There's really no substitute for string guage

Mastermold · #1 08-04-2008, 03:29 PM

Want more bass? Need heavier guage.

Want more response? Need lighter guage.

That's what I'm finding anyway.

fretlessguy · #2 08-04-2008, 11:48 PM

An excellent point. As in different strings give different tonal colors, the same can be said for gauges. I prefer light (.40-.100) or medium-light (.45-.100). They're easier on my fingers.

Bassmunkee · #3 08-05-2008, 03:14 PM

I use 40/100s - I love the tone I get from them.

fourstringdrums · #4 08-05-2008, 03:16 PM

The thicker the better for me.

Thunderthumbs73 · #5 08-05-2008, 03:36 PM

Is there?

With all due respect, I find differently, and I also feel strings are only part of the equation/one piece in the puzzle.

I have ultralight guage Ken Smith strings on my Harmony Brand P-Bass copy, and the thing is as warm and bassy as anyone could want, and it has the bonus of being super-easy to play. This bass is a heavy hunk of wood, and somehow, some way, I have a feeling that this plays into the tone. But of course, I can't prove it.

Best to you.

biff malibu · #6 08-05-2008, 08:07 PM

i like everything middle of teh road. 45-105 strings. eqs all flat. i like generic tones. true story

James Hart · #7 08-05-2008, 08:14 PM

I use a .118 low B and a .095 E.... no shyness in bass response from my basses

Solarmist · #8 08-05-2008, 09:01 PM

I'm happy with nickel rounds 45-105 for DADG, but may try 50 / 70 / 90 / 110 for CGCF.
Here's the tension chart if anyones interested:
http://www.daddario.com/Resources/JD...sion_chart.pdf

Mastermold · #9 08-06-2008, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thunderthumbs73

Is there?

With all due respect, I find differently, and I also feel strings are only part of the equation/one piece in the puzzle.

I have ultralight guage Ken Smith strings on my Harmony Brand P-Bass copy, and the thing is as warm and bassy as anyone could want, and it has the bonus of being super-easy to play. This bass is a heavy hunk of wood, and somehow, some way, I have a feeling that this plays into the tone. But of course, I can't prove it.

Best to you.

I don't disagree, but I'm finding string guage is a factor that I'm having to deal with.

StyleOverShow · #10 08-07-2008, 02:19 AM

I find the tension in the guages more challenging than the girth. Have been moving up in weights on my Fretless 4 and Carvin 5 with good results. Having the MM Sterling strung with DR Hi-Beams mediums for speed (goes with the neck) and zing.

mike_Ro11 · #11 08-10-2008, 03:47 PM

I'm happy with 45/65/85/105!

Bob the bassist · #12 08-10-2008, 04:05 PM

With all the variables in the signal, from the strings to the speakers (and, indeed, the room,) I don't worry about one thing or another making a radical change to my tone: If something changes, I just eq it back to, or close to, my 'ideal.' Hence, I get the heaviest strings I can find to get the feel I like; I don't particularly worry about the brand name, I don't change them on a particular schedule or anything (if one breaks, I change the set.) Might boil 'em once in a blue moon if they get really cruddy, but otherwise, I'm not too fussy. Just heavy heavy strings I can hit real hard.

My guitard spends hours tweaking and testing and changing things in search of his tone. . . I'd rather spend that time playing or practising.

JazznFunk · #13 08-10-2008, 04:08 PM

I'm in the 'light gauge' camp. I've used heavier strings before and feel like I'm fighting the bass more, and dialing out more low end to tighten things up in the mix. I'm also paranoid about having too much tension on the neck. I like to use my trussrod as little as possible to flatten the neck out.

SwamiRob · #14 08-10-2008, 04:20 PM

Somewhere around the region of 110-90-70-50 feel best for me, although as said it's not the whole issue. I always find that string age has alot to do with it too, I always find newer strings easier to play in general. My neck seems very sturdy on both my basses so it's not an issue with tension.

I don't like the whole low action/thin string thing either, I like to have to put some effort in with bass, plus I like the whole double bass feel too. Also having it a bit harder to play stops me going off on one too much, and also eliminates alot of fret rattle when I'm picking hard due to the higher action. Higher action seems to give a slightly deeper tone, although that might just be the pickups been further away and picking up less higher end.

It wouldn't pose a problem if I could have new ones every week, the ones on my Fender Bullet are like 3-4 months old, maybe more, and playing the thing is awful at the moment.

Loel · #15 08-10-2008, 06:15 PM

I've been using Thomastik-Infeld Jazz flats 43/56/70/100,
four years now love everything about them
except the tension,if TI would only make a set of flats
with 45/65/85/105,i think this would increase tension to
just about the right level..

dreadheadbass · #16 08-10-2008, 06:22 PM

am i the only one who finds heavier strings easier to play?
seriously i find runs way easier on heavies and i find the stiffer the string the faster i can pluck so i use roto jazz bass 77's (50 to 110's)
i think the gauge does effect the tone massively in my exp i once used a medium gauge set when i got caught shot once and although i could get my tone close i couldnt get it bang on

just my exp though

GabeN · #17 08-10-2008, 11:31 PM

I've fallen in love with EB Slinky 110-55's. Lots of thumpy rich bass.

Kobaia · #18 08-10-2008, 11:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fourstringdrums

The thicker the better for me.

thats what she said

SwamiRob · #19 08-11-2008, 06:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dreadheadbass

am i the only one who finds heavier strings easier to play?
seriously i find runs way easier on heavies and i find the stiffer the string the faster i can pluck so i use roto jazz bass 77's (50 to 110's)
i think the gauge does effect the tone massively in my exp i once used a medium gauge set when i got caught shot once and although i could get my tone close i couldnt get it bang on

just my exp though

Nope if find it easier too, low action thin stringed basses are too easy to play, and I find that really off putting.

Got EB slinky 110s on both my basses at the moment, but gonna try out Dunlops and LaBeklla steels. I've heard the LaBellas aren't too bright for steels so that's kinda tempting.

bassmonkeee · #20 08-11-2008, 06:35 AM

Yeah, there are actually substitutes for string gauge.

I'm using a .089 E string, and a .118 B string, and I don't think there is anyone getting any bassier of a tone than I am.

If you have limited experience, you might find it easy to assume "heavier means more bass." But, you'd only be making a lot of assumptions based on a lack of data.