STRING TENSION GHS STRINGS. Bass String Guide Updated November, 2017 P L A Y W I T H T H E B E S T. Table of Contents

Transcription

1 STRING TENSION Table of Contents GHS STRINGS P L A Y W I T H T H E B E S T Bass String Guide Updated November, 2017 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 Balanced Nickels pg. 4 Round Core Bass Boomers Bassics pg. 5 Bass Boomers pg. 6 Crossovers pg. 7 Progressives pg. 8 Pressurewound Pressurewound Bronze pg. 9 Brite Flats 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. B Hz E1 Hz A Hz D Hz G Hz C3 1 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 E1 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 C3 1 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 (35.5 Winding Length) 5501 (.044) 5502 (.063) 5503 (.084) 5504 (.106) L5000 ML5000 M5000 CM5000 Custom Standard Long Scale (36.5 Winding Length) 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 (35.5 Winding Length) (.044) (.063) (.084) 5504 (.106) 36.0 Play With The Best - 3

4 Contact Core Super Steels - Tension Standard Long Scale (36.5 Winding Length) CC60 CC65 CC80 CC85 CC100 CC105 CC125 CC Grey Silks Stainless Steel Roundwound Strings w/ Exposed Core Extra Clarity, Articulation and Action Standard Long Scale (36.5 Winding Length) 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 Balanced Nickels - Tension NB40 NB44 NB56 NB60 NB76 NB80 NB101 NB106 NB126 NB (.044) 4702 (.060) 4703 (.080) 4704 (.106) Green Silk Pure Nickel over a Round Core Wire Balanced Wraps from String to String Tonally even across entire Fretboard L-NB NB40 NB56 NB76 NB (.044) 4702 (.060) 4703 (.080) 4704 (.106) M-NB 5L-NB, 5 String 5M-NB, 5 String NB NB40 NB NB NB NB NB80 NB NB80 NB106 NB101 NB106 NB NB GHS Bass String Guide

5 Round Core Bass Boomers - Tension RC-DYB30 RC-DYB40 RC- RC-DYB50 RC-DYB55 RC-DYB60 RC- RC-DYB70 RC-DYB75 RC-DYB80 RC-DYB85 RC-DYB95 RC- RC-DYB105 RC-DYB115 RC-DYB126 RC-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- RC-DYB , 5 String RC-ML3045 RC- RC- RC-DYB80 RC- 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- RC-DYB , 6 String RC-H3045 Heavy RC-DYB RC-DYB RD-DYB RC-DYB Bassics - Tension - Standard Long Scale BAS40 BAS44 BAS58 BAS63 BAS80 BAS84 BAS102 BAS106 BAS NO Silks Nickel-Plated Steel Roundwound Strings Clear and Present tone, without being too harsh L6000 BAS40 BAS58 BAS80 BAS102 M6000 BAS44 BAS63 BAS84 BAS ML6000 BAS44 BAS63 BAS80 BAS102 M BAS44 BAS63 BAS84 BAS106 BAS , 5 String Play With The Best- 5

6 Bass Boomers - Tension DYB30X DYB40X X DYB50X DYB55X X DYB70X DYB75X DYB80X DYB85X DYB90X DYB95X X DYB105X PB18 PB20 DYB20 DYB25 DYB30 DYB35 DYB40 DYB50 DYB55 DYB60 DYB70 DYB75 DYB80 DYB85 DYB95 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 (35.5 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 DYB DYB DYB L3045X DYB40X 36.6 DYB55X 36.8 DYB75X DYB95X 36.2 L DYB40 DYB55 DYB DYB ML3045X X 47.8 X 52.2 DYB80X 47.6 ML DYB M3045X X 47.8 X 52.2 DYB85X 51.1 DYB105X M DYB DYB105 5M-C-DYB, 5 String DYB30X X 47.8 X 52.2 DYB80X 47.6 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 4ML-B-DYB Med, BEAD Tuning DYB DYB DYB60 DYB DYB DYB DYB126 Scale (35.5 Winding Length) Regular Regular (.045) 3041 (.045) 3136 (.045) (.050) (.065) (.065) (.060) 3037 (.070) (.080) 3043 (.085) (.075) (.090) (.100) (.105) 3139 (.095) 3039 (.107) M-B-DYB, BEAD Tuning 4H-B-DYB Heavy, BEAD Tuning 5L-DYB, 5 String 5ML-DYB, 5 String 5M-DYB, 5 String 6ML-DYB, 6 String DYB DYB40 DYB DYB55 DYB DYB DYB DYB DYB DYB DYB105 DYB DYB DYB105 DYB DYB DYB DYB126 DYB DYB126 Crossovers - Tension NS Standard Double Bass 3/4 Length (46.5 Winding Length) NS37 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! NS Standard Double Bass 3/4 Length (46.5 Winding Length) NS3075 NS37 NS53 NS74 NS104 NS NS37 NS53 NS74 NS104 NS , 5 String Play With The Best - 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 B Burgundy Silks Nickel-Iron Roundwound Strings Exposed Core on E & B Strings Higher Output, Punchy, Aggressive Tone A#1 A1 G#1 G F# F1 E1 D# D C# C B A# A G#0 G Scale (35.5 Winding Length) 8201 (.045) 8202 (.065) 8203 (.080) 8204 (.100) 8205 (.130) Unit Weight F3 E3 D#3 D3 C#3 C3 B2 A# A G# G F#2 F E D# D C# C B A# A G# G F# F E D# D C# C B A# A0 G#0 G0 Standard Long Scale (36.5 Winding Length) XL8000 PRB35 PRB55 PRB75 PRB95 M8000 PRB45 PRB65 PRB85 PRB105 Extra L8000 M8000X 5L8000, 5 String PRB40 PRB PRB40 PRB60 PRB PRB60 PRB PRB PRB PRB100 PRB PRB100 PRB126 5M8000, 5 String Scale (35.5 Winding Length) PRB (.045) 40.0 PRB (.065) PRB (.080) 36.3 PRB (.100) PRB GHS Bass String Guide

9 Pressurewound - Tension 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 L7200 PWB40 PWB54 PWB76 PWB ML7200 M7200 M7200-5, 5 String PWB PWB PWB PWB PWB PWB PWB PWB PWB PWB102 PWB PWB PWB (.040) 7702 (.054) 7703 (.076) 7704 (.096) Pressurewound Bronze - Tension RBB42 RBB56 RBB74 RBB92 RBB120 NO Silks Phosphor Bronze Rollerwound Strings No harsh overtones or finger noise Sound great with Magnetic Pickups! L-RBB RBB42 RBB56 RBB74 RBB Play With The Best - 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 (35.5 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 (35.5 Winding Length) 3065 Regular (.049) (.062) (.084) 3069 (.108) 39.2 ML3075 M3075 M3075-5, 5 String BF BF BF BF BF62 BF62 BF BF BF BF103 BF108 BF108 BF Regular (.049) (.062) 3073 (.084) (.108) GHS Bass String Guide

11 Precision Flats - Tension FB28 FB45 FB55 FB60 FB65 FB70 FB75 FB80 FB85 FB90 FB95 FB105 XLFB126 Scale (35.5 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 M3050-5, 5 String FB FB FB FB105 FB CM3050 Custom M Regular M3050X-5, 5 String Final Thoughts FB FB FB FB FB FB FB FB FB FB FB FB FB105 FB105 FB105 FB105 XLFB Scale (35.5 Winding Length) (.045) (.045) (.060) (.060) 3123 (.075) (.075) 3124 (.095) (.095) 24.3 This tension guide is just that; a guide. You re the expert at your own personal playing style and needs; if something doesn t feel/sound right, 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. Play With The Best - 11

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