I've always played a light or extra light gauge string forever. Wondering if I try out a heavier gauge string will it help with the volume on the D and G string. Also, will I need to adjust the bridge to allow for the heavier set of strings?
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Changing String Gauge
- Thread starter bogie1519
- Start date
Wider gauge strings can have more amplitude, you may or may not need to adjust the bridge. Start by not.
But it’s also possible you’ll need to increase the truss tension to compensate. Then again it might be slight enough you don’t need to. Have fun. Try different strings anyway.
But it’s also possible you’ll need to increase the truss tension to compensate. Then again it might be slight enough you don’t need to. Have fun. Try different strings anyway.
Upping the gauges will not always guarantee increased volume. Heavier gauges would mean increased tension/stiffness, so you will end up having to play harder, not to mention having to do a complete setup on the bass.
I've been going the other way in the last year, trying out lighter gauges than before, and I don't feel I've lost anything in terms of tonal quality or volume while gaining playing comfort.
One last question. It seems a heavier gauge will increase tension is that true.. if so that would be a deal-breaker. Tension is important to me. I prefer a lighter tension..
You can find strings of many different tensions. There are some great tables online. And some great resources here on TB. The outer winding doesn’t really affect the tension so much as the core does. Meaning you can get wider gauge with light or heavier tension. Everyone has favorites. I’m sort of a string junkie, I will try any set. D’ad has a tension chart online as do most brands except maybe LaBella.
Same here. I used to play 45-130 or 45-125 but over the past couple of years I've gravitated more to 40-120. I haven't noticed a drop in volume at all (though it's possible that my overall volume has decreased evenly across all strings and I haven't noticed it. But the evenness across strings has been there regardless of string guage. The basses I've owned that suffered from uneven string response didn't stay with me for very long...
Try raising your pickups a tad on the D G side to gain some volume.
I've always played light or extra light and NEVER had issues with string balance on a properly setup bass with string heights and pickup heights set right.
Just sayin'... maybe it's something in the bass setup?
I play a lot of scales and walking bass lines. And I've noticed a drop off of volume on the D and G strings. And the sets I use are 45 for the G and 60 on the D. I was hoping for some extra volume on those two strings.
Definitely worth a try. Also, maybe look for a "balanced" set, even if you keep the gauge light. I found the GHS Balanced Nickels made a lot of difference to getting more uniform volume and tone across all four strings, after finding the G a little "thin" on my previous roundwounds.
If you'd prefer to stay with that 45-100 set but feel like you're thinking of changing because of less volume on the D + G strings:
ONLY do this with a new set of strings (a played-in set will skew the results due to age):
Try adjusting your pickup height(s). If you think about it, going across from the E to the G strings, each gets smaller, has less mass, and less metal for the pickups to sense. Most standard setups will 'tilt' the pickups a bit higher (that is, closer to the strings) on the D+G side vs. the E+A. Not a big difference in height, usually around an eighth of an inch or roundabouts closer to the D+G. As they say, your results may vary.
IF your pickups height is the same clearance under the G as it is the E using a ruler, this may help. Your ears may hear a difference as you dial this in.
ONLY do this with a new set of strings (a played-in set will skew the results due to age):
Try adjusting your pickup height(s). If you think about it, going across from the E to the G strings, each gets smaller, has less mass, and less metal for the pickups to sense. Most standard setups will 'tilt' the pickups a bit higher (that is, closer to the strings) on the D+G side vs. the E+A. Not a big difference in height, usually around an eighth of an inch or roundabouts closer to the D+G. As they say, your results may vary.
IF your pickups height is the same clearance under the G as it is the E using a ruler, this may help. Your ears may hear a difference as you dial this in.
1/8 inch? that's 8/64ths. I would try 1 or 2 64th's first.
Adjusting up 1/8 inch you may be pushing up strings with pickup
If you have pickups adjusted for even volume on all open strings and fretted in different places and you still notice obvious volume differences when playing may be room or EQ problems at higher volume levels.
D
Like others have said: This is most likely a setup issue. You need to adjust your pickup height for the best possible balance across the strings. It's important that you use your ears rather than your eyes for this. You can find lots of setup guides with measurements in inches/cm but the only thing that matters is how it sounds.
Of course, some basses have inherent design issues that will prevent a perfect balance across the strings, like Stingrays or Jazz Basses without staggered pole pieces. They should still be usable though. After all, people have been using these basses for DECADES with great results, even if the string balance isn't 100% perfect.
Changing to a heavier gauge will potentially give you stronger magnetic output from the heavier cores. But on the other hand, heavier gauge strings are stiffer and usually need you to dig in harder to get them to vibrate with the same amplitude as lighter gauge strings. Unless you dig in harder you may actually get LOWER output.
I'm not saying that you can't solve your problem with heavier D+G but there's a good chance it may not give the result you are looking for. You will at least have to adapt your technique slightly because the set will be very unbalanced between E+A and D+G. There's a good chance you will just waste your money on something that will end up as worse than before.
Changing string gauges should only be the last resort after you've tried adjusting your pickup height IMO.
It could also help to adjust your eq/tone control settings. If you boost your lows too much the E+A strings will become more dominant in the mix. Maybe you could try less lows and maybe more mids?
And yes, heavier gauge strings will be higher tension and the bass will also have to be intonated slightly differently.
Of course, some basses have inherent design issues that will prevent a perfect balance across the strings, like Stingrays or Jazz Basses without staggered pole pieces. They should still be usable though. After all, people have been using these basses for DECADES with great results, even if the string balance isn't 100% perfect.
Changing to a heavier gauge will potentially give you stronger magnetic output from the heavier cores. But on the other hand, heavier gauge strings are stiffer and usually need you to dig in harder to get them to vibrate with the same amplitude as lighter gauge strings. Unless you dig in harder you may actually get LOWER output.
I'm not saying that you can't solve your problem with heavier D+G but there's a good chance it may not give the result you are looking for. You will at least have to adapt your technique slightly because the set will be very unbalanced between E+A and D+G. There's a good chance you will just waste your money on something that will end up as worse than before.
Changing string gauges should only be the last resort after you've tried adjusting your pickup height IMO.
It could also help to adjust your eq/tone control settings. If you boost your lows too much the E+A strings will become more dominant in the mix. Maybe you could try less lows and maybe more mids?
And yes, heavier gauge strings will be higher tension and the bass will also have to be intonated slightly differently.
Last edited:
All good ideas. I believe I will begin with
Pickups first. And see how that works. Since string tension would be a deal breaker.
Pickups first. And see how that works. Since string tension would be a deal breaker.
I have been playing bass for 50 years, so I’ve seen things come and go, and a lot of changes. After all these years I still use the same brand strings, Rotosound. Over the years I have used many different gauges of strings, but now have settled into what I consider the perfect combination. I always was haunted by the great change of tone between the E and the A string. All my basses changed from a beep bass sound in the E, to a more midrange sound on the A. I fixed this problem by doing this:
I like a light gauge string for playability and bend ability. I use Rotosound medium light gauge strings on my A,D and G strings, and instead of an E string I use a Rotosound standard gauge A string. It is just a bit heavier than the medium light A, and solves the intonation problem. I hope this is what you were looking for and it works for you.
Last edited:
Latest posts
-
-
-
-
Need Recommendation for Repair Shop In Western Connecticut
- Latest: averagejoe53
-
