Question on string tension

Question on string tension

I'm yer typical "set 'em 'n' ferget 'em" kind of guy when it comes to
strings (not to say I don't tweak my set-ups as needed); I almost
never change/replace my strings unless one breaks or something bugs me
about a set.

Well, lately something's been bugging me more and more. I have
D'Addario Half-Rounds on two Fender basses. One of them plays fine,
the other feels like there's a lot more tension on the strings. They
both have Jazz necks, the set-up on both is pretty close, but I'm
fighting the strings on one of them.

I'd be happy to experiment with another set, but would like something
that's lower tension. Can someone recommend something? I'd prefer
round-wounds or ground-rounds rather than flats on this bass. Also,
regarding gauges, is a heavier set going to provide lower tension?

Boy, I feel dumb for asking these, but as I said, I'm not into taste-
testing.

Thanks,

-jb

Re: Question on string tension

John Bigboote <Bigboote.YPS@gmail . com > wrote:
> I'm yer typical "set 'em 'n' ferget 'em" kind of guy when it comes to
> strings (not to say I don't tweak my set-ups as needed); I almost
> never change/replace my strings unless one breaks or something bugs me
> about a set.
>
> Well, lately something's been bugging me more and more. I have
> D'Addario Half-Rounds on two Fender basses. One of them plays fine,
> the other feels like there's a lot more tension on the strings. They
> both have Jazz necks, the set-up on both is pretty close, but I'm
> fighting the strings on one of them.
>
> I'd be happy to experiment with another set, but would like something
> that's lower tension. Can someone recommend something? I'd prefer
> round-wounds or ground-rounds rather than flats on this bass. Also,
> regarding gauges, is a heavier set going to provide lower tension?
>
> Boy, I feel dumb for asking these, but as I said, I'm not into taste-
> testing.
>
> Thanks,
>
> -jb

Are you sure it's not a setup issue? I just have a hard time believing
that there's that much difference in string tension with two basses with
the same scale length and the same, (presumably) high-quality strings on
both.

Re: Question on string tension

On May 15, 11:29 pm, "RichL" <rpleav...@yahoo . com > wrote:

> Are you sure it's not a setup issue? I just have a hard time believing
> that there's that much difference in string tension with two basses with
> the same scale length and the same, (presumably) high-quality strings on
> both.

I'm with RichL on this. Usually the kind of tension difference you are
describing comes between long scale and short scale basses or medium
gauge strings and light gauge strings or maybe two different types or
brands of strings. Generally speaking, string makers try to adjust
their strings to keep the tensions pretty much in a certain range
because they assume most basses are built to only take a certain
tension range. Light strings are more floppy than medium strings.
[The heavier the string the lower the note. The more tension in the
string the higher the note. So if you use a light string it makes the
note higher at a given tension and then you have to loosen it to get
the pitch back down where it belongs. Ground wounds (half flats) tend
to lighter weight because of the air space in there while flat wounds
put metal in all the space and tend to be heavier and hence need more
tension.

But it sure seems to me like your two setups are somehow different!
Are you SURE these basses have the same scale length or one of them
doesn't have the strings a mile high over the fongerboad?

Re: Question on string tension

On 15 May, 20:29, "RichL" <rpleav...@yahoo . com > wrote:

> Are you sure it's not a setup issue? I just have a hard time believing
> that there's that much difference in string tension with two basses with
> the same scale length and the same, (presumably) high-quality strings on
> both.

That's a reasonable assumption. But they're both Fender both four-
strings, both Jazz necks, both MIM. And both are strung with Half
Rounds.

I measured the heights from the bottoms of the strings to the top of
the 7th and 12th frets. The Jazz (the problematic one) is 1/16th of an
inch higher at the 7th, and less than that at the 12th. I can't say
that's identical, but I think it's a negligible difference.

I think the more likely (and entirely obvious) explanation is that I
have two different weights of Half Rounds on there. I don't have a...
what, dial caliper?... to measure, but if I've got Heavies on the
offending bass, and lights on the other... well, there you go.

Just ordered some light Boomers yesterday, it will be interesting to
see how those address the issue.

One real downside of playing bass is that trial-and-error string
shopping can get pretty damn expensive.

Thanks for weighing in,

-john

Re: Question on string tension

John Bigboote <Bigboote.YPS@gmail . com > wrote:

> One real downside of playing bass is that trial-and-error string
> shopping can get pretty damn expensive.

Amen to that! I've only had my bass for a couple of years, and I've
only put two string sets on it since I've had it. Right now I've got a
set of ground wounds (or half wounds) on mine, but don't even ask what
brand they are, something I never heard of. I went to my local music
store looking for something different to try, and they didn't have much
of a selection. But I like 'em!

> Thanks for weighing in,

No prob. I didn't know enough about D'Addario half rounds to know that
they were available in different gauges, so your explanation makes sense
to me (as do your measurements).

Re: Question on string tension

John Bigboote <Bigboote.YPS@gmail . com > wrote:

> One real downside of playing bass is that trial-and-error string
> shopping can get pretty damn expensive.

Well, yes, I agree that's a pain - but you already know the brand and
type of strings and that you like the ones on one bass.

Assuming you're correct and they are different guage strings it seems
the only problem you have is that you don't know the guages. You don't
have a vernier caliper but that's no excuse.

A plastic vernier caliper from your local hardware store that is more
than accurate enough for string guages will cost you a whopping $2?

Heck, you can get a stainless steel caliper in a nice box for $12.95 -
that's $5 less than a set of bass boomers.

* w w w .widgetsupply . com /page/WS/CTGY/caliper-vernier

Anyway, seeing as flats and rounds are completely different you're
starting on a new round of string experimentation - for that I'd suggest
starting with a medium guage set rather than the lightest - at least
that way you can go either way.

Whatever the result of your experiments, when you finally get a set of
strings you like, keep the packet.

--- Derek

--
Derek Tearne - derek@url.co.nz
Many Hands - Trans Cultural Music from Aotearoa/New Zealand
* w w w .manyhands.co.nz/

Re: Question on string tension

On 18 May, 15:21, de...@url.co.nz (Derek Tearne) wrote:

> Whatever the result of your experiments, when you finally get a set of
> strings you like, keep the packet.

Thanks, all. I ultimately put light-gauge Boomers (.040 - .095) on it,
and after re-setting it up, am generally pleased with the results.
They were awfully clangy at first, but seem to have mellowed quite a
bit already (the main dig at them seems to be that they lose their
brightness quickly, which is a-ok with me). I've been having to watch
my left-hand technique, though -- you get too rowdy with those light
strings and it's really easy to go right off the side of the
fongerboard. But at least I don't feel like I'm fighting the strings
any more.

Tonally, it's a whole different animal now, but I think they fit the
character of a Jazz pretty nicely. I'll see how I feel about 'em in a
month or so.

-jb

Re: Question on string tension

On May 16, 6:03 am, John Bigboote <Bigboote....@gmail . com > wrote:
> I'm yer typical "set 'em 'n' ferget 'em" kind of guy when it comes to
> strings (not to say I don't tweak my set-ups as needed); I almost
> never change/replace my strings unless one breaks or something bugs me
> about a set.
>
> Well, lately something's been bugging me more and more. I have
> D'Addario Half-Rounds on two Fender basses. One of them plays fine,
> the other feels like there's a lot more tension on the strings. They
> both have Jazz necks, the set-up on both is pretty close, but I'm
> fighting the strings on one of them.
>
> I'd be happy to experiment with another set, but would like something
> that's lower tension. Can someone recommend something? I'd prefer
> round-wounds or ground-rounds rather than flats on this bass. Also,
> regarding gauges, is a heavier set going to provide lower tension?
>
> Boy, I feel dumb for asking these, but as I said, I'm not into taste-
> testing.
>
> Thanks,
>
> -jb

Heavier strings mean more tension. Since they are heavier then tend
to move slower, vibrate slower, so more tension to get them up to
pitch.

Some basses demand more tension than others. I don't know why. I have
two basses, a low and high tension one because they both have their
advantages. So if you go to lower tension strings you will get a
softer mellower sound, less brightness and pop, less attack and punch
on the notes, better for bending notes and vibrato, more soulful, ....

Re: Question on string tension

On May 16, 12:42 am, patmpow...@gmail . com wrote:
> On May 16, 6:03 am, John Bigboote <Bigboote....@gmail . com > wrote:
>
>
>
> > I'm yer typical "set 'em 'n' ferget 'em" kind of guy when it comes to
> > strings (not to say I don't tweak my set-ups as needed); I almost
> > never change/replace my strings unless one breaks or something bugs me
> > about a set.
>
> > Well, lately something's been bugging me more and more. I have
> > D'Addario Half-Rounds on two Fender basses. One of them plays fine,
> > the other feels like there's a lot more tension on the strings. They
> > both have Jazz necks, the set-up on both is pretty close, but I'm
> > fighting the strings on one of them.
>
> > I'd be happy to experiment with another set, but would like something
> > that's lower tension. Can someone recommend something? I'd prefer
> > round-wounds or ground-rounds rather than flats on this bass. Also,
> > regarding gauges, is a heavier set going to provide lower tension?
>
> > Boy, I feel dumb for asking these, but as I said, I'm not into taste-
> > testing.
>
> > Thanks,
>
> > -jb
>
> Heavier strings mean more tension. Since they are heavier then tend
> to move slower, vibrate slower, so more tension to get them up to
> pitch.
>
> Some basses demand more tension than others. I don't know why. I have
> two basses, a low and high tension one because they both have their
> advantages. So if you go to lower tension strings you will get a
> softer mellower sound, less brightness and pop, less attack and punch
> on the notes, better for bending notes and vibrato, more soulful, ....


For what it's worth, I used GHS Pressure Wounds on my Jazz for many
years with great satisfaction. They're not commonly available in most
stores, but can be easily ordered. Not terribly expensive, either.

BW