STRING TENSION. Bass String Guide Updated March, Table of Contents

Transcription

1 STRING TENSION Bass String Guide Updated March, 2016 Table of Contents Introduction pg. 2 String Tension - A Primer pg. 2 How to Calculate Tension Frequency Chart Other Considerations pg. 2 Winding Technique String Materials String Geometry String Tension Charts pg. 3 Super Steels pg. 3 Contact Core Super Steels Pressurewound pg. 4 Round Core Bass Boomers Sub-Zero Boomers pg. 5 Bass Boomers pg. 6 Big Core Bass pg. 7 Progressives Coated Bass Boomers pg. 8 Bassics Phosphor Bronze pg. 9 Brite Flats Crossovers pg. 10 Precision Flatwound pg. 11 Final Thoughts pg. 11

2 Introduction Whether you are a luthier, a repair tech, or someone looking to find your ideal set for your application, string tension will play a role. It is with this in mind that we at GHS have put together our Bass String Guide, as a way to help you find the information you are looking for to help you in whatever role you fall. How to Calculate Tension String tension is the amount of force a string has when tuned to a specific pitch. To find out the tension of a particular string, you need three variables: the Unit Weight, the Scale Length, and the Frequency or Pitch of the string you will be using. We have taken the time to provide you with a comprehensive list of all of our current bass strings, in single strings as well as in our pre-packaged sets. The formulas used to this end are the industry standard, and can be used to approximate other string tensions. PLEASE NOTE: We have provided this guide as a reference of the tension of our strings at various pitches. Please use caution when making sets that have extremely high tensions, as the set as a whole may put undue stress on the neck, as well as snap the core of the strings prematurely. Frequency Chart The chart below represents the frequency or pitch of each note, as it relates to the bass fretboard. Standard tunings are shown in bold type; use the additional frequencies to calculate tension for strings when using altered tunings. B0 Hz E Hz A Hz D Hz G Hz C Hz Nut / Open For those bassists that prefer to use altered - or down - tunings, we present our tension guide in such a way as to help facilitate your endeavors, to make choosing the ideal set of strings for your application much easier. C1 Hz F Hz A# Hz D# Hz G# Hz C# Hz First Fret UW L F UNIT WEIGHT: The weight of the string, measured in pounds per linear inch (lb/in). SCALE LENGTH: The vibrating length of a string. Measure the distance from the nut to the bridge of the instrument to find the scale length. GHS has used the below scale lengths in the enclosed guide; your individual instrument may vary. Long Scale Plus - 34 Standard Long Scale - 34 Scale - 32 Short Scale - 30 FREQUENCY or PITCH: The specific pitch at which each note is expressed, represented in cycles per second (Hertz). To calculate the tension of a particular string in pounds, use the formula below, inserting the three needed variables. T (Tension) = (UW x (2 x L x F) 2 ) / C# Hz D1 Hz D# Hz E Hz F# Hz G Hz G# Hz A Hz B Hz C Hz C# Hz D Hz E Hz F Hz F# Hz G Hz A Hz A# Hz B2 1 Hz C Hz D Hz D# Hz E Hz F Hz Second Fret Third Fret Fourth Fret Fifth Fret For those looking for a specific tension, you can use the formula below to get the unit weight for your particular needs. With that, compare the unit weight against the ones listed in the following pages to find the string gauge that meets your needs. UW (Unit Weight) = (T x 386.4) / (2 x L x F) 2 Other Considerations A common misconception is that the tension of a string is the same as the feel of the string under your fingers. And while string tension plays a part, there are a number of other processes that will also have an affect on the tone and playability of a string. Winding Techniques: There are four types of winding techniques used for strings. The type providing the brightest tone (all else being equal) is the roundwound string. Next is the rollerwound, followed by the groundwound (also called a halfwound) and finally a flatwound. Roundwound Rollerwound Groundwound Flatwound String Materials: The hardness of common materials used in the cover wire of strings affects both the tone and feel of a string. Usually, with all else remaining constant, the harder the material the brighter the string. Common cover wire materials include (ranked by order of brightness) stainless steel, Alloy 52, nickel plated steel, pure nickel, and for acoustics, brass and bronze. String Geometry: String Geometry generally refers to the ratio of the core wire diameter to the cover wire diameter. These two parameters are utilized to come up with the final string gauge. All else remaining constant, a small core-to-cover ratio generally results in a string with greater flexibility and brighter tone. A larger coreto-cover ratio generally results in a string with greater volume, sustain, tone life and durability. Small Ratio Large Ratio 2 - GHS Bass String Guide

3 Super Steels - Tension PB18 PB20 STB027 STB030 STB040 STB044 STB046 STB050 STB058 STB063 STB067 STB070 STB075 STB080 STB084 STB090 STB098 STB102 STB106 STB121 STB126 Grey Silks Stainless Steel Roundwound Strings Bright, Punchy and Articulate Tone Scale (34.5 Winding Length) 5501 (.044) 5502 (.063) 5503 (.084) 5504 (.106) L5000 ML5000 M5000 CM5000 Custom STB40 STB58 STB80 STB102 5ML-STB STB44 STB63 STB80 STB98 STB , 5 String STB44 STB63 STB80 STB102 5M-STB STB44 STB63 STB84 STB106 STB , 5 String STB44 STB63 STB84 STB106 6L-STB STB27 STB40 STB58 STB80 STB102 STB , 6 String STB STB STB STB106 Scale (34.5 Winding Length) (.044) (.063) 5503 (.084) 5504 (.106) 36.0 The String Experts - 3

4 Contact Core Super Steels - Tension CC60 CC65 CC80 CC85 CC100 CC105 CC125 CC Grey Silks Stainless Steel Roundwound Strings w/ Exposed Core Extra Clarity, Articulation and Action L5200 STB40 CC60 CC80 CC100 5L-CC STB40 CC60 CC80 CC100 CC , 5 String M5200 STB44 CC65 CC85 CC105 5M-CC STB44 CC65 CC85 CC105 CC , 5 String Pressurewound - Tension Universal Scale (37.25 Winding Length) PWB28 PWB40 PWB44 PWB054 PWB058 PWB062 PWB076 PWB080 PWB084 PWB096 PWB102 PWB106 PWB (.040) 7702 (.054) 7703 (.076) 7704 (.096) Black Silks Nickel-Iron Rollerwound Strings Smooth feel, mellow tone with articulation Unit Weight F3 E3 D#3 D3 C#3 C3 B2 A#2 A2 G#2 G2 F#2 F2 E2 D#2 D2 C#2 C2 B1 A#1 A1 G#1 G1 F#1 F1 E1 D#1 D1 C#1 C1 B0 A#0 A Unit Weight F3 E3 D#3 D3 C#3 C3 B2 A#2 A2 G#2 G2 F#2 F2 E2 D#2 D2 C#2 C2 B1 A#1 A1 G#1 G1 F#1 F1 E1 D#1 D1 C#1 C1 B0 A#0 A G#0 G G#0 G0 Universal Scale (37.25 Winding Length) L7200 PWB40 PWB54 PWB76 PWB ML7200 M7200 M7200-5, 5 String PWB44 PWB44 PWB44 PWB PWB PWB PWB80 PWB PWB PWB102 PWB PWB PWB (.040) 7702 (.054) 7703 (.076) 7704 (.096) GHS Bass String Guide

5 Round Core Bass Boomers - Tension Universal Scale (37.25 Winding Length) RC-DYB30 RC-DYB40 RC- RC-DYB50 RC-DYB55 RC-DYB60 RC- RC-DYB70 RC-DYB75 RC-DYB80 RC-DYB85 RC-DYB95 RC-DYB100 RC-DYB105 RC-DYB115 RC-DYB126 RC-DYB Sub-Zero Boomers - Tension CR-DYB40 CR- CR-DYB55 CR- CR-DYB75 CR-DYB80 CR-DYB85 CR-DYB95 CR-DYB100 CR-DYB CR-L3045 CR-DYB40 CR-DYB55 CR-DYB75 CR-DYB CR-ML3045 CR-M CR CR CR CR CR-DYB CR-DYB CR-DYB100 CR-DYB Red Silks Nickel-Plated Steel Roundwound Strings wound over a Round Core Fuller frequency sound with a soft top end RC-L3045 RC-DYB40 RC-DYB55 RC-DYB75 RC-DYB95 RC-5ML-DYB RC- RC- RC-DYB80 RC-DYB100 RC-DYB , 5 String RC-ML3045 RC- RC- RC-DYB80 RC-DYB100 RC-5M-DYB RC- RC- RC-DYB85 RC-DYB105 RC-DYB , 5 String RC-M3045 RC- RC- RC-DYB85 RC-DYB105 RC-6ML-DYB RC-DYB30 RC- RC- RC-DYB80 RC-DYB100 RC-DYB , 6 String RC-H3045 Heavy RC-DYB RC-DYB RD-DYB RC-DYB Blue Silks Cryogenically Frozen Nickel-Plated Steel Roundwound Strings Increased Strength and Durability The String Experts - 5

6 Bass Boomers - Tension DYB30X DYB40X X DYB50X DYB55X X DYB70X DYB75X DYB80X DYB85X DYB90X DYB95X DYB100X DYB105X PB18 PB20 DYB20 DYB25 DYB30 DYB35 DYB40 DYB50 DYB55 DYB60 DYB70 DYB75 DYB80 DYB85 DYB95 DYB100 DYB105 DYB110 DYB115 DYB120 DYB125 DYB126 DYB130 DYB135 DYB140 DYB145 Red Silks / Gold Silks (Short Scale) Nickel-Plated Steel Roundwound String The Original POWER String Punch and Definition Scale (34.5 Winding Length) 3041 (.045) (.065) (.080) (.085) (.100) 3044 (.105) GHS Bass String Guide

7 Bass Boomers - Tension (cont.) 3136 (.045) (.050) (.060) (.070) (.075) (.090) 3139 (.095) (.107) P3045 Piccolo PB DYB30X 46.3 DYB40X 46.2 DYB50X 38.5 XL3045 Extra DYB30 DYB50 DYB70 DYB L3045X DYB40X 36.6 DYB55X 36.8 DYB75X DYB95X 36.2 L DYB40 DYB55 DYB DYB ML3045X X X 52.2 DYB80X 47.6 DYB100 ML DYB DYB100 M3045X X X 52.2 DYB85X 51.1 DYB105X M DYB DYB105 5M-C-DYB, 5 String DYB30X X X 52.2 DYB80X 47.6 DYB100 M3045F Flea Signature Set DYB DYB105 8LS-DYB Regular, 8 String Octaves Regulars PB DYB40X 36.6 DYB DYB55X 36.8 DYB35 DYB70X X 33.8 DYB90X H3045 Heavy 5L-DYB, 5 String DYB DYB40 DYB DYB55 DYB DYB DYB DYB DYB Scale (34.5 Winding Length) Regular (.045) 3041 (.045) 3042 (.065) (.065) (.080) (.085) 3144 (.100) (.105) 5ML-DYB, 5 String 5M-DYB, 5 String 6ML-DYB, 6 String DYB DYB DYB DYB DYB100 DYB105 DYB100 DYB126 DYB DYB (.045) (.060) 3138 (.075) (.095) 3035 Regular (.050) (.070) (.090) (.107) 32.9 Big Core Bass - Tension 1 (.045) 2 (.065) 3 (.085) 4 (.105) 5 (.130) RMB 1 (.045) 2 (.065) 3 (.085) 4 (.105) RMB 1 (.045) 2 (.065) 3 (.085) 4 (.105) 5 (.130), 5 String Teal Silks Nickel-Iron / Stainless Steel Roundwound Strings Larger Core Wire perfect for Down/Drop Tuning The String Experts - 7

8 Progressives - Tension Unit Weight PRB PRB PRB PRB PRB PRB PRB PRB PRB PRB PRB PRB PRB PRB F3 E3 D#3 D3 C#3 C3 B A# A G# G F# F E D# D C# C B1 Burgundy Silks Nickel-Iron Roundwound Strings Exposed Core on E & B Strings Higher Output, Punchy, Aggressive Tone A#1 A1 G#1 G F#1 F1 E1 D# D C# C B A# A G#0 G XL8000 PRB35 PRB55 PRB75 PRB95 M8000 PRB45 PRB65 PRB85 PRB105 Extra L8000 PRB40 PRB60 PRB80 PRB100 5M8000 PRB45 PRB65 PRB85 PRB105 PRB , 5 String M8000X 5L8000, 5 String PRB PRB40 PRB PRB60 PRB PRB PRB PRB100 PRB126 Coated Bass Boomers - Tension Black Silks Coated Nickel-Plated Steel Roundwound Strings Coated for Increased Longevity CB-DYB40 CB- CB-DYB55 CB- CB-DYB75 CB-DYB80 CB-DYB85 CB-DYB95 CB-DYB100 CB-DYB105 Unit Weight F3 E3 D#3 D3 C#3 C B A# A G# G F# F E D# D C# C B A# A G# G F# F E D# D C# C B A# A G# G0 CB-L3045 CB-DYB40 CB-DYB55 CB-DYB75 CB-DYB CB-ML3045 CB-ML CB- CB- CB- CB- CB-DYB CB-DYB CB-DYB CB-DYB GHS Bass String Guide

9 Bassics - Tension - Standard Long Scale BAS40 BAS44 BAS58 BAS63 BAS80 BAS84 BAS102 BAS106 BAS L6000 BAS40 BAS58 BAS80 BAS ML6000 M6000 M6000-5, 5 String BAS44 BAS44 BAS44 BAS63 BAS63 BAS63 BAS80 BAS BAS BAS BAS BAS BAS NO Silks Nickel-Plated Steel Roundwound Strings Economical alternative to other strings Phosphor Bronze - Tension PHB40 PHB56 PHB76 PHB96 PHB (.040) 9202 (.058) 9203 (.076) 9204 (.096) NO Silks Phosphor Bronze Roundwound Strings Perfect for Acoustic/Electric Basses L PHB PHB PHB76 PHB96 L (.040) 9202 (.058) 9203 (.076) 9204 (.096) 23.4 The String Experts - 9

10 Brite Flats - Tension BF27 BF45 BF49 BF52 BF56 BF62 BF65 BF77 BF84 BF98 BF103 BF108 BF (.049) 3067 (.062) 3068 (.084) 3069 (.108) 3071 (.049) 3072 (.062) 3073 (.084) 3074 (.108) Scale (34.5 Winding Length) Dark Blue Silks Blue Silks (, Short Scale) Nickel-Iron Groundwound Strings Mellow sound, with definition and sustain L3075 BF45 BF56 BF77 BF Scale (34.5 Winding Length) 3065 Regular (.049) (.062) (.084) 3069 (.108) 30.6 ML3075 M3075 M3075-5, 5 String BF BF BF BF BF62 BF62 BF BF BF BF103 BF108 BF108 BF Regular (.049) (.062) 3073 (.084) 3074 (.108) Crossovers - Tension Special Long Scale (47.5 Winding Length) NS47 NS53 NS74 NS104 NS Red Silks Nickel-Iron Groundwound Strings Mellow sound, with definition and sustain For NS Design CR and NXT Electric-Upright Basses ONLY! Special Long Scale (47.5 Winding Length) NS3075 NS47 NS53 NS74 NS104 NS NS47 NS53 NS74 NS104 NS , 5 String GHS Bass String Guide

11 Precision Flatwound - Tension FB28 FB45 FB55 FB60 FB65 FB70 FB75 FB85 FB90 FB95 FB105 FB126 Scale (34.5 Winding Length) 3121 (.045) 3122 (.060) 3123 (.075) 3124 (.095) 3021 (.045) 3022 (.060) 3023 (.075) 3024 (.095) Purple Silks Stainless Steel Polished Flatwound Dark, thick, thumpy tone FB45 FB60 FB75 FB Scale (34.5 Winding Length) (.045) (.060) (.075) (.095) 31.0 M Regular M *, 5 String FB FB FB FB FB FB FB FB FB FB FB FB FB (.045) (.060) 3023 (.075) 3024 (.095) M3050X-5, 5 String FB FB FB FB XLFB * Denotes Standard Long Scale Winding Length Final Thoughts This tension guide is just that; a guide. You re the expert at your own personal playing style and needs, so if something doesn t feel/sound right, you can change it. Music is a very organic art form, so while you can start with science, you perfect it by touch and feel. If you re perfectly happy with playing a pre-packaged set of strings, GREAT! If you re excited about putting together that balanced tension set, GREAT! If you want to try a set with less/more tension than what you re used to, GREAT! You re playing. You re learning. That s the important part. We ll provide the strings; you provide the inspiration. The String Experts - 11

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