Thinner (lighter) strings = lower action?

[impactwrench]

I'm currently playing D'Addario 45-105 strings on most of my basses. I'm thinking I want to switch to Sunbeams 40-100. Will this allow me to set the action a hair lower or does it not really matter? I usually have heavy hands so I'm thinking I could learn a lighter touch technique. I'm pretty confident about doing my own setups. I have two basses in mind, a 1999 HRPB stock and a 2005ish MIM jazz with dimarzio model J's and an MIM P neck on it.

[nervous]

Not necessarily. Action is simply a function of a perfectly straight string (nut to bridge saddle) relative to a curved fretboard (neck relief). What ends up allowing the lowest action is a correctly relieved, level fretted fretboard (with no high frets), a properly cut nut, and the bridge then adjusted for minimal to no buzz and possibly even the neck angle on bolt on necks. Set necks and neck through have less latitude for adjustment in the last point if the neck slopes slightly upward at the highest frets. Lighter gauge strings may have less tension so if it pulls less relief then yes the strings should be closer to the frets but if the other factors are not re-adjusted then you may not see the benefit you are looking for. Small strings may have a little less excursion but that would be hard to quantify in a single step down in gauge.

That said, low action is not necessarily the Holy Grail of bass setup and I am not sure I would completely change my technique to accommodate that one factor. Some basses will only go so low and a slightly higher action may result in better tone.

[impactwrench]

thanks for the thorough response. two things you mentioned, less tension and less excursion, lead me to believe that I could probably go a little lower on the action or have to fight the strings a bit less. i think it will be a good change.

[liquid sunshine]

hey nervous,
Where in central NY are you? i live between ithaca and auburn.