Light gauge for bends

fetfet · #1 08-12-2008, 06:49 PM

Bass is currently strung up with 50-105's and I find them a little too stiff. Should i switch the out for a lighter gauge? Looking at 40-100 or 40-90. Will this improve the flexibility of the string? My goal is loose, kind of Sheehan-style bends.

Fine Cut · #2 08-12-2008, 08:25 PM

yea, they'll be more flexible. You might not get as much lowend response as you do with your 50 105's...try it out and see

fetfet · #3 08-12-2008, 08:26 PM

Low end is variable, and I can just EQ some bass and low mids back in.

AustinxHxC · #4 08-12-2008, 08:31 PM

Actually, you can keep your guage if you change to a lower tension string.
For example, DR Strings make higher tension strings Lo-Riders or lower tension strings Hi-Beams.

IME, IMO, YMMV, etc....

fetfet · #5 08-12-2008, 08:44 PM

Yes, but IMO it's also a little harder to play this gauge, so maybe 45-105 or 45-100 in lower tension.

While we're at it, can someone suggest some low tension, relatively cheap strings?

AustinxHxC · #6 08-12-2008, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fetfet

Yes, but IMO it's also a little harder to play this gauge, so maybe 45-105 or 45-100 in lower tension.

While we're at it, can someone suggest some low tension, relatively cheap strings?

The DR Hi-Beams are kinda expensive for rounds $25.00 a pack.

fetfet · #7 08-12-2008, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AustinxHxC

The DR Lo-Riders are kinda expensive for rounds $25.00 a pack.

I thought the Hi-beams were lower tension.

AustinxHxC · #8 08-12-2008, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fetfet

I thought the Hi-beams were lower tension.

Oops. My bad!
Fixed.

fetfet · #9 08-12-2008, 09:06 PM

Cool. next time i'll pick up a set of 40-100 Hi-Beams.

Solarmist · #10 08-13-2008, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fetfet

Bass is currently strung up with 50-105's and I find them a little too stiff. Should i switch the out for a lighter gauge? Looking at 40-100 or 40-90. Will this improve the flexibility of the string? My goal is loose, kind of Sheehan-style bends.

Yes - 40/100 will help considerably, and using steel rounds with round cores 45/105 or smaller works good. I like the sound, and feel of nickel rounds 45105 better though.

bobba66 · #11 08-14-2008, 06:09 AM

Or you could just tune down a half-step or so...

ga_edwards · #12 08-14-2008, 07:53 AM

If you're after doing Sheehan style bends you can do no worse than try a set of Rotosound SS Billy Sheehan custom guage strings. 43 - 110, so you get a lighter top for bending and a heavy bottom for the meat and very useful for keeping tension if you have Hipshot D-tuner.

TimWilson · #13 08-14-2008, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ga_edwards

If you're after doing Sheehan style bends you can do no worse than try a set of Rotosound SS Billy Sheehan custom guage strings. 43 - 110, so you get a lighter top for bending and a heavy bottom for the meat and very useful for keeping tension if you have Hipshot D-tuner.

I think he meant you COULD do worse than to use the Sheehan strings...

ga_edwards · #14 08-14-2008, 08:12 AM

Something like that. Work is frying my brain today, hence why I'm procrastinating on here rather than doing anything contructive.

lamarjones · #15 08-14-2008, 08:51 AM

I use 40-100 dr hi beems because I like to bend. Yes you will lose a little bottom, but if like you said you compensate in eq, or if you aren't bothered by the slight drop like me, then I would say go with a lighter gauge.

fetfet · #16 08-14-2008, 07:32 PM

Thanks everyone, but I cant decide if is should get the BS66 strings or some light gauge Hi-beams. This is slightly frustration.

ga_edwards · #17 08-15-2008, 05:25 AM

Well the RS66 are like half the price of the Hi Beams, so it's not much to lose if you don't like them.

I mean, the RS66 do feel a little rough to some people and perhaps don't last as long, and I've never tried the Hi-Beams myself. But they're working well for me so far so I'm not going to be experimenting with anything else for a while.

fetfet · #18 08-15-2008, 05:30 AM

Are the Billy Sheehan's the same price?

fretlessguy · #19 08-15-2008, 05:47 AM

I switched to .40-.100 and .45-.100 for my 4s and .40-.115 (Fender 7250 sets) for my fives around six years ago due to joint problems. It pretty well solved the problem and made bends and fretless playing a little easier for me. I do not have the boomy sound anymore, but the sound does is more balenced to my ears. I also use two different set of flats for the same issue, GHS Precision flats in light gauge (.40-.95) and have recently put a set of TIs on my Precision. Both are quite less in tension from other flats.