[blackinfinity]

Originally Posted by Ishan

Don't forget it's a 27" scale, .046 for E at that scale got plenty of tension. Idealy if your want a real balanced set in feel you should your tension slightly ramping up the lower the string you go.
Ex:

len 27"
E   .009" PL == 14.72#
B,  .012" PL == 14.69#
G,  .016" PL == 16.46#
D,  .024" NW == 17.68#
A,, .034" NW == 19.73#
E,, .046" NW == 19.6#
B,,, .060" NW == 19.16#
F,,,# .085" NW == 20.69#
total == 142.73#

Not perfect but you get the idea. Honestly I think that 10/46+60+80 set is fine for F# and is cheap to try as you only have 2 single strings to buy.

I use this String Guage and Tension Calculator - Version 0.1.4 - 26 apr 1998 , PL=plain strings and NW=Nickel plated steel, all are from D'addario.

Ok thanks for the reply, now I am not sure anymore, of what strings I should buy, I guess it is between 080 and 085 now, but I am confused...

And that the string tension should be increasing from each string that was something new to me as well. I also notice some odd gauges there, which probably is very hard to get...so I get one have to compromise a little, and deal with a non-perfect tension balance. Would be interesting to hear other opinions about this also.

What strings are recommended most, I have heard good things about elixir nanoweb guitar/bass strings. I am of course sceptical how well guitar and bass strings sound together..but I guess, if I want to have this string guage I do not have much of an choice.

[Ishan]

Start with a .060+.080 and see from there how it feels and get a .085 at the same time so you can experiment.
All those strings are available as D'addario Nickel plated steel and plain steel, Try Saitenkatalog.de - Saiten online günstig kaufen they got the whole D'addario range up to .085 as single strings

[blackinfinity]

ok thanks for the info, I have heard quite bad things about D'addario for some reason, maybe it is bullshit I dunno, some people say that the Elixer strings are many times better, and that they sound like new for a long time, while other strings do sound old after a week. But I might get a better sound with these D'addario strings, if they are made as guitar strings and not made for bass ?

Anyway, what talk against trying 085 first, according to your calculations 085 would be optimal in terms of tension. Or is there any other reason why to chose a thinner string as 080, and once again I still wonder, will I get a good string height with this extremely thick strings such as 085 ? I still want good playability besides good tension/sustain.

[Ishan]

While Elixir last far longer, they don't have so many gauges, so it'll a bit of a pain to use those (even if using a bass string is ok)
D'addarios are great for non coated strings, better than EB, GHS, Dean Markley, etc...
You're asking yourself far too much questions man, try strings and keep whatever feels right for you

[All_¥our_Bass]

Originally Posted by Ishan

Everything from Nothing and then on are played on 8 string, getting F tuning to work on a 25.5" scale is a bit nuts but doable with very big string gauges like .090 (.080 if you don't mind low tension)

I'm using a .95 bass string on a 25.5" scale guitar

[Ishan]

Yea but you're nuts (which not a bad thing these days...)

[All_¥our_Bass]

LOL!! yeah!!
The problem was everything else I tried, .70 , .75 , .85 , were way too loose, so I decided to take a drastic step because nothing else was working. I might bring it down to .90 though, but anything less than that won't work for me-on a 25.5" scale instrument anyway!!

[blackinfinity]

Have any of you guys idea of what type of Bass guitar to use to the 8 string octaves ?
I can imagine you need to biggest scale possible + the thickest strings possible ?

I tune in F.

[GazPots]

Ok so i found that i love Ernie Ball hybrids (tops of 9's and low strings of 10's) with a 60 and an 80 for low F tuned to standard.



Now i just need to match these tensions up for 1/2 step down and we will be good to go. Thats my bands tuning so im thinking a 90 will suffice for low F and some 10's with a 62.


My quest for nice tension is almost over.


Edit - On a 27" that is.

[TimSE]

i have a .68 for my low G
seems spot on for me