fryer Posted March 10, 2011 Share Posted March 10, 2011 Just bought a new / used Hagstrom HB 4. The bottom, E, string seams a bit loose when in tune - the others are ok. Do I need a thinner or thicker gauge string to allow more tension ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EssentialTension Posted March 10, 2011 Share Posted March 10, 2011 (edited) [quote name='fryer' post='1157016' date='Mar 10 2011, 06:25 PM']Just bought a new / used Hagstrom HB 4. The bottom, E, string seams a bit loose when in tune - the others are ok. Do I need a thinner or thicker gauge string to allow more tension ?[/quote] A thicker (or heavier gauge) string will have more tension as long as it's the same make/model of string as the one being replaced. If it's a different make/model of string then it will depend upon it's construction because string tension doesn't depend directly on gauge. Tension depends upon three things only: (1) frequency to which you tune it - that will remain the same with your replacement string; (2) scale length - which will also remain the same; (3) mass per unit length of the string - which will change if you use (A) a heavier gauge of the same make/model string or (B ) a different make/model of string with a different mass per unit length. Edited March 10, 2011 by EssentialTension Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LawrenceH Posted March 10, 2011 Share Posted March 10, 2011 But there is also compliance/elasticity, which is different and can in theory be affected by other factors like string length including that beyond nut/bridge, and the break angle and friction at those points. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EssentialTension Posted March 10, 2011 Share Posted March 10, 2011 (edited) [quote name='LawrenceH' post='1157162' date='Mar 10 2011, 08:38 PM']But there is also compliance/elasticity, which is different and can in theory be affected by other factors like string length including that beyond nut/bridge, and the break angle and friction at those points.[/quote] Yes, we've had this one many times before but here's the standard link: [url="http://liutaiomottola.com/myth/perception.htm"]Lutherie Myth/Science: Human Perception of String Tension and Compliance in Stringed Musical Instruments[/url] Edited March 10, 2011 by EssentialTension Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRBboy Posted March 13, 2011 Share Posted March 13, 2011 Easy. "The HB4 features a 30.75" scale length neck" That's why it feels floppy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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