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4/4 strings on 3/4 bass - is this possible?

Discussion in 'Strings [DB]' started by spectre, Jan 2, 2015.

  1. Jan 2, 2015 #1
    spectre

    spectre

    Feb 17, 2008
    Curious to see what happens when I put heavy guage spiros on my 3/4 (104cm), but they only make heavies for 4/4 (110cm) length. Other than the possibility of my bass being muffled by the increased tension, is there any reason why I can't try this? Will the strings fit and behave as they would on a 4/4? Be properly tempered, etc? Thanks!!
     
  2. Jan 2, 2015 #2
    Sam Dingle

    Sam Dingle Supporting Member

    Aug 16, 2011
    Nashville TN
    They will be slightly less tension than on a 4/4 bass i think. I use the 4/4 medium spirocore strings on my "large 3/4" bass. It shouldn't be a problem. You're talking about the stark strings right?
     
  3. Jan 2, 2015 #3
    TroyK

    TroyK Moderator Staff Member Gold Supporting Member

    Mar 14, 2003
    Seattle, WA
    There's no reason not to do that. A lot of people prefer the 4/4 mittels and weichs.
     
    DC Bass likes this.
  4. Jan 2, 2015 #4
    spectre

    spectre

    Feb 17, 2008
    Yes I was considering trying the spiro starks for jazz pizz, see what happens. o_O ..... Has anyone done this and can comment? I have a 100 year old tyrolean, and tightening the strings a half-step doesn't muffle the sound at all, makes it blossom a bit, so I thought I would try a high tension high mass string, hence the starks. Although I do not know how going from 72 lbs to 80+ lbs relates to tuning up a half-step. Is it similar or am i going to just muzzle my bass and waste $300? Also ... is it dangerous? Could this much pressure damage an old bass?? (I should note I've experimented with spiro medium and zyex medium so far). Thanks for your replies, I appreciate it.
     
  5. Jan 2, 2015 #5
    Sam Dingle

    Sam Dingle Supporting Member

    Aug 16, 2011
    Nashville TN
    Go to string emporium. Spirocores go for about 205 there
     
  6. Jan 2, 2015 #6
    spectre

    spectre

    Feb 17, 2008
    This seems to be a simple question, but I keep finding opposing answers on this site - Will Spirocore heavy have a greater or lesser range of motion when plucked than the Spirocore medium? (Will I be able to have the action lower?)
     
  7. Jan 2, 2015 #7
    Sam Dingle

    Sam Dingle Supporting Member

    Aug 16, 2011
    Nashville TN
    I think you'll have to have the action lower.
     
  8. Jan 3, 2015 #8
    TroyK

    TroyK Moderator Staff Member Gold Supporting Member

    Mar 14, 2003
    Seattle, WA
    They will have higher tension, no question about it. that means that with the same force and the same setup, they will move less. Set up can influence this as well, but all things equal, heavier strings will oscillate less under the same force.

    How that will make your bass sound, i couldn't say. It would choke mine down and maybe even do some damage over time, but the opposite is true on other instruments.
     
  9. Jan 3, 2015 #9
    DoubleMIDI

    DoubleMIDI

    Feb 28, 2010
    Germany, Nordrhein-Westfalen
    Spiro Stark 4/4 will have a similar tension as Spiro Mittel 3/4 if used on the same scale length.
    Some may prefer a Spiro Mittel 4/4 on a typical 3/4 scale to get the sound of the Mittel strings with less tension than Spiro Mittel 3/4. The Spiro Weich 4/4 have a similar tension to the Spiro Mittel 4/4 when used on the same scale.
    Don't expect the Spiro Stark 4/4 to have noticeably more tension than a Spiro Mittel 3/4.
     
  10. Jan 4, 2015 #10
    Jake deVilliers

    Jake deVilliers Commercial User

    May 24, 2006
    Crescent Beach, BC
    Owner of The Bass Spa, String Repairman at Long & McQuade Vancouver
    Here's Scott's chart:

    Thomastik Spirocore Three-quarter String Tensions

    G D A E Total
    4/4 Solo @ 3/4 Orchestra Pitch 50.3 55.3 55.3 55.3 216.2
    3/4 Solo @ 3/4 Orchestra Pitch 56.0 57.8 57.8 57.8 229.4
    S42 4/4 Weich 55.3 59.3 61.4 63.4 239.4
    S42 4/4 Mittel 61.4 65.5 69.6 69.6 266.1
    3885 3/4 Weich 60.6 61.7 63.9 66.1 252.3
    3885 3/4 Medium 67.2 68.3 70.5 72.8 278.8
    S42 4/4 Stark 73.7 73.7 75.8 77.8 301.0

    I apologize for the pathetic formatting: the software won't allow me to upload the very nicely laid out text file.
     
    Last edited: Jan 4, 2015
  11. Jan 4, 2015 #11
    DoubleMIDI

    DoubleMIDI

    Feb 28, 2010
    Germany, Nordrhein-Westfalen
    Thanks for correcting me, Jake.
    I assume the tension data is for the same scale, probably 105 or 106 cm.
    It seems that the the Stark are really heavy.