heavy vs light gauge for 5 string

[kpw802]

I am starting out on 5 string and prefer the feel of the smaller strings? I've seen lots of different opinions here but throwing caution to the wind:

What, if anything, will I give up with a 5 string set of say .040 to .110 vs. something heavier?

I love the round jazz sound, so I'm looking at half or flatwounds as well if that helps.
Thanks.

[stflbn]

When first starting to play 5-strings I needed to go heavier strings mainly because I was using a heavier attack on the strings. Over time I forced myself to relearn my right hand approach into a lighter approach and now I greatly prefer what I get out of light strings.

I play light roundwoundss on all my 5'rs now.

[alexclaber]

I would suggest a custom set with balanced gauges to give even feel and tension across the strings. 40-55-75-100-130 is the closest to even tension you can get from standard .005 steps.

Alex

[MysticMichael]

Originally Posted by kpw802

I am starting out on 5 string and prefer the feel of the smaller strings? I've seen lots of different opinions here but throwing caution to the wind:

What, if anything, will I give up with a 5 string set of say .040 to .110 vs. something heavier?

I love the round jazz sound, so I'm looking at half or flatwounds as well if that helps.
Thanks.

.040 to .110 gauge for a five-string? With the .110 string serving as your B string? If I'm understanding you correctly, I doubt very much this would work - the tension would be way too loose; it would be way too floppy to play very well.

The lightest common gauge I've ever seen for the "B" is .120, and even that is considered very light. Most players opt for a gauge of .125 to .130, and many go heavier than that.

MM

[SwamiRob]

I use 110s for an E and it's slightly tight sounding which I like, but when I tune down to B (just to mess about playing some Pelican and stuff) it's really loose and horrible sounding. Not really a scientific figure, but I'd say there's about half note and harmonics, and half random loose string sound and fret rattling when I do it.

[ga_edwards]

Although a lot of strings go up in .020" steps from G - low E, the extra 5th string seems to take a bigger step. For example Warwick Black Label 5 strings are available in a med/light set that go from .040" G to .100" E with a .130" low B.

I've been using these on my Thumb for some time and prefer them to standard .045" medium sets, and the low B is still great, you really don't notice the extra 0.10" mass.

BTW, conversely on my 4 string basses I use the Roto Billy Sheehan sets of .043" to .110", so I get a lighter than standard G for bending and a heavier E for a fatter tone and stability when dropping to low D with the hipshot D-tuner.

[DavePlaysBass]

The Labella Hard Rockin Steel sets goes 40-60-80-100-128T. The Labella B is very good. I used to like these a lot but have gone to a 45 and 65 on the D and G.

[Poor Tom]

5 strings aside, the main difference in light vs. heavy gauge is going to be thickness of tone. I keep bouncing back and forth because I like the way I can manipulate light gaugues, but LOOOVE the full rich tone of a heavy gauge. It's all personally preference.

[Eublet]

I don't care about diameter as long as tension is right. Some strings are thicker but still flimsy, like HI-Beams or Sun-Beams, and I don't care for those at all on some basses. The La Bella Slappers are nice IMO. You have a lot of guage options to choose from, and you can get the tension where you want it for each string just by changing the sizes. They have a 44-64-84-104-128 set that is very nice. Lighter than a standard medium guage set, but a bit heavier than a light guage set.

[fretlessguy]

I use Fender 7250-5L light gauge set on my fives (.40-.115). The B is not floppy and they have a good balance between them.