String Tension Fixes.

[Heifetzbass]

Good Morning,

Recently I have been reading a lot in various sources about reducing string tension on a bass. My instrument has a 43" string length and the overall tension on the strings is a lot higher than a lot of other basses I have been playing lately.

I know that switching strings could have an impact, but I have Pirastro Permanents on right now. I really like the way they are sounding on my instrument, so I would like some other suggestions.

What would be the order of operations to address this issue if you were hired to do this? (tailpiece, string height, etc...)

Any answers would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!
Brian

[Eric Hochberg]

What do you want to accomplish by lowering tension? What problems are you having now?

[Heifetzbass]

Just overall ease of playing... I have preparing an audition for an adjunct teaching position which involves a lot of solo work. The bass just feels a little "tight".

BG

[Eric Hochberg]

I'm sure you've seen mine and other responses on KS forums...this was a tough problem for me to solve, makes me think it's the nature of some basses to be tighter and some looser feeling. Good luck!

[David Kaczorowski]

Do you have bridge adjusters. I don't why, a given string comes to pitch at a particular tension, but IME, lowing the action just a little (maybe a quarter-turn of the adjusters) seems to make things looser; yes, even after I tune the strings back up to pitch.

[aaronallen]

The spacing of the tailpiece wires over the saddle play a significant role in string tension on my bass, try spacing them closer together. Mine are at 1/2'' center to center. Lengthening the tailpiece wire will also lower tension. Switching to a wood endpin helped alot too, believe it or not.