I think light gauge strings are screwing me over

[anonymous278347457]

Right now, I have 2 basses. A MIM jazz which had 40-95(or something around that) Rotosounds 66 swing basses on. And a custom/DIY'd thunderbird which have the same strings but in standard gauge on.

Now the thunderbird has a huge baseball type neck and combined with the really heavy gauge strings makes it a bit uncomfortable to play. And also it seems to have absolutely loads of string tension, I'm not sure why, it is probably a combination of the hardware and the strings.

However the Jazz has a really thin neck, and combined with the really light strings makes it really easy to play.

So I tend to favor the Jazz more and the Thunderbird doesn't get played much. But as a result I get more and more used to the light gauge strings, and every time I pick up someone elses bass or a bass at a music store, I can't play anything!


So what should I do? I think I might put a set of standard gauge strings on my Jazz(it needs new strings anyway) and just deal with it.

Do you guys set up your basses so they all feel relatively similar string wise? If not, how do you deal with the differences?

[SherpaKahn]

In the last year I've gone from medium strings (45-105) to super-tight strings (Fender flats 45-105), to medium light, then super light (.030-.085), then back up to 45-105, and I gotta say that it's all about getting used to the feel, and having a good setup.

Now I've heard weird stuff about the way Thunderbird necks feel, and Jazzes are famous for being easy to play, but I think that if you pick a gauge and get used to it, any differences in playability will boil down to the neck and the setup.

So if you're really digging the lighter Rotos (and Rotos are known for feeling tighter than other strings in their gauge), then I'd say make sure the T-bird is well set up, and/or throw a set of the lighter Rotos on it and see how it feels.

[Baleen]

I've started stringing different basses with different strings that are significantly different in tension. From Thomastik Jazz flats, short scale (the lightest) to Ken Smith Rock masters or LaBella 760FM (the heaviest, not counting the upright).

I used to have problems switching between upright and electric because of the vast difference in tension and feel. What I eventually found is that I have to keep playing the different instruments to keep the feel of each fresh in my head/fingers - muscle memory for each bass.

So I would say, if the Jazz is working well, don't change its strings to benefit another bass.

If the Thunderbird does have strings that you ultimately like, don't ignore it. Make sure you play it. Take it out instead of the Jazz (even if it isn't the ideal bass). You'll get used to it and you'll probably learn more about it playing it in situations you wouldn't've otherwise thought to.

If the Thunderbird doesn't have the right strings, change them and then worry about the switching between instruments.

Good luck.

[billbass1]

Practice at home with a bass with heavier strings.
Have your fave basses with lighter strings for when
you play out.
Your fingers will get stronger and when you play out.........
You will feel like your fingers are flying.......