Asking luthiers for help

[pilotjones]

re: just intonation

Wow, you guys are talking about two entirely different things. Just vs. equal temperament is an entirely different matter from the degree of effectiveness of intonation offset in compensating for string stretch when fretting.

OK, I just re-read your post, Scott. You're not relating the two. However, someone might think that you're implying that since just equal temper is far off from just temper, that the other compensation issue is moot, which I don't think it is.

Even just intonation does not have all the harmonics of the scale notes line up with the overtones of the fundamental. And there's the pythagorean comma to contend with, also. And on top of all that , there's the inharmonicity of a real vibrating string.

 

[Scott French]

So you might as well go with what sounds best!

 

[milhanas]

hi can you give me informations about the most excellent in the market in pickup's and electronic components for U.E.B 4/4 for jazz /bow… thank you

 

[chalie]

I think you need to clearify what you are asking for help, It's confused me.

 

[Scott French]

I have the chart at school...

Geoff, if you could shoot me a copy of that some time, that would be great.

I was planning out some details of an acoustic guitar in my head tonight and I started thinking about this again. Can you post this chart sometime, Geoff? Thanks.

 

[loopee]

Hello
I have a new bass. Short scale. I have light gauge GHS Flats. I love those strings. When I got my new bass the action was high to remove the buzz....I prefer a low action so I lowered the strings and reintonated but now I have a buzz. I've been told the only way to remove the buzz, other than raising the action, is to get a heavier set of strings.

Here is my question: Where is the logic of this? I just don't understand how a heavier gauge can give me a lower action.......can anyone explain this to me?

Thanks

 

[Beej]

Interesting thread to post into...

Your new short scale bass, has a shorter overall scale (of course). This means that when you tune your regular strings (lights) to pitch, the string is looser than it would be on a longer scale.

In order to correct this "looseness" you need to string it with higher gauge strings. These higher gauges will impart a greater tension to the strings when tuned to pitch - the same tension that your light strings had on a 34" scale.

If you like the feel of the GHS Flats, then you need to find out their tension at 34" and then find a comparable string tension on a higher gauge string at the shorter scale. D'Addario publishes string tension charts you can use to determine these numbers with (and then just find comparable guages in the GHS Flats lineup). Here is a link: http://www.daddario.com/DAstringtensionguide.Page?ActiveID=2681&language_id=1&currency_id=1

The formula for tension is this: T (Tension) = (UW x (2 x L x F)2) / 386.4

UW is unit weight in pounds per linear inch (published data by string manufacturers)
L is scale length
F is vibrating frequency (of the open string)

I hope this helps...

Edit: specifically addressing the buzz, it will go away when the right tension is acheived by the right gauge...

 

[loopee]

Thank you very much.....now I understand.....finally.....

Unfortunately, short scale strings are hard to find and most come in a light gauge. So hopefully I'll be able to find some.

My new bass is great but it's builder is not a communicative sort and he wouldn't explain to me why I needed to get higher gauge to get rid of the buzz. He seemed kind of pissed at me for mentioning the buzz when I gave him my first review, though everything else about this bass is great but I guess he's not confident of his skills or doesn't like an older woman telling him he's not perfect.....lol......I don't know but now I'm reluctant to bring him the bass if and when I put heavier strings on it (as I may also need to work on the nut if the hole is too small for the new strings and I prefer a pro do that than me)

Interesting thread to post into...

Your new short scale bass, has a shorter overall scale (of course). This means that when you tune your regular strings (lights) to pitch, the string is looser than it would be on a longer scale.

In order to correct this "looseness" you need to string it with higher gauge strings. These higher gauges will impart a greater tension to the strings when tuned to pitch - the same tension that your light strings had on a 34" scale.

If you like the feel of the GHS Flats, then you need to find out their tension at 34" and then find a comparable string tension on a higher gauge string at the shorter scale. D'Addario publishes string tension charts you can use to determine these numbers with (and then just find comparable guages in the GHS Flats lineup). Here is a link: http://www.daddario.com/DAstringtensionguide.Page?ActiveID=2681&language_id=1&currency_id=1

The formula for tension is this: T (Tension) = (UW x (2 x L x F)2) / 386.4

UW is unit weight in pounds per linear inch (published data by string manufacturers)
L is scale length
F is vibrating frequency (of the open string)

I hope this helps...

Edit: specifically addressing the buzz, it will go away when the right tension is acheived by the right gauge...

 

[Beej]

Long and McQuade can order you a few sets once you've found some you like. I've tried and liked the GHS medium precision flats on my short scale. They are long scale strings, but I just cut the ends off...

 

[loopee]

I do the same with some Fender Flats Long scale that I put on my Landing but I gave him some since the E is .100 instead of .96 and he wouldn't put them on because they're long scale.....He's really starting to piss me off.

I paid $1700Cdn for that bass and I want the proper action on it.....(GHS doesn't make a shortscale string with medium gauge) Frankly, the only short scale strings I can find only come in light gauge, doesn't that mean they should work???? I still have the light gauge strings on and played a gig tonight and it didn't sound bad, frankly the buzz was hardly there. When he was setting it up before I picked it up and paid for it he kept complaining to me that the strings were buzzing so he rose the action and it was way too high so I bottomed the saddles and it's still too high. But he won't touch it unless I bring him medium gauge strings, I did but he won't put them on because they're long scale...so ***

Long and McQuade can order you a few sets once you've found some you like. I've tried and liked the GHS medium precision flats on my short scale. They are long scale strings, but I just cut the ends off...