Is heavy guage ok?

jdrum10j · #1 07-03-2006, 05:58 PM

So, I'm looking to put some new strings on my bass. I have stock strings on there right now, so I'm assuming they're medium gauge. I want some deep, fat tones and am considering the Ernie Ball Slinky Power Bass Strings because of their reviews and price. I was wondering, are heavy guage strings going to feel THAT different? I know it may be a stupid question, but I'm fairly new to bass and these will be my first heavy guage strings. I just worry that they're going to be extremely hard to press down or something... I'm not weak or anything, just wondering, haha. I guess that's extreme... I worry that if I do like a hammer-on with the E string, I'm just going to get all fret buzz on the second note because I'm not pressing down hard enough or something. Will I be ok using heavy guage strings? Thanks!

bassman1185 · #2 07-03-2006, 07:34 PM

Well, there will be a definite difference between what you're using now (probably 45-100 or 45-105) and the power slinkies (55-110, if I recall...). The heavier guage strings will be significantly higher tension, and they will have a bit more "thud" to the tone. I use DR hi-beams and Extra Life strings (50-110) because I tune CGCF with my band. They sound great tuned down, but when I bring it back up to EADG when I play at my church, they tend to be a little bit hard to play, and the sound isn't so growly.

jdrum10j · #3 07-04-2006, 03:35 AM

Well, I'm really just looking for some good, deep bass tones. Does anyone have any suggestions on strings that I can get good, low tone out of? In all the reviews, people say the heavier guage strings have more punch and overall warm sound. Will I get that sound out of Ernie Ball Slinky's? I think they're like medium or light guage? I'm not after a "bright" bass sound... I know alot of it has to do with tweaking on the amp, but what strings will give me good low, fat, and warm sound with good life? Any suggestions?

Godhead'sLament · #4 07-04-2006, 04:07 AM

sounds yo me like you are looking for some flatwounds, "TI jazz flats" is a good flatwound

jdrum10j · #5 07-04-2006, 04:54 AM

Are flatwounds going to be any different to play? What guage should I get? Will they give me the sound I'm looking for?

LAG · #6 07-04-2006, 01:48 PM

jdrum,

I love DR fat beams on my active Carvin and Music Man 5 string basses. After all this is BASS, so put the big fellas on. A set-up after installing the new strings will give you the action you desire.

BadB · #7 07-04-2006, 01:57 PM

Flats are smooth, and they sound smooth. Nice and low without much treble. They usually have pretty high tension. TI makes them with super low tension, too low for some people. Use the guage that you are accustomed to. Don't forget to set your intonation and make sure your neck adjustments are ok.

jdrum10j · #8 07-04-2006, 02:57 PM

I'm confused... should I play flatwounds or roundwounds? I've read that flatwounds are smooth, but don't have as much sustain? Is that true? I'm also looking for sustain to go along with the tone. What would be the best strings I could buy for cheap? I'm also only looking to spend about $20. I also am still not sure what guage to use!

jdrum10j · #9 07-04-2006, 03:36 PM

I'm really considering the DR Strings Marcus Miller Fat Beams...

Figjam · #10 07-04-2006, 03:43 PM

Get the ernie ball power slinkys. You'll adjust to the higher tension/heavier gauge pretty easily.

jdrum10j · #11 07-05-2006, 03:26 AM

Alright, I'm split between the DR Marcus Miller Fat Beams flatwounds and the Ernie Ball Power Slinky roundwounds.
Which will give me the warmest overall sound and best sustain?

bazzanderson · #12 07-05-2006, 06:13 AM

for the price I'd say get the power slinkies first and see how you like them. I just put them on my 5 string (55,75,90,110 and a big 135). So far...I definitely had to do a trussrod adjustment and lower my action at the saddles but after that was done....they play great. Yeah...they are a bit tighter but my right hand (plucking) LOVES them and my left (fret) doesn't mind them at all. I think you might possible want to try a heavy guage roundwound before you move to flats. Flats are great (I go back and forth between Chromes and rounds) but they are very different feeling and sounding than rounds. Flats definitely feel smoother and have a little bit less sustain.

The Power Slinkies are a really good buy and if they aren't what you're looking for you're only out $20 something bucks.

jdrum10j · #13 07-05-2006, 06:41 AM

Yeah, I think I'm going to go with the Power Slinkys... the only thing I'm worried about is my bass kinda. It's only a Rogue, so probably not the best quality. Will the extra tension hurt my bass? I've never made any adjustments on my bass so that was kinda turning me off from the Slinkys. Is it that hard to do or should I just get someone else to do it for me? If that's the case, I'm not sure of any places around town that could do it... we only have one smaller music shop here that has few basses.

Also, someone said something about heavier strings having more of a thud sound. Is that going to take away from the tone I'm after?

bazzanderson · #14 07-05-2006, 06:57 AM

All EB roundwounds are notoriously bright so I wouldn't worry about too much thud.

You'll definitely have to do a set up on your bass. If you've never done one before you might consider a professional to do the job. Now....set ups aren't hard but if you've never messed with the truss rod you still might think about a professional. Do a search here and there are many threads to guide you if you do decide to do it on your own. Remember...only 1/4 turn of your truss rod per day.

jdrum10j · #15 07-05-2006, 07:28 AM

Haha, are they going to be TOO bright?

If I only do 1/4 a turn each day, can I still play on the strings to break them in? And do I need to leave the strings at their normal tuned tension even if the neck isn't adjusted all the way?

bazzanderson · #16 07-05-2006, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdrum10j

Haha, are they going to be TOO bright?

If I only do 1/4 a turn each day, can I still play on the strings to break them in? And do I need to leave the strings at their normal tuned tension even if the neck isn't adjusted all the way?

They might be too bright BUT EB strings are known for being real zingy and they get tamed pretty quickly with regular play. Yeah....you can most definitely play on the strings after you've made an adjustment even if the neck still isn't quite where you want it (can anyone verify this?...I do this...I just don't want to give bad advice). As far as detuned strings....I'm not sure. I always leave my strings at normal tuning (normal tension) no matter what. The only time I detune is when I make a truss rod adjustment...then I tune them right back.

jdrum10j · #17 07-05-2006, 08:20 AM

Once they tame down after some playing, they'll have a deeper and better tone, correct?

So, I make a little adjustment on my truss rod, tune the strings up, but find out that I need to do some more adjusting on the rod. Can I leave my strings tuned for the day or will it warp the neck or something?

And for better tone, should I run the strings through the body or just at the end of the bridge?

-Thanks for all the help

bazzanderson · #18 07-05-2006, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdrum10j

Once they tame down after some playing, they'll have a deeper and better tone, correct?

So, I make a little adjustment on my truss rod, tune the strings up, but find out that I need to do some more adjusting on the rod. Can I leave my strings tuned for the day or will it warp the neck or something?

And for better tone, should I run the strings through the body or just at the end of the bridge?

-Thanks for all the help

Well...the strings will never get deeper but they will lose some if the bright zingy quality over about 2 weeks or so. I'd string it up and tune it before you do the actual 1st truss rod adjustment to determine how much of one you might need....who knows...you might not need one at all. As stated before...I always leave my strings tuned to pitch and have never had a problem. I've been doing this since I started playing bass in 1989. The only time I detune is of course when I change strings and when I do a truss rod adjustment. If you try to tighten the truss rod while the bass is tuned you'll most likely ruin your truss rod...thus ruining your neck.

bazzanderson · #19 07-05-2006, 08:33 AM

You still might want to consider a professional for this job though. Are you in a position to replace your bass in case you mess up the neck? I'm not saying you will mess up the neck...JUST USE CAUTION.

jdrum10j · #20 07-05-2006, 03:40 PM

Haha, no, not in much of a position to replace my bass right now. Like I said, I'm not sure if I could find anyone around town to do the adjustments... I may have to make a drive somewhere else. Those Ernie Ball Slinky Mediums are looking better and better, haha.

I just don't want to mess it up, hopefully I wouldn't have to do much adjusting.

What are the tonal differences between medium and heavy gauge strings, if any? Also, do you know anything about Ken Smith Rock Masters?