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Increase string tension by reversing headstock?

J

jcoopcoyote

Apr 16, 2006
69
0
Woodbine, Maryland
#1
I just read an interview in a popular bass magazine. It said that this artist was having a problem with low tension on a tuned down E-string. Someone at the custom shop of the worlds most popular bass company solved the problem by installing a left handed neck on his right handed bass. He said this increased the tension by making the string longer.
I had considered doing this, but logic tells me it won't work unless I increase the scale length some how. It seems to me only the length between the nut and the bridge saddles would really affect the tension. Except maybe increasing the breakover angles for more pressure on the nut or bridge. Any thoughts?:hmm:
 
#4
jcoopcoyote said:
...this artist was having a problem with low tension on a tuned down E-string. Someone at the custom shop of the worlds most popular bass company solved the problem by installing a left handed neck on his right handed bass.
Click to expand...
HOGWASH!!!
Let me reiterate: WITNESS POINTS! WITNESS POINTS! WITNESS POINTS!



Thank you.:p:p:p
PS. The artist was probably Timmy C. (RATM/Audioslave).
If not, he's been sold the same snake oil.

Gone said:
IMO, If the neck was replaced any one of a number of other extrenuos variables could have effected the tension (e.g. a better fitting neck)
Click to expand...

...and would not change the tension with the same scale/strings, PERIOD!
 
#6
Jazz Ad said:
I doesn't change tension at all but it increases stiffness, which solves the loose string feeling for the player.
So yes, it works. Sometimes.
Click to expand...

not true. the open string tension (which is achieved by increasing stiffness) is determined by the distance between the saddle and the nut (or zero fret). Changing the distance outside of this points does nothing at all.
 
#10
:rolleyes:

Doesn't work. As stated above, the length between nut and bridge saddle, the string construction/size, and the tension are the ONLY things that affect tension.

Now, if the string can freely slide over the nut, it can change the stretchability, which can/may affect the feel, but not the tension.
 
#11
...has a theory about this. I think it´s in his 101 Bass-tips book. In his opinion the tension increases. His advice is to use a small cylinder between the ball end of the string an the backside of the bridge to increase the distance between ball end ad bridge...
haven´t tried it, so I don´t know if it works...
 
#14
the tilt back design is to increase breakover pressure (the pressure of the string pushing down) on the nut, this negates the use of a string tree (which was a little more archaic way of performing the same task) while still having even pressure (or close to it) across all strings

EDIT: i really like parentheses :D
 
#16
chris.gotfunk said:
If it does not work, then what is the point of Fodera's Extended B-headstock design? Just curious.
Peace,
Chris
Click to expand...

It certainly give opinionated individuals something to discuss - other than that, I don't think it has a function. But, come to think of it, it may be a Fodera Income Generator!

Cynical R US!

Dan K.
 
#19
The said custom shop installed higher gauge strings and had him pay for a new neck, just for kicks? :confused:

bench said:
...has a theory about this. I think it´s in his 101 Bass-tips book. In his opinion the tension increases. His advice is to use a small cylinder between the ball end of the string an the backside of the bridge to increase the distance between ball end ad bridge...
haven´t tried it, so I don´t know if it works...
Click to expand...

Nah, that would lead to weird issues. It's just like increasing its length on the headstock, it does not change the portion of the string that actually vibrates. If you had continuously-lubricated-teflon-coated bridge and nut, I dunno, maybe if would change something.

Edit:

The fact that the lateral motion of the string wouldn't match the spring motion (extended through the bridge and/or headstock) would lead to weird harmonics, maybe enough to make tuning an issue.
 

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