6 string bass players - light strings?

[Hippos Melas]

So I just bought a 6 string bass (ESP D-6, great bass for the money but it's getting upgrades next year) and it currently has medium gauge strings on it (whatever shipped with it by default...can't remember anything but a .105 E string from the description). I like these strings because they're a bit stiffer and let me play over the neck pickup on my bass which, in this case, is easier to play over than the bridge.

My Musicman Sterling, however, is strung with light gauge strings (Slinkies item #2834) but I find that playing over the neck pickup on the Sterling produces a ridiculous amount of string clatter because I apparently hit the strings harder than I thought. I use the lighter strings because I don't feel that the Sterling has great definition if you play with both pickups on and pluck over the neck...it's just too weak; therefore, I play over the bridge.

Bottom line is that I like the light gauge strings because they allow me to play over the bridge pickup and I have an easier time slapping on them. On my 6 string, though, I can't really play over the bridge pickup as it's basically on top of the bridge (see picture). It also throws my slap off with the higher tension on the A string.

Should I stick with a medium gauge string or a light string, in your opinions?

 

[Kipaste]

In my opinion, you need to gamble with the 40-50 bucks and just see for yourself since no-one will really be able to tell you which one you'll prefer with your playing style and technique.

I tend to buy a couple of packs of differend string types and gauges every time I get a new bass (I usually take brands and gauges I use on other instruments) and try them on until I find something that produces a tone and feeling I'm looking for in that particular instrument.

 

[Hippos Melas]

That sounds like a good plan. I'll have to do that next paycheck...