Strings gauge thing.

[Ricardo Ramos]

Hi, I recently bought a Cort A4, beautiful bass by the way, and I bought new strings (I regularly use DR fat beams, but now for capital reasons I had to go for something cheaper, Dunlop stainless steel) Buy the gauge I've always used 45-105, but now I feel the strings very loose, I have this same gauge in my other 2 basses (Fender MIM Jazz Bass and a sterling ray35) and I have never had that problem, have always been well in terms of tension, I don't know if is for the headstock 2x2, Unlike the Fender 4 in line e or the Musicman 4x1, I don't think it has to do with that, but do you think i have to buy a bigger gauge? 50-110? Or can i do something to keep them from feeling like this? Help!

 

[Bryan R. Tyler]

Your issue is string tension. Two sets of strings with identical gauges can feel very different from each other due to the build type and materials used. Dunlap strings are very low tension hex core strings. On the other end of the spectrum, DR Lo Riders are a very high tension hex core string. You’ll need to find a higher tension string if you want to maintain that tighter feel.

Edit: corrected string type

 

[michael_t]

Dunlap strings are very low tension round core strings.

Dunlop (Super Brights) actually are hex core; what makes them more flexible than others is the very small core diameter.

 

[Leonid Nidis]

let me ask you,are DR silver stars high tension?
Its the last coated string i never tried.

 

[Bryan R. Tyler]

Dunlop (Super Brights) actually are hex core; what makes them more flexible than others is the very small core diameter.

Never realized that- thanks for the info!

 

[Ricardo Ramos]

Dunlop (Super Brights) actually are hex core; what makes them more flexible than others is the very small core diameter.

So, I need the lo riders?

 

[michael_t]

So, I need the lo riders?

The LRs 45-105 would feel noticeably firmer than the Dunlop SB 45-105, if that's what you want.

 

[bass12]

So, I need the lo riders?

Not necessarily - you just need something with higher tension than what you currently have. I would suggest talking to TBer (and Fretnation proprietor) @SLaPiNFuNK. He's our best string resource here on Talkbass and will be able to steer you in the right direction.

 

[lz4005]

Your issue is string tension. Two sets of strings with identical gauges can feel very different from each other due to the build type and materials used. Dunlap strings are very low tension round core strings. On the other end of the spectrum, DR Lo Riders are a very high tension hex core string. You’ll need to find a higher tension string if you want to maintain that tighter feel.

Tension is the pounds of pull from the tuner. You're talking about greater flexibility at the same tension.

 

[Bryan R. Tyler]

Tension is the pounds of pull from the tuner. You're talking about greater flexibility at the same tension.

Correct. That’s a mouthful to say every time though

 

[bass40hz]

FWIW I use SS Lo-riders on my 5 strings, they are great strings in every way and they are definitely a stiffer string, no floppiness or looseness at all. Howsoever, I would not say they are a budget string, the OP is changing brands (strings) due to budget, if I read the post properly, I may recommend GHS Boomers if you want a decently priced, high quality string with good tension. YMMV of course.
Rock on.

 

[singlemalt]

I’d say give the new strings a couple weeks. You might find things you like about lower tension strings.

Now, they are just different than what you are accustomed to.

You’ll probably have to think about your right hand technique and experiment with lightening up.

And you might need to loosen your truss rod, and make a few other set up adjustments.

The whole bass is new to you, plus new strings, just take your time with it.

 

[Ricardo Ramos]

I’d say give the new strings a couple weeks. You might find things you like about lower tension strings.

Now, they are just different than what you are accustomed to.

You’ll probably have to think about your right hand technique and experiment with lightening up.

And you might need to loosen your truss rod, and make a few other set up adjustments.

The whole bass is new to you, plus new strings, just take your time with it.

I have had this bass for the last month and the string for a little more of 3 weeks, and I don't like the feeling haha, that's why ask in this forum, I like to plug hard sometimes and this things doesn't let me do so. Don't get me wrong, this strings sound good, but the feeling of that low tension makes me very uncomfortable. I would try the lo riders, I hope the string are the problem and not the bass.

 

[singlemalt]

Fret Nation is the answer. Strings make all the difference. Set up an account for the TB discount and rewards points, plus emails for specials and sales.

Jason can answer any string questions.

I can tell if I’m going to get along with strings in a few minutes. If they feel stiff, I’m done. If they are really low tension, I’ll give them some time. But I’m all about light touch.

Everybody has their own thing.

 

[ixlramp]

Indeed, don't confuse tension with stiffness. Ricardo, your Dunlop strings that 'feel loose' are probably roughly the same tension as other 45-105 sets because they are the same gauge (tension is determined by string mass which is roughly determined by gauge), but they are more flexible, which makes them feel looser.

 

[Double E]

Tension is the pounds of pull from the tuner. You're talking about greater flexibility at the same tension.

Indeed, don't confuse tension with stiffness.

Are you two saying that all strings of the same gauge, tuned the to same pitch have the same tension regardless of the flexibility of the construction?

That doesn't seem right, help me understand this.

 

[lz4005]

Are you two saying that all strings of the same gauge, tuned the to same pitch have the same tension regardless of the flexibility of the construction?

That doesn't seem right, help me understand this.

The material they're made of matters. If one is titanium and the other lead, no they won't have the same tension. If they're both the same stainless steel alloy, then yes.

Technically it isn't thickness. It's mass per unit of length. The same metal will have the same mass, regardless of what shape that mass is. Within reason. We're not talking about triangular cross section strings. They're all round.

So, yes. There will be very little difference in the pounds of pull the tuning machine has to exert on a .100 gauge round core string vs a .100 gauge hex core string as long as they're made of the same metal, tuned to the same pitch and at the same scale length.

But that doesn't mean they won't feel completely different. Construction impacts flexibility. Not only core shape, but the thickness and shape of the wrap as well. Along with other factors like break angle, setup, neck stiffness, etc.

Think of it this way, tension is constant from the nut to the bridge. There is the same pull by the tuner along the entire length. But flexibility changes along the length. It's easier to bend a note at the 12th fret than at the first, isn't it? It's easier to pluck a string at 24th fret than 1" from the bridge.

 

[Ricardo Ramos]

So... The best strings for high tension (without changing gauge) are lo riders? I get lost with the fisics haha

 

[lz4005]

So... The best strings for high tension (without changing gauge) are lo riders? I get lost with the fisics haha

No. Hex core strings like lo riders have lower flexibility, not greater tension, than same gauge round core strings.

If you want greater tension use thicker strings.

 

[Ricardo Ramos]

No. Hex core strings like lo riders have lower flexibility, not greater tension, than same gauge round core strings.

If you want greater tension use thicker strings.

Ooooh okay, thank you so much, and sorry for being too noob