• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Double Bass String gauges

#2
In the last few weeks I've been reading the string threads with great interest. I finally put together a spreadsheet of data on various DB strings. My goal was to try to objectively compare choices when I'm ready to replace my current set. What has similar tension and similar diameters, and what will necessitate a change to my bass. This info from Jake really fleshed out some missing data. I've put everything on a web page and I'll be glad to sent the spreadsheet to anyone who emails me. I've put the data in both inch-lbs and cm-kg units to make it easier to compare. I suspect there is a lot more out there that I missed and I'd be glad to add more data if you send it to me.

Dropbox of String Gauges and Tensions[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Disclaimers:

1. The only string on this list I've personally used is the Obligato. Some of the references (e.g. Adrian Cho and Bob Gollihur) and many of the discussions in this forum give subjective data on how various strings play or sound. In this regard I'm working from a deep, deep well of ignorance.

2. I've tried to use the best data available where there are multiple choices (e.g. manufacturer's data over individual's measurements; measurements to 0.001 vs 0.01; etc) but I haven't done any of these measurements myself so the data are only as good as the original source. In some cases I found data that didn't seem right (usually a missing decimal place; e.g. a G string listed at 0.5 inches instead of 0.05 inches) but since I didn't know for sure, I left those off.

3. I tried to the best of my ability to reference the original sources but I'm sure I missed some. Please let me know if I'm reporting your measurements as coming from someone else. Also, I somehow didn't note the source for the Velvet Garbo diameters, so if that was your data please let me know.

4. I've omitted solo strings since any tension data would be at the higher pitches and not comparable. Jake does have diameters for a couple of sets if you're looking for that and some of the other sources included tension data. I also didn't worry about strings other than the standard 4 orchestra pitches. This was complicated enough without going into all of that.:p

5. I tried to use tension data for a 3/4 scale (105 cm) since that is what I play. In some cases it was for a scale of 110 cm or the scale wasn't identified. I indicated the scale length in the reference where I knew it, but there are no guarantees on my part. If the strings rip your bass apart I'm not responsible!:D

Note to moderators: This pulls data from two of the current stickies as well as other sources, so if it belongs somewhere else feel free to move it.

UPDATE: Where there were data for both diameter and tension, I've estimated the tension at either a lower pitch (solo strings tuned down) or different scale length (105cm vs 110cm) by the method noted at the bottom of the spreadsheet. For some strings, there are unverified assumptions (namely the diameter of the TI Spirocore strings for different scale lengths) so take it with a grain of salt.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
#3
I just got another set of Spirocore Starks so I thought I'd measure one more time on a new set. This is what I got, measuring 3 times or more with two different tools.

E .120
A .91
D .66
G .54

I've also got several sets of Mittels I measured while I was at it.

E. 111
A. 82
D. 69
G. 50

I have another Stark E string that measured .118.

I also have a Superflex G that measured .50 just like the Mittel.

I expect a bit of slop, maybe .001" or two so the SF G isn't all that surprising.

What's interesting to me is once again the D string on the Stark set measures smaller than the Mittel set. That's perplexeing. In use the Stark D is much stiffer than the Mittel. The tension numbers TI publishes are clearly different, higher for the Stark at 79.4lbs vs. the Mittel at 70.5lbs yet the Stark is thinner than the Mittel by .004 or .005 depending on the string.

I'm guessing the Stark D must have a thicker core than the Mittel D so that a smaller amount of wrap winds yields the higher tension. I don't know why that would be done but there it is.

Fwiw this is what is published in the sticky:

Medium .052 .070 .085 .111
Stark .054 .065 .090 .117

The Mittel numbers are close, .002 bigger on the G, .001 on the D, .003 on the A, and the same on the E. That can be tolerance/measurement error. .001 is darn small.

The Stark numbers are also within .001 except the E string which I've had several of and they vary from .117 to .120 all the time.

The conundrum of the Stark D is not solved after all.
 
#7
relacey said:
Also, if you'd like to update the 2nd post and redirect the link, go ahead. I believe that all of that info was included with Jake's. No sense keeping too many versions around. -- Ron
Click to expand...

There seems to be much more info in yours (tensions) and brands not listed in Jake's, so I'd leave that alone, as they're complementary to each other.

Thanks!

Jake deVilliers said:
Nice Francois, thanks. :)

Hey, could you please fix the spelling of 'Gauges' in the title? Merci.
Click to expand...

I can't, sorry!
Maybe Chris Fitzgerald could, I don't know.

Regards,
François
 
#9
Francois Blais said:
There seems to be much more info in yours (tensions) and brands not listed in Jake's, so I'd leave that alone, as they're complementary to each other.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

AndreasH said:
I've used that one very much. It has been very helpful!
Click to expand...

Thanks, I'll leave things as they are then. I probably need to check it against Jake's list once I get back to the office.
 
#10
If you'd like some more data for your table, here are some measurements of string diameters from actual string sets.

Pirastro Evah Pirazzi Weich

E 0.107"
A 0.086"
D 0.069"
G 0.057"
​
D'Addario Helicore Hybrid Medium

E 0.111"
A 0.080"
D 0.056"
G 0.050"​

The D'Addario numbers differ slightly from those quoted by Jake DeV in his original post. Not too surprising, there's bound to be some variation.

All measured with my Mitutoyo digital calipers. The EP Weichs were measured at tension, the Helicore hybrids were measured in the relaxed state. I don't have tension figures for these strings; one of these days I'll build a tension measuring fixture and get some more data.
 
#11
tstone said:
If you'd like some more data for your table, here are some measurements of string diameters from actual string sets.

Pirastro Evah Pirazzi Weich

E 0.107"
A 0.086"
D 0.069"
G 0.057"
​
D'Addario Helicore Hybrid Medium

E 0.111"
A 0.080"
D 0.056"
G 0.050"​

The D'Addario numbers differ slightly from those quoted by Jake DeV in his original post. Not too surprising, there's bound to be some variation.

All measured with my Mitutoyo digital calipers. The EP Weichs were measured at tension, the Helicore hybrids were measured in the relaxed state. I don't have tension figures for these strings; one of these days I'll build a tension measuring fixture and get some more data.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the Weich gauges TST.

Were those Hybrids Light Gauge? I had need to measure a couple of Helicore Hybrid Mediums at the store today and the G was .054 and the A was .091, both measured at pitch.

Not very consistent, maybe?
 
#12
I don't have the original envelopes for the Helicores, but I checked the silk colors, and according to that they are indeed Mediums. Dark green with a gold stripe at the ball end, no contrasting band at the peg end. .050" is awfully skinny for a Medium G, though, I must agree.

The Evah Weichs I am 100% sure of, though, I still have the original packaging for those.
 
#16
Whole talkbass wiki seems to be gone.

While the [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] doesn't have Evah Pirazzi, I see someone here measured them:

Originally Posted by tstone
If you'd like some more data for your table, here are some measurements of string diameters from actual string sets.
Pirastro Evah Pirazzi Weich
E 0.107"
A 0.086"
D 0.069"
G 0.057"
Click to expand...
 
#18
Bass String Diameters and Tensions
Last Updated:
1/26/2007
Diameter (inches) Tension (lbs) Diameter (mm) Tension (kg)
Manufacturer and String Composition G D A E Reference G D A E Reference G D A E Reference G D A E Reference
Corelli 370MÂ Â Nickel (G) and Tungsten (D,A,E) flat wire wound on steel core 0.046 0.052 0.064 0.083 2 53.5 51.4 53.6 54.0 2 1.2 1.3 1.6 2.1 24.3 23.3 24.3 24.5
Corelli 370F Nickel (G) and Tungsten (D,A,E) flat wire wound on steel core 0.045 0.055 0.068 0.087 2 59.5 57.8 58.4 58.0 2 1.2 1.4 1.7 2.2 27.0 26.2 26.5 26.3
Corelli 370TX Nickel (G) and Tungsten (D,A,E) flat wire wound on steel core 0.045 0.056 0.072 0.098 2 57.1 60.2 63.1 61.7 2 1.2 1.4 1.8 2.5 25.9 27.3 28.6 28.0
Corelli 380TX Nickel 0.045 0.057 0.078 0.102 19 1.1 1.4 2.0 2.6
D'Addario Helicore Hybrids Light nickle flat wire wound on carbon steel rope core 58.2 61.3 63.0 64.0 6 26.4 27.8 28.6 29.0
D'Addario Helicore Hybrids Medium nickle flat wire wound on carbon steel rope core 62.0 65.9 67.0 68.0 6 28.1 29.9 30.4 30.8
D'Addario Helicore Hybrids Heavy nickle flat wire wound on carbon steel rope core 64.0 68.4 70.0 71.0 6 29.0 31.0 31.7 32.2
D'Addario Helicore Orchestral Light nickle flat wire wound on carbon steel rope core 58.2 61.3 62.5 64.1 6 26.4 27.8 28.3 29.1
D'Addario Helicore Orchestral Medium nickle flat wire wound on carbon steel rope core 0.045 0.050 0.070 0.090 15 62.0 65.9 69.0 70.0 6 1.1 1.3 1.8 2.3 28.1 29.9 31.3 31.7
D'Addario Helicore Orchestral Heavy nickle flat wire wound on carbon steel rope core 0.075 0.100 15 64.0 68.4 73.0 74.8 6 1.9 2.5 29.0 31.0 33.1 33.9
D'Addario Helicore Pizzicato Light nickle flat wire wound on carbon steel rope core 58.2 61.0 63.0 64.0 6 26.4 27.7 28.6 29.0
D'Addario Helicore Pizzicato Medium nickle flat wire wound on carbon steel rope core 62.0 66.0 67.0 68.0 6 28.1 29.9 30.4 30.8
D'Addario Helicore Pizzicato Heavy nickle flat wire wound on carbon steel rope core 64.0 69.0 70.0 71.0 6 29.0 31.3 31.7 32.2
Eurosonic Ultra Light white nylon tape wound on steel rope 0.065 0.089 0.100 0.130 1.7 2.3 2.6 3.3 4
Eurosonic Light white nylon tape wound on steel rope 0.069 0.094 0.110 0.142 1.8 2.4 2.8 3.6 4
Eurosonic Medium white nylon tape wound on steel rope 0.075 0.098 0.122 0.150 1.9 2.5 3.1 3.8 4
Innovation 140H Honeys Solid hybrid polymer core with flat steel outer windings burnished to a chrome finish.
Innovation 140B Braided Synthetic braided core with flat steel outer winding burnished to a chrome finish.
Innovation 140B Rockabilly Synthetic braided core with outer winding of black nylon tape (smooth finish)
Innovation 140SS Super Silvers Synthetic braided core with clear nylon outer winding allowing the silver finish to show through. This set is the same tension as the 140BÂ
Innovation 140SLP Silver Slaps Synthetic braided core with clear nylon outer winding. The 2 top strings have a 'Gut like' finish and the bottom 2 strings have a silver finish. These are a lighter tension than the 140B and 140SSÂ
Innovation 140UB Synthetic braided core with black nylon outer windings these strings are not color coded the silk is black. These are a higher tension set that suits jazz players.
Jargar Dolce Fine twisted wire core wound with thin threads of aluminum, copper, or alloy metals
Jargar Medium Fine twisted wire core wound with thin threads of aluminum, copper, or alloy metals 0.048 0.064 0.081 0.111 1.2 1.6 2.1 2.8 11
Jargar Forte Fine twisted wire core wound with thin threads of aluminum, copper, or alloy metals 0.048 0.060 0.080 0.110 19 1.2 1.5 2.0 2.8
La Bella Black Nylon Wound black nylon tape wound, metal rope core 0.063 0.079 0.104 0.134 18 1.6 2.0 2.6 3.4 18
LaBella SuperNil G - D Nylon Wnd on Nylon, A - E Silver Plated Wnd on Nylon 0.090 0.117 0.100 0.122 1 2.3 3.0 2.5 3.1
La Bella Gut G - D Plain Gut, A - E Silver Plated Wnd on Gut 0.086 0.107 0.114 0.135 16 2.2 2.7 2.9 3.4
Lenzner Gut Strings Plain gut 0.083 0.109 0.144 0.182 1 2.1 2.8 3.7 4.6
Lenzner Gut Strings Plain gut 0.083 0.108 0.142 3 2.1 2.8 3.6
Lenzner Wound Gut Strings Round silver wound gut 0.097 0.136 1 2.5 3.5
Lenzner Wound Gut Strings Round silver wound gut 0.098 0.138 3 2.5 3.5
Lenzner Quinton chromesteel flat wire wound on steel core 0.052 0.078 0.079 0.112 13 64.0 67.5 76.3 81.8 13 1.3 2.0 2.0 2.9 13 29.0 30.5 34.5 37.0 13
Piastro Chorda No winding for G & D although has some kind of varnish. Silver for A&E 0.080 0.110 0.100 0.140 15 2.0 2.8 2.5 3.6
Pirastro Eudoxa Silver wrapped gut 0.071 0.079 0.090 0.108 16 63.3 62.6 61.1 62.2 1.8 2.0 2.3 2.7 28.7 28.4 27.7 28.2 17
Piastro Flat Chromesteel Rope core steel string 0.048 0.056 0.074 0.098 16 1.2 1.4 1.9 2.5
Pirastro Flexocore flatsteel wire wound on ropecore 0.050 0.061 0.076 0.100 8 64.2 63.3 69.0 62.6 1.3 1.5 1.9 2.5 29.1 28.7 31.3 28.4 17
Pirastro Jazzer Rope core steel string 0.051 0.069 0.083 0.111 16 1.3 1.8 2.1 2.8
Pirastro Obligato Solo flatsteel wire wound on synthetic fibre 0.058 0.063 0.080 0.106 1 1.5 1.6 2.0 2.7
Pirastro Obligato Orchestra flatsteel wire wound on synthetic fibre 0.060 0.069 0.088 0.111 1 62.6 62.0 62.4 61.3 1.5 1.8 2.2 2.8 28.4 28.1 28.3 27.8 17
Pirastro Oliv flat chromsteel wire wound on gut 0.070 0.085 0.095 0.135 15 - G, D, A; 21 - E 60.4 58.0 56.4 57.3 1.8 2.2 2.4 3.4 27.4 26.3 25.6 26 17
Piastro Original 0.050 0.062 0.088 0.109 16 1.3 1.6 2.2 2.8
Pirastro Permanent flat wire wound on carbon ropecore 0.053 0.064 0.080 0.106 16 63.5 62.4 61.5 60.2 1.3 1.6 2.0 2.7 28.8 28.3 27.9 27.3 17
Pirastro Pizzacato Silver plated copper on gut 0.060 0.070 0.085 0.100 15 1.5 1.8 2.2 2.5
Presto medium nylon tape wound on steel rope 0.075 0.098 0.122 0.150 50.7 57.3 62.8 78.3 1.9 2.5 3.1 3.8 12 23.0 26.0 28.5 35.5 12
Presto light nylon tape wound on steel rope 0.069 0.094 0.110 0.142 47.4 51.8 56.2 61.7 1.8 2.4 2.8 3.6
 
#19
G D A E
ARTONE Gut .092 .110
Wound Gut .110 .140
CORELLI 370 Forte .043 .055 .067 .089
Extra Forte .044 .054 .071 .096

D'ADDARIO
Prelude
Medium .050 .057 .078 .106

Helicore Hybrid
Light .082 .110
Medium .049 .058 .082 .115
Helicore Pizzicato
Light .049 .060 .078 .110
Medium .082 .120
Zyex
Medium .062 .070 .077 .103
Pro Arte
Nylon/Nickel/Al .089 .084 .107 .14

DLUGOLECKI GUT Maneri Custom .088 .110 .106 .128
Kissell .086 .108 .106 .136

EUROSONIC Ultra Light .046 .060 .077 .104
Light Tension .074 .098 .118 .149

FISOMA GUT Red gut/Silver .095 .133

GAMUT GUT Medium .083 .114 .104 .127
Medium + .085 .1165
Heavy .087 .118
Heavy + .089 .120 .110 .132

INNOVATION
140H Honey .065 .073 .098 .117

Ultra Black .078 .088 .102 .124

Rockabilly .078 .087 .100 .124

Super Silver .086 .093 .106 .126

Silver Slap .088 .095 .105 .125

Golden Slap .088 .095 .105 .125

Psychobilly.105 .115 .126 .148


JARGAR .047
LA BELLA Gut .086 .107 .114 .135

LYCON NLA .049 .077 C - .135

PIRASTRO

Chorda .080 .110 .100 .140
'Carlos Henriquez' .085 .106 .100 .124

Eudoxa .071 .079 .090 .108
Evah Pirazzi
Regular .059 .071 .089 .110
Weich .057 .069 .086 .107
Flat Chromstahl .047 .055 .074 .098

Flexocor '92
Regular .047 .060 .076 .098
Stark .050 .060 .105

Flexocor Deluxe

Jazzer .051 .069 .083 .111

Obligato
Solo .058 .063 .080 .106
Orchestra .060 .069 .088 .111

Oliv .070 .085 .105 .135
Original Flatchrome .052 .063 .087 .109
Original Flexocore .052 .062 .088 .109

Permanent .053 .064 .080 .106

Pizzicato .084 .120

THOMASTIK-INFELD
Belcanto .050 .063 .080 .105

Dominant
Solo .075 .102
Orchestra .055 .065 .085 .113

Spirocore
Solo .044 .061 .076 .103
Weich .046 .063 .079 .107
Mittel .052 .070 .085 .111
Stark .054 .065 .095 .120
Red Mitchell 5ths .044 .069 .092 .134

Superflexible
Solo .046 .064 .072 .096
Orchestra .052 .074 .079 .107

VELVET Anima .078 .081 .095 .110
Compas 360 .065 .072 .086 .109

Garbo Light .087 .097 .106 .119

Garbo Gut .085 .097 .100 .125

Blue .060 .068 .086 .105

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Jason Hollar
#20
Here's the rest of that chart with tensions for SS. I have the complete html chart but I can't convert it to a PDF file.
If anyone has any suggestions I'll be glad to try them. Not all data (esp tensions) for all strings is on the chart
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Presto ultralight nylon tape wound on steel rope 0.065 0.089 0.100 0.130 44.1 44.1 46.3 51.8 1.7 2.3 2.6 3.3 12 20.0 20.0 21.0 23.5 12
Pyramid Aluminum #195 round aluminium wire, polished

64.6 49.6 52.5 66.2


29.3 22.5 23.8 30.0 14
Pyramid Gold #198 nickel flat wire wound on steel core

55.8 58.4 68.4 67.5


25.3 26.5 31.0 30.6 14
Pyramid Superior #201 pure nickel flat wire wound on steel core

55.8 58.4 68.4 67.5


25.3 26.5 31.0 30.6 14
Pyramid Ultraflex #204 nickel flat wire wound on cabled steel core

59.5 57.3 62.8 68.4


27.0 26.0 28.5 31.0 14
Pyramid Soloflex #207 nickel flat wire wound on a woven steel cable core.

59.5 57.3 62.8 68.4


27.0 26.0 28.5 31.0 14
Pyramid Nylon #217 G, D, & A plain nylon, E silver-wrapped nylon 0.098 0.138 0.157 0.173


2.5 3.5 4.0 4.4 14

Pyramid Nylon #218 G & D plain nylon, A & E silver-wrapped nylon 0.098 0.138 0.118 0.173


2.5 3.5 3.0 4.4 14

Pyramid Gut #213 G, D, & A Plain gut E silver-plated wire wrapped gut 0.083 0.106 0.142 0.154
48.5 48.5 44.1 68.4
2.1 2.7 3.6 3.9 14 22.0 22.0 20.0 31.0 14
Pyramid Gut #214 G & D plain gut, A & E Silver-plated wire on plain gut 0.083 0.106 0.114 0.154 48.5 48.5 55.1 68.4 2.1 2.7 2.9 3.9 14 22.0 22.0 25.0 31.0
Thomstik-Infield Belcanto twisted steel rope core and chromium winding 0.050 0.062 0.080 0.104 10 62.2 63.3 64.4 63.3 9 1.3 1.6 2.0 2.6
28.2 28.7 29.2 28.7
Thomstik-Infield Dominant Solo 197 flatsteel wire wound on nylon (monofil)







Thomstik-Infield Dominant 196 flatsteel wire wound on nylon (monofil) 0.055 0.065 0.085 0.113 16 63.9 63.9 66.1 66.1 7 1.4 1.7 2.2 2.9
29.0 29.0 30.0 30.0
Thomstik-Infield Spirocore Solo (tuned down to orchestra pitch) 3886 flatsteel wire wound on steel spiral core 0.044 0.061 0.076 0.103 16 56.0 57.8 57.8 57.8
1.1 1.5 1.9 2.6
25.4 26.2 26.2 26.2 17
Thomstik-Infield Spirocore Soft (Weich) 3885 flatsteel wire wound on steel spiral core 0.046 0.063 0.079 0.107 16 60.6 61.7 63.9 66.1 7 1.2 1.6 2.0 2.7
27.5 28.0 29.0 30.0
Thomstik-Infield Spirocore Medium (Mittel) 3885 flatsteel wire wound on steel spiral core 0.052 0.070 0.085 0.111 16 67.2 68.3 70.5 72.8 7 1.3 1.8 2.2 2.8
30.5 31.0 32.0 33.0
Thomstik-Infield Spirocore Solo (tuned down to orchestra pitch) S43 flatsteel wire wound on steel spiral core 0.044 0.061 0.076 0.103 16

1.1 1.5 1.9 2.6


Thomstik-Infield Spirocore Soft (Weich) S42 flatsteel wire wound on steel spiral core 0.046 0.063 0.079 0.107 16 56.9 61.1 63.1 65.3
1.2 1.6 2.0 2.7 25.8 27.7 28.6 29.6 17
Thomstik-Infield Spirocore Medium (Mittel) S42 flatsteel wire wound on steel spiral core 0.052 0.070 0.085 0.111 16 63.1 67.3 71.7 71.7
1.3 1.8 2.2 2.8 28.6 30.5 32.5 32.5 17
Thomstik-Infield Spirocore Heavy (Stark) S42 flatsteel wire wound on steel spiral core 0.054 0.065 0.090 0.117 16 75.9 75.9 77.8 80.0
1.4 1.7 2.3 3.0 34.4 34.4 35.3 36.3 17
Thomstik-Infield Superflex solo S43 flatsteel wire wound on steel ropecore







Thomstik-Infield Superflex Orchestra S42 flatsteel wire wound on steel ropecore 0.052 0.074 0.079 0.107 16 67.3 67.3 71.7 71.7 1.3 1.9 2.0 2.7 30.5 30.5 32.5 32.5 17
Thomstik-Infield Superflex 2887 flatsteel wire wound on steel ropecore 0.052 0.074 0.079 0.107 16 62.8 66.1 68.3 70.6 7 1.3 1.9 2.0 2.7 28.5 30.0 31.0 32.0
Velvet Garbo polished polyamid wound on silk (G), polished polyamid/copper round wire wound on silk (D), polished copper round wire (A+E) wound on silk 0.092 0.093 0.097 0.111 20

2.3 2.4 2.5 2.8


Velvet Anima polished round wire wound on silk 0.078 0.081 0.095 0.110 16

2.0 2.1 2.4 2.8


Velvet Compas 360 polished round wire wound on synthetic/mineral fibres 0.065 0.072 0.086 0.109 16

1.7 1.8 2.2 2.8


Velvet Compas 180 polished round wire wound on synthetic/mineral fibres 0.050 0.060 0.070 0.090 15 1.3 1.5 1.8 2.3
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jason Hollar

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back