String tension issues

[fishcat1]

Hello everyone, I need help. I absolutely need more string tension on my Sterling 4 HS. I just picked it up in January, and figured I could simply adjust to the new tension on the stock strings. Well, a month later, and it's not happening. I was using 105-50's on my Warwick previously-and the tension was perfect. So here's the question. Will going to 105's really increase the tension enough? I'm struggling on some 16th note passages and what not. If I can't get this resolved, I'm going to have to unload this thing, which I do NOT want to do-the tone is to DIE for. Any help will be appreciated. Thanks, Fish

 

[bass&cookies]

higher gauge strings will definately increase the tension. The stock strings are super slinkies, which are 40-100 i believe, so that would account for the differnece

 

[prickly_pete]

The stock strings are 45, 65, 80, and 100. Try a set of Power Slinkys -- 55, 75, 90, and 110.

 

[strummer]

Hello everyone, I need help. I absolutely need more string tension on my Sterling 4 HS. I just picked it up in January, and figured I could simply adjust to the new tension on the stock strings. Well, a month later, and it's not happening. I was using 105-50's on my Warwick previously-and the tension was perfect. So here's the question. Will going to 105's really increase the tension enough? I'm struggling on some 16th note passages and what not. If I can't get this resolved, I'm going to have to unload this thing, which I do NOT want to do-the tone is to DIE for. Any help will be appreciated. Thanks, Fish

Well, since both your previous bass and the Sterling are 34", going with the same brand/gauges on the Sterling will give you the same tension.

 

[robobass13]

gauge is not the only factor in string tension, It also has to do with material. you say the tension on your warwick was perfect, were you running warwick strings on it? I hate to say this here, but I have been running warwick black label stainless steel strings on all my MM basses for years. I use them mainly because they are a high tension string and they last for awhile. I know I,m kinda plugging another company, but I play nothing but EBMM basses, It's all I own!!

 

[oddjob]

I play in Eb and needed higher tension... Power Slinks worked for me!

 

[dlloyd]

I was using 105-50's on my Warwick previously-and the tension was perfect.

If those strings were perfect on your previous bass, try them on your new one.

 

[Figjam]

Try powers or hybrid slinkies.

 

[Psycho Ward]

I'm struggling on some 16th note passages and what not. If I can't get this resolved, I'm going to have to unload this thing, which I do NOT want to do-the tone is to DIE for. Any help will be appreciated. Thanks, Fish

Buddy Rich could do drum rolls on a piece of Kleenex. I fail to see why a tension issue would lead you to "unload" a bass with tone to die for. Try some different strings and maybe have someone set your bass.

 

[mike not fat]

The stock strings are 45, 65, 80, and 100. Try a set of Power Slinkys -- 55, 75, 90, and 110.

+ 1 here. The Power Slinkys really improved neck adjustment and string tension on the bongo.

MNF

 

[fishcat1]

Follow up

Thanks to everyone who chimed in, I put on the same exact set of strings that I had on my old bass-perfect tension. 105-50's. I guess to wrap this subject up-I have to say I'm literally shocked at how much difference string guage can cause in overall feel. That is the reason for the near panic-I just simply didn't think it could affect the playability to this level. Anyway, alls well, and I swear the tone got better! Thanks again for the suggestions

 

[Figjam]

Strings affect tone and playability SO much. Many people underestimate this.