tension and scale length question

jacoby75 · #1 03-22-2010, 02:33 PM

Hi guys,

It's me again. : ) Continuing my research on flatwound strings and trying to decide on the best set of flatwounds for my lull P5 and Fender Jazz V.

Most of the recommendations have led to TI Jazz Flats, or La Bella Deep Talkin' Flats.

My question this time is in regards to tension. I put a set of La Bella DTF's on my Jazz V, which is 34" scale. They are very stiff, as others have noted, but I like the tone. I'm used to using the relatively stiff DR LoRiders anyway, so I like it. Also as others have noted, the higher tension of the flatwounds caused my neck to bow, and a truss rod adjustment was in order. Now that the set up is smooth, I like them a lot. I like the stiff strings because I like low action, and stiff strings = lower possible action without fret buzz. However, they're pretty darn stiff.

The question is this: is there a correlation between tension or "stiffness" and bass scale length? Will the strings be even tighter and stiffer, and thus require more truss rod tweaking, on a 35" scale bass than they do on a 34" scale? Or is it simply a matter or construction and materials in the string, and once they're tuned to pitch it is the same amount of tension regardless of scale length? I'm hesitant to put them on my Lull if it will cause a lot of stress on the neck.

Thanks

ReidK · #2 03-24-2010, 03:18 AM

All other things being equal (and sometimes they actually are!), a longer scale length will mean more tension. It has to; since the string is longer, it has to be pulled tighter to keep the same pitch.

Whether or not a truss rod adjustment is needed depends entirely on what kind of strings the instrument was previously set up for. If you go to a heavier (higher tension) set of strings, you may have to tighten the rod a bit. That's true of any given instrument, regardless of scale length. Any major change in string gauge or type usually requires tweaks to the setup, which might include the truss rod, saddle heights, intonation, and possibly even changes to the nut if there's a big change in gauge.

Reid