Double Bass String Tension and Angle Across the Bridge

[jayscheuerle]

I think that is barking up the right tree. Also think about this: if you have a string of x length at some fixed tension (to get pitch) it will take y amount of pressure to depress the string a fixed amount (to reach the fingerboard). If you make that string longer, say 2x, at the same tension it will take less pressure (say, what, cosine(x)? ) to depress it the same amount.

A high breakover angle at the nut and bridge will increase friction at those points and allow only the speaking length of the string to deflect freely. A minimal breakover angle (or maybe use of some friction reducing technique from graphite to rollers) will allow the entire length of the string to stretch, reducing the pressure needed to deflect a portion of it. So, it's entirely possible that the player will notice a difference in effort when reducing the friction (either from graphite or shallower breakover) in the system. A more flexible tailpiece/cable and/or longer string length past the bridge will do the same thing.

A downside is that with the momentary reduction in tension on the string as more length is pulled past the bridge will lower the pitch, so the intonation will not be as accurate. I'd imagine that players might compensate by stopping the string further up the neck without even thinking about it.

It occurs to me that players with high action will notice the effects more easily, as they have to use more pressure in the first place.

Just my thoughts anyway.

I wouldn't think it would take many minutes of playing to equalize the string tension throughout its length, regardless of the amount of friction the breaking angle creates. You can hear the same thing happening as you tune, where a single key turn doesn't make a big difference and then [BEEYURN!!!], there's a dramatic shift in tone as the friction gives way. The vibration of the strings evens out the tension along them as you play.