ok

[GODSBASSMAN]

Anyone try 6 string gauges as follows?:
b 120 e 105 a 95 d 80 g 60 c 40
mellowing the treble is the goal.

[smogg]

IMHO it looks to me that your string tension will be all over the place.

[GODSBASSMAN]

Explain, please.

[smogg]

Seems to me (just my opinion mind you) the B & E strings will be too soft when starting with such a thick C string. Somewhere around here is some info on balanced string sets. Also, I believe there is a tension calculator floating around as well. I guessing you'll need to go a bit heavier on the E & B strings to balance the set out.

As always, YMMV.

[GODSBASSMAN]

OK - found d'addario pdf on string tensions and compared to retail sets and find that all sets seem to be all over the place. to get a "balanced" set in say an EXL nickle round wound set, the gauges would be as follows:
b 135 @ 36.1 / e 100 @ 36.5 / a 75 @ 38.0 / d 55 @ 35.3 / g 40 @ 33.7 and c 32 @ 38.9 = total tension 218.5 lbs difference in tensions 5.2

The EXL170-6 set :
b 130 @ 34.5 / e 100 @ 36.5 / a 80 @ 42.0 / d 65 @ 51.3 / g 45 @ 42.8 / c 32 @ 38.9 = total tension 246.0 difference in tensions = 16.8

Which is more balanced? Which is most desirable? And how does one know this?

[FunkMetalBass]

Wow, a .040 c-string is way too heavy. It would likely be somewhere around 50 lbs of tension. What strings do you use now that are making you unhappy? Can you roll off the treble a bit? How about lowering the pickup on the treble side?

Try out Circle K Strings. The sets balance, both in sound and tension, very well. I've yet to find another string company that can rival them.

EDIT: Also, please try to make your thread titles more descriptive, like "6-String Sets For Warmer Tone".

[GODSBASSMAN]

Originally Posted by FunkMetalBass

Wow, a .040 c-string is way too heavy. It would likely be somewhere around 50 lbs of tension. What strings do you use now that are making you unhappy? Can you roll off the treble a bit? How about lowering the pickup on the treble side?

Try out Circle K Strings. The sets balance, both in sound and tension, very well. I've yet to find another string company that can rival them.

EDIT: Also, please try to make your thread titles more descriptive, like "6-String Sets For Warmer Tone".

D'ADDARIO EXL 40 = 38.9 (same as a 32 same manufacturer )

[smogg]

Originally Posted by GODSBASSMAN

D'ADDARIO EXL 40 = 38.9 (same as a 32 same manufacturer )

I'm willing to bet that spec reflects the .40 being tuned to G and if tuned up to C it would raise the tension on the neck.

Find a set of stings that feel comfortable to you and that you like the over all tone. Then, as previously mentioned maybe adjust pups and EQ to warm up the top end.

I use EXL170 5er sets and like them, but your more customized D"Addario set just may be what the doctor ordered. (plus a little pup and EQ tweak)

[ixlramp]

Originally Posted by GODSBASSMAN

Anyone try 6 string gauges as follows?:
b 120 e 105 a 95 d 80 g 60 c 40

I think these gauge choices must be a mistake since the B is very loose, the E is standard tension and the A D G and C are dangerously tight. This set could damage your bass. The way to mellow the treble is to use lower tension strings such as 130 95 70 50 35 25 (this will be tension balanced).

[FunkMetalBass]

The thing about strings is that, lighter gauge doesn't always mean thinner sounding. A thinner string also has more room to vibrate and thus can produce a more prominent fundamental. Sometimes, for a warmer tone, you'll actually want a lighter string.

If you actually sit and look at the tension in Circle K's strings, he makes some choices in his sets to gradually use less tension as the strings get thinner. It's brilliant, even though guitar strings have had light top/heavy bottom sets for years. It baffles me that the same concept has really never been applied to bass.

[ixlramp]

Originally Posted by GODSBASSMAN

OK - found d'addario pdf on string tensions and compared to retail sets and find that all sets seem to be all over the place.

Yes! Traditional sets are simply wrong.

Originally Posted by GODSBASSMAN

to get a "balanced" set in say an EXL nickle round wound set, the gauges would be as follows:
b 135 @ 36.1 / e 100 @ 36.5 / a 75 @ 38.0 / d 55 @ 35.3 / g 40 @ 33.7 and c 32 @ 38.9 = total tension 218.5 lbs difference in tensions 5.2

The EXL170-6 set :
b 130 @ 34.5 / e 100 @ 36.5 / a 80 @ 42.0 / d 65 @ 51.3 / g 45 @ 42.8 / c 32 @ 38.9 = total tension 246.0 difference in tensions = 16.8

Which is more balanced? Which is most desirable? And how does one know this?

The first is most desirable, and more balanced because you created it to be balanced. Because the tensions are more consistent across the strings; the tone and volume of the strings, and your technique, will all be more consistent too. The stresses on the instrument are also more evenly spread.

That EXL170-6 set is badly designed.

Circle K Strings sell tension balanced sets. Their strings are ultra-flexible and are the best designed I know of: http://circlekstrings.com/store/

[GODSBASSMAN]

y'all are very helpful. That Circle K strings sight is exhausting in this subject and unique to say the least. Am reading on. thanks.