Do lighter gauge strings have a brighter tone?

[paf77]

I've heard that heavier gauge strings will have more of a boomy sound and lighter quage will generally be brighter. With roundwounds, I like to get as much growl and brightness that I can, so would switching from 050-070-085-105 gauge to just a bit lighter gauge of 45-65-80-100 give me a brighter sound? Or is that too small of a difference to do much? Thanks for the help!

[debassr]

Lighter is brighter to my ears.

[Moos3h]

As a general rule, I've found this to be the case. Although the type of material (SS sounds brighter to me than Nickel) and construction (Flats sound warmer, Rounds have more attack) makes all the difference too.

Even brands! I was using cheapo Legacy strings before moving to D'ads and won't be going back as I love the tone I get from them.

Cheers,
James

[Solarmist]

Yes, and you can definitely hear the difference in tone with strings just .005 smaller - more focus / less depth.

Like ^ said you might also try SS - I like Prosteels.

[Chowderboots]

Yeah lighter strings sound a little twangier, but whenever I've used them, they seem to die a little faster as well.

[DavePlaysBass]

I don't really look at it as brighter. Maybe there are more low mids on average with the thicker strings making the presence of the treble seem less. I find it is usually easier to subtract frequencies as opposed to adding frequencies. From that perspective I do not feel there is any less treble with thicker strings.

[paf77]

Originally Posted by Solarmist

Yes, and you can definitely hear the difference in tone with strings just .005 smaller - more focus / less depth.

Like ^ said you might also try SS - I like Prosteels.

I would love to try the prosteels, but I read on a forum that many people found that the tone of steel strings died pretty quickly and that bright steel sound didn't last. They thought nickels lasted longer. Did you find that to be the case with the prosteels? I'd still love to give them a go because they might be what I'm looking for.

[Meatrus]

Originally Posted by paf77

I would love to try the prosteels, but I read on a forum that many people found that the tone of steel strings died pretty quickly and that bright steel sound didn't last. They thought nickels lasted longer. Did you find that to be the case with the prosteels? I'd still love to give them a go because they might be what I'm looking for.

The original zing will die quick on steel strings of most makes, but even after they have lost that they are a lot brighter than Nickels in 9 out of 10 cases. A steel string is useable for longer to me.

[EagleMoon]

ProSteels are great strings...on the right bass. I've found that they l last pretty long and I use them quite a bit on my Squier Classic Vibe jazz. I've had them on other basses though and they just didn't sound quite right. They do accentuate a different frequency than some other SS strings.

[JimmyM]

You can EQ strings to sound as fat as you want no matter what the gauge. And raising your action slightly with thin strings seems to help get a beefier tone out of them, especially on the higher strings.

[jellymax]

Originally Posted by paf77

I've heard that heavier gauge strings will have more of a boomy sound and lighter quage will generally be brighter. With roundwounds, I like to get as much growl and brightness that I can, so would switching from 050-070-085-105 gauge to just a bit lighter gauge of 45-65-80-100 give me a brighter sound? Or is that too small of a difference to do much? Thanks for the help!

this is what i thought as well. so i tried it. here is what i
found. the clarity is improved, also, although they put
out a bit less signal, there seems to be more of the
fundamental note, & less overtones. also less furry, which
could be the pickup was a bit too close to handle the
heavy gauge to begin with

hope that helps

[Jazz Ad]

Yes. Actually they have less lows so highs are enhanced.