how to tighten low C string on Jazz Bass?

FloydianAnimal · #1 10-31-2007, 11:51 AM

Hey guys, so I have my MIA Jazz strung .115 .95 .70 .50 and tuned to Drop C so CGCF low to high. It feels pretty good overall but the C string still seems kind of loose, even with heavy strings like that on there. I can't seem to set it up to be tight. Any suggestions on what I can do? Also, my P Bass is set up in Drop C as well but the low C on that one seems tighter- and that bass has smaller low strings on it too: .110 .90 .75 .55.

One thing I noticed is the low C on my Jazz doesn't fit super well into the nut- would that make a difference (probably going to file that slot down)? Also, the P bass has a Badass bridge on it- would a Badass on my Jazz make the low C tighter? I have the action set up moderately high on the Jazz and the low C saddle is back pretty far. Not sure what would work really; maybe I need an even heavier low C for the Jazz? Any suggestions are welcome...

chaosMK · #2 10-31-2007, 11:54 AM

Not much you can do. Maybe use a B string.

lowendgenerator · #3 10-31-2007, 11:56 AM

I play in Drop C a lot. I use a .125. I'm thinking about moving it down to .120 or .115, as I use .045 .065 .085 for the rest and the gauge difference makes the C sound a little different. I have a Badass on my bass and it definitely helped with the tension and action. File that nut a bit, you'll feel and hear the difference.

FloydianAnimal · #4 10-31-2007, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lowendgenerator

I play in Drop C a lot. I use a .125. I'm thinking about moving it down to .120 or .115, as I use .045 .065 .085 for the rest and the gauge difference makes the C sound a little different. I have a Badass on my bass and it definitely helped with the tension and action. File that nut a bit, you'll feel and hear the difference.

Alright yea, I'm gonna try filing the nut for sure... maybe get a badass later too. So you think a .115 should be a heavy enough string right?

NineSpine · #5 10-31-2007, 01:39 PM

I may be wrong, but I don't think I am, so feel free to correct me...

Only two things effect your actual tension.

A. Scale Length
B. String Weight

As far as I can tell, from a mathematical standpoint, nothing else can have any effect on your tension. The scale length, which is the length from bridge to nut, and the string weight (usual calculated per inch), which is based on how the string is made, what it is made out of, and what it's gauge is.

Since these are the only things that can have any effect on string tension, I can only speculate that your p-bass is using a different type of strings than your j-bass. If this is true, maybe you want to consider using those type of strings to get better tension.

NOTE: When I say string weight, I DO NOT mean the weight of the whole thing in the package, I mean a calculation such as weight PER INCH. I can't reiterate this enough.

Now, while I believe those are the only things that effect actual tension, your playstyle, nut, bridge, and even frets do have a large effect on the way your string will vibrate, which can cause it to SEEM less or more tense without actually changing it. For example, these factors can change your sustain or your fretnoise considerably, which some people mistake as tension.

FloydianAnimal · #6 10-31-2007, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NineSpine

I may be wrong, but I don't think I am, so feel free to correct me...

Only two things effect your actual tension.

A. Scale Length
B. String Weight

As far as I can tell, from a mathematical standpoint, nothing else can have any effect on your tension. The scale length, which is the length from bridge to nut, and the string weight (usual calculated per inch), which is based on how the string is made, what it is made out of, and what it's gauge is.

Since these are the only things that can have any effect on string tension, I can only speculate that your p-bass is using a different type of strings than your j-bass. If this is true, maybe you want to consider using those type of strings to get better tension.

NOTE: When I say string weight, I DO NOT mean the weight of the whole thing in the package, I mean a calculation such as weight PER INCH. I can't reiterate this enough.

Now, while I believe those are the only things that effect actual tension, your playstyle, nut, bridge, and even frets do have a large effect on the way your string will vibrate, which can cause it to SEEM less or more tense without actually changing it. For example, these factors can change your sustain or your fretnoise considerably, which some people mistake as tension.

Right, well perhaps I should have mentioned also that I used to use the same Ernie ball .110 set on both my jazz and P and the jazz was still somewhat looser in comparison. I got a GHS .115 boomers set for my jazz since that is higher gauge thinking that would resolve the issue. I guess I'll just have to try some more setup stuff really...

Human Bass · #7 10-31-2007, 02:59 PM

Get a B string. B is closer to C than E is.

meev992 · #8 10-31-2007, 03:13 PM

use a higher nut, that makes things feel stiffer.

lowendgenerator · #9 11-01-2007, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NineSpine

I may be wrong, but I don't think I am, so feel free to correct me...

Only two things effect your actual tension.

A. Scale Length
B. String Weight

As far as I can tell, from a mathematical standpoint, nothing else can have any effect on your tension. The scale length, which is the length from bridge to nut, and the string weight (usual calculated per inch), which is based on how the string is made, what it is made out of, and what it's gauge is.

Since these are the only things that can have any effect on string tension, I can only speculate that your p-bass is using a different type of strings than your j-bass. If this is true, maybe you want to consider using those type of strings to get better tension.

NOTE: When I say string weight, I DO NOT mean the weight of the whole thing in the package, I mean a calculation such as weight PER INCH. I can't reiterate this enough.

Now, while I believe those are the only things that effect actual tension, your playstyle, nut, bridge, and even frets do have a large effect on the way your string will vibrate, which can cause it to SEEM less or more tense without actually changing it. For example, these factors can change your sustain or your fretnoise considerably, which some people mistake as tension.

You forgot:

C. Pitch

I think there's a difference between the defined laws of physics, and the many different factors that go into the 'feel' of a bass. When I put my BA bridges on, the bass feels different, better, more accurate. I was able to get a lower action and a straighter neck.

Getting back to what the OP was inquiring about, I think a .115 might be on the light side of acceptable for dropped C tuning. I will probably try a .120 first, but I'm more concerned with how the C string sounds compared to the GCF strings. With that huge .125 tuned C and D, it's got a different timbre and resonance than the rest of the bass. I'm still working it out, trial and error are my partners in crime right now.

Here's a pic of the strings on my bass, you can clearly see how HUGE the .125 is compared to the rest of the set.

Nikoubis · #10 11-01-2007, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lowendgenerator

Relic job?

lowendgenerator · #11 11-01-2007, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nikoubis

Relic job?

Not the point of the picture, but sure, you can call it that. I call it OCD. There was a chip of paint missing and I kept chipping at it, I couldn't help myself.

meev992 · #12 11-01-2007, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lowendgenerator

Not the point of the picture, but sure, you can call it that. I call it OCD. There was a chip of paint missing and I kept chipping at it, I couldn't help myself.

ha, i'll remember to do that for my own relic job

and you're absolutely right, one needs to consider the rest of the set, in terms gauge, timbre, etc.

I'll be using a .110 for detuned use. In retrospect, I should've purchased something heavier, but I think, for (my) bass, It's sort of old and beat up, and I think the lesser tension will help prolong the lifetime of the bass.

in short, there are lots of factors, but I would personally try to figure out how to put together a set of strings that provide consistency in timbre and playability.

enderwaves · #13 11-11-2007, 04:46 PM

be careful using a b string. you'll create quite a bit of tension by tuning a b string up to C, and over time it's enough to raise your action quite a bit. also, you mentioned that you had your C string set really high? lowering your action on that string might help tighten up your sound, if you're getting buzz from the nut. i have a jazz 5 that i tune ACGCF, and i notice the same nut fit problem on my C string. i keep my action quite low, and when i string my bass i don't wind too much string around the tuner, trying to pull the string lower over the nut. does that make sense to anyone but me? regardless, i try to ensure that the string is bending at a pretty good angle over the nut so it's making good contact. next is a new nut, but i'd rather avoid messing with all that.