Slowly moving on to lighter gauge strings..

[wyleeboxer]

Ok so I’m slowly moving towards lighter gauge strings on my G&L L2000 and may be taking it a step further… I’ve been playing 45-65-85-105 or heavier for years and just recently have moved to some nickel Daddario’s EXL170 45-65-80-100 and I am really digging it with the lighter A and E strings. Its just that the D and G strings are feeling a bit unbalanced as far as tension with the D and G strings feeling tighter now.

So, I went to Carvin yesterday and picked up a set of (Labella?) 40-60-80-100 nickel strings and threw them on my other L2000. Love the tension with the lighter D and G but sounded muffled and lacked any substance or punch, almost hollow in comparison. Is that b/c of a lighter gauge thing or Labella string thing? Love the sound of Daddario nickels but hard to find the EXL190 40-60-80-100 to try out, anyone have any experience with this set ( EXL190’s ) for funk/R&B?

[Versatek6]

Not a direct answer to your question, but may be helpful.

I have been using the DR Nickel Lo-Riders Light (40-60-80-100) for a long time. These seem to be pretty readily available. Unless you have objections to the DR brand, they might be worth trying out.

Have not experienced the hollowness you mention with these strings, but have heard it with other strings. One time the string somehow got twisted along its axis; loosening it to slack and reseating it helped.

[fretlessguy]

I started using .40-.100 and .45-.100 strings around 2002 after a severe arthritis attack. Needless to say, I changed a lot about my playing style and technique. I have found those gauges to be every bit as full and fat with the right EQing.
There will be a difference in the two sets, obviously. The hollow sound may be a difference in the brands, I just do not know all the factors here at work.
I used the Carvins at one time and found them to be good sounding, and even used both the medium and light gauges. My only complaint was that they did not last as long as I thought they would.
Since you are impressed with the D'Addarios, Why don't you try their .40-.100 set? It may be just the thing you need. As for the Carvins, you might want to do some adjustments on the bass itself or do further EQing to see if it makes a difference. I hope you get it sorted out.

[remigioremigio]

try the ernie ball's 40-100 set...definately better than the d'addario's

[joeyl]

I used the carvins also, went in with a group deal on TB, they are good but that's about it, I switched back to the D'Addarios, like you describe they are lacking in the "balls" department, and the E was flat dead.

[DavePlaysBass]

45-100 DA XLs used to be my goto string. Then I switched to 40-100 Hard Rockin' Steels. I had to raise my action to keep things from buzzing. And the D and G just did not have very good punch or cut. I am now back to 45-105 and like it better for pocket playing. More low mids to my ears. But if I had my heart set on the light gauges, I would probably experiement with EQ and pickup balance to find the best tone.

[frankie5string]

That "hollowness" usually happens when your nut slots are too wide and the string slides inside - or the saddle is too wide and the string is able to shift in the saddle...

I switched to D'Addario EXL220-5 (40-125) for my fretless Sray5 in about 2002 - I am just coming to the last set in the twenty pack I bought back then - I love them - but I find with narrower gauge strings a string cleaner of some sort (I use Dr. Stringfellow - basically cheap lighter fluid) and rub them down really really well after each play (only use the liquid about every 5 times). Otherwise, they tend to accumulate dirt and finger grime more easily.

[StyleOverShow]

I have three electric basses that I use everyday, and all have different gauge strings. Moving between them used to be a bit of a shock, particularly the Jamerson flats on the Carvin 5 (smooth but cable thickness and high tension) and the HiBeams on the Sterling (low tension, rotos with heliocore whatever that is). The Jazz flats on the fretless are right in the middle in size and tension.

They all produce vastly different sounds as the guitar/string combos with their electronic guts have qualities all their own. I usually don't EQ relying on whatever tone controls on the axe itself. Frankie5String seems to have an idea on the reasons for the hollow sounds and I like the Dr. Stringfellow idea - may keep my Dreambeamers alive a little longer.

-richard

[vicvon]

I use the Ken Smith Ultra Lights and love them.

http://www.kensmithbasses.com/String...nlessteel.html