Same strings, but very different tension on different basses

Yes, this may be due to differences in action and relief settings. I don't see why it would be because of the bridges, since they are not through-body.

 

It's the tilt-back headstock on Ibanez, it makes the strings feel less flexible than the straight up headstocks of Fender or G&L.



The break angle from the nut to the machine-head capstan does a lot in determining string stiffness.

I can downtune to as low as C#-Standard on any of the Ibanez in this room (3), but not so on a Fender (not w/o changing strings).

Just spit-balling on this one, but I also think the radius matters.

 

+1

In my experience, "action" is one of the main things that affect how a set of strings FEEL. A higher action means the string needs to be pressed farther down for fretting, which in turn increases the tension, resulting in a tighter feel.

 

If you like DR, switch to Nickel Lo-Riders, they're the HEX-core version of Sunbeams. Sunbeams are ROUND-core & thus more flexible, or less stiff.

https://www.drstrings.com/bass-nickel-lo-rider



Please note that the "tension" of your strings is the same, to reach the same pitch, but the stiffness is different.

 

Interesting about tilt-back heastock vs. straight-up headstock...

I once had exactly the same strings (GHS Pressurewound 44-102) on my Yamaha (tilt-back) and my P-bass (straight-up) and didn't notice any difference in the stiffness/flexibility of the strings. If anything, the ones on the P felt a bit stiffer only because of the way they were set up with a slightly higher action.

 

Are you plucking in the same place on both basses? Really?

 

If it is the same strings, same scale length and same tuning, the strings may FEEL different on the two basses, but it can’t be because the tension is actually different, right? I‘m prepared to be informed that I’m horribly mistaken, but I could swear that identical strings/vibrating lengths/pitch at different tensions = a violation of the laws of physics. If I’m wrong, someone please point me to the “Physics for Dummies” explanation of how this stuff really works. I hate being ignorant about stuff I know I should understand.

@Killed_by_Death, I feel pretty certain you could tell me if I’m wrong and explain why. So, what say you?

 

Second on the pressure wound strings especially rotosounds. I think the fact that they are compressed means it takes more mass to make the same Guage just like Flatwoods of the same Guage always feel much stiffer. But it may all be in my head...

 

I doubt this is the case. Fretting increases tension which would make the note sharp, so you would end up decreasing tension to compensate and be in tune. In other words, the tension that matters is that when the string is fretted. So a bass with higher action would have lower tension when the string is not fretted, equal tension when fretted.

But, a higher action makes a string of a particular tension 'feel' tighter because you are trying to deflect it by a larger amount.

Correct, the actual scientific 'tension' is identical, but the 'perceived tension' or 'feel' differs, the player notices the latter.

If a 'Jazz Bass' has a string tree, the break angle might not be much different to a tiltback headstock.

 

The Headstock, Action, and Relief in the neck will all cause different tension in the exact same string between basses. In most cases its normal for tension to vary between different basses with same strings, only when the tension is extremely loose or tight that you should be concerned.

 

Have the same situation with my two current basses. Same strings and the MIA strings feel stiffer. It’s not a problem but your not the only one.

 

I have a degree in Acoustical Physics (studied the Physics of musical instruments, specifically). You're thinking just fine. If two basses with the same scale length are tuned the same with the same strings, the actual string tension is definitely the same. The two basses are most likely set up differently - different neck relief, string height, nut height - that kind of stuff can make an instrument harder to fret, which feels like different tension. A few well performed measurements of things (if you have the right tools) will quickly unmask what's going on.

 

A high nut can easily make strings feel higher tension, especially in the low positions. On each bass, put the butt end on the floor and sight down the neck as you go from open to fretting the first fret. Compare the string travel on your basses. I suspect the higher tension bass has greater string travel.

 

The sharper angled headstock will put more down force on the nut, but the strings' tensions will absolutely be identical when tuned to the same pitch.