high tension?!

darksail · #1 08-25-2004, 06:47 PM

I always had a problem on my d.bass. Let me try to explain...
Well , my strings are too strong, the tension seems to be too high. I really have to strongly "push down" the fingers to reach the keyboard. I've tried to move a bit "up and down" the bridge but the things did not change too much.
At the beginning all was natural to me... then I played some other d.basses and I constantly found the strings more and more light , easy to play...
-so, maybe it's just a problem of type of strings?

Any suggestions would be appreciated... my thanks in adv.

anonymous0726 · #2 08-26-2004, 12:14 AM

Two folks that I would see are a luthier and a teacher.

darksail · #3 08-26-2004, 05:02 AM

Ok Ray,
but a luthier worked on my bass (maybe he's not a good liuther... but usually he's ok ) and I have a teacher since years.

I was trying to understand if this could be a technical problem of my bass , a problem of construction, or if this is a problem of tension of strings and if someone maybe had the same problem.

**Chris Fitzgerald** · #4 08-26-2004, 05:46 AM

It could be strings, bass, setup, or a combination of the three. If the nut or the action too high, it can make your left hand feel tense. Strings can certainly also be a factor. Let's start there - what kind of strings are you using, and what's the mensure (length between the nut and bridge) of your bass?

darksail · #5 08-26-2004, 05:13 PM

Nut and action are not high...
Maybe I did not explain the things clearly: The strings are not high, on the contrary I think that they are down enough (I worked with that...ok).
But they are just more "hard" than all others basses I played (also considering some "basic" d.bass with strings very HIGH and really not playable too), I don't know , but the strings on my bass seem to have a higher tension...

I'm using G and D Pirastro Eudoxa and a couple of anonymous A and E Super sensitive Red label.

the mensure (I think it's what I call "diapason length") is
Cm. 111,5 , so 44 Inch. (yes , it's a big bass

)

anonymous0726 · #6 08-26-2004, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darksail

A and E Super sensitive Red label, 44 Inch.

Bingo!

AMJBASS · #7 08-26-2004, 09:21 PM

Longer string length = more tension. I would recommend you get solo strings, and tune them to orchestra pitch. Obligatos are great for this while mainting enough tension to give you a good Pizz. If you don't mind spending the extra bread, try the new Compas 180s.

godoze · #8 08-26-2004, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adrian Juras

Longer string length = more tension. I would recommend you get solo strings, and tune them to orchestra pitch. Obligatos are great for this while mainting enough tension to give you a good Pizz. If you don't mind spending the extra bread, try the new Compas 180s.

do what AJ suggests or just get some Velvets- they seem to always be low tension for me.

I'm using Obligato solo's.

godoze · #9 08-26-2004, 09:36 PM

sorry, didn't see that you recommended the velvets adrian !

AMJBASS · #10 08-26-2004, 09:41 PM

Great minds think alike

**Chris Fitzgerald** · #11 08-26-2004, 09:50 PM

Also, some strings are available in 4/4 lengths, and some are not. If you can find strings that were made for that mensure, I bet the results will be more to your liking. With any luck, Francois - our resident string lunatic - will show up before too long and set us all straight.

**Francois Blais** · #12 08-27-2004, 06:05 AM

Few bass strings are made in true 4/4 lenghts; some Thomastiks, Jargars, some Corellis. Pirastros are more 7/8 but fit a 4/4.
You need to browse the makers website to know exactly what's available.
Some on-line dealers catalogs are misleading in this aspect.
His best bet, as suggested, could be to get solo strings and tune them at orchestra pitch, to get low tension.

darksail · #13 08-28-2004, 08:57 AM

Thanks to all.
So, First of all I have to find strings that I like and that in true 4/4 lenghts... and the thing doesn't appear so easy... (site of Corelli for example is not very useful)

Kevinlee · #14 08-28-2004, 01:10 PM

Don't the velvet strings come in 4/4 lengths?

**Francois Blais** · #15 08-28-2004, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darksail

Thanks to all.
So, First of all I have to find strings that I like and that in true 4/4 lenghts... and the thing doesn't appear so easy... (site of Corelli for example is not very useful)

Did you look here?: http://www.savarez.fr/corel-contrebas.html
Very informative, although in french. (english page still under construction)
As for Velvet strings, I know very little about them, and their website doesn't tell much either.
Furthermore they're sold in sets only, and quite expensive, so I never (and probably won't never) test them.

Mudfuzz · #16 08-28-2004, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by francois

they're sold in sets only, and quite expensive, so I never (and probably won't never) test them.

Look here http://www.violins.on.ca/strings/basvel.html

but still quite expensive

**Francois Blais** · #17 08-28-2004, 05:52 PM

Thanks for the link, Aaron.
However, US$100 for a single string (Compas 180) is still a bit too much for me...
And I thought Olivs and Eudoxas were expensive...

AMJBASS · #18 08-29-2004, 07:34 AM

Luscomb here in Ontario is very expensive. You are much better off ordering your strings from Quinn Violins, or Lemur Music.

**Francois Blais** · #19 08-29-2004, 09:45 AM

Unfortunately they don't sell Velvets in singles!

AMJBASS · #20 08-29-2004, 09:50 AM

I don't know if Luscomb actually sells singles...I was under the impression that Velvet would only sell their strings as a set. That way the tension across stays uniform. That is part of the reason they respond the way they do.