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Circle K strings...

#1,041
spector_boogie said:
Thanks, I'm thinking that's probably the best way to go.

I really only asked (and I forgot to mention this) but the bass tuned to C is 34" vs the 35" one I'll be using for B. So, I guess worst case I can try out the set I know I like and go from there. However .124 for 2.5 steps down even w/ CK's may be too light... :eyebrow:
Click to expand...

The difference in scale length wont make as big of a deal tension-wise as you might think. The added inch only accounts for a few pounds, which might not even be as much as a full gauge increase.

.124 is fine for 2.5 steps down... it just depends on what you're two steps down from. :D
 
#1,042
FunkMetalBass said:
The difference in scale length wont make as big of a deal tension-wise as you might think. The added inch only accounts for a few pounds, which might not even be as much as a full gauge increase.
Click to expand...

That's not my experience. I recently went from a .142" low B to a .136" on a 35" scale bass, because the extra inch of scale was equivalent to a full gauge.

Tension increases about twice as fast as scale length. 35" is about 3% longer than 34", but the tension is almost 6% higher.
 
#1,043
spector_boogie said:
I'm using the .124 drop set plus a low .158 B tuned ACGCF. I'm wanting to tune my new 5'er to G#BF#BE. Do you guys think I should go down to the .130 drop set and add a .166 low B or would the setup I'm using now work ok? Or maybe the .130 drop set with still the .158 low B?
The bass will be a Spector ReBop 5 which is a nice 35" scale.
Click to expand...
spector_boogie said:
the bass tuned to C is 34" vs the 35" one I'll be using for B.
Click to expand...
Looking at the CK tension chart, for tuning permanently in ACGCF or G#BF#BE, the most balanced sets are 124 drop + 150 or 130 drop + 158.
Concerning whether the scale increase will compensate for the lower tuning: For a 35" scale multiply the tension value on the chart by (35/34)squared = 1.06.
 
#1,044
ixlramp said:
Looking at the CK tension chart, for tuning permanently in ACGCF or G#BF#BE, the most balanced sets are 124 drop + 150 or 130 drop + 158.
Concerning whether the scale increase will compensate for the lower tuning: For a 35" scale multiply the tension value on the chart by (35/34)squared = 1.06.
Click to expand...

Sweet, thx for the input.
Honestly I think I'm just going to try the same .124 set + .158 B config I have right now and go from there. If I need to bump it up the next time around, I can do so easily. I'll report back when the results are in! :bassist:
 
#1,045
That's cool, i believe your 124 drop + 158 is the optimum for switching between ACGCF and GCGCF? if you still regularly drop the lowest string then balance the tensions in the average tuning (= lowest string dropped by a semitone).

I think you'll find that 34" to 35" halfway compensates for a semitone drop, so depending on your choice you'll have either a slight increase or decrease in tension. So trying the same set will result in a slight decrease in tension, barely noticeable.
 
#1,046
ixlramp said:
That's cool, i believe your 124 drop + 158 is the optimum for switching between ACGCF and GCGCF? if you still regularly drop the lowest string then balance the tensions in the average tuning (= lowest string dropped by a semitone).

I think you'll find that 34" to 35" halfway compensates for a semitone drop, so depending on your choice you'll have either a slight increase or decrease in tension. So trying the same set will result in a slight decrease in tension, barely noticeable.
Click to expand...

That's correct, and what Skip told me originally. I had planned to use the G as well as the A tuning, but have really just stuck with A so really I could go "down" to a .150, but I'm pretty comfortable with the .158 at this point.
Maybe I will try a .150 with my .124 set next time though and see how it is, and use a .158 for G#.... :ninja::ninja:
 
#1,047
chucko58 said:
That's not my experience. I recently went from a .142" low B to a .136" on a 35" scale bass, because the extra inch of scale was equivalent to a full gauge.

Tension increases about twice as fast as scale length. 35" is about 3% longer than 34", but the tension is almost 6% higher.
Click to expand...

On a 34" scale, a .136 B-string sits at 39.25 lbs.
On a 35" scale, a .136 B-string sits at 41.59 lbs, which is a 2.34 lb difference.
On a 34" scale, a .142 B-string sits at 42.67 lbs, which is a 3.42 lb difference.

In your case, it is almost the same as moving up a gauge. In OP's case...

On a 34" scale, a .158 A-string sits at 39.60 lbs.
On a 35" scale, a .158 A-string sits at 41.96 lbs, which is a 2.36 lb difference.
On a 34" scale, a .166 A-string sits at 45.96 lbs, which is a 6.36 lb difference.
 
#1,048
I tested out the drop B tuning on my 34" NS-5 last night with the .124 set and the .158 low B and it performed great. I'm going to order an exact set for my 35" ReBop and next time order just a .150 low B for my drop C tuning bass.... :bassist:

Also, CK has a coupon code going on their Facebook page, if you haven't seen!
 
#1,049
spector_boogie said:
I tested out the drop B tuning on my 34" NS-5 last night with the .124 set and the .158 low B and it performed great. I'm going to order an exact set for my 35" ReBop and next time order just a .150 low B for my drop C tuning bass.... :bassist:

Also, CK has a coupon code going on their Facebook page, if you haven't seen!
Click to expand...

Man, I always miss their coupons. I just ordered strings from them a few weeks ago. :crying:
 
#1,053
Hiya Mr. Tappy, this is off topic since i am waiting for CKS to do steels before i try some. I've been experimenting with microtonal tunings ...
12ET fretted 6 string bass 35" tuned in 3.5 semitone neutral thirds (allows me to play quartertone scales) steel roundwounds and plains .045rw .035rw .025rw .016p .013p .010p but soon to be restrung lower perhaps .075rw .060rw .045rw .035rw .025rw .020rw.
Fretless 4 string 34" tuned in Just intonation / natural sixths (5/3 = 8.84 semitones) steel flatwounds and plains .060fw .032fw .017p .009p.
Both sets have tension falling steadily from low to high.
 
#1,054
Sorry to put you on the spot there ixlramp. However, I do appreciate the post. I'm also looking forward to stainless steel CKs.

What pitches are the lowest strings tuned to on the 4- and 6-string instruments?

Currently, I am about halfway through reading The Just Intonation Primer by David B. Doty. Very interesting stuff...
 
#1,055
Hey no problem, details on the fretless 4 here Invalid Link Removed
So the lowest is a .060 tuned to standard A, that's a fourth lower than normal and has only 25 pounds tension.
6 string, i can barely remember, i think the .045 is tuned to standard D (= drop D of guitar), again roughly 25 pounds.
A good intro to Just intonation: http://www.kylegann.com/tuning.html
I don't feel much of a musician though, very unproductive and lazy recently ... :)
 
#1,057
Yeah until recently i tuned in fifths. Apologies for continued off topic, but just to add ... here's the full guide to tuning a normally fretted guitar or bass in neutral or natural thirds to get a good taste of 24 tone equal temperament / quartertone scales or simple just intonation scales: Invalid Link Removed
 

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