High String Tension

[Wes Whitmore]

I have a mid 90s SPector neck through 4 string (All black with black hardware - made during the Kramer days). I love the tone of this bass, but the string tension is considerably higher than any of my other bases. People who play it comment on the string tension too. I have had it perfessionally setup by a very good tech, and string tension was the same before and after. I even measured the distance from the bridge to the headstock, and it seems on par with my other basses.
Thanks,
Wes

[nailuj1987]

Hi,
maybe you could change the whole set of strings to a set that you normally use? I would think that thats the reason why the tension of the strings seem so high.

[Tony G]

Originally Posted by Wes Whitmore

I have a mid 90s SPector neck through 4 string (All black with black hardware - made during the Kramer days). I love the tone of this bass, but the string tension is considerably higher than any of my other bases. People who play it comment on the string tension too. I have had it perfessionally setup by a very good tech, and string tension was the same before and after. I even measured the distance from the bridge to the headstock, and it seems on par with my other basses.
Thanks,
Wes

String tension has a lot to do with what strings you are using also. Maybe switching to a lighter guage roundwound string wound on a round core such has the DR Hi-Beams (steel) or DR Sunbeams (nickel). These strings seem to have a much lower tension than most other sets I've played, and may be just what you are looking for.

[Wes Whitmore]

Well, I have had this bass for over 2 years now. I tried Elixers, some Ernie Ball Slinky's, and most recently, DR lowriders. I have the same strings on my other basses. I did use some DR brand strings that were a light-medium (I think the E string was a .95), and it did improve the string tension to about where the other basses are, but when I dropped the E string to a D, it got a little clanky for my tastes.