4 String vs 5 string tension

beelzelboss · #1 03-01-2009, 04:25 PM

Now, i have a four string and a five string. (the 5ver is way newer keep in mind)

I have them both strung with Dr LoRiders. Now taking string height and action and all that jazz out of the equation, my main question is: why is my 4 so much easier to play than my 5? The strings are just WAY easier to press to down. now the action is A LOT lower and the bass is like "perfect" (or as close to as can be in my eyes).. but i still think its the strings.

so do strings get more like, malleable after time?
and could it also be because i tune that 4 back in forth from Drop C (CGCF) back to standard (EADG) a lot. at least twice a week because of the different kinds of music i play. (scremo band =cgcf, jazz band = eadg). So could that be the reason why they seem so much more like malleable? my best way to put it is that they are just not as high tension.

Thanks for copin with me!

Craig

bassistgook · #2 03-01-2009, 04:32 PM

I'm guessing you don't care about intonation switching your tuning back and forth like that. Older strings will feel like they have less tension because over time the outer wraps get stretched out over time. Hope this helps

JustDavid · #3 03-01-2009, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beelzelboss

I have them both strung with Dr LoRiders. Now taking string height and action and all that jazz out of the equation, my main question is: why is my 4 so much easier to play than my 5? The strings are just WAY easier to press to down. now the action is A LOT lower and the bass is like "perfect" (or as close to as can be in my eyes).. but i still think its the strings.

How can you take string height out of the equation & have anything left to judge difference in fretting feel?

If the strings on the 4 are half the height of the 5's, of course the 5 will be harder to fret.

If you really think it's the strings, try swapping EADG between them.

beelzelboss · #4 03-01-2009, 07:30 PM

well, while a lot of it string height, i've been tinkering with the four string for over a year, and have it where i like it, i'm trying to do the same with the five but its just not doing it.... ><

Steve Bennett · #5 03-02-2009, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beelzelboss

so do strings get more like, malleable after time?

No.

dnarock · #6 03-02-2009, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Bennett

No.

yes

dnarock · #7 03-02-2009, 11:47 AM

my basses get easy'r to play after the strings get worne in a bit