cloudburst Posted July 7, 2013 Share Posted July 7, 2013 ...are my strings? - You buy yourself a secondhand bass - You like the strings - You need a new set - You Google the colour of the silk and work out what type of strings they are But what's the most commonly used way to accurately identify what gauge they are? CB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KingBollock Posted July 7, 2013 Share Posted July 7, 2013 Digital vernier callipers? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dad3353 Posted July 7, 2013 Share Posted July 7, 2013 Micrometer..? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmchich Posted July 8, 2013 Share Posted July 8, 2013 I believe you can get a thing like a large credit card with a load of holes in it. You feed the strings in until you find the smallest it'll fit. No idea what it's called, maybe String Gauge Checker? My mate from school used to have one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cloudburst Posted July 8, 2013 Author Share Posted July 8, 2013 Thanks folks. Quite like the idea of the card thingy. The digital calipers sound easy to use without having even to bother taking the strings off. But...is it just hearsay - or has anyone actually used them and found them successful at accurately gauging the gauge? :-) CB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KingBollock Posted July 8, 2013 Share Posted July 8, 2013 I have to confess that I haven't used mine to check for string gauge as I haven't had to. Sorry. They're supposed to be accurate down to .003mm, but I have no way of knowing if they actually are that accurate because the only thing I have to measure them with is themselves. I can't even judge tenths of a mm with my just my eyes and a steel rule. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cloudburst Posted July 8, 2013 Author Share Posted July 8, 2013 [quote name='KingBollock' timestamp='1373321251' post='2136253'] I have to confess that I haven't used mine to check for string gauge as I haven't had to. Sorry. They're supposed to be accurate down to .003mm, but I have no way of knowing if they actually are that accurate because the only thing I have to measure them with is themselves. I can't even judge tenths of a mm with my just my eyes and a steel rule. [/quote] Would you mind having a try with your strings for me to see if they work? CB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KingBollock Posted July 8, 2013 Share Posted July 8, 2013 I wish I hadn't done that now, I'm a little disappointed... Having said that, I don't know what to be disappointed in, I don't know which is wrong, the callipers or the strings. [font=courier new,courier,monospace]The strings are: .105 .085 .070 .050[/font] [font=courier new,courier,monospace]And I got:[color=#fff0f5]......[/color] .103 .083 .067 .048[/font] The strings are D'Addario Chromes. I'd test other strings but they're the only ones I even know the make of , nevermind the gauge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cloudburst Posted July 8, 2013 Author Share Posted July 8, 2013 [quote name='KingBollock' timestamp='1373323241' post='2136301'] I wish I hadn't done that now, I'm a little disappointed... Having said that, I don't know what to be disappointed in, I don't know which is wrong, the callipers or the strings. [font=courier new,courier,monospace]The strings are: .105 .085 .070 .050[/font] [font=courier new,courier,monospace]And I got:[color=#fff0f5]......[/color] .103 .083 .067 .048[/font] The strings are D'Addario Chromes. I'd test other strings but they're the only ones I even know the make of , nevermind the gauge. [/quote] Hey, I appreciate you doing that. But. I have to say it seems those particular calipers wouldn't tell me whether I had a 105/45 set or a 100/40 set. Dang! Thx, CB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dad3353 Posted July 8, 2013 Share Posted July 8, 2013 [quote name='KingBollock' timestamp='1373323241' post='2136301']... [font=courier new,courier,monospace]The strings are: .105 .085 .070 .050[/font] [font=courier new,courier,monospace]And I got:[color=#fff0f5]......[/color] .103 .083 .067 .048[/font] ... [/quote] Maybe the strings are worn..? I have my coat in my hand... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KingBollock Posted July 8, 2013 Share Posted July 8, 2013 [quote name='cloudburst' timestamp='1373323591' post='2136304'] Hey, I appreciate you doing that. But. I have to say it seems those particular calipers wouldn't tell me whether I had a 105/45 set or a 100/40 set. Dang! Thx, CB [/quote] If it is the callipers, then at least they're fairly consistent. You'd need a way to find out how short or long the tool is measuring. Unless you spend an awful lot of money on professional kit there is always going to be some discrepancy. And I did say they were accurate to .003mm, which seems to have turned out to be the case. And they were only £20. But yeah, looking at this thread, something already set up for the job you want, like the card, would be best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martthebass Posted July 9, 2013 Share Posted July 9, 2013 [quote name='KingBollock' timestamp='1373323241' post='2136301'] I wish I hadn't done that now, I'm a little disappointed... Having said that, I don't know what to be disappointed in, I don't know which is wrong, the callipers or the strings. [font=courier new,courier,monospace]The strings are: .105 .085 .070 .050[/font] [font=courier new,courier,monospace]And I got:[color=#fff0f5]......[/color] .103 .083 .067 .048[/font] The strings are D'Addario Chromes. I'd test other strings but they're the only ones I even know the make of , nevermind the gauge. [/quote] If you measured 'on the bass' won't they be elongated and therefore thinner? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KingBollock Posted July 10, 2013 Share Posted July 10, 2013 [quote name='martthebass' timestamp='1373387795' post='2137013'] If you measured 'on the bass' won't they be elongated and therefore thinner? [/quote] Possibly. Argh! Too many variables! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Foxen Posted July 13, 2013 Share Posted July 13, 2013 Are chromes flat/ground wounds? The missing bit being what is ground off. I think flats are ground too so they are smooth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodinblack Posted July 13, 2013 Share Posted July 13, 2013 [quote name='cloudburst' timestamp='1373319957' post='2136231'] The digital calipers sound easy to use without having even to bother taking the strings off. But...is it just hearsay - or has anyone actually used them and found them successful at accurately gauging the gauge? :-) [/quote] I used them this week - I had recently got a bass and needed to know what the gauge was, as they seemed to go well but were too short (yes, too short). They were spot on 105 85 65 45. These are using verniers that I bought from maplin for £8 a few weeks ago [url="http://www.maplin.co.uk/100mm-digital-vernier-calliper-219149"]http://www.maplin.co.uk/100mm-digital-vernier-calliper-219149[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KingBollock Posted July 13, 2013 Share Posted July 13, 2013 [quote name='Woodinblack' timestamp='1373682293' post='2140606'] I used them this week - I had recently got a bass and needed to know what the gauge was, as they seemed to go well but were too short (yes, too short). They were spot on 105 85 65 45. These are using verniers that I bought from maplin for £8 a few weeks ago [url="http://www.maplin.co.uk/100mm-digital-vernier-calliper-219149"]http://www.maplin.co.uk/100mm-digital-vernier-calliper-219149[/url] [/quote] Oh, now I am very annoyed! I knew Maplins sold them, I had had my eye on them for months, I was just waiting for my birthday to find the excuse to buy them. They had also been on sale for £10 for all of that time. A few weeks before my birthday they suddenly stopped selling them, the only ones they had were brass, non-digital ones, that were no good to me. And now they sell them again. And they even sell the exact ones that I ended up buying. Their presale price is £5 cheaper than what I paid and they're on sale with another £2 knocked off! http://www.maplin.co.uk/electronic-digital-calliper-32198 I got mine for £20 from Machine Mart. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LiamPodmore Posted July 13, 2013 Share Posted July 13, 2013 Is there no way to ask the person you bought it off what strings they use/had on that bass? Liam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cloudburst Posted July 13, 2013 Author Share Posted July 13, 2013 [quote name='LiamPodmore' timestamp='1373727538' post='2141026'] Is there no way to ask the person you bought it off what strings they use/had on that bass? Liam [/quote] I like to be self sufficient! Well, truth is I did ask the person. They told me. I forget. Don't want to ask again. Because that would prove I'm an idiot. :-) CB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KingBollock Posted July 13, 2013 Share Posted July 13, 2013 [quote name='cloudburst' timestamp='1373728055' post='2141031'] I like to be self sufficient! Well, truth is I did ask the person. They told me. I forget. Don't want to ask again. Because that would prove I'm an idiot. :-) CB [/quote] Ah, pride comes before a desperate thread... Asking again would be the cheapest solution. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmchich Posted July 13, 2013 Share Posted July 13, 2013 [quote name='KingBollock' timestamp='1373728668' post='2141037'] Ah, pride comes before a desperate thread... Asking again would be the cheapest solution. [/quote] Next you'll be suggesting that asking for directions when lost is a good idea! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimbobothy Posted July 13, 2013 Share Posted July 13, 2013 (edited) Hey there, just get some vernier calipers. Either digital or mechanical will do. I'm not too sure of the tolerance of string manufacturers but when I measure mine they're never spot on tbh, and my calipers weren't cheap (used them when I was an engineer so needed to be spot on!) . Your best bet is really digital as the mechanical ones can skip if any dirt or muck gets in the gear mech. Edited July 13, 2013 by jimbobothy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cloudburst Posted July 13, 2013 Author Share Posted July 13, 2013 No way am I asking again - that would only take all the fun out of buying a fancy tool to play with. Digital calipers vs digital micrometer anyone? CB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KingBollock Posted July 13, 2013 Share Posted July 13, 2013 A micrometer is a bit of a one trick pony, whereas the callipers can do four different measurements. Because of that and that the callipers can measure a larger range, I'd go with the callipers. Gawd, I sound like a bloomin' calliper salesman! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lfalex v1.1 Posted July 13, 2013 Share Posted July 13, 2013 (edited) [quote name='KingBollock' timestamp='1373470224' post='2138005'] Possibly. Argh! Too many variables! [/quote] Including manufacturing tolerances. It's only a few percent... Edited July 13, 2013 by Lfalex v1.1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted July 13, 2013 Share Posted July 13, 2013 [quote name='jmchich' timestamp='1373734581' post='2141120']Next you'll be suggesting that asking for directions when lost is a good idea![size=4][/quote][/size] [size=4]Well that's quite obviously ridiculous. Men are never 'lost' - they just become 'temporarily disoriented'.[/size] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.