Right, with the bottom of the bass, in most cases, larger diameter is better: you probably want the higher tension, both for tone and so that the plectrum will clear the string in a reasonable distance ( extra low tension bass strings take a lot of key dip, and that can mean the key dip will be more than you want for the rest of the instrument). That is true within limits, as too large a diameter will be a bad idea for several reasons, but .001" is not a big deal.
In some cases I have replaced the bottom few notes, where the original strings went to .022, going to .024 and .026, with marked improvement. This is true especially with shorter instruments, with bridges that curve in a fair bit at the end. Not so much with full size instruments - I would tend to leave them as designed, if I know that info (but going from .025 to .026 is not a big enough change to worry about). I think the Zuckermann conversion kit, for the five foot "Z-box" (kit made of plywood), provides .024 and maybe .026 for those lowest notes. A good bit less tubby tone.
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Fred Sturm
University of New Mexico
fssturm@unm.edu http://fredsturm.net "When I smell a flower, I don't think about how it was cultivated. I like to listen to music the same way." -Federico Mompou
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Original Message:
Sent: 03-03-2014 13:31
From: Keith McGavern
Subject: Wire size question
Appreciate your input, Fred.
I received the following from a private email:
"As a general rule, go with the next smaller size, i.e. .008" iron and .024" red brass.
If .024" red is used already, you can use .026" where .025" is called for."
Seems to fall in line with your assessment.
Keith McGavern, RPT
Shawnee, Oklahoma, USA
kam544@allegiance.tv
Original Message:
Sent: 03-03-2014 13:06
From: Fred Sturm
... I wouldn't worry overly much about .025 as opposed to .024 and .026. Neither is likely to break, as those bass notes are usually pretty low tension, and the tonal difference won't be big. ...