Higher Tension ABG Strings

[Justice Graves]

Can anyone point me in the direction of a acoustic bass string that has a higher tension on the Bass side string? Most sets appears to be in 40 # area with the rest of the strings being somewhere in the low to mid 50's. I would love to find a more balanced set, I have tired of a floppy feeling E string.

The only option I have found is to increase the gauge, but the nut modification and extra heft (as most will be either .125 or .130) is not ideal.

Am I just forced to use traditional electric strings if a more balanced tension is what I am pursuing?

 

[Gorn]

You can use whatever kind of strings you want. They don't have to be phosphor bronze but if those are the only type you want to use, your gauge options are limited.

 

[Justice Graves]

You can use whatever kind of strings you want. They don't have to be phosphor bronze but if those are the only type you want to use, your gauge options are limited.

I do like the phosphor bronze strings because of the added brightness and they seem to pair well acoustic guitars with said strings. But is it necessity? No, so I guess on to finding some bright round wounds. Thanks for help.

 

[HaphAsSard]

I do like the phosphor bronze strings because of the added brightness and they seem to pair well acoustic guitars with said strings. But is it necessity? No, so I guess on to finding some bright round wounds. Thanks for help.

See if a custom set of stainless steel strings makes you happy (and if there are companies offering a single .115 or .120):
Gabriel Tenorio String Co.
If it ends up not, try contacting Don Juan's skillful grand-(grand...-)grandson:
Gabriel Tenorio String Co.
FAQ
He/they may be willing to make you a custom bronze* set of your chosen gauges.


*(but I'd also consider their copperwound strings. Let's see how @pacojas likes them, and how long they last - @40Hz mentioned, in the Tenorio thread, how the original D'Addario Reds were nice sounding strings but durable they were not.)

 

[Justice Graves]

See if a custom set of stainless steel strings makes you happy (and if there are companies offering a single .115 or .120):
Gabriel Tenorio String Co.
If it ends up not, try contacting Don Juan's skillful grand-(grand...-)grandson:
Gabriel Tenorio String Co.
FAQ
He/they may be willing to make you a custom bronze* set of your chosen gauges.


*(but I'd also consider their copperwound strings. Let's see how @pacojas likes them, and how long they last - @40Hz mentioned, in the Tenorio thread, how the original D'Addario Reds were nice sounding strings but durable they were not.)

Thanks for the info definitely another option that may be interesting to pursue with copperwounds.

I was actually considering a set of balanced steel kaliums or perhaps just trying a set of cobalts as these tend to be the strings I use regularly. This would seem to offer consistent feel, but I'm unsure of how the overall tone would be. I'm thinking keeping it simple may be the best bet that way if I don't enjoy it I can donate the strings to another bass and move on.

 

[ixlramp]

You may find electric bass strings too harsh for ABG, that's why ABG strings are different material, but then you might not. Steels especially could be harsh.
About gauges, ABG is obviously sensitive to total tension, you don't want to increase tension significantly from what it currently is. Try to find out the current gauges and increase the lower gauges while decreasing the higher gauges, to keep the total similar. Standard bass sets are usually top- and/or middle- heavy. Equal-tension sets for 34" scale basses are 105 80 60 45 or 100 75 55 40 i wouldn't dare go tighter.
A short scaled ABG might be short-scaled to lower total tension, assuming the use of standard 105-45 sets. So it may be unwise to raise tension to electric bass values by using very large gauges.

 

[Justice Graves]

You may find electric bass strings too harsh for ABG, that's why ABG strings are different material, but then you might not. Steels especially could be harsh.
About gauges, ABG is obviously sensitive to total tension, you don't want to increase tension significantly from what it currently is. Try to find out the current gauges and increase the lower gauges while decreasing the higher gauges, to keep the total similar. Standard bass sets are usually top- and/or middle- heavy. Equal-tension sets for 34" scale basses are 105 80 60 45 or 100 75 55 40 i wouldn't dare go tighter.
A short scaled ABG might be short-scaled to lower total tension, assuming the use of standard 105-45 sets. So it may be unwise to raise tension to electric bass values by using very large gauges.

I will heed the warnings given here and fill in an important piece of the puzzle. The bass in question is actually a "semi acoustic", Washburn AB40SHNK. The construction of this bass should support the higher tensions without issue.

I don't want to go into crazy large gauge strings. I would actually prefer something in a traditional set 105 85 65 45 or the likes. These tensions are at least a bit closer than your average phosphor bronze set where there is 15 # difference in tensions.

 

[HaphAsSard]

I will heed the warnings given here and fill in an important piece of the puzzle. The bass in question is actually a "semi acoustic", Washburn AB40SHNK. The construction of this bass should support the higher tensions without issue.

I don't want to go into crazy large gauge strings. I would actually prefer something in a traditional set 105 85 65 45 or the likes. These tensions are at least a bit closer than your average phosphor bronze set where there is 15 # difference in tensions.

Hmm. Invalid Link Removed and Invalid Link Removed make sets with those gauges: what I'd do is get one, toss the .105 and get Invalid Link Removed: boom, (more) even tension, except for a lighter G.
(Alternatively, get a cheaper set elsewhere and replace one or two gauges - other than the E - that you don't like with singles, but the problem is no one seems to sell a single bronze .085 - at least AFAIK.)

 

[Justice Graves]

Hmm. Invalid Link Removed and Invalid Link Removed make sets with those gauges: what I'd do is get one, toss the .105 and get Invalid Link Removed: boom, (more) even tension, except for a lighter G.
(Alternatively, get a cheaper set elsewhere and replace one or two gauges - other than the E - that you don't like with singles, but the problem is no one seems to sell a single bronze .085 - at least AFAIK.)

Highly considering trying out the building a set of Ernie Ball and living with the .080 A and the .110 E. I think BassStringsOnline had them. I just wish there was more data on tensions for the bronze strings. If Roto had tensions listed and they were in the ballpark I would try them.

My bass currently has the DR ones on it which is what started this whole thing to begins with. Like the strings as a whole other than the E. So maybe just dropping in the EB .110 may be worth while. Mix and match seems to be the story here regardless, so anything is worth a shot.

 

[HaphAsSard]

Highly considering trying out the building a set of Ernie Ball and living with the .080 A and the .110 E. I think BassStringsOnline had them. I just wish there was more data on tensions for the bronze strings. If Roto had tensions listed and they were in the ballpark I would try them.

My bass currently has the DR ones on it which is what started this whole thing to begins with. Like the strings as a whole other than the E. So maybe just dropping in the EB .110 may be worth while. Mix and match seems to be the story here regardless, so anything is worth a shot.

If you do, let us know how it works out for you. My ABG did wear the Earthwood set at one time (and I remember I liked them, until I turned into swamp things - but my hand sweat will do that to rounds, not just bronzes or EBs specifically), but not the .110.

 

[1stnamebassist]

Why don't you get in touch with Jason at basstringsonline? He would be able to set you up with what you need. My mind is telling me maybe some Fender 9050 flats would give you the tension you desire, but I could be out of my mind too! On my acoustic I use tapewounds which are low tension but they sound like butta!

 

[Justice Graves]

If you do, let us know how it works out for you. My ABG did wear the Earthwood set at one time (and I remember I liked them, until I turned into swamp things - but my hand sweat will do that to rounds, not just bronzes or EBs specifically), but not the .110.

Can do. Thanks for the input too. I should be ordering strings in the next week or two so I will give a few impressions when I get the chance.

 

[Justice Graves]

Why don't you get in touch with Jason at basstringsonline? He would be able to set you up with what you need. My mind is telling me maybe some Fender 9050 flats would give you the tension you desire, but I could be out of my mind too! On my acoustic I use tapewounds which are low tension but they sound like butta!

Going to go into another thought process since it's my thread I'll derail if I want to.

I have been interested in tapewounds just to try them but I'm put off by two things. The low tension, and knowing next to nothing about how they would react to play with a pick (I know the sacrilege of it all). I considered putting a set on my 5 string round back ABG and going to town as I normally would, but thought it would lose some of its acoustic presence as it is primarily a bonfire beater at this point and rarely gets amplified.

So if anyone has this knowledge set I would be interested.

Anything on tapewounds w/ a pick? Felt or otherwise here would work, all things are options.

I will more than likely be in contact with Jason from BSO just based on the amount of options I can be afforded. But wanted to get an idea if anyone had been on this struggle before I and had any input. I really got a whole lot of nothing just trying to get tension charts for some of my options, so I figured why not pick the brain of the masses.

 

[1stnamebassist]

I've used a pick no problem on tapes, but if acoustic volume is your thing then the bronze is probably the best way to go. I just can't be happy with acoustic volume on any acoustic basses I've tried, although I have read that others say the Tacoma Thunderchief did a pretty good job. If you want to try other strings maybe you could consider a Roland micrcube amp to take out to the bonfire with you. I've heard other acoustic players saying they work pretty good with an acoustic bass.

 

[Justice Graves]

I've used a pick no problem on tapes, but if acoustic volume is your thing then the bronze is probably the best way to go. I just can't be happy with acoustic volume on any acoustic basses I've tried, although I have read that others say the Tacoma Thunderchief did a pretty good job. If you want to try other strings maybe you could consider a Roland micrcube amp to take out to the bonfire with you. I've heard other acoustic players saying they work pretty good with an acoustic bass.

Excellent info on the tapes, and greatly appreciated. Will have to try them out just for a different flavor of awesome one of these days. Acoustic volume isn't the end game for the Washburn, its more of recording tool. Feel is just as important as tone in that regard. Though with that being said I do like the shimmer of the bronzes when recorded, this really will be a trial an error thing.

The bonfire beater is pretty loud, which may just be due to my heavy hand but who knows. I think it would be cool to try with tapes just for fun. No micro cube in the near future, I've got my eyes on to many other toys at the moment and everyone is usually too hooted to care about hearing me. As long as I can hear me were good, seems like the perfect environment for an experiment.

 

[HaphAsSard]

Can do. Thanks for the input too. I should be ordering strings in the next week or two so I will give a few impressions when I get the chance.

Almost forgot: if you order it, could you measure the winding length of the .110, front-of-ball-end to start-of-taper-at-tuner-side? Just curious whether it's GHS Tension Chart is Available like the rest of the (regular, long scale) product line supposedly is.

Going to go into another thought process since it's my thread I'll derail if I want to.

I have been interested in tapewounds just to try them but I'm put off by two things. The low tension, and knowing next to nothing about how they would react to play with a pick (I know the sacrilege of it all). I considered putting a set on my 5 string round back ABG and going to town as I normally would, but thought it would lose some of its acoustic presence as it is primarily a bonfire beater at this point and rarely gets amplified.

So if anyone has this knowledge set I would be interested.

Anything on tapewounds w/ a pick? Felt or otherwise here would work, all things are options.

I will more than likely be in contact with Jason from BSO just based on the amount of options I can be afforded. But wanted to get an idea if anyone had been on this struggle before I and had any input. I really got a whole lot of nothing just trying to get tension charts for some of my options, so I figured why not pick the brain of the masses.

You probably knew this, but tension info about the now discontinued (though still on the shelves for now) GHS tapewounds is included in the old version of their bass string guide, preserved here in perpetuity:
GHS Tension Chart is Available
(The current version still includes their phosphor bronze offering:
http://www.ghsrep.net/uploads/2/2/2/5/22258814/ghs_bass_string_guide.pdf )
D'Addario tapes weren't a thing at the time their classic tension chart (which OTOH does include their bronzes) came out, but tensions are listed on the product page:
[This invalid link has been removed]

I've bought one 5-string set of each, and I'm literally just about to put together two mixed sets of tapes: one, tight but hopefully manageable, EADG made of the two top D'Addarios plus the GHS A and B (which I want to tune up to E), destined to my Epiphone EB-3; the other I want to put on my ABG - which currently wears Invalid Link Removed, but I feel like trying new stuff every now and then - and tune BEAD, with the bottom D'Addarios and the top GHS. The apparently discarded E from the GHS set and the D'Addario A will end up on my bass VI thing, with Galli guitar tapes to complete the set.
Tapewound virgin so far but taking the plunge and going all the way! For now at least...