Bass Guitar Strings Test – Ibanez 4-String Bass Guitar

Graphic Display

Gray Bars – Untreated | Color Bars – Treated with STRINGTone
Vertical Axis = dB, Horizontal Axis = Hertz (Hz) 60-band

See Larger Spectroscope Graphic Display Results

Test Subject

We tested the Ibanez 4-string bass with used Fender nickel wound medium gauge strings.

We need to briefly discuss why physics does not allow the use of solid strings to achieve low frequencies especially on an electric bass guitar. For strings of finite stiffness, the harmonic frequencies will depart progressively from the mathematical harmonics. Winding additional wire around a solid wire core makes possible the increasing of mass without adding excessive stiffness. This keeps the string frequencies closer to the frequencies of an ideal string. The fundamental range of the electric bass guitar is approximately 41-300 Hz with the harmonic range from 1 kHz to 7 kHz.

Test Conclusions

Test results clearly show a dramatic improvement in the lower order harmonics above the fundamental frequencies into the 2.5 kHz range. Applying STRINGTone clearly improved the flexibility of larger mass strings of the bass. This application allowed the strings to vibrate in a more “ideal” mode producing better harmonic response with more instrument definition. The muddiness in the bottom end was cleaned up very nicely with STRINGTone which resulted in a more balanced tonal quality. Nearly all of the bass guitars in our test group showed similar results with STRINGTone application.

Quantitative Analysis

The bass guitar strings test results show that the application of STRINGTone does improve the sound and performance of the musical instruments that were tested. The frequency output results ranged from modest improvements in most of the electric guitars to more dramatic results with the bass guitars we tested. The upper register instruments like mandolins responded very well with smoother frequency output, improved upper harmonics, and increased sustain.

Subjective Listening Tests

A/B testing in a studio environment, considered by some to be objective, is still subjective and by no means a definitive measure of performance. We concluded after listening to each test sample there is discernible improvement in instrument tonal clarity, resulting in a more balance between fundamental and harmonic frequencies. The most dramatic improvements again were clearly apparent in larger mass strings of the bass guitar.

Qualitative Analysis

We noted that after applying STRINGTone to musical instrument strings, bridge area and nut, resulted in reduced surface abrasion along with significantly lower internal and external string friction. The after application tactile response yielded a slightly smoother feel and a more flexible string without any excessive residue. This clearly demonstrates the barrier lubricant properties of STRINGTone when applied to irregular surfaces. A slightly more flexible string indicates reduced surface tension.

Summary

The bass guitar strings test results would also indicate that STRINGTone can be used as a preventative surface treatment and barrier lubricant in all mechanical applications for a wide range of musical instruments.

These tests clearly show that the penetrating, barrier lubrication and restorative properties of STRINGTone not only produced measurable results, but prolong the life and sonic quality of musical instrument strings.