SR5 fretless and thomastik strings issue.

[gsmithbass]

Hi everyone,


Been a longtime since I have been to the forum, but I need help.

I am having issues with bass/strings and tuning stability.

I play another bass for a couple of songs and switch to my SR5, which
I tune up to pitch before the show. It is in tune but every string goes flat by the third song I play with it. There is no real stressful playing or anything like that, mostly whole notes. I check it right at intermission, and most if not all of the strings are real flat. I am using a Boss TU-3 floor tuner. I come back after 20 minutes and the bass is in tune. I understand how strings can go flat as they heat up and have experienced this playing aggressive orchestral bass.

What are you thoughts?

Strings heating up and going flat?
Instrument neck changing as stage heats up under lights? (30 feet in the air)


The Fender stays in tune fine and is strung with round wounds.


Thanks in advance!


Glen

 

[TheAntMan]

Try switching to EB Group II or III strings and see if this still happens.

Also, post pictures of the bass, especially the headstock and bridge areas.

Good luck,

--Ant

 

[bovinehost]

Those TIs are wonderful things but they are SUPREMELY low tension and I do occasionally have to retune my instruments that sport them.

 

[Stephen]

... Strings heating up and going flat? ...

Yes, in the cruel world of simple physics we live in, this would be the first part of the answer to your problem. The second part of that answer would be "Retune when necessary".

Strings are made from metal and as metal reacts rather quickly to temperature changes, they can lengthen (or shrink) within a matter minutes, thus going out of tune. I'm not trying to discuss a different brand product here in length, but let me add this: it might be more obvious with the TIs because these are built on a very light core wire - less bulk, even quicker reaction to temperature.

Wood, on the other hand, reacts only very slowly to temperature changes, so your neck is not an issue here.

 

[gsmithbass]

Thanks

Thanks for all of the replies guys. This has been a perplexing problem for quite some time. I am glad that the bass is fretless and adjustments can be made on the fly. .

I really love the sound of those strings on that bass, so I will continue to tune up between songs as needed. It takes quite a bit of attention because after sitting on the stand for twenty minutes, they cool back down to normal.

The funny thing is that I have TI flats on other basses and have never noticed the issue on any of them. In fact, quite the opposite. It is just a matter of the conditions.

Thanks again all and happy music making.

G

 

[oli@bass]

If you re-tune up to pitch after playing them warm, will the bass be sharp after you leave it standing on the stand for a while?

If not, probably the strings are slipping on the tuning pegs. I've have that happen with different brands of flats. Try winding them through the slot once and then going winding on the peg. Also stretch them slightly while tuning.

 

[Rick Auricchio]

+1 to slipping on the tuning pegs. I have TIs on my SR4 and Big Al and they don't go out of tune.

 

[Holdsg]

also have TI's on my Big Al, about a month old, and now that they have stabilized, don't have to retune after playing (and I do check at the first of every set).

 

[gsmithbass]

well

Oli'

In tune - flat - then back to in tune after break.
That in my mind eliminates the string slippage or settling theories.

It did this with a previous set of TI's a month ago. They had been on the bass for a year.

The really perplexing issue is that I am not heating them up with the amount of playing. Just whole notes, etc.

I am anxious to switch to something different and see if I notice still.
The conditions won't be exact though.

Glad I have a tuner pedal.


G