bass guitar string gauge
April 2, 2004 4:01 PM Subscribe
Bass guitar string gauge determination [More Inside]
I've been teaching myself to play the electric bass. I found this bass in my parent's basement, and don't know more about it then what's on the bass. I just broke a string, and now I need to know what string gauge it is in order to purchase replacements. It says 'G.W. Lyon by Wahsburn" and has a serial number that isn't matching anything in the archives that Washburn has on their web site. How would I determine string gauge?
also, metafilter rocks. thanks for opening membership!
I've been teaching myself to play the electric bass. I found this bass in my parent's basement, and don't know more about it then what's on the bass. I just broke a string, and now I need to know what string gauge it is in order to purchase replacements. It says 'G.W. Lyon by Wahsburn" and has a serial number that isn't matching anything in the archives that Washburn has on their web site. How would I determine string gauge?
also, metafilter rocks. thanks for opening membership!
How to string electric basses.
The most popular gauge for 4-string basses is probably .040 for the E string.
But I agree with armoured-ant: consider getting a shop to string the bass and do a quick set-up. It may make a huge difference in playability and intonation. Sight unseen, it's likely that a bass that has been laying in a closet for years could use it.
True story: the first time I put strings on a bass, I was 13. I knew that the low E was written as the first line below the bass clef staff, and I knew where that note was on the piano. I tuned to the piano - not knowing that bass (and guitar) is written an octave higher than it sounds. So, I tuned the entire bass an octave too high.
posted by crunchburger at 4:45 PM on April 2, 2004
The most popular gauge for 4-string basses is probably .040 for the E string.
But I agree with armoured-ant: consider getting a shop to string the bass and do a quick set-up. It may make a huge difference in playability and intonation. Sight unseen, it's likely that a bass that has been laying in a closet for years could use it.
True story: the first time I put strings on a bass, I was 13. I knew that the low E was written as the first line below the bass clef staff, and I knew where that note was on the piano. I tuned to the piano - not knowing that bass (and guitar) is written an octave higher than it sounds. So, I tuned the entire bass an octave too high.
posted by crunchburger at 4:45 PM on April 2, 2004
i don't want to stop you going for help, but google around for info on setting up your bass too. it's not difficult to learn how to adjust the relief (the truss rod adjustment people are talking about) and it's nice to be able to set it how you want.
posted by andrew cooke at 5:10 PM on April 2, 2004
posted by andrew cooke at 5:10 PM on April 2, 2004
FYI, that's a good (not EXCELLENT, but certainly very decent) bass. Washburn's stuff is actually made by B.C. Rich, who imports a lot of it from Samick in Korea.
I'm adding one of these to my stable of instruments (Gibson Les Paul Studio, Fender Squier Telecaster) as a cheapo bass to mess around with. The Silvertone stuff is made by Samick as well.
posted by mrbill at 5:15 PM on April 2, 2004
I'm adding one of these to my stable of instruments (Gibson Les Paul Studio, Fender Squier Telecaster) as a cheapo bass to mess around with. The Silvertone stuff is made by Samick as well.
posted by mrbill at 5:15 PM on April 2, 2004
you actually don't want to just slap on any old bass string. the action of the bass is determined in part by the gauge of the string, and how much tension it applies to the neck. if you were to put on overly thick gauge string (when compared to whatever wa on before it) you rish bowing the neck and having intonation problems.
that said, my advice would be this: take off all the strings (not all at once, one at a time...the massive release of tension is baaad) and then re-string the whole thing with a fresh set of strings. then either adjust the truss rod yourself until the action is where you want it, or, and I recommend this highly, take it to a guitar shop and have it set-up. it's not very expensive, but the sound, tuning, and longevity of the instrument will show as a result.
posted by lazaruslong at 12:33 AM on April 4, 2004
that said, my advice would be this: take off all the strings (not all at once, one at a time...the massive release of tension is baaad) and then re-string the whole thing with a fresh set of strings. then either adjust the truss rod yourself until the action is where you want it, or, and I recommend this highly, take it to a guitar shop and have it set-up. it's not very expensive, but the sound, tuning, and longevity of the instrument will show as a result.
posted by lazaruslong at 12:33 AM on April 4, 2004
This thread is closed to new comments.
Also, bass strings are notoriously difficult to break. It may be your technique, but it's probably that this guitar's been sitting around doing nothing for so long. It's probably a good idea to restring the whole guitar. Doing so (and, certainly) changing the gauge of string you're using, will require a minor truss rod adjustment.
There are also a number of ways to fuck up restringing a bass. So, I'd recommend swallowing your pride and taking it along to your local guitar shop, and saying "Hey, what strings should I put on this?"
Then, "Please", of course :)
posted by armoured-ant at 4:27 PM on April 2, 2004