• 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 freeLog in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Does heavy guage strings = fatter tone?

I used to play TI Powerbass rounds. They were a heavy gauge with hex core. Pretty high in tension.

Now I play the Jazz Rounds and beyond the fact that by design they have lower output I think they are a better sounding string in every way. They are a much lower gauge (.89 E string)
 
There's been discussion in the string sub-forum before and i remember someone saying that thicker gauges mean more fundamental and less overtones.

There are a couple of things to this.

A loose string has more movement and is inherently louder as a result. The fundamental is more pronounced on a loose string.

A tighter string will keep a booming fundamental in check, letting the upper transients become a greater part/percentage of the over all sound.

Thickness damps upper transients, but it isn't brutally apparent until you get to three and four wrap strings. .090-ish and lighter, I suspect you won't really be able to tell. E and B strings is where this really shows up - especially when you get to the 4 wrap B strings.