Simple B string question that I should be able to answer myself....

[lo-end]

Ive always looked at it like this

Pro of using thicker string - tighter string feel
Con of using thicker string - "duller" tone

Clint Norris said, "We tune to drop C - CGCF. I am using 120 guage for the low string. It makes a difference because it sounds a lot heavier and a lot bigger. Usually when you go up in string gauge you lose tone, but the 120 has held up for me so far. It sounds really good live."

In my experience I've used 45 and 50 as a G string and I think 45 sounds better. The 50 just has less life to it, it sounds duller to my ears. Conversely, I have tuned a 105 down to C and it was totally floppy and sounded unfocused and muddy and undefined. So there is probably some point where the tone is at the pinnacle or something

[PilbaraBass]

Originally Posted by Chasarms

Not true. A thicker string does not equal more tension. The string has a stiffer feel, but not necessarily more tension.

In fact, the pitch created by a plucked string is a factor of the length, the mass and the tension. Unless the maker has taken measures to offset the science (like using a completely different material in the winding or core), a thicker string will have more mass, and thus vibrate at the same pitch with LESS tension.

Your thinking is backwards...a thicker (higher mass) string, in order to vibrate at the same fundimental pitch as a thinner string will have MORE tension, given the same length.

Therefore, a 125 B-string, will have MORE tension than a 110 B-string...hence, the sound WILL be more focused...absolutely true..

there's your answer...

next question?

[Asaf]

ok...i'll try to give you an answer :
if you use lighter gauge like 095-040 try a 125
if you use 100-040 try 125-128
if you use a 105-045 try a 128-130

the bottom line is how u like your bass strings sets...light ? get a light B string..etc.

[Geej]

Um, yea... i think ill just reitterate what has already been said heaps... but one last time... for the record:

T = p x (f x 2L)^2

T = Tension
p = mass per unit length
L = Fixed length (what scale bass)
f = frequency

Soooo... tuning to a lower note... keeping all other values constant, will make tension go down...

Changing to a higher mass string and tuning to the same note will make tension go up

easy enough

Tension is proportional to: string mass, scale length, frequency

So increasing any of those will make the tension go up, decreasing will make it go down...


Edit: Personally, I have a light set of strings on my 5-stringer ATM... the B string is a 110... its ok if u have a soft touch... but still feels a bit awkward to me, so im gonna chuck a 130 on.. wo0t

[notrt]

Hello to all.

What works for me on a 35" scale B string is a minimum of .135. On my 33 7/8 Yamaha which used to be my main bass, I had .145's custom made for me by d'Addario.

Why so thick? To achieve a reasonably even string to string tension on the lower strings.

Exposed/taper core strings do seem to intonate easier, at first, but seem to go south sonically a lot quicker. It really doesn't seem to make a whole lot of difference though, if you simply pay attention to getting the string to lay correctly over the "witness point" (the saddle...) when you're putting on a new set. Having said that, the SR-2000's are a good example.

If you play sizers, try a set of d'Addario EXL 165-6 strings in nickel. I'll bet you like them...I've been using these for over ten years at this point. Great tone, long lasting, don't break---what more could you want?

later...

RC a/k/a "notrt?