What is the "standard" gauge for bass strings?

[Dee_01]

Question is in the title. Bas(s)ically I am wondering what is the usual gauge that most basses come fitted with? For guitar it's 9-42. I am guessing 45-100 is average for most 4-string basses?

BTW, a mod needs to fix one of the links in the FAQ -- the "differences between kinds of strings" link is broken.

[SuperSnake2012]

A lot of basses come with 45-100. MIA Fender Js and Ps come with 45-110 with a taperwound E.

[jasper383]

It would appear most basses come equipped with 45-100. Why manufacturers have chosen this gauge is anyone's guess.

However, it looks like 45-105 is the most popular, based on what is most common for sale in music stores.

Both these gauges can claim "standard", I guess.


Buy sets of many different gauges, and the one you like best can be your standard.

[SGT. Pepper]

45-100 or 45-105

[Dee_01]

Cool, thanks guys. My Squier Vintage Modified is fitted with Fender 45-100, and as this is my first bass purchase in many years I seem to have completely lost touch with some of the details. Now I just need to choose a brand of roundwound strings, but I might just stick with DR. I use DR Hi-Beams on my 6-string guitars and I have always been impressed with 'em. I guess the bass strings are probably just as good?

Thanks again.

[stefandisgust]

After I built up stregnth in my fingers the 40-100 started feeling floppy and started getting into 45-105

[Koki]

45-105

[darkstorm]

45-100 or 45-105.

[JTE]

Not much to go on. But your premise is flawed. Guitars ship from the factory with generally either 9-42 or 10-46, about evenly mixed. And at the store I managed and still help out in on occasion, the 10's are definitely more popular than 9s.

Same with bass- most popular sets are in the 45-105 area.

John

[bigboy99]

I played 45/65/80/100 for years, but prefer 85/105 now, especially with a heavy pick.

[zombywoof5050]

Originally Posted by bigboy99

I played 45/65/80/100 for years, but prefer 85/105 now, especially with a heavy pick.

Wow, that is a heavy G-string!
What gauges are your D & A?

[4-string]

Originally Posted by zombywoof5050

Wow, that is a heavy G-string!
What gauges are your D & A?

45/65/85/105.

String gauge is one thing, but what I just don't get is why so many basses suffer from the poorest setup possible. They would sell so much more (or at least quicker) if they had bothered IMO.

[eyecandy]

i believe standard are medium gauges..

[elavate7]

these are the gauges i like to use

4 string-50-70-85-105
5 string-45-65-80-100-130

[andbaggio]

What gauges would you reccomend for a drop-d tuning. Consider that I'm also half a step tuned downm, so my usually tuning is C#, D#, C#, F#

[klejst]

I use 45-100 on my four string Fender Precision.

[ixlramp]

Originally Posted by andbaggio

What gauges would you reccomend for a drop-d tuning. Consider that I'm also half a step tuned downm, so my usually tuning is C#, D#, C#, F#

You mean C#G#C#F#? I suggest a purpose designed set with the lowest gauge increased to compensate for the drop to avoid floppiness. You could build yourself a custom set from singles, medium tension would be around 125 80 60 45. Build your own string set!

Or, Circle K Strings sell drop tune sets here vStandard Drop-tuned 4 Strings with gauges precisely chosen for equal tension strings in a drop tuning.

[odin70]

45 - 65 - 85 - 105

I like 55 - 110

[andbaggio]

Originally Posted by ixlramp

You mean C#G#C#F#? I suggest a purpose designed set with the lowest gauge increased to compensate for the drop to avoid floppiness. You could build yourself a custom set from singles, medium tension would be around 125 80 60 45. Build your own string set!

Or, Circle K Strings sell drop tune sets here vStandard Drop-tuned 4 Strings with gauges precisely chosen for equal tension strings in a drop tuning.

Yeah sorry I meant G#.

125? Isn't that too much? I'll think I'll try it though, maybe a 120, 80, 60, 45. Thanks for the links but I'm in Italy and I won't be able to order from them. I'll go to my local music store, which is a very good one in Europe and I'll make my own set from single strings.

thanks

[ixlramp]

I was too tired and lazy to look at your location

Gauges of course depend on your tension preference, what gauges do you like for EADG?

I used the 'XL nickelplated roundwound long scale' chart at http://www.daddario.com/upload/tension_chart_13934.pdf, the chart doesn't include sharp/flat notes so i chose gauges for equal tension at CGCF. You can use those charts to approximate the tension of other brands to within 5-10%, however that variation tends to cancel out somewhat when balancing a set.

120 and 125 are both close in tension to the 80 but the 125 is a better match for the 60 and 45. Also 120s are harder to find as singles. A 125 is a low tension floppy B so tuned up a tone it works very well. To put it into perspective, a 125 C# has the same tension as a 105 E. So yeah either 120 or 125 will work well and create tensions balanced to within 2 pounds.

F 45 34.0 pounds tension
C 60 34.1
G 80 33.3
C 125 35.2 (120 32.0)
At C#G#C#F# these will have a medium tension slightly tighter than a 100 E.

Also worth looking at the 'ProSteel roundwound long scale' chart too ...
F 45 33.2 pounds tension
C 60 34.7
G 80 32.1
C 125 33.7