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comparing ABG string tensions

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Brian

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Oct 19, 2009, 7:46:58 PM10/19/09
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I'm currently using GHS Black Nylon Tapewound on my Taylor AB-2

G 0.050" tensions unknown
D 0.070
A 0.090
E 0.105

Am considering switching to the Thomasiks

There's quite a difference between the Thomasik & the others both in
tension & gage.

Thomasik-Infeld Phosphorbronze AB344

G 0.041" 26.5 lb
D 0.053 29.2
A 0.068 27.3
E 0.086 26.5
--------------------
110 lb

Elixir Light/Long scale 34"
G 0.045" 43 lb
D 0.065 51
A 0.080 42
E 0.100 37
--------------------
173 lb

D'Addario ABG EPBB170
G 0.045" 48 lb
D 0.065 56
A 0.080 47
E 0.100 40
--------------------
191 lb

D'Addario EXP Coated ABG EXPBB170
G 0.045" 48 lb
D 0.065 56
A 0.080 47
E 0.100 40
--------------------
191 lb

blind dog smith

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Oct 19, 2009, 9:08:40 PM10/19/09
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You're over-analyzing this--just try some.

The Acousticores have 63.58% of the tension of the Elixir Lights and
57.59% of the tension of the other two. For comparison purposes, a set
of D'Addario Pro-Arte classical strings has 56.415% of the tension
(six strings total 89.7 lbs) of a set of D'Addario light gauge
phosphor bronze strings (159 lbs tension).

Real world differences--the Acousticores don't drive the top as hard,
so they're quieter in an unamplified situation. They're easier to play
for a longer time. They squeak less after they're broken in. They last
a long time--playing two three-hour gigs a week and practicing at
least six hours a week I was changing strings once a year.

Seriously, just try some.

Brian

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Oct 19, 2009, 10:20:18 PM10/19/09
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The unamplified volume of my AB-2 is already too low.

Derek Tearne

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Oct 19, 2009, 11:22:16 PM10/19/09
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Brian <Bri...@yahoo.com> wrote:

> The unamplified volume of my AB-2 is already too low.

This will remain true, if your goal is to play with other people,
regardless of what strings you put on it.

--- Derek

--
Derek Tearne - de...@url.co.nz
Vitamin S - improvisation from Aotearoa/New Zealand
http://www.vitamin-s.co.nz/

js

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Oct 19, 2009, 11:56:04 PM10/19/09
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Jesus, this is hurting my brain...

You're afraid to mess with the truss, but you're probably going to have to
no matter what type of string you put on. And in the time it takes you to do
all this research, you could have adjusted it by now.

As far as unamplified sound goes, you're fighting physics here. The Taylor
is one of the best unampplified ABGs I've heard, but it's still too quiet to
hang with a guitar. Putting higher tension strings on it just lets you pluck
harder without fretting out, and lets the string ring longer before it
decays. But it's not THE answer.

Double the size of the body and stick a double bass bridge on there, and you
might have something. Otherwise, just pick a string that sounds/feels good
to you (minus the specs) and get a decent small amp with a big speaker. Or
get a Bajo Sexto


"Brian" <Bri...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
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Derek Tearne

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Oct 20, 2009, 3:03:15 AM10/20/09
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js <not...@nothing.com> wrote:

> Double the size of the body and stick a double bass bridge on there, and you
> might have something. Otherwise, just pick a string that sounds/feels good
> to you (minus the specs) and get a decent small amp with a big speaker.

Hey js, have you ever tried putting a soundpost equivalent into one of
these basses?

If not I might try it myself this weekend - although my suspcion is
that, without a floating bridge putting tension downwards on the
soundpost it won't achieve anything or may even cause harm.

js

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Oct 20, 2009, 4:09:55 PM10/20/09
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I haven't, although I thought about it. Had a nice El Capitan that I was
doing experiments on awhile back, but I didn't want to do anything that
might mess up the sale value, so I didn't attempt it.

I always wondered why acoustic guitars don't have one; there must be a
reason.

OTOH, I bet if you put a strip of cork on the back panel and wedged a block
of would under the bridge, it would make a big difference one way or the
other...


"Derek Tearne" <de...@url.co.nz> wrote in message
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Kloka-mo'

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Oct 20, 2009, 7:53:18 PM10/20/09
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Probably increase sustain, like my POS Jay Turser @%^#^&*()^#&*$^*(%*@$^&*.

Who buys a Beatle bass looking for more sustain?!?!? Seriously? Buy an
EB1!

--
-rob

O>
/(\)
^^

"js" <not...@nothing.com> wrote in message
news:hbl5re$5s8$1...@news.eternal-september.org...

Brian

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Oct 20, 2009, 8:01:31 PM10/20/09
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Kloka-mo' wrote:
> Probably increase sustain, like my POS Jay Turser @%^#^&*()^#&*$^*(%*@$^&*.
>
> Who buys a Beatle bass looking for more sustain?!?!? Seriously? Buy an
> EB1!
>

Since I mostly play plugged into a Hartke Kickback 15, I decided to try

D'Addario ENR71 Half Round wound with pure nickel, 45-100 $25


js

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Oct 21, 2009, 12:15:11 AM10/21/09
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I thought we were talking Taylor AB. That's like 4 Beatle basses put
together.
"Kloka-mo'" <RobXXXZo...@XXXyahooXXX.XXXcom> wrote in message
news:hblihh$qrl$1...@news.eternal-september.org...

Kloka-mo'

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Oct 21, 2009, 9:09:10 PM10/21/09
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Har.

--
-rob

O>
/(\)
^^

"js" <not...@nothing.com> wrote in message

news:hbm2a1$dur$1...@news.eternal-september.org...

Kloka-mo'

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Oct 21, 2009, 9:09:36 PM10/21/09
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...and?

--
-rob

O>
/(\)
^^

"Brian" <Bri...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
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Misifus

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Nov 4, 2009, 4:36:20 PM11/4/09
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I tried a set of Acousticores on my Martin ABG, and didn't care for
them. They were too floppy for me, and, although I loosened the
trussrod, there was a lot of fret slap.

-Raf

--
Misifus-
Rafael Seibert
Photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/rafiii
home: http://www.rafandsioux.com

Tim

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Nov 5, 2009, 7:24:36 PM11/5/09
to
On Oct 19, 9:56 pm, "js" <noth...@nothing.com> wrote:
> Jesus, this is hurting my brain...
>
> You're afraid to mess with the truss, but you're probably going to have to
> no matter what type of string you put on. And in the time it takes you to do
> all this research, you could have adjusted it by now.
>
> As far as unamplified sound goes, you're fighting physics here. The Taylor
> is one of the best unampplified ABGs I've heard, but it's still too quiet to
> hang with a guitar. Putting higher tension strings on it just lets you pluck
> harder without fretting out, and lets the string ring longer before it
> decays. But it's not THE answer.
>
> Or get a Bajo Sexto


Or kick it all the way tot he bottom and get a Guitarron.

http://www.fiestavivaentertainment.com/mediac/400_0/media/Guitarron.JPG


I have two of them. One is stock and the other is "modified"

?;^ )

Tim

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Nov 5, 2009, 7:27:44 PM11/5/09
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On Nov 4, 3:36 pm, Misifus <rafseib...@att.net> wrote:

> I tried a set of Acousticores on my Martin ABG, and didn't care for
> them.  They were too floppy for me, and, although I loosened the
> trussrod, there was a lot of fret slap.
>
>         -Raf
>
> --
> Misifus-
> Rafael Seibert
> Photos:http://www.flickr.com/photos/rafiii
> home:http://www.rafandsioux.com

I think you can get replacement bridge inserts to raise or lower the
action at the bridge, can't you?

I know they're available for most acoustic guitars.

Misifus

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Nov 8, 2009, 7:45:05 PM11/8/09
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Absolutely. However, I didn't care for the feel or the sound of the
Acousticores on my bass enough to want to do a whole new setup on it.
I'm using tapewounds (.045-.100) and I like the sound.

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