0,40 or 0,45 ?

[stingray_4]

sorry for my poor english. I've always played my MM stingray strung with rotosound 0,40. recently I notice that most people use 0,45-105 sets. do you believe that MM stingray strung with a 0,45-105 set would sound better? thanks
Mario, Italy.

[bkief1]

Mario,

I recently switched from a 40-60-80-100 set to one that is 45-65-80-100, thereby giving more diameter/mass to the G & D strings and not increasing that for the lower A & E strings. I'm pleased with the change and sound improvement. I do not play a MM Stingray, but a DiPinto Galaxie (sort of P-bass style).

Hope this helps.

[jasonbraatz]

I use 40's because the tension is lower, putting less wear and tear on my wrists. I've been battling tendonitis and CTS for a while, and have been making every change necessary to keep me playing bass as pain free as possible. That's one thing that has made a large difference.

[bkief1]

Thanks Jason...a very interesting comment!

[The Craw]

Better? I don't think so. Just a little difference in feel, which might suit your technique better, or it might not. You might not be able to tell any difference in tone, but if you can, it won't necessarily be better to your ears.

In rounds lately I've been using 45-65-80-100 sets and they seem to suit my style best.

[bkief1]

Not tone, but volume/impact, particularly in getting volume equality across the 4 strings. I made all pickup adjustments possible without compromising playability and the string change helped significantly.

[DavePlaysBass]

They feel different. I like them both for different reasons. Sometimes 40s can be a little thin sounding. But I think 40's with a reduction in string tension are good for fast / intricate finger style play.

Presently, I am playing Hard Rockin' Steels 40-100 and I really dig the tone and the feel.

Dave

[Alvaro Martín Gómez A.]

It just depends on your needs and likes. 040s give you a thinner tone than 045s, but you feel like flying when playing them. Most bass virtuosos use very light gauge strings. On the other hand, if you're not into bass acrobatics and what you want is to lay down the foundation with a fat tone, 050s may be the way to go. I always use 045s.

[Jiggybass]

I used to use 40's, and they were great, but since I play agressively. I switched to 55-115's, and I love em'. more tone, and growl (to me) but ya, I find thicker, higher tension strings more suitable for a more aggressive tone.

[DemoEtc]

As far as it 'sounding better'...maybe, maybe not. It's a difference of .005 so it, theoretically, should sound 'thicker' and 'fatter' but it might just be a subconscious thing. The 'feel' of it will be a little different, and you'll have to press the strings down to the fretboard a little harder and there'll be more resistance when you're plucking, so there might be the slight impression that you're playing louder and with a thicker sound, but...lots can be done with tone and volume controls to compensate.

Sometimes when someone changes to a newer type setup, or maybe thicker strings, there's also the factor that the new strings are...new. Nice new sound. Maybe a little change in setup or neck relief, and again, subconsciously the impression will be that it's 'better' even though it might just be that it's newer - feels new and different.

As far as playing aggressively; that's a personal style, a personal touch and feel to playing; the actual technique. Quite awhile ago I decided to just let the amp do all the work and to just string the bass with what feels comfortable. Maybe with an acoustic bass or upright, you have to dig in more at times to get more volume, but with a purely electric instrument, again, I just let the amp do what it's supposed to.

I also use light strings because of the wrist. I also like short-scale basses or the same reason - less angle on the wrist reaching for the low near-the-nut notes. So I've got light strings on a short-scale bass, pretty much the opposite of common practice, but...I readjust the settings on the amp or amp modeler and get something I like.

On the other hand stingray_4, it's fun to experiment!

[seanm]

Originally Posted by jasonbraatz

I use 40's because the tension is lower, putting less wear and tear on my wrists. I've been battling tendonitis and CTS for a while, and have been making every change necessary to keep me playing bass as pain free as possible. That's one thing that has made a large difference.

But if you are using a 100 E, does the thickness of the G string really make a difference in terms of wear and tear on the wrists? I am asking seriously since the CTS will make you more sensitive to the difference. Not that that is a good thing

I prefer a 45 or 50 on the G string. I find 40 sounds too thin. But I am not a virtuoso and I want a very fat sound.

[noskcid]

i am a sterling user. i use 0.45-1.00. i have once try 0.40, it gives me a very comfortable feeling on fingers playing but too thin high tone on popping. 0.45-100 gives me the most balance slap and pop sound on my sterling.

[Figjam]

I liek .045's

[Human Bass]

I like either top-load .45 or string-thru .40

go figure

[HELLonWheels187]

I like the tone of .45 but the feel of .40. Plus the .45 sounds much more even with the other string rather than .40 sounding kinda out there. Anyway its also depends on the type of string. Flatwound i play 40-100

[brandonwong]

I read somewhere a higher gauge string will give more harmonic content, whereas a slightly lower gauged one will give more fundamental.

Its true enough when i compare a .130 B with .120 B string
IMHO, 0.45 also blends better in a rock and pop context(fingerstyle) where it cuts better and sounds fuller.
Better balance to the D string.

But personally i prefer 0.40 when it comes to slap and pop situation.
It doesnt sound too heavy when you pop. You can get that very crisp high end.
Player's preference.. almost like comparing a P-bass and J-bass pop sound.
Another plus... you can go high up the fretboard without sounding too muddy like what higher gauged strings will sound.