Same strings different bass - stiffer feel

[MissJoanna2U]

I recently got a Cort BG modern 4 string which I traded in for my Sire V9.

The reason I did this wasn't because I don't like the Sire. I actually loved the tone and feel. It was because of the weight of the bass being well over 9 lbs.

I have a pain condition that has disabled me and even when sitting, a heavy bass triggers my nerve pain. Sad.

So I found the Cort GB modern vintage 4.

Great specs, to me great looks and designed to be light while retaining low end and and great tone.

Another bass of mine is a modded Ibanez SR 505e 5 string with Nordstrand Zen Blades and a Delano Sonar preamp. It's currently with the shop getting fixed and having a new pot installed.

Both bases weigh about the same at ~7.8lbs, which is perfect for me.

I do have a Classic Vibe Jazz with TI flats as well and that bass is a bit heavier, but just about ok.

Onto the topic.

Over time, I have mostly used DR Sunbeams and Highbeams, though latterly preferred nickel for the warmer tone. Gauge 45-105 (130).

I like their responsiveness and perceived lack of stiffness. Never got on with Low Riders for example.

Now upon getting the Cort, which is a J type bass at 34 inch scale, the Sunbeams feel really stiff.

I have decent technique and a lot of experience with Sunbeams on my previous basses.

I did my best to set it up, but concluded that perhaps the nut needed filing, so I sent it to a local luthier for a setup hoping it would make a difference. It did, but not by enough that I am happy.

The E string is ~2.5mm from the 12th fret.

Slapping is particularly hard and I am having to use a lot of force, which I don't think is right and it doesn't feel nice either. It's more of a fretting issue than a plucking issue though both feel very different to the previous basses.

I tried a set of Highbeams 40-100 before taking it to luthier as an experiment and sure it felt normal again, but I didn't want to give up on my normal gauge because on paper I could not see why I should need to compromise and was worried about ensemble playing and losing low end.

Someone who knows a lot more than me talked about tension Vs compliance with strings, saying that different basses do have different perceived stiffness. I don't really understand this except maybe the break angles and rigidity of construction. But the Sire was very well put together and always was a dream to play (weight aside).

The Cort has a Babicz bridge. Could this be contributing?

At no point even when badly set up did my Sire or my Ibanez ever feel like this, so I don't think setup is the issue, especially as it's been checked by a tech.

I'm ready to go through a cycle of different strings, including a different set of Sunbeams to see if there's something anomalous about the set I have.

Strings on my list are

Pure Blues 45-100
Highbeams 40-100
TI Jazz Rounds

I might go with TI flats but I see this bass as a rounds bass since I want versatility and my other J bass has flats and is happy with them.

Is this experience normal? What might be going on? Any other strings to try?

Otherwise I love this bass and it's very hard to find instruments if decent quality that are at the weight I need.

Thanks in advance

 

[michael_t]

Is this experience normal?

Yes, it's entirely possible for the same set of strings to FEEL different on two different basses. That's why you need to experiment every time you acquire a new bass.

If you want to try the Pure Blues, I would suggest the Victor Wooten set, 40-55-75-95, which are probably the closest to the TI Jazz Rounds in terms of overall tension/stiffness.

 

[MissJoanna2U]

Yes, it's entirely possible for the same set of strings to FEEL different on two different basses. That's why you need to experiment every time you acquire a new bass.

If you want to try the Pure Blues, I would suggest the Victor Wooten set, 40-55-75-95, which are probably the closest to the TI Jazz Rounds in terms of overall tension/stiffness.

Thanks, ordered. Would I need a new nut?

 

[michael_t]

Thanks, ordered. Would I need a new nut?

No, your nut should be fine. Going down in gauges is usually not a problem.

 

[MissJoanna2U]

What about this point? This is why I have had reservations.

 

[Killing Floor]

Think in crude terms of a spring and damper system. Aside from the remote possibility of variation in strings the neck and body oppose and react in opposition to the string vibration. Even though it can be a very small difference between basses you are playing and making a lot of contact so it is reasonable for same strings to feel different on different bass.

 

[RattleSnack]

I have noticed that when I take different bass guitars in my hands, I tend to play them in another way. Not only they don't sit the same on my body, but I also try to produce sound I like and because of different pickup combinations I almost never pluck in the exact same spot.
So, is it possible that strings have same physical properties, but you perceive them differently?

 

[MissJoanna2U]

I have noticed that when I take different bass guitars in my hands, I tend to play them in another way. Not only they don't sit the same on my body, but I also try to produce sound I like and because of different pickup combinations I almost never pluck in the exact same spot.
So, is it possible that strings have same physical properties, but you perceive them differently?

Totally agree that the strings will likely have the same properties and also I agree that different basses inspire a different feel.

But when Sunbeams feel like Low Riders which is an analogy I would use, it's a different category of issue.

 

[MissJoanna2U]

Think in crude terms of a spring and damper system. Aside from the remote possibility of variation in strings the neck and body oppose and react in opposition to the string vibration. Even though it can be a very small difference between basses you are playing and making a lot of contact so it is reasonable for same strings to feel different on different bass.

Perhaps that's right and I have heard that from others, but haven't experienced it to this extent at all.

This is why I have reservations about going lighter however.

 

[Stan_da_man]

Dunlop Super Bright Nickels have a little less tension than Sunbeams in the same gauge IME.

 

[MissJoanna2U]

Dunlop Super Bright Nickels have a little less tension than Sunbeams in the same gauge IME.

Thanks that's very helpful

 

[micguy]

I'm pretty sure that a set of very light strings (40-55-70-95) and a decent setup will cure your issues right up.

 

[KellyC]

I have 2 P's strung with the same set of flats, and one has noticeably more tension than the other.
Weird phenomenon, but not uncommon.

 

[80jazz]

Perhaps that's right and I have heard that from others, but haven't experienced it to this extent at all.

This is why I have reservations about going lighter however.

Don't be nervous. Embrace the light gauge.

I think I have recently decided to start using 40-95 exclusively. I hear no tone loss. Your fingers will likely thank you.

 

[MissJoanna2U]

I'm pretty sure that a set of very light strings (40-55-70-95) and a decent setup will cure your issues right up.

That's encouraging

 

[MissJoanna2U]

Don't be nervous. Embrace the light gauge.

I think I have recently decided to start using 40-95 exclusively. I hear no tone loss. Your fingers will likely thank you.

Great, again really helpful and encouraging.

 

[Chrisk-K]

The tension should be the same but for some reason the Cort feels and plays differently.

 

[JazznFunk]

Yes. Happens a lot. Neck width, radius, fret type, nut/bridge relationships and alignment all contribute to feel, even with the same exact type of strings on different basses. IME, I have had strings that were glorious on one bass (my Lakland 44-01) feel very different on my 44-02 Deluxe. They're essentially the same bass materially, but I prefer medium gauge strings of the same type on one of them. Certain strings just work better (and feel better) on certain basses.

 

[Schlyder]

Is the break angle at the bridge and the nut roughly the same, or different? If one has more break angle than the other, the strings will feel stiffer.

 

[tpaul]

String-through can feel stiffer than top load bridges, in general, at least IMO.