Is there any way to increase string tension on the bass without adjusting the action? I'm personally dissatisfied with the 'floppiness' of my low B on my MTD Kingston. I also feel like I want more of dig on my strings when I pluck. What are the factors that effect string tension?
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string tension
- Thread starter tch90
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No changing the tension would be tuning the bass a higher pitch,the string can either be tense or not ,try some flats they usually have high tension
- Feb 16, 2008
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strings with a thicker core increase tension. and usually larger gauged strings have thicker cores.
Exactly, there's no way to affect the tension without changing the pitch of the strings. Just try some new strings. If you don't like the sound of flats, just try any string that had a large hex-core and get either the heavy or medium gauge.
Bryan R. Tyler
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Yup- hex core strings like Lo Riders generally have a higher tension than similar round core strings.
There was a tip in Gary Willis' 101 bass tips book that said to use a PC board spacers to increase tension on the lower strings. They are 1/4 inch spacers you put the string through first, then feed the string through the bridge. Seems like a pretty cool idea, but I havent tried it yet.
Bryan R. Tyler
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It does not work. Adding anything past the nut or past the breaking point of the bridge will not affect the tension of the speaking length of the string at all.
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Gary Willis doesn't always know what he's talking about.
Especially in this case where he suggests that you try to defy the laws of physics.
TS - what strings are you using? Most string manufacturers have lesser tension on the B and E strings than they do on the others. Link Removed has balanced tension strings to correct this. You might try a Balanced 136/142/150.
knuckle_head
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There is 'feel' and actual tension.
Feel is affected by construction - core choice and the amount of pull on the wire when being wrapped. While I appreciate this approach for tactillity it limits harmonics as it makes a string more rigid.
Best method is upping string gauge.
Yes, just increase the gauge. Almost all sets have 'traditional tension' where the B is looser than the other strings, for example D'Addario's own tension data:
XLB045 G 0.045 42.8 pounds of tension
XLB065 D 0.065 51.3
XLB080 A 0.080 42.0
XLB100 E 0.100 36.5
XLB130 B 0.130 34.5
Also, the fat strings have more mass and therefore need more tension to stop them flopping around. They are more prone to flop. I recommend building a set from singles with equal tension on each string (therefore tightening the B), or buy a tension balanced set from Link Removed. I recommend trying at least a .135 for B.
For a string at a particular pitch on a particular scale length, it is gauge that mostly determines tension. There are also differences in construction and materials between brands that produce fairly small differences in tension for the same gauge string.
Not necessarily, perhaps only very very slightly, for a constant gauge. Gauge is the main factor.
Yep correct.
Adding a little relief will make the strings feel "stiffer", but there is no tension change. I know this is counter to what you first said about achieving more tension, but it doesn't take much added relief to make a significant change in the feel. You can try that without buying / changing strings, and if you don't like it, you can return the truss rod / relief to the previous setup.
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i disagree. the wrap has very little effect on tension, so it's not the outer gauge of the string, it's the core's gauge.
that's why as set of true flat wounds (flat ribbon) generally have more tension that roundwounds, even if their outer diameter is the same gauge as their roundwound counterpart.
The daddario tension chart pdf has everything you need to understand what determines tension, and how to calculate tension for any kind of string, of any gauge, on any scale, at any pitch. You will be able to design your own custom sets with the tensions you prefer.
Take a look at the pdf
Tension is determined by open note pitch, scale length, and the unit mass of the string. For a string on a particular scale, tuned to a particular pitch, it is unit mass that determines tension. Unit mass (also called unit weight) is the mass of 1 inch of string. Wrap layers add to the unit mass to a string, therefore increasing tension.
The daddario tension chart pdf has everything you need to understand what determines tension, and how to calculate tension for any kind of string, of any gauge, on any scale, at any pitch. You will be able to design your own custom sets with the tensions you prefer.
Take a look at the pdf
Tension is determined by open note pitch, scale length, and the unit mass of the string. For a string on a particular scale, tuned to a particular pitch, it is unit mass that determines tension. Unit mass (also called unit weight) is the mass of 1 inch of string. Wrap layers add to the unit mass to a string, therefore increasing tension.
Good ol' physics to the rescue again.
However, John's point is sort-of leaning in the right direction. Since the core of a string is more dense than the wraps, (theres no empty space in the core), upping the gauge by increasing the thickness of the core will increase the tension more than increasing the thickness of the wraps, because it adds more unit weight.
