Does heavy guage strings = fatter tone?

[Soundstorm]

Sorry for the noobish question. String brand recommendations would be awesome too. I play blues/rock. Thanks!

[odin70]

Yes

[CBgaragebassist]

There's been discussion in the string sub-forum before and i remember someone saying that thicker gauges mean more fundamental and less overtones.

[iamthebassman]

Yes.

[lunarpollen]

Originally Posted by CBgaragebassist

There's been discussion in the string sub-forum before and i remember someone saying that thicker gauges mean more fundamental and less overtones.

I doubt there are less overtones. There would definitely be more perceived fundamental, though, which might make it seem like there are less overtones.

[XtheDeadPawn]

NO WAY!

If you don't know what your doing it'll sound bad believe me ask my family.

[Blues Cat]

Yes. Heavier gauge will also decrease string warble I'm finding.

[CBgaragebassist]

Originally Posted by lunarpollen

I doubt there are less overtones. There would definitely be more perceived fundamental, though, which might make it seem like there are less overtones.

Details, details...

[FunkMetalBass]

In short: yes.

In long: yes & read lunarpollen's post.

[Soundstorm]

I was going to go with Elixirs...I loved them on my Les Paul.

What guage do you guys recmmend for a good beefy tone?

[mgauge]

I swear by 105 thru 45..DR Hi Beams.

[FunkMetalBass]

I'm personally not a fan of elixirs. They don't even make heavy gauges, IIRC.

I'm thinking DRs (fat beams) or even some TI flats are the way to go for a fat tone.

[ExaltBass]

PLEASE, at least SPELL GAUGE cerreKtly (sic)

[Johnny Alien]

I used to play TI Powerbass rounds. They were a heavy gauge with hex core. Pretty high in tension.

Now I play the Jazz Rounds and beyond the fact that by design they have lower output I think they are a better sounding string in every way. They are a much lower gauge (.89 E string)

[StrangerDanger]

I too play teh blues/rock and I employ D'Addario Chromes. Mmmmh good.

[knuckle_head]

Originally Posted by CBgaragebassist

There's been discussion in the string sub-forum before and i remember someone saying that thicker gauges mean more fundamental and less overtones.

There are a couple of things to this.

A loose string has more movement and is inherently louder as a result. The fundamental is more pronounced on a loose string.

A tighter string will keep a booming fundamental in check, letting the upper transients become a greater part/percentage of the over all sound.

Thickness damps upper transients, but it isn't brutally apparent until you get to three and four wrap strings. .090-ish and lighter, I suspect you won't really be able to tell. E and B strings is where this really shows up - especially when you get to the 4 wrap B strings.

[CBgaragebassist]

Originally Posted by StrangerDanger

I too play teh blues/rock and I employ D'Addario Chromes. Mmmmh good.

Mmmmh good indeed. Favourite flats i've tried so far.

[michael_atw]

Originally Posted by ExaltBass

PLEASE, at least SPELL GAUGE cerreKtly (sic)

You mean guage?

[TapyTap]

Originally Posted by michael_atw

You mean guage?

What is guage?

[spaz21387]

i use ernie balls on all my basses. i wont use another brand of string i usualy go ernie ball hybrids the e is a 105. if you use 110s i find bends to be alittle harder but thats it they do seem to sound better