Author Topic: Yet Another String Question (Read 566 times)

mikedm · « **on:** September 05, 2006, 08:26:12 PM »

I recently put on a set of TI Jazz Bass Roundwounds. They are a low tension string: .043, .051, .058 and .089. The A, D and G strings feel great, sound great. The problem is the E buzzes at every fret. I've raised the bridge on the E side as high at it will go to no avail. Another consideration was that the string was vibrating too much in the saddle, but the buzz is clearly from string contact at the next fret up. The neck is perfect and I don't wish to apply any bizzare truss rod adjustments to accomodate this one string. I'm afraid the low tension feature is too sloppy.
My question is this: Is it theoretically possible to keep the lower tension ADG strings and restring the E with the older .105 with no ill effects?

Any feedback is welcome, rehearsal Wednesday night and services Friday and Sunday.

FYI: Yes, standard (as if, lol) Alembic nut and saddles - .045, .065, .085 and .105.

thanks in advance,
Mike

(Message edited by groovelines on September 05, 2006)

hb3 · « **Reply #1 on:** September 05, 2006, 08:57:54 PM »

What's the worst that could happen?

lidon2001 · « **Reply #2 on:** September 05, 2006, 09:21:10 PM »

www.juststrings.com sells TI singles. Maybe they have a matching string in the size you're looking for.

worldfamousandy · « **Reply #3 on:** September 05, 2006, 09:30:11 PM »

Absolutley fine, although expect to adjust that truss anytime you change gauges. Don't let it scare you, either. A truss adjustment is not a big deal.

Andy Calder
www.andycalderbass.com

olieoliver · « **Reply #4 on:** September 06, 2006, 07:04:11 AM »

Might try a .100 E string first.

You may have to adjust the pickup clearance too.

adriaan · « **Reply #5 on:** September 06, 2006, 07:09:53 AM »

Is it an extra long scale set? The flatwounds have a .100 E for the 34, and a .105 E for the 32.

mikedm · « **Reply #6 on:** September 06, 2006, 10:13:53 AM »

Thanks, everyone. I was more concerned about mixing tension than gauges.

Adriaan, No, its a long scale.

Other than the buzz, the TIs are superb. Maybe purchasing a single, larger guage sting is the trick.

thanks again,
Mike

adriaan · « **Reply #7 on:** September 06, 2006, 02:36:25 PM »

TI are quite peculiar about gauges - they insist they make strings in gauges that work, rather than gauges that are exactly .005 apart like they are for most brands.

Mind you, TI represent a string making tradition that goes back a lot further than electric instruments.

lg71 · « **Reply #8 on:** September 06, 2006, 04:20:09 PM »

Interesting post... I find that I get more buzzes with lighter gauge because I pluck/pull 'hard, same goes for the action, I don't like low action personally, because it requires a softer touch. It's a question of taste I'd say, I strung one of my bass with D'Addario EXL160 rounds (gauge .050, .0.70, .085, .105) which is stiffer next to the previous 100, 80, 60, 40, but I like it better with the heavier gauge, it does feel a bit strange at first, but then I prefer it, I get less buzz, more expression and speed, more bass obviously, a bit less treble as well.
I also have some TIs flats and they are really good, I like them and although they have a light tension, they don't buzz, next to a similar gauge rounds. I wish I had an extra set in fact.

David Houck · « **Reply #9 on:** September 06, 2006, 04:54:30 PM »

Mike; these are the same strings I play, TI Jazz Rounds. I think they are absolutely wonderful. Personally, I would not change the E string to a different gauge. As Adriaan pointed out, the strings are a matched set.

My guess is that when you took the old set off and put this low tension set on, by reducing the string tension on the neck, you took some of the relief out. In other words the effect on the action would be the same if, instead of changing strings, you had tightened the truss rod nuts a little.

Thus it stands to reason that you may now need to loosen the nuts a little and give the neck some relief. Try loosening the nuts maybe 1/8 of a turn and see if that doesn't make a difference.

valvil · « **Reply #10 on:** September 06, 2006, 05:06:41 PM »

Dave's right. You need to loosen the truss rods. TI string have much less tension than most other strings, regardless of the gauge. They just build them differently.

I've used those strings, & I had to adjust the neck for them. It's a pretty common thing with Tomastiks.

Valentino

lg71 · « **Reply #11 on:** September 06, 2006, 05:28:29 PM »

Oh yes, obviously the neck relief needs to be adjusted usually when changing gauge/tension, although on some rare occasions, switching from one gauge to another didn't require attention, that was just a one off though, but a nice one.

mikedm · « **Reply #12 on:** September 06, 2006, 05:29:32 PM »

I'm ceratinly willing to give it go. I really like the TIs and would like to keep the set complete as designed. Tonight's rehearsal was scrubbed, so I've extra time to work it out. Now, off to find Joey's notes on truss rod adjustments...

olieoliver · « **Reply #13 on:** September 06, 2006, 06:21:19 PM »

I understand the matched set on the TI's but wouldn't it stand to reason that each bass is different too. So some modifications may be necessary to the ?matched set? for a particular bass.

I?ve jammed with Mike and he doesn?t play hard at all. In fact he has a real smooth right hand technique. (I even stole some of his chops, SSHHH) Excellent player, at least until he gets tanked up full of IBC.

bigredbass · « **Reply #14 on:** September 06, 2006, 06:32:13 PM »

Yes, going from 'normal' strings to TI low tensions and a 43-89 set, gonna need a little tweaking.

Imagine that your 45-105 set exerts some value of tension (lbs/ft), and that value against the way your bass is adjusted results in an action that is good for you. You would then assume that the 'low tension' and TI construction would exert a SMALLER value of tension: This has brought the buzz you're hearing as the neck is now pushing harder than the strings, to think of it in that way. Or more correctly, the relief has pulled either dead straight or it may even be high in the middle at the current truss rod setting vs. lower tension strings. Probably backing off the truss rod tension and resetting your last fret heights will 'bring it in' for these strings.

After you read the post and dive in, write down what the clearances were at first, then each movement you make: IF all else fails, you can reverse them to get back to where you started.

In the short version: Check your nut clearance, then check your relief (bow), then adjust your string heights over the last fret. After that, IF these strings are still like new, adjust your harmonics, and re-adjust your pickup heights if you do that sort of thing.

I've never cared for light guage strings for me. The necks always pitch a fit, less metal for the pickups, and they just don't feel big under my fingers. I must admit that the TI's are ingenious in making such incongruous guages work as such beautiful, matched sets.

I've always imagined these stiff-upper-lip Austrians at TI being asked why there is only ONE group of guages for each set . . . ZEESE ARE DE SISES WE HAFF SELEKTED AND YOU VILL LIKE THEM!

J o e y