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Help please, problem with string tension

A

A_Winters_Rose

Jul 19, 2005
6
0
#1
ok so I tune to drop B (I play a ESP Viper 305.) My B sting, well all my strings for the matter, are extremely loose. One of my friends told me I should put some humbucker coils on it for tighten the strings. is this true? what are some ways for me to get my strings tight?

sorry if this is the wrong thread to put this question in.
 
#3
I changed your title to make it more descriptive, 'Help please' is too vague for people to open the thread.:hmm:

Do you have the bass tuned to standard tuning, or is it drop tuned?

Sometimes a setup can help with tension issues. A different type or brand strings can help too, as will a heavier gauge string.

What kind of music do you play, and what kind of strings do you use?

'Humbucker coils' refers to pickups. Pickups have no impact on string tension.
 
#4
I am waiting for someone who is SUPER anal to say that humbuckers WILL have an effect of the tension due to the increased pull string towards the magnet. hehe.

Get bigger strings, should solve the problem. If it doesn't, it might be time to look into long scale basses.
 
#5
You play in drop B? Not D, but B? You have a regular (34") scale 4-string bass tuned BEAD but you didn't buy new strings, you just detuned from EADG to BEAD?

Yeah, that's your problem. Buy a set of strings for a five-string (BEADG) and re-string your bass with the four biggest strings from that set.

Peace
policy
 
#7
I found when I used a set of 5 string's and just did not use the G string it worked well. It does read as if he is in BEAD tuning. The bass should need to be set up a little differently and the nut should probably be cut to allow the heavier strings. That should take out much of the sloppy string thing.
Another option (the one I ended up with) just go to a 5 string. I played BEAD for a total of 2 weeks. What a pain for me. The 5'er was much easier.
 
#9
ollybarclay said:
will a set of strings for a 5 string work ok if tuned up to dropped c?

i.e.

D up to F
A up to C
E up to G
B up to C

they won't to too tight or mangle my neck with prolonged use or anything will they?
Click to expand...

No. As the poster above mentioned, ideally the bridge and/or nut would get adjusted to fit the bigger strings better, but it should work just fine even without those changes--much better than detuning the standard gauges down a fourth.

Peace
policy
 
#14
ollybarclay said:
will a set of strings for a 5 string work ok if tuned up to dropped c?

i.e.

D up to F
A up to C
E up to G
B up to C

they won't to too tight or mangle my neck with prolonged use or anything will they?
Click to expand...

you probably can do this, but there are some caveats.
you will probably get a bit more consistent string tension if you use guages like these:
45-50 for the F
65-70 for the high C
85-95 for the G
125-130 for the C

to do this you will probably have to mangle a couple of sets or order the guages individually. and in all actuality, the top three strings will actually be heavier guage G, D and A strings detuned a whole note each. the low C is a lighter guage B tuned up a half step.

good luck :)
 
#15
Get a 5 string set and use the B, E, A, D?

policyvote said:
You play in drop B? Not D, but B? You have a regular (34") scale 4-string bass tuned BEAD but you didn't buy new strings, you just detuned from EADG to BEAD?

Yeah, that's your problem. Buy a set of strings for a five-string (BEADG) and re-string your bass with the four biggest strings from that set.

Peace
policy
Click to expand...

Beat me to it.
 

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