Anyone else using 45-65-85-110 rounds?

[DaveParker39]

It's a pretty typical rounds set (roto swing 66) but I replace the low e with the 110 so it flops around less, particularly when i drop down a step... but in general, it feels sturdier and more balanced.

The band tunes to Eb Standard. Drop to C# from time to time on that string.

As far as I can tell with my eye, the 110 appears to be seated fine in the nut slot.

Curious what other people's experiences have been.

 

[blr2]

I use Billy Sheenah signature set. It's 43-65-80-110. Although I very seldom down tune, I like the tighter feel and sound of the 110 E. It balances perfectly with the 80 A. It sounds better than the typical 85-105 set.

 

[DaveParker39]

Checking in again... it seems like im the only one doing this. a regular 45-65-85- and then the heavy 110
I wonder why this is such an unusual combo. I enjoy playing it. I hope I'm not doing something wrong. It feels sounds and plays great but... no one makes 45-65-85-110 in a set?

 

[DJ Bebop]

I've used GHS Boomer Heavy rounds, 50-70-95-115. Close but not exact.

I also use La Bella 1954 flats as well, 52-73-95-110 so...

 

[blr2]

Checking in again... it seems like im the only one doing this. a regular 45-65-85- and then the heavy 110
I wonder why this is such an unusual combo. I enjoy playing it. I hope I'm not doing something wrong. It feels sounds and plays great but... no one makes 45-65-85-110 in a set?

No one is offering a set like this. D'addario makes a BT set (45-60-80-107), and then you have the Sheenah signature (42-65-80-110) from Rotosound. Both sound and feel more balanced than a typical 85-105 set.
Even the usual Roto SS (45-65-80-105) feels better. I wish more manufacturers offered sets like this. In a classical 45-65-85-105 set, D is always too tight and E is a bit too flabby. I don't know why this has remained as a standard gauge for so long.

 

[Derek Kay]

I've been trying to model a set that provides continuity between adjacent strings to make my sound more even across the strings. Trying to limit big changes of string mass over the poles of the PU.

Take the sound of open G: play the same note on the other strings and how do they compare for similarity?

The best 6 string set I could find was 130-100-75-55-40-30.

30:######
+10
40:########
+15
55:###########
+20
75:###############
+25
100####################
+30
130##########################

The sizes increased by an increasing amount. It is not a linear change but exponential. A curve, depicted above.

Of course it had to be playable as well. This selection was limited to 005 graduations of string sizes, but worked OK for me. I got used to slightly lighter strings but my sound was more consistent over the range of the bass, giving me an EQ advantage from the very start.

I took the same progression and rescaled it for 4 string. The result was 105-80-60-45, a slightly heavier set than the 6 string.

A linear set will also play well eg 105-85-65-45, but the EQ advantage is not as good IMO.

This heavier range is possibly why 4 string basses seem gruntier, but without the range of a 5/6 stringer. It needs a compromise to increase that range without changing the scale of the bass. Fanned frets might help a little.

If other odd sized strings are available then the nos could be adjusted to lessen the compromise, and improve playability. I often detuned to D (thanks Mr Hipshot) but a heavier string might help. Life is such a compromise with perfection.

 

[iiipopes]

These were the gauges in the mid-90's Fender NPS set. I tried them. Over time, my fingers did not like the tightness of these gauges. Yes, they did have great tone on a P-bass. I changed to balanced tension strings at least a decade, possibly two, before this concept became a "thing," starting with custom ordering GHS Progressives in 45-60-80-105, and now playing the D'A XL170BT set 45-60-80-107.

 

[Coheed]

I use 45 65 85 110 black beauties on my P Bass

 

[walterw]

it's my approximation of the d'addario balanced tension set but made from ernie ball singles, 45-60-80-110

 

[smatanovic]

I've used GHS Boomer Heavy rounds, 50-70-95-115. Close but not exact.

These are my go-to rounds for a pbass.

 

[DJ Bebop]

These are my go-to rounds for a pbass.

My son gave me a set years ago. I was a Rotosound SS user. Liked them very much, in fact I had been thinking of putting another set back on my round wound P bass again

 

[smatanovic]

My son gave me a set years ago. I was a Rotosound SS user. Liked them very much, in fact I had been thinking of putting another set back on my round wound P bass again

I started using them after seeing an interview with Ben Shepherd of Soundgarden, one of my bass idols. He plays them until they’re dead then leaves them on until they break.

I prefer the round core version, and they sound amazing on a P.