Had a mild epiphany- am I wrong?

Kevin_BlueBASS · #1 11-16-2010, 03:28 PM

Ok I'm sorry if this has been asked before and before you tell me to hit the search button... I wasn't sure what exactly to search.

Ok so my epihpany was: The lighter the string, the tighter (higher tension) it will feel right?
I realised this when I was thinking about physics: a lighter/ thinner gauge pulled just as long as a heavier gauge will be tighter than the thicker one.

The reason I'm worried about this is because right now I have medium gauge roundwounds on my Gibson T-Bird and I'm looking for extra light flats as I like the feel of them.

I also realised I love extra-light strings- I have a set of 40-95 Ernie Balls on my P-bass and I find myself gravitating towards that rather than the T-Bird becasue of the skinny strings.

Ok so now onto the question(s)

I want a loose (flexible?) flat wound string in an extra light gauge.
I'm looking at Chromes but they seem to be stiff, is that true?
I have medium Daddario nickels on the Bird right now.

Thanks for the help!
If I didn't make any sesne then I'm sorry!

kesslari · #2 11-16-2010, 03:29 PM

You've got it wrong.
A thinner string, to vibrate at the same rate as a thicker one (to produce the same note), will be looser.
You can test it by downtuning your "G" string to D. It will be much floppier than the D string.

Kevin_BlueBASS · #3 11-16-2010, 03:35 PM

Really?
Oh man that's the best news EVER!
Thank you so much man! I've never been so happy being wrong my whole life!

I'm gonna go buy some 40-95 chromes now.... or Ernie Ball flats... oh no now comes the hard part!

elgecko · #4 11-16-2010, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin_BlueBASS

I realised this when I was thinking about physics: a lighter/ thinner gauge pulled just as long as a heavier gauge will be tighter than the thicker one.

You also have factor in what note the string's tuned to, not just the length.

darkstorm · #5 11-16-2010, 05:00 PM

Lighter gauge will be less tension then heavier gauge tuned to same note and octave. generally, flats have more tension then roundwounds.

3k Mylz · #6 11-16-2010, 05:10 PM

I use chrome FW on my 5 string, nice tension (I use 132/45); Great sound and playability IMO. Be prepared to have to do a set up on it. Intonation will change, as well as action.