String tension - beginners question

[jonnybass]

Hi all, i have a question about string tension.  I keep seeing strings as either having medium or light tension.  Being new to double bass, how do i know if I have medium or light tension strings on my bass?  and if I replace them with the wrong kind, will it cause a problem to the bass??

 

Jonny

[petebassist]

Hi, you should be able to look up the silk colour at the end of the strings to figure out what strings you have, and some lookup sites also show the tension (e.g. the D'addario site)

https://gollihurmusic.com/string-identification-chart/?srsltid=AfmBOooatO-fJJAUc10SynBPGqEaKyyOm6AepzTS_2RkOJRadf2nBDz2

 

There's not really a wrong type to put on, but some strings might need a tweak e.g. gut strings sometimes need wider nut grooves. And lower tension strings have more movement so you might need to raise the action slightly if the strings are hitting the neck.

 

[NickA]

You can run high or low tension strings as you see fit without needing to change the set up much if at all.  You may need a slightly higher action with lower tension strings.  Don't worry about making a change if you want to.

 

Hard to be sure what you have from just the silks as spirocore mittel and weich are both dark red and Eva pirazzis are all green.  If you don't have the packet they came in you can only feel the difference, not see it.

 

I'm using full weight Eva pirazzis on my 4/4 bass as I was told the light (weich)  ones were not good for arco (I do orchestral stuff).  My bass sounds great but it is HARD WORK. Played the local pros bass a while back with lower tension ( thomastic super flexible?) strings and it lacked the heft of my bass but was nice and easy to play.  Also got a go on pro bass player Liran Donan's bass once, a 3/4 with spirocore weich on; also easy to play.  I might be unnecessarily hardcore in my string choice 😂.

 

Do you have an issue with your strings?  Do you find the tension too high for comfort or the sound a bit weak?  ...or just curious?

[jonnybass]

I'm just curious, really happy with the sound of the bass its a 4/4 and I think it sounds nice at the moment but really researching and trying to understand as much about the instrument as I can.  As i bought the bass from @Happy Jack theres a chance he'll know what strings are on it, but it was more my curious nature.  

 

Jonny

[Happy Jack]

Sorry @jonnybass, I only had that bass for a couple of years so I never had a need to replace the strings - the ones on there now were there when I bought it.

 

Worse, I'm pretty sure that I didn't buy it from a Basschatter; I've just waded back through five years of PMs and there's no sign of it.

[Clarky]

If you share a photo of the peg box and the bridge, so we can see the silks and the type of string, someone may well be able to identify them (eg red silks usually mean Spirocores etc).

[jonnybass]

1 hour ago, Happy Jack said:

Sorry @jonnybass, I only had that bass for a couple of years so I never had a need to replace the strings - the ones on there now were there when I bought it.

 

Worse, I'm pretty sure that I didn't buy it from a Basschatter; I've just waded back through five years of PMs and there's no sign of it.

No worries at all Jack. it was more curiousity than anything else.

 

Jonny

 

p.s. loving the bass, played my first gig, with more coming and some recording dates too.  Fantastic instrument to learn.

 

[jonnybass]

13 minutes ago, Clarky said:

If you share a photo of the peg box and the bridge, so we can see the silks and the type of string, someone may well be able to identify them (eg red silks usually mean Spirocores etc).

Thanks Clarky, i'll do that when i get the chance, its red silks both ends with what looks like a slug end.  According to Gollihurs site probable Spirocores.  

 

Jonny