Are you able to play better w/ thicker strings

[Kevinmach]

Having come from a guitar back ground- almost any guitarist will tell you that you can play faster and more easily on thinner gauge strings.

The trade off is, of course, usually sound quality. It's probably not quite as noticeable w/ amplified signals of electric guitars, but the w/ the acoustic variety, the different in sustain and fullness is audible (particularly if you drop down in thickness by several gauges).

Being somewhat new to the bass, I initially went with either the thinnest gauge- or close to the thinnest-that I could. I figured it would make it more play able for a beginner, reducing the pressure that needed to be applied to the neck, etc. I would guess a thinner gauge string could be even more noticeable in a bass than with a guitar, because you'd probably be losing some umph. But because I was kinda new to the instrument and I wasn't playing live, I didn't really care. (but I have read some people say they get more umph with lighter strings? dont understand that)

So far, most of what I said above, I still believe to be accurate- but here is one thing I never accounted for when thinking about it logically, and I wanted to get opinions on whether or not it was "just me."

In experimenting with some slightly thicker gauges over the last few months (my strings are somewhere in the middle of the spectrum at present), my fingers seems to be able to pick the notes faster on the heavier gauge strings. Maybe because there is more to "grab on to" (right hand here)?

In my case- again, having been a guitarist-my left not as lacking as my right (I did have some piano training as well, which helped my right, but the strength required for bass is much more than the lead piano hand). In other words, it's didn't slow my left hand down at all that I could tell. So this has been kind of a pleasant surprise for me. That I can actually play better AND get better sound (unlike the guitar).

That is, unless I am imaging it. Has anyone else had this experience?

[greenboy]

Being primarily a fingerstyle player - especially at high-energy rock gigs I could play faster on thicker gauges - I noticed that when I first began to experiment with lighter gauges. I was missing or throwing my timing off occasionally with the lighter gauges. It really took awhile for me to learn to accomodate a lighter more relaxed touch, a lower setup, and to notice what I did when I got excited. Then too, I learned to shift more to the bridge with my plucking hand for faster phrases as well.

Now I don't think any particular gauge is as important as it is to notice always what is going on, and to settle in on whatever choices you are making. I don't really need to think about it at all now regardless of gauge.

[Kevinmach]

Then too, I learned to shift more to the bridge with my plucking hand for faster phrases as well.

Along these lines, it could very well be that my technique has improve or I've just gotten better with my plucking hand. That is also a very plausible explanation.

But two things that made me think otherwise- it was fairly immediate (how better could I have gotten in a few days?) and - there are some quicker phrases/runs in one of the songs I was learning, where the exact same frets 3 were played on 2 different strings (G and B). I found myself able to pluck the notes much cleaner on the thicker string. I would often run the notes together on the thinner string and it just didn't sound as clean. There is some minor differences in the position of plucking hand even though the strings were right next to each, maybe that's all it was.

[dreadheadbass]

i've always found heavy guage to be a faster guage fro fast playing i think its down to the fact your strings aint flopping away from you as you pluck so it becomes much like drumming on a desk
ok it can be a bit heavy on the left hand but after a few weeks of playing you wont know the difference

can anyone think of fast players with heavy strings?
two that spring to my mind would be billy sheehan and steve harris

[JimmyM]

I like fairly thin strings (.040-.095) but I'm me and you are you. If you'd like to bump up your gauges, that's a strictly personal decision and I support you fully.

[StyleOverShow]

I use HiBeams, which are lighter and less tension on my MM Sterling and it seems to be a good configuration for both action and sound. I use flats, Jamerson's, on my Carvin 5 and they are 'cables' by comparison, but again, the sound that they produce is what I'm looking for (a Motown thud). Depends on what you play, right?

-richard

[lonote]

Heavier strings = higher tension = lower action.

I love high tension because I can get much lower action.

[MysticMichael]

Originally Posted by Kevinmach

Has anyone else had this experience?

On the contrary, I find that heavier-gauge strings actually require a bit more physical force to put them into motion than is the case with lighter-gauge strings. So for me they're actually a bit more difficult to play - not easier.

Of course, the ultimate answer in all of this is to develop and refine your technique. But if you're still new to the instrument, you'll have to work on it over time - it won't happen overnight.

As to string tension, there are more ways to achieve this than to simply go heavier on the gauge. For one thing, various makes and models of string will vary as to their degree of tension, with some relatively high-tension strings being available even in the lighter gauges.

I tend to prefer somewhat higher tension as well, and find that medium-light gauge (.100-.080-.065-.045) works well for me - providing a nice balance of suppleness and playability on the E & A strings, with sufficient mass and power to provide some decent "oomph" on the D & G strings. YMMV, of course...

MM

[Flintlock]

Maybe I have a heavy playing style, but I like my right hand to play 'against' something, so a thicker gauge is good for me. However, left hand wise I find I'd like to have a lower action and lighter strings that are easier to fret. However, as it is, I'll just play slower and continue to dig in.

[Pilgrim]

I play with strings in the .45-.105 range, which are probably on the medium to thick side. When I get into heavier strings I have to work uncomfortably hard to play. Whatever feels good for YOU is correct for YOU.

[phaze1todd]

can anyone think of fast players with heavy strings?
two that spring to my mind would be billy sheehan and steve harris

Actually, Billy runs a interesting set of strings running from a .043 to a .110. This allows a tight E string even when Hip Shotted to drop D. and a lighter G for bending all matched across for even neck tension.

I, myself have recently returned to playing after 10 years and have found the need to go heavier than the Hybrid Slinkys I've always used. Things have been sounding out of tune. I checked my setup and everything's fine so I was blaming the guitarist. Eventually my guitarist was watching my fretting and he said I was pressing so hard on the fretboard I was bending my notes. I guess I lost my touch.

-Todd

[bassist4dalord]

I have Ernie Ball Power Slinky .050-.135 on my Squier Affinity Jazz V. Anything lighter, ESPECIALLY on the G-String , is weak to me. I love heavy strings. But, that's just this man's opinion. Rock on!

[Audiophage]

I recently switched to a thicker gauge string(.45 to .50 G) and it found it improved certain aspects of my playing. However, I had it in my mind for a while that i needed the thick strings to accomplish certain things I couldn't quite with what I was using.

I know that people who are really into tapping or slapping tend to prefer lighter strings.

[Gary Lynch]

I also play DB and ABG so for me the slab bass is easy to play with a 50 65 85 105 and I like to keep my finger and hand/wrist muscles built up for the DB. I am a pretty fundamental player and do not noodle on the high notes much like many players out there. I find a heavier gauge to be very stable and I like the fact I have to pull at the string more.

The important thing is to find your own groove. It may change as the years go past.

http://www.myspace.com/garyelynch

[EagleMoon]

With thicker strings it's easier to get away with sloppy technique in both your left and right hand. Lighter gauge strings make you play more precisely and a bit lighter with both hands.

[Diogenes]

I set most of my basses with very low action and I prefer light gauge strings. I'll normally use a set in the range of .030-.090 (Roto FM-66) or .025-.085 ("custom") depending on the manufacturer and characteristics of the string. Yes, light strings involve a different technique to play cleanly but I feel the broader range of dynamics that seem to be available with lighter gauges is greater than with heavier strings whether I play piz or with a pick.

BTW - I normally tune to either standard EADG or a half to full step down depending on the song.