Double Bass Tension with soundpost top 2 strings tight feeling..Rumor?

[bassfacer22]

Hi guys,

So I have a rumor I need to dispel.. Rumor is, a guy told me that the thinner the string and gauge, it can be tighter on the string.. I have no idea where he is coming up with this or why but whats the deal?

I was pretty sure that's why they make higher gauge strings for stiff and tighter feeling right?

The problem is, I have a lowest gauge purple Thomastik Spirocore strings on a bass and the D and G strings are somehow "tighter" than the bottom low strings.. the low strings are actually easier to play than the tight D and G! what gives?

I was told to try things like Evah Pirazzi top D and G and even try a tuned up solo set of strings..

why are my top 2 - D and G-strings feel more tight than the low E and A-strings?

the soundpost was moved by the way and it didn't appear to change the "feeling" of the tight D and G.. in it's original position, it was tight, in the new position, it's still tight..

I will say the only thing I may have noticed that may help solve this, is that when I pull the bridge down toward the Tailpiece and the bridge is now slanted downward towards the floor, and not 90 degree straight with the bass body anymore, that seems to solve the tightness string feeling! a little anyway..

I don't really feel like changing my set of strings on the bass right now to find out..


please help solve this Riddle?

 

[DoubleMIDI]

Thicker strings in general are harder to bend than thinner strings, but that depends on the core material and the material and tightness of the windings.
Stiff strings might become more flexible if you bend them over their whole length to make them more flexible (when I do this one hour per string over my thumb and a useless thumb for one day). But that mainly helps with the lower strings (E and A).
Strings with a more stretchy core (synthetic, gut) get more flexible under tension than strings with a less stretchy core (steel).

I found the S42W E a bit weak compared to the others, that might explain why you feel that the higher strings are tighter. Does this happen with a different set on your bass too?

You might want to download my corrected version of the old baen.tamu.edu string diameter and tension overview from my Dropbox. The link is somewhere here, can't remember the thread, but the search function is your friend.

Personally I would rather recommend Obligato with Spirocore than Evahs, which might be a bit dark. Specially in your case. Or downtuned Solos from the S43 Spiro set. Innovation Braided G & D worked well with S42W A & E too, just bowing is a bit different on both.

But the best thing is to visit a luthier and discuss it with him.

 

[bassfacer22]

Ok, Well we all know for sure, my strings are Steel core, as thomastik Spirocore weichs are steel core so yes I guess it won't be as "flexable" - makes sense..

I have a full set of Evah Pirazzi (solo tuned though!) set I could put on.. but just don't feel like it right now and just for testing purposes.. ha..you know how changing strings are on an upright..

but I'm on a fairly new bass so I think actually this is the first set of strings I've had on this! yes as a matter of fact it is the only and first set of strings on this bass as the top of the strings have superglue to hold them on the posts in the pegbox when I take the bridge off haha.. so yes only set of strings on the bass ever..

Sorry more info should have been said as this is the 5-string Eminence bass so certain factors will be changed..

anyway here is the update.. I think I may just need to take off the neck (it's removable and reset it)

I noticed a small difference shown here.. just moving the bridge like so.. as if the feet aren't sitting right..