Low Action - What Gauge Strings?

Spanky · #1 03-07-2007, 11:04 AM

I play Fender J basses (4 string) almost exclusively now, and run a pretty low action. I need some strings that will help eliminate the "clickety clack" and "farty" sounds that seem to occur when Im setup at my desired action. Even a half turn higher on the action, which does remove the clicks and sounds much better, is really too high for my playing technique. I just have whatever the factory strings are on them now.....but will happily change brands and gauges for a better overall sound. I play mostly classic rock cover material right now, so it is a variety of styles from Zep to RUSH.
Any advice is GREATLY appreciated!

* I have even tried a bit more neck relief but it just makes the mid-portion (frets 3-about 10) too much higher than the rest of the fretboard...

knuckle_head · #2 03-07-2007, 12:49 PM

Up your gauge - the tighter the string the less excursion and the lower your strings can be set up. As well you can lessen the relief you need to have.

SherpaKahn · #3 03-07-2007, 01:54 PM

Yeah, higher gauge and stiffer strings will allow you to lower the action, because the strings will travel less from side to side. Since they'll be stiffer and more resistant to being bent, they'll pack the same amount of energy in a smaller arc (the restoring force will be greater). Anyway, yeah, higher gauge, stiffer strings.

I've had success with .045-.105 DR Lo-riders, and I may try .43-.110 Billy Sheehan gauge Rotosounds.

Also, hex-core strings are stiffer, so make sure you get those (DR Hi-Beams are round core, so you might want to go a gauge even higher if you get those).

For classic rock, I'd recommend medium Lo-riders or BS gauge Rotosounds. They make take some getting used to, though.

Figjam · #4 03-07-2007, 07:34 PM

.045 - .105 works for me.

AN0INTD · #5 03-08-2007, 07:37 AM

Something you also might want to consider...although it is more expensive than strings, you might need a fret dress on your bass. Fenders, and most basses that are not custom shop or high end, rarely come with a good fret dress. That's just normal and helps keep their costs lower. I had a jazz and always got a faint buzz when I lowered the action. I took it to a local guitar tech, and after a nice fret job, the action was incredibly low with no buzzing. Just a thought.

sunbeast · #6 03-08-2007, 07:53 AM

You could also try some flatwounds- When I first started playing with really low action I used to have a bunch of finger noise and fret noise until I started using flats- they already have higher tension than the same gauge of rounds and just seem to pickup alot less of that clickiness...Oh yeah, I really like Rotosound flats in either medium (45-105 pretty high tension) to heavy gauge (50-110 super high tension).

Karl

SGT. Pepper · #7 03-09-2007, 06:55 AM

Higher guage, stiffer strings{hex core}, less relief{straighter neck}= lower action. Be prepared to do a set-up my friend...

ClassicJazz · #8 03-09-2007, 08:31 AM

Question for you guys playing with stiffer strings.....how do you find it effects your playing (if any)?

Reason I ask, I too like low action on my basses and I have been using the same gauge strings for like ever....045-.100

I like the looser feeling of the strings. I can dig into the strings better. Yea I get some fret buzzing, but nothing that really comes out of the amp. The basses I've tried with heavy gauge strings that had that "stiff" feeling, I just could get into playing it.....

DavePlaysBass · #9 03-09-2007, 08:34 AM

My right hand does not like high tension. However, I am a left handed guy playing right handed. 3 minutes into a busy line my right hand really can notice the tension. However, this can be compensated for with practice that I do not do as much as I used to.

Brass Nut · #10 03-10-2007, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ClassicJazz

Question for you guys playing with stiffer strings.....how do you find it effects your playing (if any)? I feel there is a definite adjustment period

Reason I ask, I too like low action on my basses and I have been using the same gauge strings for like ever....045-.100

I like the looser feeling of the strings. I can dig into the strings better. Yea I get some fret buzzing, but nothing that really comes out of the amp. The basses I've tried with heavy gauge strings that had that "stiff" feeling, I just could get into playing it.....

I too like that "looser feeling", to the point of living with all that you mentioned. I found it better for me to simply work on my right hand technique (play lighter at times) versus sacrificing the qualities I appreciate of the looser strings.

Higher gage are not necessarily higher tension.

SherpaKahn · #11 03-10-2007, 08:41 AM

Well, I guess I've been on both sides of the spectrum; in October I was playing .035-.085 Rotosounds and .040-.095 Hi-beams, and now I'm playing .045-.105 Lo-Riders.

As for what precipitated the move to thicker strings, I just got tired of the fret buzzing, and of feeling like my strings were rubber bands. I actually feel like I can play faster now, because although it takes a little more effort, the strings have less play and aren't flying all over the place anymore.

I play with a light touch anyway, so it's not as if I feel a huge resistance anyway.