Can we put fundamental/string gauge myths to rest?

[KYJazzy]

So I did a search looking for objective answers to this question and found no absolute answer. Perhaps there is truly none. However, it seems like people have wildly opposite opinions and consider them to be truths.

In my experience, thicker string gauge gives you a louder, boomier, rounder tone, but nothing I would say fattens the actual tone, or, more importantly, gives you a better fundamental. Some people swear by thicker gauge = more fundamental.

Which leads me to wonder, why is it then when you detune a normal gauge E string (say .100 or .105) to drop D, why do you hear so much more fundamental when the string is floppier? This would lead me to believe lighter strings = less tension = better fundamental, but that doesn't make sense, because flatwound strings are known for being high tension, and they have huge bottom end.

I want to know to know. I've tried out a lot of strings and I think the deepest my E string ever sounded was out of a set of TI Jazz Rounds. They are not thick strings.

So what's up. I'm thinking about going back to flats (chromes most likely) and now debating the gauge to get.

[walterw]

Originally Posted by KYJazzy

Which leads me to wonder, why is it then when you detune a normal gauge E string (say .100 or .105) to drop D, why do you hear so much more fundamental when the string is floppier?

because you don't?

the looser string actually gives you more harmonics and less funamental. it's just that the fundamental it is producing is deeper.

[fretlessguy]

In the very end, Jazzy, the only real thing that counts is whether the sound of a particular set of strings, regardless what type or gauge they are, pleases your ears and is the tone that fits the style(s) of music you play.
I am a constant string experimenter. I like to try all different kinds and gauges, although I primarily stick to lighter gauges for health reasons. I enjoy trying something new. I go through cycles of finding the perfect string set, use them for a while, then try something else.
I have settled down somewhat since I have a child now and the money doesn't flow quite so freely. I have some favorites that stay on particular basses these days because I feel they fit it's particular sound and intended style I wish to play with them. I am still always on the prowl to experiment with something new. The next thing I want to try are those GHS Tapes.
Don't worry too much over all the gauge/fundametal things. If it sounds good then it is good, regardless of the gauge or type or harmonics, etc.
The technical stuff makes my head hurt too much when I think about it.

[whisper14072]

+1 on this one

Originally Posted by fretlessguy

In the very end, Jazzy, the only real thing that counts is whether the sound of a particular set of strings, regardless what type or gauge they are, pleases your ears and is the tone that fits the style(s) of music you play.
I am a constant string experimenter. I like to try all different kinds and gauges, although I primarily stick to lighter gauges for health reasons. I enjoy trying something new. I go through cycles of finding the perfect string set, use them for a while, then try something else.
I have settled down somewhat since I have a child now and the money doesn't flow quite so freely. I have some favorites that stay on particular basses these days because I feel they fit it's particular sound and intended style I wish to play with them. I am still always on the prowl to experiment with something new. The next thing I want to try are those GHS Tapes.
Don't worry too much over all the gauge/fundametal things. If it sounds good then it is good, regardless of the gauge or type or harmonics, etc.
The technical stuff makes my head hurt too much when I think about it.

[jaibot]

the "louder boomier tone" is a product of the harmonic series, so the "boomier" tone is a product of more fundamental and or the lower end of the harmonic series

[Meatrus]

A little knowledge can be a dangerous thing when listening to peoples opinions on strings gauges. There are facts in there often, but you have to find them!......So heres my opinion , I cant see why lighter gauge matters, you have EQ and a volume knob to sort any weak sounds out (if there are any, I have never noticed any), I'm a standard gauge user, but have no problem with any lighter.

So, its best to experiment, and not to pay to much attention to what gauge means to other people, just what it means to you. No one will ever know what gauge your using, so there should be no bad feelings about using a light gauge.

[JustDavid]

A problem with EQ'ing, even the very best, is it affects all notes equally while a string set's speaking (harmonic series? I'm sure there's a proper term for this) shifts with every note.

[knuckle_head]

Looser strings mean more string movement --> louder (a problem if you have inconsistent tension from string to string).

Looser strings result in greater pitch dive from attack to resolve (all instruments with strings suffer from this).

Looser strings will vary more greatly in volume from attack to decay on sustain (resulting in a relatively shorter sustain).

All of these are greater issues than relationships of fundamental to the balance of the harmonic structure.

I assert that what is being heard more than anything is an amplitude shift rather than a harmonic content shift when you go from a thicker string to a thinner one, with the above caveats weighing in in the process.

A greater factor - especially where flats are concerned - is rigidity. A very rigid string preempts fine vibration and limits upper transients. Orchestral flats and electric flats are very different animals in this regard.

[Meatrus]

Originally Posted by fretlessguy

Don't worry too much over all the gauge/fundametal things. If it sounds good then it is good, regardless of the gauge or type or harmonics, etc.
The technical stuff makes my head hurt too much when I think about it.

Like the below? .

Originally Posted by knuckle_head

Looser strings mean more string movement --> louder (a problem if you have inconsistent tension from string to string).

Looser strings result in greater pitch dive from attack to resolve (all instruments with strings suffer from this).

Looser strings will vary more greatly in volume from attack to decay on sustain (resulting in a relatively shorter sustain).

All of these are greater issues than relationships of fundamental to the balance of the harmonic structure.

I assert that what is being heard more than anything is an amplitude shift rather than a harmonic content shift when you go from a thicker string to a thinner one, with the above caveats weighing in in the process.

A greater factor - especially where flats are concerned - is rigidity. A very rigid string preempts fine vibration and limits upper transients. Orchestral flats and electric flats are very different animals in this regard.

[knuckle_head]

Some's head's gotta hurt - might as well be mine.

[eyecandy]

well thats probably coz lighter strings would give you that snap or twang... and the thicker ones gives less twang.. but the sound.. for me would be almost the same... its all in the gain knob to compensate the light gauge