String gauges on your Roscoe?

improvpwnd · #1 01-19-2009, 01:30 AM

I have been experimenting with string gauges on my Roscoe lately. The stock strings it came were a bit too heavy for 35" scale bass for me. Currently, I have a D'Addario EXL .028, .040, .060, .75, .95, .125 set installed. I love the tension in my C and G strings, but my D and A are noticeably heavier and it messes with my technique. My E is a [i]bit[i] too heavy and my low B is a bit boomey (tension being actually OK). So, I just put an order in for a .028, .040, .055, .70, .90, .120 set. I also just tried La Bella Slappers (.029, .040, .060, .075, .095, .118) which are pretty similar in gauge to my current set, but the tapered B caused weird overtones and felt flabby and weird when palm muting. For now, tapered strings are out of the question.

To other light (to super-light) gauge 6-string 35" scale players out there... what gauges do you use? Can you guys still do an ultra-low action setup with super light strings? Or since they have less tension, you have to raise them a bit more than you would have to with higher tension strings? I find the latter true, but it feels like the action is lower because its so much easier to play..

lwrthnwhalepoop · #2 01-24-2009, 07:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by improvpwnd

I have been experimenting with string gauges on my Roscoe lately. The stock strings it came were a bit too heavy for 35" scale bass for me. Currently, I have a D'Addario EXL .028, .040, .060, .75, .95, .125 set installed. I love the tension in my C and G strings, but my D and A are noticeably heavier and it messes with my technique. My E is a [i]bit[i] too heavy and my low B is a bit boomey (tension being actually OK). So, I just put an order in for a .028, .040, .055, .70, .90, .120 set. I also just tried La Bella Slappers (.029, .040, .060, .075, .095, .118) which are pretty similar in gauge to my current set, but the tapered B caused weird overtones and felt flabby and weird when palm muting. For now, tapered strings are out of the question.

To other light (to super-light) gauge 6-string 35" scale players out there... what gauges do you use? Can you guys still do an ultra-low action setup with super light strings? Or since they have less tension, you have to raise them a bit more than you would have to with higher tension strings? I find the latter true, but it feels like the action is lower because its so much easier to play..

Earlier in my career I did a lot of experimentation with string gauges as a part of finding my sound, which is part of every musician's journey. I think on a 5-string my low B was a .110, but I can't recall the precise gauges of the whole set. There's a lot of that era that I can't recall, but that's a post for another forum.

When I went ultralight, I had the same problem that you seem to be running into, that is that the lighter strings were deflected downward onto the fretboard when I played - more so than the medium strings. That necessitated a higher action than the medium strings, which my left hand didn't dig much. I also missed the heavier strings' tension for playing harmonics, which at the time I did far too much of.

I went back to medium gauges for good when I listened to a recording done with the ultralight setup and the bass sounded thin and washed out. It sounded too guitar-ish, which would be my worst nightmare. I'm cool with my bass sounding like just about any instrument if it fits the situation, but if it sounds like a guitar...well, it'll make for some expensive kindling. Too many years in bands with guitar divas, I suppose.

Alas, I digress...but my point is that going to an ultralight setup has some trade-offs.

Enjoy your quest!

RocketMusic · #3 01-24-2009, 09:26 AM

That's been my experience with ultra light strings, too. My fingers love them, but it's usually difficult for me to get any tonal a$$ out of them. I can convince myself they sound good when I play by myself, but they let me down at shows.

But there are guys who make them work. I think I read a LONG time ago that Geddy Lee plays/played a .035 G string, and his tone doesn't suck

Active Reasoner · #4 01-24-2009, 01:56 PM

With regards to string tension, a thicker core results in a tighter string, which also produces a stronger fundamental tone, with less overtones. I think tighter strings,(but not too tight!), last longer as well. In my younger days, I used a popular manufacturers heavier gauge strings because they were less expensive, but they were loose and really twangy sounding, and the higher strings would routinely break - both problems must have been from a thinner core. You get what you pay for. Luckily, I found the right strings for me before I wasted too much money.

I think if one is going to play alot of chords, you're better off with lighter strings. I've found to get a bassier tone out of lites requires adjustments in technique, like moving the picking hand along the string to find the notes sweet spot, and picking lighter.

But for straight ahead bass lines, I think mediums are best.

Good Luck,

Active

improvpwnd · #5 01-24-2009, 04:36 PM

Reply to all: Are you experiences in regard to 34" or 35" scale basses? Do we lose/gain the same amount of tonal quality when using the same gauge between 34" and 35" scale basses? Or can we go lighter on 35" scale basses with less sacrifice to tone because there is more tension? And can the 'thump' that we get with heavier gauges be EQ'd back in your opinions?

Active Reasoner, I think your right about moving your picking hand around to find sweet spots being a very important factor in using light gauges..

RocketMusic · #6 01-24-2009, 04:49 PM

That's a good question. My light guage experience is exclusively with 34" instruments, and I imagine the extra tension that a 35" scale adds might give you better results. I'm sure your ears will tell you, too, as you experiment more and more. I know I'd be interested to hear your results, as it won't be too long before I own a 35" scale bass...

Active Reasoner · #7 01-25-2009, 05:59 AM

My only 35" scale experience is with my Roscoe 7's. I find the added tension really helps the low strings tone, but the extra inch adds a subtle sitar type buzz to the high strings, which on my 7's are very light. This is not fret buzz, as I prefer my action relatively high, which allows me more dynamic range and sustain. The buzz is most noticeable when playing the high strings in first position, and lessens as one moves up the neck. From the 12th fret up, the buzz is non existent. I have a 34" scale 6 string Zon strung with the same high strings, and they have no buzz at all. The buzzing of longer high strings makes sense, when the scale length of the sitar is considered. I find it a heavenly sound.

Active

lwrthnwhalepoop · #8 01-25-2009, 09:01 AM

My ultralight string experimentation was on 34" scale basses: mid '70s era J- and P-basses, so I don't have experience with ultralight strings on a 35" bass.

Another factor in this is the effect the meatier and stiffer necks on 5- and 6-string basses compared to the wispy neck of my '74 Jazz bass. I'm not an acoustic engineer so I'm not qualified to speculate what the effect would be and how prominent it would be, but it stands to reason that neck mass and stiffness change the resonating frequencies of the instrument, which in turn will effect which sounds it will - or won't - make.

Baird6869 · #9 01-25-2009, 10:20 AM

I just put a set of Rotosound SM-666 strings on my 35" SKB-3006 and they sound pretty good. The gauges are .030"w .040"w .060"w .080"w . 100"w .125"w.

The only bad thing is that I may want to look for a thicker C string as the .030 gets lost in the mix from time to time.

JOME77 · #10 01-26-2009, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baird6869

The only bad thing is that I may want to look for a thicker C string as the .030 gets lost in the mix from time to time.

Yeah, that was always my complaint with the high C.

The high C sounded great in the upper register but very thin in the lower. I never really experimented with the different gauges though .....it might make a difference.

I tried a few different brands, no real difference, but the C was still in the general area of .030

Gard · #11 01-26-2009, 10:29 AM

I know I've posted this elsewhere....but what the heck:

DR Black Beauties

.030
.045
.065
.085
.100
.125

...suspiciously similar to the set we use here in the shop as a "stock" set, however, the "stock" strings are D'Addario XL's.

I find that a B string that is much heavier (over .130) gets a bit too tight for my taste, without giving any better response, and that a smaller B doesn't have quite the "oomph" I am looking for. The .125 is an excellent compromise between flexibility and tension for my hands & ears.

VroomVroom · #12 01-26-2009, 11:39 AM

My favorites, FWIW...MTD custom medium.

.030
.045
.065
.085
.105
.135x

Don't let the 'B' fool you - the "x" signifies a taper core. Action and intonation are a breeze. The high 'C' is the best I've heard.

As a fallback, I still lean toward Ken Smith taper-core medium strings. Not quite as bright or durable as the MTD's, but they're still great. And they sound awesome on the fretless.

.028
.044
.063
.084T
.106T
.130T

improvpwnd · #13 01-26-2009, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gard

I know I've posted this elsewhere....but what the heck:

DR Black Beauties

.030
.045
.065
.085
.100
.125

...suspiciously similar to the set we use here in the shop as a "stock" set, however, the "stock" strings are D'Addario XL's.

I find that a B string that is much heavier (over .130) gets a bit too tight for my taste, without giving any better response, and that a smaller B doesn't have quite the "oomph" I am looking for. The .125 is an excellent compromise between flexibility and tension for my hands & ears.

Are the Black Beauties tapered at all?

lwrthnwhalepoop · #14 01-26-2009, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gard

I know I've posted this elsewhere....but what the heck:

DR Black Beauties

.030
.045
.065
.085
.100
.125

...suspiciously similar to the set we use here in the shop as a "stock" set, however, the "stock" strings are D'Addario XL's.

I find that a B string that is much heavier (over .130) gets a bit too tight for my taste, without giving any better response, and that a smaller B doesn't have quite the "oomph" I am looking for. The .125 is an excellent compromise between flexibility and tension for my hands & ears.

I tried the Black Beauties. I like the concept and loved the look but not the feel. They felt "sticky" to my right hand, as if my bratwurst-like fingers weren't able to release them cleanly. Too much relish, perhaps.

I've settled on DR Nickel Low-Riders, a medium set which has the same gauges you listed. Nice full, warm, yummy sound and a smooth feel.