.35 or .45

machine gewehr · #1 05-23-2006, 09:46 AM

I have a problem and its getting worse,sometimes I put away my bass (Washburn xb-120) and lose the will to play it,its that serious and there is no way I can put away playing bass!

The problem is no matter what I did she is unplayable,I need to press so hardly on the strings,I get tired easily.Terrible action,it needs a fretwork and couple things which will cost more than price I paid for her.

Now I use .45 Sadowsky bright nickels and I do love the sound of those,I don't want to use anything else but I'm thinking if going to .35 gauge would help my problem? And even the .40 gauge sounds too tick as this is a cheap bass.Is it wort giving from the tone?

Also consider the 'driving mad' "fretbuzz" please.
Thanks a lot!

DavePlaysBass · #2 05-24-2006, 02:06 PM

Have you setup the basses truss rod and bridge saddles to make the most out of the bass?

Typically lower tension strings, need more room to vibrate. So going to a 40 or 35 will only buzz worse or require higher action to avoid buzzing.

A good setup on the bass can do wonders. There is an area here dedicated to setup if you want to do it on your own.

Dave

machine gewehr · #3 05-24-2006, 02:30 PM

Yes I set up the bass and there is no more I can do.Taking it to a luthier won't change nothing 'cause the nech has problems.I took once and he couldn't set up better than me.

So buzzing will be worse but how about the playablility?

DavePlaysBass · #4 05-24-2006, 06:28 PM

Lower tension is easier to play in my experience, but that is a subjective thing. Some player prefer higher tension on their right hand. I personally do not. Give me low tension strings and I can blaze. You do trade fatness and punch though.

TI flats might help you out. Flats do not buzz as much and the TIs are low tension. They are not cheap though. But if they work out, you can play a set for years. Or if you do not clip them to short, you could use them on a different bass later on.

Dave

machine gewehr · #5 05-25-2006, 08:06 AM

Thanks for the answers.
Flats instead of .35 seems a better choice 'cause I can't give away the tone while even the .45 sounds a little thin on my bass.I never played Flats before and don't know about the feel.I'm trying to get into slapping and how does slap/pop sound on flats,can I slap flats as easy as rounds?

DavePlaysBass · #6 05-25-2006, 05:33 PM

You probably do not want to slap on flats. I guess try the light gauge and see how it goes.

Dave

SBassman · #7 05-25-2006, 08:18 PM

Is this a new phenomenon for you, or has it always been this way?

Are you new to playing or have you been at it for years?

Have you tried/borrowed other basses to see if they feel the same way, or is it just this bass?

machine gewehr · #8 05-26-2006, 07:02 AM

I'm playing for 2 years now and my bass is getting worse everyday! I need to adjust the truss-rod every week,sometimes 2 times a week.It was comfortable in the beginning but now I have to use huge power to get sound at the first 3 frets of the E.Its not easy to play on the neck indeed.I played a Warwick with .35 on it lately and understood how easy it could be.

So im looking for a way to make it easier to play on the neck.

SBassman · #9 05-26-2006, 08:26 AM

If you need to touch the truss rod constantly to make it remotely playable, maybe it's just an unstable neck that is not fixable.

Any way for you to save/raise up some funds and just get another bass. Most low end basses are probably going to treat you better than that one is.