Anyone use lighter strings?

[lilcoffeebeen]

I play super low action very chordy finger style bass & I usually buy nickel DR 45-105 strings but lately I'm considering trying a new brand and lighter strings. I feel like if I had a sheddy effortless set up, I'd be able to dig in and get more funky. DRs are so gritty for so long I'm sort of just wanting to see what else is out there. Any suggestions? I do a lot of tappy poppy fast stuff. Thanks!

 

[80jazz]

I generally prefer 35-90 or 40-95.

The Nickel Lo-Riders come in 40-95. Perhaps they would be worth sticking with if you had them in a lighter gauge?

 

[DavidBassista]

40-100 (rotosound 66) are what I mostly use. Great for tapping. I might actually try 40-95 next time I re-string. I have been putting 40-95 Ernie Ball Chromes on my flatwound set up bass.

 

[RestlessBoom]

I really like the TI flats I put on my made bass; 43-100. Round tone for days, but with a slight snappiness that makes them sing

 

[Ricky Rioli]

I play super low action ...... lighter strings..... to dig in ....

Lighter strings >> lower tension >> more movement. That plus super low action increases the likelihood of the vibrating strings meeting the frets. Would you be okay with that?

 

[comatosedragon]

Sunbeams 100-40. Took a few years to arrive here, but now that I'm here I'm not budging.

 

[Jon Moody]

I use 40-95 on many of my basses, and put the action stupidly low as well (to the point that fellow bassists can't/won't try mine out). As long as you also lighten up your technique, as you don't need nearly as much force to create a sound, you'll be fine.

 

[michael_t]

I've been using 40-55-75-95 and 40-54-76-96 for the last couple of years, and find them more enjoyable to play on.

One thing about using lighter gauges, though, is I do prefer hex core to keep them from being too floppy and buzzy.

 

[alembicguy]

40-100 for over 10 years.

 

[Gorn]

89-68-51-43

 

[GIBrat51]

The lightest gauge strings I use are flatwounds, which I doubt would make you happy. And, to tell the truth? Even though 21 of my 23 basses wear flats, these don't make me all that happy. If I wasn't looking for a particular tone from 2 of my Danelectros, the 39-96 La Bella 760FX's would not be on them. I don't care for light gauge strings as a general rule; I especially don't care for them on a short scale bass like my Dano Longhorn. And the reason why, is precisely the reason you do like them. But, the light gauge flats are part of "that Dano sound" - which is what I want the Longhorn and one of my long scale DC59 Pros. So, I just grin and bear the flexy flexy flats...Still, if you want really light gauge flats? Give the 760FX's a try. La Bella makes an even lighter gauge set of flats (760FDs), but they're intended for a Dano Longhorn, so - short scale only...

 

[Chickenwheels]

I'm loving 40-95 after decades of 45-105.

 

[Epitaph04]

Ive been playing ultra light gauges for years and am likely never looking back. My 6 strings are strung 20-30-45-55-80-100 tuned to B standard.

 

[Element Zero]

Could try a set of TI Jazz Rounds. You'll feel like a god on the instrument. Super limp noodles but GREAT texture and tone I found. I MUCH prefer Med gauge hex core strings, but the Jazz Rounds are quite fun.

 

[StereoPlayer]

 

[EatS1stBassist]

I often use Rotosound Funkmasters.

 

[bass12]

I played 45-125 Hi-Beams for years. I switched to 40-120 Hi-Beams and Pure Blues a few years ago and couldn't be happier.

 

[rashrader]

E-C D'Addario Balanced 28-40-55-70-95. I play the same gauges on my E-G Basses as well.

 

[JW56789]

40/45's up to a 95/100 type set would work, but as Jon points out, a very low setup and heavy hands are NOT a match made in Heaven if you don't want a lot of clank and fret noise. The string sizes may feel different to you, but as far as the pickups / amp go, they're not real shook up about it.

Try them and see what you think if you like. Should you decide it works better for you, invest in a pro setup for the lighter gages if you don't do your own.

 

[gstaats]

TI Jazz rounds are really light. They play and sound great though. They aren't for everyone, but, they would most likely meet your requirements.