Long scale strings on medium?

(b)Assman · #1 08-29-2009, 06:55 AM

Here's the problem. I can't seem to get strings that will go low enough in the tension department without being way too skinny so can I use a light gauge set of 35" scale strings on my 34" and would that effectively drop the tension a bunch? Using light gauge 34" scale strings right now and those feel quite skinny but still aren't low enough in the tension department so the g string practically cuts your fingers. Maybe its the Schecter headstock...

mccartneyman · #2 08-29-2009, 08:10 AM

Flats or rounds? If flats, try TI flats for long scale. Don't know if their rounds are low tension.

(b)Assman · #3 08-29-2009, 05:52 PM

Rounds

edit

but the question is would the tension be lower if than regular strings the same gauge on a 34?

Nick Kay · #4 08-29-2009, 05:58 PM

Changing string length won't affect tension. You need to change the VOICED length of the string - that means the scale length of the bass. Anything beyond the bridge witness point and the nut don't mean jack for tension.

If you're already using light-gauge strings and you're still finding it's too high tension for you, you have two options, as far as I see it.

1) Switch to round-core strings, such as DR Hi-Beams. I don't know if the tension is lower than hex-core strings, but they sure do feel looser.

2) Switch to a shorter scale bass. 32" or 30" scales are quite different beasts from 34" and 35".

Are you sure it's not just a setup issue? Perhaps your relief is out of whack, or you've got the action set way too high for your liking.

dmusic148 · #5 08-29-2009, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick Kay

Changing string length won't affect tension. You need to change the VOICED length of the string - that means the scale length of the bass. Anything beyond the bridge witness point and the nut don't mean jack for tension.

1) Switch to round-core strings, such as DR Hi-Beams. I don't know if the tension is lower than hex-core strings, but they sure do feel looser.

True, and true. HiBeams and SunBeams have round cores, and for some reason this does indeed yield lower tension. Also some Fender strings have round cores, and I'm sure there are others.
Using the same gauges in a long-scale set will make NO difference.

(b)Assman · #6 08-29-2009, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmusic148

True, and true. HiBeams and SunBeams have round cores, and for some reason this does indeed yield lower tension. Also some Fender strings have round cores, and I'm sure there are others.
Using the same gauges in a long-scale set will make NO difference.

I keep hearing that about sunbeams and fender. How much difference in tension are we talking here between d'addario's of the same size?

JustDavid · #7 08-29-2009, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmusic148

True, and true. HiBeams and SunBeams have round cores, and for some reason this does indeed yield lower tension. Also some Fender strings have round cores, and I'm sure there are others.
Using the same gauges in a long-scale set will make NO difference.

I can see round giving a looser feel than hex, & there's been lots of experiental reporting of that being the case. Did it get proven that round core has less actual tension than hex?

(b)Assman · #8 08-29-2009, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick Kay

Changing string length won't affect tension. You need to change the VOICED length of the string - that means the scale length of the bass. Anything beyond the bridge witness point and the nut don't mean jack for tension.

If you're already using light-gauge strings and you're still finding it's too high tension for you, you have two options, as far as I see it.

1) Switch to round-core strings, such as DR Hi-Beams. I don't know if the tension is lower than hex-core strings, but they sure do feel looser.

2) Switch to a shorter scale bass. 32" or 30" scales are quite different beasts from 34" and 35".

Are you sure it's not just a setup issue? Perhaps your relief is out of whack, or you've got the action set way too high for your liking.

Those options sound about right. I'd prefer no. 1 before dishing out the money as I like the sound and look of my current bass. I've spent 1 week messing with the action and it's very low and setup proper but still too tense. Methinks it's the headstock style on the schecter 004 and how it curves back that makes everything too tense? I'll prob pick up a set of 45-100 of sunbeams and pray that it's where I want it to be.

JustDavid · #9 08-29-2009, 06:27 PM

The "curves back" after the nut shouldn't affect anything unless the nut was cut very poorly. If so it should only affect the 1st 2 frets, maybe.

knuckle_head · #10 08-30-2009, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JustDavid

I can see round giving a looser feel than hex, & there's been lots of experiental reporting of that being the case. Did it get proven that round core has less actual tension than hex?

There is some structural difference, but the primary difference is that a round core is measured on the tangent where a hex core is measured on the flat. There is a significant difference in mass in an identically identified wire - to the tune of about 10%

More mass = more rigidity