String Tension and Acoustic Bass

theory028 · #1 03-05-2009, 09:48 AM

Hey everyone,

I recently acquired an Ibanez acoustic bass and it has some D'Addario EXP strings (phosphor bronze) that are not exactly to my liking. I'm really interested in trying some flats (D'Addario Chromes or the Fender 9050Ls) but have a concern about tension.

A lot of my searches have turned up that since the Chromes are tense, you'll have to do a truss rod adjustment. This had me worried so I looked on juststrings.com at the tensions of each set. The set that is currently on the bass are these. I'd like to put on either regular light or super light Chromes (but only the super light if tension is going to be big issue).

The regular lights are a lot closer, tension-wise, to the EXP strings that came on it. Would that make it a safe bet, or is there something about flats that make them more tense than they measure out to be?

Thanks for your help. I am a flats newbie and haven't found quite what I was looking for through my searches. I just wanted an expert's opinion (or anyone, really. I don't discriminate) before I do something that could damage the neck of my bass.

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Regarding the Fender 9050Ls, I couldn't find any tension info on Just Strings so I've put them off to the side as an option. I would really like to try them, so if you have any experience with them, feel free to voice an opinion.

I suppose I should mention that my acoustic bass is an Ibanez EWB20WNENT, so the scale length is 34".

Mr. Ray · #2 03-05-2009, 10:29 AM

Hi some acoustic basses can't wear regular steel strings, mostly because of the wooden bridges. I had a Martin acoustic bass that could only use phosphor strings (stated by the manufacturer). I would check to see if it could handle higher tension. If so Labella Tapewounds work great on an acoustic. I also had a Kramer Ferrington that sounded great with tapes (wish I still had that bass)

theory028 · #3 03-05-2009, 11:30 AM

Thanks for the reply, Mr. Ray. I just looked at the little manual page and the only thing it really said about strings was to use light gauge and they recommend the same series. I'll take that light string gauge bit to heart, but I'm really not sure about keeping the same string type.

I looked at the La Bella tapewounds on Carvin. Those seem like a great deal! I was a bit put off by the string gauges, though. There is actually a thread on the Ibanez forum asking about putting those on the same bass that I have. Only one reply was posted and it said that he didn't think it'd be a problem but the truss rod would need adjusted.

I'd really like to try those out. I'll keep searching around, and waiting for some more replies, to see if it'd be a safe choice.

Thanks again!

fretlessguy · #4 03-05-2009, 01:17 PM

I literally cannot stand phosphor bronze strings. I have replaced them on both of my ABGs with GHS light gauge Precision Flats. I went light gauge because their lighter tension not would put such a strain on the body and neck or my fingers.
Tapewounds would be a good string for acoustic bass guitars, but their thicker gauges might cause some problems going into some bridges.

JustDavid · #5 03-05-2009, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theory028

The regular lights are a lot closer, tension-wise, to the EXP strings that came on it. Would that make it a safe bet, or is there something about flats that make them more tense than they measure out to be?

Tension is how hard the strings pull between the bridge & the nut. If the Chrome tensions are close to the Phosphors, there ya go! Going a step looser/smaller might be 'worthy paranoia' if they feel fine.

Gintaras · #6 03-05-2009, 04:15 PM

I just put on a set of flatwounds on my El Capitan. They are stainless and really like the sound and feel. I am more concerned about the sound when plugged in. They were recommended by another forum member who had it on his acoustic.

GHS 3025 PRECISION LONG FLAT/WOUND BASS STRINGS 45-95

theory028 · #7 03-05-2009, 07:52 PM

Thanks a lot for all of the input! I feel more comfortable with using flats on my Ibanez now. I may try to get into Guitar Center tomorrow afternoon and check what they've got. If I can get some super light Chromes, I'll do that. I would love to try the La Bella but the thickness has me worried about tension and fitting in the bridge (which I hadn't thought of until fretlessguy brought it up).

I've also looked at the TI Acousticore set for $50. I would love to try those out because in the Acoustic Bass Fetish thread they got mentioned and were praised. I doubt that they'll have them in stock at my local GC. If they do, I'll have to think a little bit harder. They probably won't have the super light Chromes either, now that I think of it.

Hopefully I can find some flats in one of the local stores. I'd like to avoid ordering online just for convenience of having them right away.

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Earlier today I was looking on the Ibanez forum and there was someone asking about the La Bellas on the same bass. I emailed him asking if he ever tried it and he said he did. He seemed very pleased with how they sound, and all he had to do was loosen the truss rod. Since I was mostly looking forward to trying the tapewounds offered by La Bella, I went ahead and placed my order with Carvin. I'm excited to see how they sound, feel, and look.

BillIrwin43 · #8 03-07-2009, 12:42 AM

Yesterday I received my Ibanez EWB10ASE. It Came with the dreaded D'Addario Phosphor/Bronze strings, 45-65-80-100. They are not to my liking. I'm a flatwound fanatic. I have in hand a set of Ernie Ball Group IV 40-60-70-95 and a set of Rotosound SM77 Jazz Bass 40-60-80-100. I'm fresh out of my favorite D'Addario ECB80 Chromes 40-60-75-95. I thought I'd give the Ernie Ball strings a try. Any thoughts or cautions? I sure would hate to mess up a brand new Bass.

TIA

BillIrwin43 · #9 03-08-2009, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillIrwin43

Yesterday I received my Ibanez EWB10ASE. It Came with the dreaded D'Addario Phosphor/Bronze strings, 45-65-80-100. They are not to my liking. I'm a flatwound fanatic. I have in hand a set of Ernie Ball Group IV 40-60-70-95 and a set of Rotosound SM77 Jazz Bass 40-60-80-100. I'm fresh out of my favorite D'Addario ECB80 Chromes 40-60-75-95. I thought I'd give the Ernie Ball strings a try. Any thoughts or cautions? I sure would hate to mess up a brand new Bass.

TIA

I bit the bullet and put on the Ernie Ball set. Aside from the E string peg wanting to fight me (I won, I think).

Stringing up was a non-event. They sound most impressive. I do love the Fishman pre-amp/equalizer on the Ibanez. Next time, I'll try the D'Addario ECB 80 Chromes.

Be Well

theory028 · #10 03-08-2009, 08:01 PM

I'm glad to hear that the Ernie Ball flats are working well for you. I've got the GHS tapewounds and the La Bella Deep Talkin' tapewounds coming to me. I figured I would try out the lightest GHS tapes before I have the nut modified to accommodate the bigger La Bellas. Hopefully I'll have as much luck with the stringing as you seemed to have.

BackToTheGroove · #11 06-09-2010, 12:40 PM

I have a Fender Kingman AEB, and tried a set of Fender nylon tape wounds and they really stunk: very clanky and plastic sounding and feeling. I was hoping a tape wound string would give a nice woody thump with the acoustic. I even used steel wool on them to try to have a less plastic feel and more thump, but no luck so took them off. Then put them on my Squier fretless jazz and still couldn't hack 'em.

Are the LaBellas or the GHS tape wounds better and different sounding than these Fender plastic wounds? I hope so, because I thought they'd be perfect on an acoustic bass.