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bass strings gauge. please help

Jordan Johnson 95

Jordan Johnson 95

Aug 11, 2014
6
0
31
Glasgow, Scotland
#1
hi i have been playing bass for 6 months or so but a few weeks ago i changed my strings to 55-110 gauge. But since the change i have been struggling to play. The fingers on my fretting hand have been slipping off and i have been struggling to move the strings with my picking hand. Its been really bothering me i felt like i was making great progress before the change. Would changing to a thinner gauge of strings say a 40-95 0r 45-100 fix the problems. They were ernie ball power slinky nickel wound (purple pack). many thanks.
 
#3
Whew!!! 55 - 110 is pretty hefty! That's a lot of tension to have on a non graphite neck, unless you're doing as Gorn mentioned and D tuning or down a half step. I used to use 45 - 105 (standard gauge) but as I've gotten older and the symptoms of aging have hindered some speed and motions, I only use DR String sets, 40 -100 sets with a 125 for the B on my 5 string sets. They do not sound as pure as thicker sets and there's the occasional string buzz when I really dig in. However, it's a nice trade off for me being able to successfully facilitate from string to string.

What type of bass are you using?
 
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#5
String gauge 101:
A standard set for a regular EADG tuning on most basses is .105 .85 .65. 45. For most people, the only reason to go to a .110 set is for tuning lower than EADG or because you are after a particular sound. For a new player like yourself this was probably just a rookie mistake. Some people like a .100 .80 .60 .40 set, but for a new player I'd say avoid that since you may have to adjust your bass to work with the strings to avoid fret buzz.
A thicker string means the string will not only feel fatter against your fingers, but you will have to press harder on the string to fret it because of the additional tension. It will probably bow the neck a little more too, but that's a little more advanced.
Live and learn. The Orange "Hybrid" set is the one I think you should go with, even though there is nothing hybrid about is since it is a standard set.
 
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#7
Alan Ace Cooper said:
Whew!!! 55 - 110 is pretty hefty! That's a lot of tension to have on a non graphite neck, unless you're doing as Gorn mentioned and D tuning or down a half step. I used to use 45 - 105 (standard gauge) but as I've gotten older and the symptoms of aging have hindered some speed and motions, I only use DR String sets, 40 -100 sets with a 125 for the B on my 5 string sets. They do not sound as pure as thicker sets and there's the occasional string buzz when I really dig in. However, it's a nice trade off for me being able to successfully facilitate from string to string.

What type of bass are you using?
Click to expand...
I am using an Ibanez sr300. I don't plan on playing in drop tuning, i have never had to buy strings before so i am not sure what strings would be best for me thanks.
 
#8
socialleper said:
String gauge 101:
A standard set for a regular EADG tuning on most basses is .105 .85 .65. 45. For most people, the only reason to go to a .110 set is for tuning lower than EADG or because you are after a particular sound. For a new player like yourself this was probably just a rookie mistake. Some people like a .100 .80 .60 .40 set, but for a new player I'd say avoid that since you may have to adjust your bass to work with the strings to avoid fret buzz.
A thicker string means the string will not only feel fatter against your fingers, but you will have to press harder on the string to fret it because of the additional tension. It will probably bow the neck a little more too, but that's a little more advanced.
Live and learn. The Orange "Hybrid" set is the one I think you should go with, even though there is nothing hybrid about is since it is a standard set.
Click to expand...
Do you think changing to a lighter set of strings would solve my problem. Many thanks.
 
#10
Jordan Johnson 95 said:
I am using an Ibanez sr300. I don't plan on playing in drop tuning, i have never had to buy strings before so i am not sure what strings would be best for me thanks.
Click to expand...
Ibanez Sound Gear basses have notoriously thin necks that bow a lot based on the string you put on it. If you put .110s on it and play EADG you are going to curve the neck, making it harder to play, and make your tone kind of crappy. Until you are ready to change tunings, stick to a .105 set, then switch back to a .110 set if you go to DGCF. Now if your plan is to just drop tune the top string to DADG then a whole .110 set might be overkill.
I play in a doom metal band that uses CGCF drop tuning and I have a .120 .100 .80 .60 set of DR Hi-Beams on my Lakland 44-02. The higher gauge handles the tension on the low end and the round core gives me flexibility on the high end, which took me YEARS to get right.

Finding the right strings is an alchemy that can take a long time to get right. Read, read, read.
 
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#12
socialleper said:
Ibanez Sound Gear basses have notoriously thin necks that bow a lot based on the string you put on it. If you put .110s on it and play EADG you are going to curve the neck, making it harder to play, and make your tone kind of crappy. Until you are ready to change tunings, stick to a .105 set, then switch back to a .110 set if you go to DGCF. Now if your plan is to just drop tune the top string to DADG then a whole .110 set might be overkill.
I play in a doom metal band that uses CGCF drop tuning and I have a .120 .100 .80 .60 set of DR Hi-Beams on my Lakland 44-02. The higher gauge handles the tension on the low end and the round core gives me flexibility on the high end, which took me YEARS to get right.

Finding the right strings is an alchemy that can take a long time to get right. Read, read, read.
Click to expand...
Is there any brand you would recommend in particular. Thanks for all the help I appreciate it.
 
#13
If you bought the bass brand new and it was set up from the factory, you should use the following gauges:
.045 - 0.065 - 0.080 - 0.100

This taken from Ibanez factory page (support pages).
I believe a lot of the higher end Ibanez basses come with Elixir strings. Personally, I swear by DR HiBeams or SunBeams (a little warmer) in gauges 0.040 - .060 - .080 - 0.100. It's a pretty common but somewhat light string gauge, but I think it's easier to play. Im sure it will provide a good starting point!

Good luck :-)
 
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#14
There are basically two types of strings... those wound on a round core (like DR HiBeams) and those wound on a hexagonal core. The hex strings are a little stiffer than the roundwounds. I personally prefer the ones with a round core. They are a little softer. However, they are also a little more expensive, so Ibanez may have given you a hex set from the factory (pure guessing there)

There are also those that have taper core ends, like the image shows below. If you choose a set like those, you will have to adjust your bridge accordingly, as the string will build less over the saddle. So a few things to think about when you go to the store to get new strings.
TaperCore_zpsaaad7f0d.jpg

My suggestion would be to start with a .045 -.100 set with normal ends (not taperwound) on a hex core, to get you as cose to where you were before you swapped strings. :-)

Another suggestion is to change one thing at a time... if you get back to your "starting point", try the same gauge round core next time, and see how that feels. Then taper core, etc. That way you can find out what your preference is tick by tick :-)
 
#15
Hey there, strings aren't expensive and you should try as many as needed until you're happy. I use Rotosound Funkmasters 30-90 which are VERY light and loose feeling but I play with a light touch and they work well for me. (they don't get any love from the thick=tone crowd but to each their own)
Your bass has a truss rod which is a metal rod in the neck that counters the pull of the strings and keeps the neck straight. Heavier gauge = more pull and you may need to TIGHTEN the rod 1/8th of a turn more or less and the opposite is true with lighter gauges. Don't be afraid you will not break anything as long as you do small adjustments and let the neck settle in after each adjustment. If for some reason the nut on the rod won't turn don't force it and take it to a shop. You will probably not need any adjustments if you go with 45-95's as they are close to the factory gauges. Look out for round wounds - bright, rough under the fingers and the most common. Ground wound where they grind away the windings a bit for a smoother feel and slightly darker tone and flat wounds which are very smooth and replicate an upright bass tone. Then there are stainless steel, nickel and other combinations of metal that have different feels and tones. You could buy a new set every week for a year and not cover all the options but it would be fun to try.
 
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#17
Jordan Johnson 95 said:
Is there any brand you would recommend in particular. Thanks for all the help I appreciate it.
Click to expand...

For price and availability Ernie Ball, D'Addario and GHS Boomers are all OK nickle wound strings. I don't use any of those anymore, but for a beginner they are fine, just make sure to check the gauges on the packaging before you buy them.
 
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#18
I've been using DR Strings since 2002. My favorite set is their Lo-Rider Nickel wound set. For showy/flashy gigs, I use their NEON sets, which are pretty much the same string. The coating does dampen the tone a bit. If I did not use DR's I would probably use D'Addario XL Nickel wound sets.
 
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#20
If you look at string gauge charts (by D'Addario, GHS, or Circle K) you can choose any sets with the same total tension as the 45-105 D'Addario set, but they can be 'balanced' (search and read up a bit), or a 'standard' set for now, 'til you form stronger opinions based on your experiences. This will allow you to try different types of strings w/o having to adjust the trussrod (altho round-core strings, which I prefer, have a larger excursion while playing than hex-core strings, and may require a small loosening of the trussrod) making for easy trials.
Unless you have a definite reason to go outside the range of 45-105 strings, it may be best to just play within that range for a while.
If you prefer brighter tones, go for stainless steel strings, tho you'll have to work on muting the finger noise a little more (good to practice that anyway).
Or nickel-plated steel (NPS) for a slightly mellower tone,
or towards 'flats' if you're into the Motown or Reggae tones (generally-speaking).
 

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