How to measure string gauge (diameter)?

Filip St. · #1 07-01-2007, 06:37 AM

Hi!

I have a question about a string thickness (gauge). After a year, it is finally time to change a strings. The problem is, this is my first changing of strings since I bought the instrument second-hand, so I don't know the gauge of the string I got the bass with (and the guy I bought doesn't remember), so I had to measure myself. I used a nonius ( aka Vernier scale/calipers), and I got two different measurements of the radius. Since this are roundwounds steel(I think) D'Addario, the surface of the strings is not flat, so I get different readings, depending the parts of the calipers I use. If I use the thinner parts I get 0.105, and if I use the thicker part of the calipers (which is, I believe intended to be used for surfaces that are not flat, like strings and such) I get 0.110 So, my question is, which one is it? I will probably buy 0.110 as I would like the gauge to stay the same (thicker would be even better, I would NOT want a lighter gauge) but, I would like to know the answer anyway...
Thanks...

P.S. If you misunderstood something, or found a bad spelling/mistake in grammar, just remember that English is not my mother tongue

PaulMacCnj · #2 07-01-2007, 07:01 AM

I wonder if you caliper isn't very precise. It sounds like there is a significant amount of tolerance. I use a digital caliper that is very simular to this one:

http://www.wardsci.com/product.asp_Q...igital+Caliper

This is not a high precision tool, like some other much more expensive digital calipers, yet I get quite accurate and always repeatable readings.

Filip St. · #3 07-01-2007, 07:08 AM

Yeah, I guess it isn't very accurate. I'll probably go with 0.110 anyway. Thanks...

theshadow2001 · #4 07-01-2007, 08:34 AM

Well you should go with what you think. (I don't know if its right or wrong but I'm gueassing its measured from the outer side of the winding) Since you know the gauge of the strings you bought you can the determine where it's measured from.

Shoewreck · #5 07-04-2007, 01:26 AM

I think .110 is the right value (though rather heavy, even if it's actually diameter, not radius).

Filip St. · #6 07-05-2007, 03:26 PM

Never mind i bought the pack Labella Hard Rockin' Steel roundwounds of .105. I'll put them tomorow and see how it feels. If its too floopy then my last set was .110. If not, then i made a mistake in measuring and it is .105

Shoewreck · #7 07-06-2007, 02:46 AM

If strings measure the same, the gauge is the same. AFAIK Rotosound Swingbass (those with exposed cores) are thin but very tight. Tightness isn't a going measure for gauge (but does gauge really matter as far as strings fit the bass?).
.105 wouldn't be floppy until you downtune or have a short scale.

knuckle_head · #8 07-06-2007, 09:23 AM

FWIW you don't go by the trough measure. A micrometer is the better tool to get a precise measurement as it has a flat surfage that is about 1/8" thick and won't fall into the troughs.

It is almost always the thicker measure, and a string that is brought to appropriate tension will likely measure thinner when put on the bass and tuned to pitch.