string tension

[jonpeck]

On my Jaguar My string tension is floppy,loose etc even on the back pickup.
I have changed strings and both sets are different makes yet it still feel loose after 10 mins of playing.as well as slight fret buzz.I also installed a gotoh bridge when i put on the second set.But this has may started to happen when

-I have placed it on a stand(Hercules)
-winter the heating is on and its warm almost always
-the neck is perfectly fine
-my ibanez seems unchanged

sorry if i was not clear in a previous thread

[pkr2]

Originally Posted by jonpeck

On my Jaguar My string tension is floppy,loose etc even on the back pickup.
I have changed strings and both sets are different makes yet it still feel loose after 10 mins of playing.as well as slight fret buzz.I also installed a gotoh bridge when i put on the second set.But this has may started to happen when

-I have placed it on a stand(Hercules)
-winter the heating is on and its warm almost always
-the neck is perfectly fine
-my ibanez seems unchanged

sorry if i was not clear in a previous thread

Just to be sure that I understand your problem, are you saying " My strings are OK untill they have been played for ten minutes, and then they just go flabby feeling"?

Are you tuned in A440? Does the tuning go out when the strings become floppy? Are you using a meter to tune?

Are you familiar with basic setup procedure? If you changed bridges, a complete setup is in order but I doubt that a setup will cure your prob.

[jonpeck]

Originally Posted by pkr2

Just to be sure that I understand your problem, are you saying " My strings are OK untill they have been played for ten minutes, and then they just go flabby feeling"?

Are you tuned in A440? Does the tuning go out when the strings become floppy? Are you using a meter to tune?

Are you familiar with basic setup procedure? If you changed bridges, a complete setup is in order but I doubt that a setup will cure your prob.

1.they start of tense then after warmed up get the flabby feeling
2.its stays in tune
3.yes i had the problem before i changed the bridge and i have set it up

Its only happened since its moved from the cool window and put on a stand and the heating has been on at around 20 degrees c

[jonpeck]

so could it just be that my plucking strength has increased so the warmth or putting it on a stand is just paranoia

[Dragonlord]

Yes. You can try to raise the action a little bit on the bridge.

[pkr2]

Originally Posted by Joshua

I'm not saying that heat doesn't have an effect, nor that the wrond stand can't have some effect (at least as a possibility), but that if there is no change in pitch what else can the answer be? How can tension increase without raising pitch?

That was the question in my mind, also, Josh.

I'm sorry, but this problem (according to the given info) violates the law of physics. If the tension on a string lowers, the pitch of the string will lower a corresponding amount. Invariably!

[jonpeck]

God knows then im sorting out the action soon anywayz

[202dy]

Originally Posted by pkr2

That was the question in my mind, also, Josh.

I'm sorry, but this problem (according to the given info) violates the law of physics. If the tension on a string lowers, the pitch of the string will lower a corresponding amount. Invariably!

One hundred percent correct!

If you have ever done this work for a living you would know that requests to change the laws of physics are not uncommon.

There have been few bass players who have asked for alterations in the space-time continuum. Typically, requests of this sort are the province of those whose gear include a Floyd Rose tremolo.

[GlennW]

"Typically, requests of this sort are the province of those whose gear include a Floyd Rose tremolo."

LOL

[202dy]

Originally Posted by GlennW

"Typically, requests of this sort are the province of those whose gear include a Floyd Rose tremolo."

LOL

Not when the cadet is standing in front of you with a serious look on his face.

[pkr2]

Originally Posted by 202dy

Not when the cadet is standing in front of you with a serious look on his face.

LOL!!! How about the complaint: "it just doesn't play (or sound) like it used to".

Or, "I want you to set it up so it doesn't buzz any more, but don't mess with the truss rod, I've got it right where I like it".

Or, "Don't tell me that I can't handle the lowest possible action that you can accomplish, I've been playing for almost a year, so I'm hardly a beginner!

Next morning bright and early: "You have screwed up my bass!!!!, every fret is rattling!!"

Bewildered repair person: Well since we can't raise the strings higher than the lowest possible setting, I can lower the fretboard some. That's how Jaco plays his."

Irate cust "Well why didn't you do that to start with? Are you going to charge me for the do over?"

I always liked dealing with the public but dealing with people can run me up the wall.

[zazz]

one paticular bass of mine is shortscale and suffers from the flabby feel especially on the low e.....but yes its technique...but also something like a sansamp di effect in place will kind of compress the signal and make you more delicate in your approach ..but still getting that full on string attack...minus all the buzzes ect.......hope this might help.

ps playing right on the bridge ..while tough on the fingers is an amazing way of making even the buzziest bass sound great!!

[202dy]

Originally Posted by pkr2

LOL!!! How about the complaint: "it just doesn't play (or sound) like it used to".

Or, "I want you to set it up so it doesn't buzz any more, but don't mess with the truss rod, I've got it right where I like it".

Or, "Don't tell me that I can't handle the lowest possible action that you can accomplish, I've been playing for almost a year, so I'm hardly a beginner!

Next morning bright and early: "You have screwed up my bass!!!!, every fret is rattling!!"

Bewildered repair person: Well since we can't raise the strings higher than the lowest possible setting, I can lower the fretboard some. That's how Jaco plays his."

Irate cust "Well why didn't you do that to start with? Are you going to charge me for the do over?"

I always liked dealing with the public but dealing with people can run me up the wall.

The trick to dealing with the public is to have answers to diffuse the anger ahead of time.

There is a tech who works for a local retailer. The retailer is a single location discounter who is large and successful enough to compete with Guitar Center. This particular tech used to tour with national acts and was the personal tech for a famous, talented big hair hired gun. His work is predictably stellar. He has stated that the hired gun required his action on his expensive, pointy, Floyd equipped guitars to be set up at the twelfth fret to 2 to 2 1/2 64ths and 1 to 1 1/2 64ths bass and treble respectively. That was what was called for and that was what he did. He also said that it could take two hours to do it or as much as six hours on a bad day. When a customer comes into the store and requests similar specs, he quotes the set up by the hour and tells them up front that it takes as long as it takes. If fretwork is required, it will be performed, but be expect to pay for the service. Knowing this, it is easy to quote the service to the demanding customer by the hour. They just can't expect that much service for $29.95 plus a set of strings. It's the same for every service. As much as we would like to accommodate everyones requests, even those that fly in the face of reason, at the end of the day a luthier has to support his family.

It's a toss up as to which is my favorite:

"I can't leave it with you overnight." Translation: "I think you will steal my guitar."
"I want to watch." Translation: "I don't trust you but don't know how to do the work myself."
"You have to be very careful. This is a (1977 Martin D-18, Double x braced Gibson Humingbird, 1984 USA Fender Anything). They don't make 'em like this anymore." Me, silently: Thank goodness!