Bad string tension on Weston Spectrum V

5string5fingers · #1 07-27-2009, 06:21 PM

The low B and E strings on my Spectrum are rather floppy. I've owned 2 5 string before this one,an ESP and Jazz deluxe 5, and both of them have had nice string tension on the B string. But on this bass,the b string is barely playable and the E string's tension is around what what other 5 strings low b is. Anybody know what the culprit could be?

5string5fingers · #2 08-07-2009, 08:29 PM

bump?

JustDavid · #3 08-07-2009, 08:37 PM

Strings or bass?

One thing I noted upon buying my last 5 string was it's B felt very floppy. Which was weird: Fender 7250s, or something like that, & I'm fine with TI Jazz Flats' B & they don't come much lower tension than them. Messing with it & checking into it, I noted the Fender B felt less tense than the rest of the set, so maybe it's a string imbalance I was sensing rather than a floppy B.

5string5fingers · #4 08-08-2009, 08:46 AM

Yea I haven't changed the strings on it yet, I thought it could be that but they're heavier gauge that what I normally play with so I figured the tension would be more at least it has been with my previous experiences with heavy gauge strings.

JustDavid · #5 08-08-2009, 09:35 AM

For a rough "balanced tension" check, at the 12th fret pull the B string across the fingerboard towards the E then the E towards the A etc. Then do G towards D, D towards A etc. Not deeply science-y but it should give you a sense of how consistent the tension is.

I found that Fender B was less tense than the rest of that set but tenser than the TIJF's B. And that the Fender B felt floppier than the TI. I didn't check deeper, just ended observing that I prefer somewhat balanced tension.

I'm fingerstyle over the neck pickup. A bridge picker might not find the same results. Heck, I'm pretty weird: NO ONE else might find the same results.

5string5fingers · #6 08-08-2009, 03:40 PM

I've got a 5 string jazz and the string tension is pretty good. I play right in the middle between the two pickups. Is there anything I can do to balance the string tension out across the strings or is just how the instruments built?

grifff · #7 08-08-2009, 03:46 PM

Try new strings.

JustDavid · #8 08-08-2009, 03:53 PM

It's in how the strings are built. If you are very sensitive to this on your string of choice, you might need to mix sets or add a stronger B to a EADG set. Or find a similar sounding set that's more matched.

Fliptrique · #9 08-08-2009, 04:04 PM

Also relif is very important - a neck that is to flat with a low action may cause strings to feel a lot more floppy than an average relif/action setup.

I`ve found it extremely important to have a proper setup when it comes to 5 string basses. Well, all basses, actually

5string5fingers · #10 08-08-2009, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fliptrique

Also relif is very important - a neck that is to flat with a low action may cause strings to feel a lot more floppy than an average relif/action setup.

I`ve found it extremely important to have a proper setup when it comes to 5 string basses. Well, all basses, actually

I agree, when I first got the bass the neck actually had slight back bow on it,took me about a week to get a little bit of relief back on it. It's alot better than it was. When I first got it,the E and B strings are virtually unplayable. I'll try getting my usual set of D'Addario Nickels on it. I have no idea what strings these are,they seem kind of cheap.