B string science

[socialleper]

I found these videos, maybe some of the more technically inclined amongst us can tell me if this guy's information is legit or more conjecture.

 

[FunkMetalBass]

I found these videos, maybe some of the more technically inclined amongst us can tell me if this guy's information is legit or more conjecture.

Truthfully, everything he's doing is general good setup technique - it's not specific to the low B string. Mind you, I'm not trying to downplay a setup, because they really do make a difference in tone and feel. When bassists complain about their low B's, one of the first suggestions is almost always to do a setup, and for good reason.

The only minor (in fact, trivial) correction I want to make is that strings don't vibrate elliptically - that standing wave shape is a catenary.

EDIT: To clarify, the profile view he showed was not an ellipse, but they do move almost elliptically due to gravity.

 

[socialleper]

Truthfully, everything he's doing is general good setup technique - it's not specific to the low B string. Mind you, I'm not trying to downplay a setup, because they really do make a difference in tone and feel. When bassists complain about their low B's, one of the first suggestions is almost always to do a setup, and for good reason.

The only minor (in fact, trivial) correction I want to make is that strings don't vibrate elliptically - that standing wave shape is a catenary.

EDIT: To clarify, the profile view he showed was not an ellipse, but they do move almost elliptically due to gravity.

Trying to keep the string from twisting while you are winding it makes complete sense. If you twist the string the wrong way you are sort of unwinding it.

His measurements were in metric, so I wasn't sure how that sounded to other people, but I noticed how he was measuring the action height from the top of the string, and the way I've heard it described in the past was to measure the gap from the top of the 12th fret (he did the last fret of the bass) or the pick up to the bottom of the string.

I also found it interesting that he went with a .130 gauge string. I would have thought that a denser string would have less snap even though it has higher tension because there is just more "stuff" there. I might have to think more about this one.

 

[Marty Forrer]

I dont understand the loyalty to Elixirs, I tried a couple of sets some years ago and thought they were mediocre. However, each to his own. I am loyal to TI Flats, but only until someone can show me something better.
As for B strings, I believe pickup design is lacking by most manufacturers. The Roscoe Beck bass addressed this with pups designed by Bill Lawrence that had less pull on the B string, and it worked. The B is one of the best on a 34" scale.
F basses are considered among the very best the world has to offer, and he uses taper core strings.
A couple of points to ponder.

 

[FunkMetalBass]

Trying to keep the string from twisting while you are winding it makes complete sense. If you twist the string the wrong way you are sort of unwinding it.

Really, you're twisting the core. In doing so, it's not going to vibrate as intended, usually leading to notes with no sustain and weird overtones.

His measurements were in metric, so I wasn't sure how that sounded to other people, but I noticed how he was measuring the action height from the top of the string, and the way I've heard it described in the past was to measure the gap from the top of the 12th fret (he did the last fret of the bass) or the pick up to the bottom of the string.

Was he measuring to the top of the string? I was just listening to the video while at work. He already had the bass set up anyway, so he might have accidentally read from the top when giving quick measurements. It's probably more worthwhile to measure from the bottom, but as long as you are consistent with your measurements, it's really a non-issue.

I also found it interesting that he went with a .130 gauge string. I would have thought that a denser string would have less snap even though it has higher tension because there is just more "stuff" there. I might have to think more about this one.

The cliff-notes version of the physics behind it is this:
When comparing two strings of different gauge and equivalent construction (like a D'Addario nickel .125 and .135), the thicker string has more mass and tension. As a result, when vibrating, the larger string will not move as freely and more energy is transferred into the upper harmonics, which is precisely where a string's "snap" and clarity come from.

Traditional bass string sets are designed in a way that is somewhat outdated with today's amp technology. Ideally, most stock sets should use slightly thinner D- and G-strings, and use thicker E- and B-strings.