• 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.

Strings feel too soft

H

Huge94

Nov 22, 2009
61
0
Montreal
#1
Hi there!

I went to try a few basses today (bad idea) and fell in love with a Gretsch G5442BDC Electromatic like this one: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Now I don't have the cash to buy it, but it seems to me that something in it was just for me. Then I realized, I absolutely loved the way the strings felt. They were stiff and seemed quite heavy.
I now wonder if that's what I would need to fit my big heavy hands? Do you think it could be the case or is it maybe just the feeling of the short scale length (which I loved too)?

If you think it could be the strings that are missing from my current bass to get me that feeling, what gauge/style would you recommend?

Thanks a bunch!
 
#2
The highest tension roundwound strings I have used would be GHS Progressives (the .040 .060 .080 .100 feels like a 045 .065 .085 .105 from most other brands).

The previous version of Elixir nickels were the least flexible strings I had ever used. Though they have a new style coating now, that may be more flexible.

The highest tension flats I've used are from webstrings.com. anything but the lightest set is going to be some serious pull on your neck.


*the bass you use will also have an affect. My Fender Jaguar tends to make most strings feel more flexible and less tension than usual. A such, I usually string it with a .105 set. But my Ibanez SRT makes the same strings feel higher tension and less flexible. So I don't string it with anything higher than a .100 set. Often lower. Other basses I've had have been in between the two.
 
#5
Thanks to all answers, I will absolutely check these out.

As for this particular bass, I tried answering the clerk but he had no idea. He thought that I got the feeling maybe from the short-scaleness of the bass and not the strings. I certainly liked it, but IMO the strings had something to do with this.

I will check those Lo-Riders. Should I get them in ''standard'' gauge or heavier?
 
#7
Scale shouldn't effect the tension on the string much.

If you have a 105 gauge "E" string it's going to take about 40lbs to bring it to tune.

Guage DOES effect the tenson. A 100 guage "E" string need about 35lbs to be in tune.

In short, the more stuff you're trying to stretch the more enegy it takes.
 
#9
try labella james jamersons if youre into flatwound strings. now that is tension.
i had the lo riders on for a while. they are great sounding strings. but i had the light gauge nickel set so i dont know about the ss heavy ones. probably they will be stiff enough fo your needs

also consider the action. if your strings are very low it is easy to play but if you want your bass to fight back you should set them higher. i dont know if it actuallly affects tension but strings seem to be stiffer when the action is high
 
#10
I personally have not found DR lowriders to be any stiffer than typical Hex core strings such as Rotos or Daddario XLs. I don't think their name and features are necessarily meant to be compared to products from other companies. Rather to be compared to their own product line, which is full of pretty flexible round core designs.
 
#11
Toptube said:
I personally have not found DR lowriders to be any stiffer than typical Hex core strings such as Rotos or Daddario XLs. I don't think their name and features are necessarily meant to be compared to products from other companies. Rather to be compared to their own product line, which is full of pretty flexible round core designs.
Click to expand...

Exactly. LoRiders are only stiffer compared to DR's other strings. Compared to non DR hex core rounds, LoRiders are in fact usually LESS stiff.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back