MacDaddy Posted July 1, 2015 Share Posted July 1, 2015 Will using lighter strings on a short scale bass give more bottom end, due to the increased tension? Ta. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tedmanzie Posted July 1, 2015 Share Posted July 1, 2015 They will have less tension, I think you need to go the other way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EssentialTension Posted July 1, 2015 Share Posted July 1, 2015 [quote name='MacDaddy' timestamp='1435777121' post='2812390'] Will using lighter strings on a short scale bass give more bottom end, due to the increased tension? Ta. [/quote] Lighter gauge strings (all other construction factors being unchanged) will likely have decreased tension at the same pitch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PlungerModerno Posted July 2, 2015 Share Posted July 2, 2015 +1 to the above replies. Increasing string gauge will increase tension when tuned to the same pitch (while keeping the string construction and scale length the same). Short scale instruments generally work better with standard strings (which feel looser than on long or super long scales) or heavier gauge strings (should feel close to regular gauge on a long scale). I wouldn't try very light gauges (e.g. 35 - 85) on 32" or shorter - you may prefer the feel however. As for sound it will all depend on the string construction, setup etc. As I understand it longer scales tend to sound more "focused", and by trying different strings on 34" scales and shorter I would say that lighter strings sound a bit bigger and deeper - but that could be the way I'm playing reacting to the change in string tension and stiffness. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MacDaddy Posted July 2, 2015 Author Share Posted July 2, 2015 Thanks for the replies! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3below Posted July 2, 2015 Share Posted July 2, 2015 From experimenting with my Gibson SG bass - D'Addario Chromes with 105 E: good string tension, plenty of bottom end, not very focussed. Pyramid Golds: good (lower) string tension, great for Jack Bruce, Andy Fraser sound, short 'burpy' notes, very focussed. As above bigger gauges = more tension (Physics at work). Also as mentioned previously - on my long scale basses the chromes have greater focus. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D'AddarioUK Posted July 3, 2015 Share Posted July 3, 2015 We have a great tool on our website for working out string tensions at various gauges, scale lengths and tunings [url="http://www.stringtensionpro.com"]www.stringtensionpro.com[/url]. This tool can be very useful in comparing the tension and "feel" of different sets on different instrument setups. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MacDaddy Posted July 3, 2015 Author Share Posted July 3, 2015 [quote name='D'AddarioUK' timestamp='1435910237' post='2813439'] We have a great tool on our website for working out string tensions at various gauges, scale lengths and tunings [url="http://www.stringtensionpro.com"]www.stringtensionpro.com[/url]. This tool can be very useful in comparing the tension and "feel" of different sets on different instrument setups. [/quote] Hi, I tried using that, but got stumped with the gauge/tension options. My bass is 32inch but with an extra 2 frets on the E string for drop D tuning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D'AddarioUK Posted July 3, 2015 Share Posted July 3, 2015 It's a bit simpler to use if you opt to base your calculations on an existing set of D'Addario strings. When you say the bass has an extra two frets for drop tuning do you mean to say that the E string is a different scale length to the rest of the bass? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MacDaddy Posted July 3, 2015 Author Share Posted July 3, 2015 [quote name='D'AddarioUK' timestamp='1435928431' post='2813709'] It's a bit simpler to use if you opt to base your calculations on an existing set of D'Addario strings. When you say the bass has an extra two frets for drop tuning do you mean to say that the E string is a different scale length to the rest of the bass? [/quote] Hi the E is the same, open D is different. Like the Kubicki ex- Factors. I'll give it another go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D'AddarioUK Posted July 3, 2015 Share Posted July 3, 2015 If you have any further issues with the site PM me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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