Do you want a very tense D string?

[JimmyM]

"Do you want a very tense D string?" I asked. "If so, Daddario have lots of options for you!" I went on.

Well, I need to withdraw my mockery

I've a bass with a truss rod that can only control about 130 lbs total tension. I put on a set of the 35-95 Roto Bass rounds. Overall the feel was better than I hoped, but through the split pickup the G and D were seeming ever more weedy.

When comparing like with like, Daddario's Pro Steels have lower tension than Rotosound rounds, allowing their "super light" 40-60-75-95 set to have no more total tension than the 35-95 Roto Bass.

I'm now trying that Pro Steel instead ... and I'm genuinely appreciative of the heavier D string!

The extra firmness is nicely countering the drop off caused by the split pickup: the intensity of the tone is now staying consistent as I go up.

40–60–75–95 — 30 + ☆38☆ + 33 + 29

I've been schooled

I haven’t. I still go by your original post

 

[Nebadon2000]

I am one of those who just don't know what I'm missing

Always used 45 to 105 on P bass until last decade been using 45-65-80-100 on EBMM
Those are OEM size for both

Have had no effect to my playing but I like tone on my Stingray Special with 45-100 and preffered 45-105 on my last P an Ultra

 

[tindrum]

I’m weird I guess. When it comes to set ups and strings I’m a gentle flower….things have to “just right”. I played D’Addario XLs for many years and never noticed the right D string thing at all (?) Used a few sets of ProSteel just this year and also didn’t feel anything unusual. Granted I haven’t regularly used XLs for years but still.