String Tension, Ernie Ball 5-String Bass Strings

[backagain1]

I'm hoping one of the Ernie Ball reps on this thread can answer a couple of questions for me.

1. What is the tension of each string (or of all of the strings together) of a set of Regular Slinky® 5-String bass strings?

2. What is the tension of each string (or all of the strings together) of a set of Power Slinky® 5-String bass strings?

The reason I'm asking is that I'm buying my first set of new strings for my new Stingray 5. I understand that Ernie Ball ships the basses with Regular Slinky's and I love the way the bass plays. The action was great right from the factory; I'd hate to do anything to disturb it. However, with the thought in mind that the bass will sound even better with a slightly heavier string, I'm thinking of buying a set of Power Slinky's for my upcoming gig.

Thanks for any help you can provide.

backagain1

 

[midopa]

EB basses come with super slinkies. Trying out reg. slinkies would be upping the gauge you've got already.

 

[spectorbassguy]

I'm not sure on tensions and all that, but the low B on T-I Powerbass 345's is much tighter than any other strings I've tried. I'm hooked on them now. They last a long time and give a great clear tone. Plus the silk ends match my GrapeRay 5!

 

[backagain1]

EB basses come with super slinkies. Trying out reg. slinkies would be upping the gauge you've got already.

The EB FAQ says...

*******
Q: Can you please tell me what type of strings are put on the Music Man Stingray 4-string basses when they ship new from the factory?

A: The 4-string basses are all equipped with Ernie Ball Super Slinky Bass strings, catalog number #2834, when they leave the factory. The gauges are 45-65-80-100, with the StingRay 5 having the same with an added 130.
*******

The Regular Slinky's are 45-65-80-100-130. That's why I wrote that the Stingray 5 comes with Regular Slinky's.

Is there anyone from MusicMan/Ernie Ball who can clear up the confusion?

Thanks,

backagain1

 

[skabassist13]

ok first of they come with SUPER slinkies. 45-60-80-100. second, it is my opinion the string guage listing on the eb website is incorrect. i cant tell you anymore becuase the gauges are messed up. but that i know fo' sho'!

 

[backagain1]

ok first of they come with SUPER slinkies. 45-60-80-100. second, it is my opinion the string guage listing on the eb website is incorrect. i cant tell you anymore becuase the gauges are messed up. but that i know fo' sho'!

I think I see what the conflict could be. For a 4-string bass, Super Slinky's have gauges of 45-65-80-100. However, Super Slinky® 5-String sets are lighter, with gauges of 40-60-75-95-125. (Regular Slinky® 5-String sets have gauges of 45-65-80-10-130.) So, does your statement and the FAQ included below mean that 4-string basses are shipped with Super Slinky strings and 5-string basses are shipped with Regular Slinky® 5-String sets?

The EB FAQ says...

*******
Q: Can you please tell me what type of strings are put on the Music Man Stingray 4-string basses when they ship new from the factory?

A: The 4-string basses are all equipped with Ernie Ball Super Slinky Bass strings, catalog number #2834, when they leave the factory. The gauges are 45-65-80-100, with the StingRay 5 having the same with an added 130.
*******

Is there a Ernie Ball rep out there somewhere?

Thanks,

backagain1

 

[skabassist13]

no no no. the 4's and 5's both come from the factory with super slinkies. the 5's have the same gauges for the E, A, D, and G strings but have an added 130 for the B.

 

[RocketRobin]

Heavier strings will provide you with more gain (especially in the bottom end), if you play your bass like King Kong, after he's devoured a coffee plantation.
They can also do even nastier things, like twist your neck, but they'll make more.
Heavy iron is a safe place to start live performing, because you're less likely to bend off pitch (when distracted by comely maidens in the audience) if your strings are made of M60 concrete reinforcing steel.
I won't blame you if you add heavy iron to your bass. Been there, done that and all for good reason.

I now prefer to use XLs and push gain in other places (active PUs/pre-amp/models), while holding back on the tone controls for war emergency power.
Add to that I play short scale basses between 29 5/8",31" and 34", control is paramount to accuracy, but it still provides safer hiding places than a fretless.

Some fretless Bongo Jazz guy with 97" neck guitars will probably have a say here.
I just rock.

It's all good.

 

[backagain1]

Check out the gauges on the Super Slinky and Super Slinky 5- String on this web site:

http://www.ernieball.com/site/products_strings_round_bass.php

See my confusion? According to that site, if I go with the Regular Slinky® 5-Strings, I will get the first four stings with gauges of 45-65-80-100. If I want to go with a heavier string, I've got to go with the Power Slinky's.

Thanks for your help,

backagain1

 

[skabassist13]

honestly id say look at the guages for the 4 string sets and then add whatever the B would be to get the gauges. the site is off.

 

[backagain1]

Thanks for your help.

backagain1

(P.S. - It doesn't appear that anyone knows the tension of the strings, as requested in the first post of this thread. Maybe Ernie Ball doesn't provide that information.)

 

[backagain1]

String Tension

I ran across some interesting information at another site:

In order to determine the tension at which a string will vibrate, you need three pieces of information: the Unit Weight, the Scale Length, and the Frequency of the string. You can use the formulas below to calculate the exact tension for any string using the scale length of your particular instrument.

UW- Unit Weight. Unit weight is expressed in pounds per linear inch (lb/in).
L- Scale Length. This is the vibrating length of the string. This is determined by
measuring the distance from the nut to the bridge of the instrument in inches (in).
F- Frequency or pitch. This is the pitch at which you will be tuning the string
expressed in cycles per second (Hertz).

To calculate the tension of a string in pounds use the formula below, inserting the three variables described above:

T (Tension) = (UW x (2 x L x F)^2) / 386.4

If you know what tension you want the string to have, you can calculate the string
unit weight. You can then locate a string with approximately the same desired unit weight.

UW (unit weight) = (T x 386.4) / (2 x L x F)^2

So, if you knew the unit weights of Regular Slinky-5 strings and Power Slinky strings, you could calculate the difference in tension between the strings.

 

[Mobay45]

I ran across some interesting information at another site:

In order to determine the tension at which a string will vibrate, you need three pieces of information: the Unit Weight, the Scale Length, and the Frequency of the string. You can use the formulas below to calculate the exact tension for any string using the scale length of your particular instrument.

UW- Unit Weight. Unit weight is expressed in pounds per linear inch (lb/in).
L- Scale Length. This is the vibrating length of the string. This is determined by
measuring the distance from the nut to the bridge of the instrument in inches (in).
F- Frequency or pitch. This is the pitch at which you will be tuning the string
expressed in cycles per second (Hertz).

To calculate the tension of a string in pounds use the formula below, inserting the three variables described above:

T (Tension) = (UW x (2 x L x F)^2) / 386.4

If you know what tension you want the string to have, you can calculate the string
unit weight. You can then locate a string with approximately the same desired unit weight.

UW (unit weight) = (T x 386.4) / (2 x L x F)^2

So, if you knew the unit weights of Regular Slinky-5 strings and Power Slinky strings, you could calculate the difference in tension between the strings.

That sounds like math. I'm not good at math.

 

[tkarter]

I am not that good at math. EB strings will work on an EB bass I haven't one doubt. No matter which ones.

tk

 

[martinbassuk]

When i bought mu stingray 5 and sent of the regisration card, Ernie Ball kindly sent me a free set of strings which were Regular slinkys. I measured the original strings which came of and they were an exact match.

 

[backagain1]

When i bought mu stingray 5 and sent of the regisration card, Ernie Ball kindly sent me a free set of strings which were Regular slinkys. I measured the original strings which came of and they were an exact match.

Thank you very much for your help. How did you measure the original strings?

backagain1