Guage question for Chromes users

[Pbass4003]

Hey D'Addario Chromes players, I have some questions. First, I lurv my Chromes... I could eat em up! I've never played a string that was so tasty, yet rockin at the same time. I've been sporting reg. light 45-100s and I love how snappy and responsive they are on my P bass. My fingers just dance, etc. Now that I'm used to that gauge I'm wondering what the next gauge up (50-105) feels and sounds like. I wouldn't mind a bit more bottom and thump on my D/G strings. And when I drop to D-tuning, I'm sure 105 will help.

BUT... how much does the feel/sound change and will my R hand get tired faster? Also, the fast/thin neck on my MIJ P can be kind of temperamental, especially with seasonal changes.

Any real-life insight and/or sound clips would be helpful. Thanks, all!!!!

[Pbass4003]

Bump... anyone?

[dan1952]

If the neck on your bass tends to be a little "variable" I wouldn't go heavier on string gauge. You may end up with a warped neck that won't straighten out.

[Pbass4003]

Originally Posted by dan1952

If the neck on your bass tends to be a little "variable" I wouldn't go heavier on string gauge. You may end up with a warped neck that won't straighten out.

I don't think it's abnormal, just a finicky classic 70s-style neck and single steel truss.

I did some "qualitative research" via D'Addario's tension guide. The Mediums (45-105) would be a 15% increase in tension going from 180lbs to 207lbs. Still not sure what this translates to in real-life playability and tone...

[Oneirogenic]

You won't get more bottom and thump out of a heavier D/G. The opposite is true actually.

[Pbass4003]

Originally Posted by Oneirogenic

You won't get more bottom and thump out of a heavier D/G. The opposite is true actually.

Seems contrary to Jamerson's steel cable 55-110 gauge, but go on...

[Red_Merkin]

Originally Posted by Pbass4003

Seems contrary to Jamerson's steel cable 55-110 gauge, but go on...

I think the thump in Jamerson's sound had more to do with the incredibly high action on his bass.

[tonym]

I'm using the same gauge as you and love them. Can't speak to what the difference would feel like, but I found this video of a comparison of the Chromes in different gauges pretty helpful. (It's on a J, not a P, but should give you a pretty good idea of the variance.)

[cloverkeys]

I use 105s on my p bass and I can't imagine anything else. I played the lighter gauges in the store but went with the 105s. They didn't feel THAT much different, however, I have never had fatigue or hand soreness from playing hours on end so ymmv.