String comparison... (request for string off-cuts/discarded strings)

dlloyd · #1 01-20-2007, 10:23 AM

I'm thinking about setting up a resource to compare strings from various different manufacturers. I'd like to publish objective data, giving real figures so that characteristics such as string tension can be directly compared between different makes and gauges of string. It'd also be nice to compare this with subjective data submitted by users.

As well as being a bassist, I'm a research chemist, and have the know-how and tools at my disposal with which to do this.

What I need is unused pieces of string. Off-cuts and discarded strings would be perfect, even if the string is extremely worn.

I'd like to get an idea of how useful people would find this resource. Any comments would be welcome, post away in this thread.

Any offers of unused and discarded bits of string would be great... please PM me.

dlloyd · #2 01-20-2007, 11:32 AM

To clarify, I only need a small amount of string, normal off-cuts, of an inch or so, are fine.

Unknowndude · #3 01-20-2007, 02:56 PM

I save all my old strings. I can maybe send some in.

dlloyd · #4 01-20-2007, 03:24 PM

That'd be cool. I don't need all of the string, just a 1" or so section of string that's not fretworn. PM me for address details...

**mr sprocket** · #5 01-20-2007, 04:22 PM

I think this would be veru useful. I would like to be able to compare string tension across several brands. I might be able to send some as well.

dlloyd · #6 01-23-2007, 07:15 AM

I guess there's little appetite for this. Oh well...

greenboy · #7 01-23-2007, 08:20 AM

Hey, dloyd,

I thought of collecting strings and weighing to derive unit weights a few years ago when I built a string tension spreadsheet. But actually the D'Addario figures will get you into the ballpark when setting up a new ERB tuning or building a graduated or balanced-tension string set or whatever. From there one can fine-tune, or not.

The sad truth is those who understand the relationship between tension and tuning are probably already grokking what they need to grok to design and play their own stringsets the way they like them, and everybody else will just continue to do what they do.

Not that different than most people not really wanting to see real specs for speaker cabs and drivers, because they'd then actually have to understand the issues in order to make any real use of them.