how make the strings tight

[groovier]

I 've a wonderfull STINGRAY 5 strings i love this bass but i feel the strings too "soft" under my fingers....
is there mode to make the strings tigher?
is a problem of set up ?
which kind of strings do i have to use to prevent that problem?
thank you for your replay!!

 

[jifty]

It sound like you have just out-played them, and now they're old, and lost their tightness.
It's also possible that it is your bass needs a setup. Try and see if your ocatves sound the same...
How should you solve it? well- get new strings. You can use Fast-Fret to ensure a longer life for them, or boil them once in a while (though iv'e heard it only sound good for 2 days).
Good luck

 

[Aussie Mark]

Different brand strings have different tension, so if you tell us what type of music you're playing, what type of tone you prefer, and whether you play with pick or fingers, we might be able to make some string suggestions. Raising the action via the bridge saddles or truss rod will also "tighten" the strings, however don't try this unless you know what you're doing.

 

[lowstrung]

You can try a small insulated spacer tube at the bridge entrance big enough for the string and small inside that the ball won't pass
about 1/4"-1/2" long. Maybe just the B&E string. that will raise the tinsion without changing intonation or having to use a heavy guage string. Seen it once. Give it a try and let me know.

 

[bovinehost]

The only real way to change string tension is to change the strings. Unfortunately, most manufacturers don't publish tension specs, but Mark and I can tell you what's higher and what's lower.

Perhaps others as well, but given the loony things I sometimes see written about string tension, I would listen to us first.

Um, not that we aren't loony.

In any case, what strings are on your bass now? Slinkys? If so, those are on the low side of medium tension. TI Powerbass will up the tension quite a bit, and they are very MODERN sounding.

For flats, the Labella Deep talking Flats are higher tension without feeling like high tension cables and sound good in an old school thumpy kind of way.

Anyway, more info then we can help you.

Dang, we're like bass doctors, Mark.

 

[midopa]

How's the tension for TI Flats? I'm thinking about getting a 5 string set. My previous strings have been Ernie Ball Slinkies and GHS Bass Boomers.

EDIT:
Sorry, I meant TI Jazz E-Bass Flats.

 

[groovier]

THank you for your help....
the strings i'm using are the ernie ball slinky 45/130 that i received by post putting my serial number in the site........
I play different kind of music from blues funk to jazz oriented things, and i'm not very skilled in the strings sea ........!!!
which ones could be better to solve my problem??
thank you for your kindness....

 

[Aussie Mark]

How's the tension for TI Flats?

The TI flats have relatively low tension. From my experience, if you are keen on flats, Rotosound have the highest tension, but don't get the heavy duty Steve Harris set unless you are Superman. The "normal" gauge Roto flats are quite playable.