String tension

[Invincible]

At the moment I'm a little unhappy with the tension of the strings I currently have on my bass, string it better next time I restring would be the best way to rectify it (I think) but that won't be for a few weeks, so my question is this.

Past the nut on the head stock I've got a bar sitting accross the strings (I don't know what it's called but I'm sure you know what I mean) and it looks adjustable. Would tightening the screws, if that can be done, improve string tension or is it not meant to be adjusted in any way. I just thought it would be best to ask rather than try it and perhaps screw something up.

[PhilMan99]

String tension is a function of:

* Type of string (some have more "tension")

* Scale (34", 35", etc.)

* Tuning (tighter strings have a higher pitch)

 

Assuming you use "normal" tuning (BEADGC for a 6-string), all you can do is change strings.

 

It sounds like you want *more* tension. Find what tension your strings have (expressed in lbs), and buy strings with higher tension.

[alexclaber]

The string tension is based on the scale length, the pitch the string is tuned to and the mass per unit length of the string (i.e. the only way to change the tension on a standard tuned bass of a given scale length is to use heavier or lighter strings). However the feel of the string depends on other factors including the string stiffness (hex core strings feel tighter than round core strings, steeper break angles increase string tightness, etc.)

 

I wouldn't mess with moving your string tree, it will probably make little difference and could be quite messy if it goes wrong. Try raising the action (and straightening the neck a little) or possibly raising the nut slightly. Don't do anything radical, a small adjustment can make a huge change in feel and a big adjustment (particularly of the truss-rod) could damage your bass.

 

Alex

[fig]

Try raising the action (and straightening the neck a little)....

Yeah, I'd try the action and truss rod adjustment, as it's pretty much what I do depending on the type of music I'm playing. My group, which is on break right now, plays mostly pop stuff, so I adjusted strings lower and bowed the neck accordingly. I'm still doing fill in work with a rock group, so I straightened the neck and raised the action a bit, which tightened up the string tension. I tend to dig in more with the rock group and I like the strings fighting back in that situation.

[Invincible]

I think I would be best getting someone who knows what they're doing to adjust the truss rod for me, I've heard the nasty things that can happen if you mess it up.

I also heard that string tension can be affected by the number of times the string is coiled around the post at the headstock. Is that true of have I just been misinformed?

[davebrownbass]

Well, the coils won't effect the tension, but if you have too many wrappings the string won't sit in the nut forcefully enough.

 

You should be using light or medium light strings. Your bass should have one professional setup...after that you can tweak it. Truss rods should only be moved about a turn, then let the bass rest for a few days...and too many turns can snap the rod...

 

If your bass is not playable comfortably, you probably have some severe setup issues. Find a shop where a tech knows this business and get it done. Here in the USA it costs less than 50 bucks...I dunno over there.

[PJR]

String tension : too little or too much ?

 

PJR

[Invincible]

Too little, especially on the low B, sometimes I feel like I'm getting no power behind the note, just a sagging string wobbling a little bit.

[orphan wells]

try using heavier strings. Rotosound makes a .135 and a .140 B string. i usually buy that one single then get a pack of Peavy cirrus series that are .50, .65, .85, .105 I think. if your changing the guage of your strings especially from light or medium to the tank guages i play be sure to have your neck adjusted to compensate for the extra tension. Lastly when changing thoes heavy string with new strings of the same guage only shange one at a time to aviod changing the neck. The neck can take on a completly different feel(usually for the worse) if you take all of the strings off then replace them.

[Invincible]

The main problem is just the loose feeling B string, the others are all ok (mostly, the E is a little loose feeling but pretty comfortably to play and the others feel fine. Another problem I'm having with the B string is that even very small movement of the tuning peg can affect the tuning quite drastically.

Is this also just remedied in the same way, with setup, truss rod adjustment etc etc?

[Invincible]

The times I've restrung before I've always taken off all the strings then replace them and I've never noticed any difference in the neck. The main reason I take them all off first is so that I can give my bass a good clean down where I couldn't get to when the strings were there.

But I don't want to do it that way if theres a chance that it could mess it up.

Would it be ok if I off all the strings but one, cleaned under them, replaced them, the change/clean behind the fith one?

[Mr. Phil]

I would Just like to State that the D (2nd) string has the most tension of all the strings. I dont know why, but it does...

[BenLoy]

The D is also the saddest of all the strings.

[_Sweet Willie_]

Originally posted by BenLoy:

The D is also the saddest of all the strings.

 

Especially if you're playing sort of a "Mach" piece.