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Here’s the **real-world limit** for a **.105** bass string on a **34" scale**:
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#
**Maximum Tuning a .105 Can Reach Before It’s Unsafe**
A **.105 E-string** is designed for **E1 (41 Hz)** with about **40–45 lbs** of tension.
Most bass strings safely tolerate **55–60 lbs** before break risk rises sharply.
Using known tension formulas and real manufacturer data:
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#
**PRACTICAL MAX SAFE TUNING**
### **Up to G1 (49 Hz) — +2 whole steps above E1**
This is the **highest pitch a .105 can generally reach without a high risk of breaking**.
That means:
* **E → F → F# → G**
* (Three semitones / two whole steps)
This puts tension around **54–57 lbs**, which is near the top of the safe zone.
**Above G1 the break risk becomes extremely high**.
---
#
**Pushing It Further (Not recommended)**
### **G♯/A♭ (52 Hz)**
* Possible, but many .105s snap here.
* Tension now ~60+ lbs.
### **A1 (55 Hz)**
* **Almost guaranteed break** on a 34" scale.
* Very few .105s survive this, even momentarily.
* Neck stress increases sharply.
---
#
**Hard Limit**
### **A1 is basically the absolute physical ceiling for a .105**,
and reaching it is **unsafe and not realistic for regular use**.
Most players never go beyond **G** and manufacturers do not rate .105s above that.
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**Simple Summary**
| Note | Steps Above E | Safe? | Notes |
| ---- | ------------- | ------------------ | ----------------------- |
| F | +1 |
Safe | Normal tension increase |
| F# | +2 |
Safe | Still fine |
| G | +3 |
Borderline high | Max practical limit |
| G# | +4 |
High break risk | Not recommended |
| A | +5 |
Usually breaks | Beyond design limits |
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If you tell me the **brand** (D’Addario, Ernie Ball, DR, etc.), I can look up its exact tension rating and give the precise pound limit for your specific .105.
---
#
A **.105 E-string** is designed for **E1 (41 Hz)** with about **40–45 lbs** of tension.
Most bass strings safely tolerate **55–60 lbs** before break risk rises sharply.
Using known tension formulas and real manufacturer data:
---
#
### **Up to G1 (49 Hz) — +2 whole steps above E1**
This is the **highest pitch a .105 can generally reach without a high risk of breaking**.
That means:
* **E → F → F# → G**
* (Three semitones / two whole steps)
This puts tension around **54–57 lbs**, which is near the top of the safe zone.
**Above G1 the break risk becomes extremely high**.
---
#
### **G♯/A♭ (52 Hz)**
* Possible, but many .105s snap here.
* Tension now ~60+ lbs.
### **A1 (55 Hz)**
* **Almost guaranteed break** on a 34" scale.
* Very few .105s survive this, even momentarily.
* Neck stress increases sharply.
---
#
### **A1 is basically the absolute physical ceiling for a .105**,
and reaching it is **unsafe and not realistic for regular use**.
Most players never go beyond **G** and manufacturers do not rate .105s above that.
---
#
| Note | Steps Above E | Safe? | Notes |
| ---- | ------------- | ------------------ | ----------------------- |
| F | +1 |
| F# | +2 |
| G | +3 |
| G# | +4 |
| A | +5 |
---
If you tell me the **brand** (D’Addario, Ernie Ball, DR, etc.), I can look up its exact tension rating and give the precise pound limit for your specific .105.