String gauge/tension help sought

[cheddar]

I bought a 34" scale bass that came equipped with very worn .045-.1 EB Cobalt flats. I am planning to get a new set of strings and would like to know how in your experience the following, which I am considering, compare to these Cobalts in terms of perceived stiffness/tension.

Thanks so much for your help!

Fender 9050L - .045-.1
EB Group 3- .045-.1
EB Group 4 - .040-.95

 

[michael_t]

The Cobalt Flats are slightly more flexible than either the Fender or the EB Stainless Steel Flat ("Group Flats") when comparing the same gauges.

So, the Cobalt 45-65-80-100 would fall somewhere between the EB Group 3 (45-65-80-100) and the EB Group 4 (40-60-70-95) in terms of stiffness/flexibility and overall playing feel.

Another thing to consider is 45-65-80-100 (EB) vs. 45-60-80-100 (Fender). I've always found the 65D to feel tighter than either 45G or 80A; in fact, it's the highest in actual tension (as in pulling weight) as well. What's nice about the Fender 9050L is the 60D feels more even with the 45G and the 80A.

I use the Fender 9050L on one of my J's and the EB Group 4 on my P bass, both of which are very manageable in stiffness without feeling too loose or floppy.

 

[Stan_da_man]

I would go for EB Group IV flats.

 

[cheddar]

Thank you michael_t and Stan_da_man for the information and suggestions! Very helpful.

 

[Prodigus Filius]

These are the tensions of the Cobalt flats you have. Miichael T posted the Cobalt tensions somewhere else based on an email response from EB if memory serves me right

E1/.100/37.72lbf
A1/.080/44.49lbf
D2/.065/52.51lbf
G2/.045/47.58lbf

Total Tension = 182.30lbf

 

[michael_t]

These are the tensions of the Cobalt flats you have. Miichael T posted the Cobalt tensions somewhere else based on an email response from EB if memory serves me right

E1/.100/37.72lbf
A1/.080/44.49lbf
D2/.065/52.51lbf
G2/.045/47.58lbf

Total Tension = 182.30lbf

The OP is asking more about "perceived stiffness/tension" (= subjective playing feel), not the actual tension figures (pulling weight).

 

[Prodigus Filius]

The OP is asking more about "perceived stiffness/tension" (= subjective playing feel), not the actual tension figures (pulling weight).

I thought it would be useful anyhows. I guess most folks are unaware that tension stats exist for the Cobalts. I certainly was until you posted the tensions. But I know what ya mean.

 

[michael_t]

I thought it would be useful anyhows. I guess most folks are unaware that tension stats exist for the Cobalts. I certainly was until you posted the tensions. But I know what ya mean.

EB Cobalt Flats 45-65-80-100 = 182.30 lbs. in total tension.
EB Group 3 Stainless Flats 45-65-80-100 = 180.75 in total tension.

According to these tension figures, the EB Cobalts flats are ever so slightly heavier than the EB Stainless flats of the same gauges. In terms of "perceived tension" (as in stiffness/flexibility), the Cobalts are the more flexible of the two.

 

[cheddar]

Really appreciate all the input!

 

[BuddhaFingas]

I find myself wondering if there is a standard, and standard method of measure, for 'stiffness/feel' as opposed to pulling tension, which has a clear standard.

Seems like it would be related to measuring the force required to deflect a tuned-to-pitch string of x length y distance at midpoint of x.

'Pull of an archery bow' kind of analog.

Something like 'this string requires 18.5 lbs of force to deflect 1 inch at midpoint from straight when tuned to E1 on a 34-inch scale bass.'

The phyisics are a little more complex, as entire strung length and not just scale length is involved, as is nut/bridge friction, but those would be minor factors compared to the major datum, and a 'deflection force' standard would allow numeric comparison of expected 'feel' as it directly relates to stiffness.

 

[mikeswals]

'Pull of an archery bow' kind of analog.

Something like 'this string requires 18.5 lbs of force to deflect 1 inch at midpoint from straight when tuned to E1 on a 34-inch scale bass'.

I've never seen any data charts done on flexibility.
That effort will boil down to string construction: hex cores vs round cores, and flat outer wrap wire vs round wrap thats ground flat, and size of wires used to achieve final guages.