Ridiculous string tension

chanson · #1 09-05-2009, 05:36 PM

I just got a Fender Roscoe Beck V and I have no idea what to do. I have tried D'Addario Prosteels and Nickel wounds on it. I have taken it into my local shop and even my setup guy can't seem to help. There is a huge amount of tension on the strings. I have played basses with higher action and the strings aren't as tense as this. We have tried changing the neck relief but it didn't do much. The strings are just so tight that it sounds ridiculously crappy. I don't really know what else do to. Lowering the action even more would result in fret buzz. Me and him are stumped. What should I do? It doesn't have high action or heavy strings. I am getting rid of the bass if I can't fix this problem.

two fingers · #2 09-05-2009, 05:39 PM

Hmmmmm... I just got the same bass and haven't noticed a problem. I'm getting ready to change strings on Sunday and when I do I'll check back in. Good luck.

KeithPas · #3 09-05-2009, 05:40 PM

Send it to Mike Lull, seriously he can fix it.

CatfishStudios · #4 09-05-2009, 05:44 PM

Seems to me, string tension is usually a product of the angle the strings break away from the nut, and string saddles combined with the diameter of the string itself... Your issue seems strange as a guitar tech cant figure it out. Sounds like he doesn't know what he is doing but Id hate to make a judgment when uninformed. My advice, take it to another tech or luthier and get a second opinion.

chanson · #5 09-05-2009, 05:48 PM

Just got a hold of a luthier near me, Mike Gardener. I'm hopefully going to have him check out my bass in the next few days.

LightGroove · #6 09-05-2009, 07:23 PM

I dont understand how tension and sounding like crap go hand in hand?? Is it too hard to depress the string or ??

WarriorJoe7 · #7 09-05-2009, 07:29 PM

put on some ernie ball slinkys

chanson · #8 09-05-2009, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LightGroove

I dont understand how tension and sounding like crap go hand in hand?? Is it too hard to depress the string or ??

It's more of a problem in with the plucking hand. It just gives it a really hollow, undefined tone. I can't really explain the sound qualities of it

chanson · #9 09-06-2009, 02:57 AM

I guess one of the problems is I can't really "dig in" on the strings because of the tension. So the tone ends up being very bland and boxy

KeithPas · #10 09-06-2009, 03:26 AM

I have had basses do this so I know it is not fun.

Pilgrim · #11 09-06-2009, 03:56 PM

I don't understand why the problem exists - but each set of strings has a designed tension at pitch. The instrument doesn't affect the tension, at least as far as I understand it.

Perhaps it's time to investigate TIs - I understand they're very low tension.

Darkstrike · #12 09-06-2009, 04:20 PM

Uhh, put on the strings you usually prefer.

warnergt · #13 09-07-2009, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pilgrim

I don't understand why the problem exists - but each set of strings has a designed tension at pitch. The instrument doesn't affect the tension, at least as far as I understand it.

+1 There is something fundamentally wrong with the depiction of the
problem here. Strings require a certain tension to achieve a particular
note at the speaking length. Action and relief do not affect this.
On any bass, your E string is going to require the exact same amount of
tension to achieve that E (assuming the length is kept constant).

Are you strings for the correct scale length? (34", I believe)
What notes are you tuning for in your setup?
What are your string gauges?

CatfishStudios · #14 09-07-2009, 12:42 PM

You guys saying that break angle from nut and saddles has no effect on tension required to reach pitch?

warnergt · #15 09-09-2009, 07:46 AM

The break angle does have an effect on bending notes (which is more
applicable to regular guitars) as it affects the slippage at the nut and saddles.
With less slippage, the string will tighten up faster (increase
in pitch) as you bend it.

However, for a given note at a given speaking length, physics requires
that the string tension be the same regardless of the bass used, the
action and the relief.

Just how far are you pulling that string when you're "digging in"?

lonote · #16 09-09-2009, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by warnergt

However, for a given note at a given speaking length, physics requires
that the string tension be the same regardless of the bass used, the
action and the relief.

Just how far are you pulling that string when you're "digging in"?

That's not strictly accurate. The string's gauge also has an effect. A .105 E string will have higher tension than a .095 E string when tuned to pitch.

stflbn · #17 09-09-2009, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lonote

That's not strictly accurate. The string's gauge also has an effect. A .105 E string will have higher tension than a .095 E string when tuned to pitch.

Yes, but the tension of a specific brand of string on one bass should be same on a different bass of the same scale length. You can't modify the bass for less string tension... without downtuning the strings and then it's the same thing if done to two different basses with the same strings.

BassmanAd · #18 09-09-2009, 09:17 AM

There are only a few variables that affect string tension - tuning, string guage, string material and scale length.

Assuming the bass has a 34" scale length and is tuned to standard pitch, I would recommend trying a few different types of string until you find one you're comfortable.

Nickel wound strings (Slinkys / XL's etc) have slightly less tension when tuned up than stainless steels (Rotosounds / ProSteels etc)

Likewise flatwounds feel much heavier at a certain guage than roundwounds at the same guage, almost like going up a guage. (eg. a .95 E flatwound will feel like a .105 E roundwound.)

I would suggest just dropping a guage and seeing how you get on. There's no fault with the bass as such, it just might be strung with something you're not used to.

Pilgrim · #19 09-09-2009, 09:53 AM

I'm glad I helped move the discussion in this direction. I agree that the problem description is flawed, because the problem is not the instrument.

Bottom line: Strings of X brand, model and length will have essentially the same tension on ANY bass.

If you don't like the tension, try different strings. It's not the instrument or its setup, it's the strings. Try lighter gauge strings, too.

BassmanAd · #20 09-09-2009, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pilgrim

I'm glad I helped move the discussion in this direction. I agree that the problem description is flawed, because the problem is not the instrument.

Bottom line: Strings of X brand, model and length will have essentially the same tension on ANY bass.

If you don't like the tension, try different strings. It's not the instrument or its setup, it's the strings. Try lighter gauge strings, too.

^ What he said.