F# string question...

[tsoaf0_o]

heya guys,
some advice would be very much appreciated, been trying to find answers about this for ages, where better to ask
So I'd like to add an 130. gauge F# string to the low end of my bass which is now currently tuned B(125. gauge) all the way up to C(55. gauge). the bass is an Ibanez SR1006(strong neck-through 5 piece neck and custom bartiloni pickups).
http://www.bgra.net/2004/review.php?id=2020&type=bass
I've tried ringing up a few repairmen and technicians from different shops and what i've been told is:
(a) either the bass will not be able to sustain the pressure of the string tension and warp it, leaving the bass pretty much unrepairable.
(b) the pickups will not be able to handle the low end and malfunction, or something to that effect.
(c) both the above options.
(d) nothing at all, for a while at least.

So should i go for it? or would it be a terrible idea?
i know i most likely have a lot more to consider aside from the string option(suitable bass rig etc.) but some advice about the string for now would more brilliant.
thanks a million, if im missing something or if theres any other info i need to give or anything let me know, i'll try fill that in as best i can.

thanks a mil
-tsoaf

[mark roberts]

Originally Posted by tsoaf0_o

heya guys,
some advice would be very much appreciated, been trying to find answers about this for ages, where better to ask
So I'd like to add an 130. gauge F# string to the low end of my bass which is now currently tuned B(125. gauge) all the way up to C(55. gauge). the bass is an Ibanez SR1006(strong neck-through 5 piece neck and custom bartiloni pickups).
http://www.bgra.net/2004/review.php?id=2020&type=bass
I've tried ringing up a few repairmen and technicians from different shops and what i've been told is:
(a) either the bass will not be able to sustain the pressure of the string tension and warp it, leaving the bass pretty much unrepairable.
(b) the pickups will not be able to handle the low end and malfunction, or something to that effect.
(c) both the above options.
(d) nothing at all, for a while at least.

So should i go for it? or would it be a terrible idea?
i know i most likely have a lot more to consider aside from the string option(suitable bass rig etc.) but some advice about the string for now would more brilliant.
thanks a million, if im missing something or if theres any other info i need to give or anything let me know, i'll try fill that in as best i can.

thanks a mil
-tsoaf

First, I use a .145 for my F# and would not consider using less than a .140 (have used). Most players like even heavier than that (ie. .150-.165). I've tried many, many large gauge strings. Many sound good for a short while, only to go belly-up fast...even when you barely play them. D'Addario large gauge strings sound OK and they sound good for a very long time...unless you beat 'em. Do that, and the larger gauge by the string by any maker, the quicker they die.

Second, your nut may need to be redone or replaced to work with the changes in string gauges...no big deal.

Third, The string will have LOW tension, not higher tension. You may have to have your neck adjusted after your change and the strings "settle-in" to the tuning.

The pick-ups will work.

Good luck.

[T-Bird]

Hi.

^What he said.

I haven't done it yet, but I have been under the impression as well that the "minimum" thickness of F# is around .145.

As for Your questions:

(a) BS, like said above,the tension is less, not more.
(b) most likely BS, most of the magnetic pickups track down to a fraction of a Hz, obviously.
(c) ^double BS
(d) true, .130 is IME/IMHO a bit floppy as a B, so with .130 tuned to F# it won't most probably make much sound at all.

What is more than likely is that Your rig won't be able to reproduce the fundamental(s) or even the first harmonics at any reasonable SPL live, recording is a completely different matter.

Regards
Sam

[walterw]

the limit will be the scale length, not the tension or the pickups. it's hard enough to get a low B to sound halfway decent at 34" or even 35". that length is way too short to get a clear fundamental out of an F# a fourth below that. you'll pretty much just hear a bunch of harmonics and noise. i've only heard low F#s on very nice roscoe 35" scale basses, and even they were little more than novelties. the sound just isn't very good.

[eyvindwa]

I'd say go for it! I tune a Warwick F# string (.175) to G on my 34" Warwick Thumb, and for me it works great.

[tsoaf0_o]

Thanks a lot for the advice guys,
i'll look into all of this when I get the time, seems most of the technicians/repairmen I called didn't know squat:P
got the f# 130. gauge from my local superstore, if i definitely applie the tuning i'll be doing it with a heavier gauge for sure, seems they don't know much beyond B.
and apologies about the link, i was sure that was the exact same model(will pay much more careful attention in future), this bass is actually a neck-through five piece, no truss rods, im not sure how that could be adjusted.
nut replacement like you said wouldn't be a big concern.
i never knew about the string tension being lower, shudda copped on to that:P

i'll give it a shot in some form over the next while, seems many an adjustment will have to be made.
thanks again
- tsoaf