27.9 lb
• .016" - 22.5 lb
• .012" - 20 lb

For more information on Santa Cruz Strings, please contact us.

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