Fact or Fiction?

I have "custom gauge" strings on my bass at the moment. They are a combination of both (They are 45, 65, 80, 100)

 

I think so, I've been using 45-65-85-110-130 for quite some time now and my tone is very think coming off of my amp. I'm currently playing thru a '08' MIA Fender Jazz V with a Carvin BX1200 head w/BRX10.4 Neo cab and it's sounds kickass. The strings I use are Fender Super Bass 8250's and they work very well with me.

 

Yes definately - greater mass = deeper tones

 

The clips on our myspace site are 30-50-70-90 DRs and GHS boomers Amp eq flat. Active EMGs on Jazz copy and Duncan and Ernie Ball Musicmans with Duncan preamp on P custom. Studio recordings with 4x10 Rubber surrounds. Live recordings with Avatar B410 Neo.

 

IMHO yes there is a BIG difference between even the slightest of gauges.

For example, personally I can't stand the sound or feel of a 45 gauged 'G' string!

To me it doesn't vibrate properly and when popped (yes I guess I play a lot of slap bass....still!) it doesn't ever sound as good as a 40 gauge (to me).

I find heavier gauges won't ring or vibrate as much as I like them to. I suppose it's simple physics, as they are under more tension and require more energy to 'get moving'. I imagine that is why they say that lower actions, with less fret buzz are actually easier to achieve when you use thicker gauged strings....

I have a hard time finding my preferred gauges: 40, 60, 80, 100 available in all makes. In fact some makes refer to this gauge as 'a hybrid'. Yet when I try a 'normally gauged' 45 65 80 100 etc, it never feels right (to me)! I'm too used to 40-100s I guess!

 

I concur.

I can both feel and hear the difference between .128 and .130 B string.

The same for the other gauges...

 

Of course it's a fact. It's physics...

 

I use GHS Boomers Heavy gauge (E is 115) on my Jackson and DR Hi Beams (B is 125) on my ESP. Love the thicker tone and extra tension of fatter strings. I've heard that thinner strings growl more, but mine snarl nicely.

 

My, that was helpful.

 

I've had light/medium/heavy gauge, and yes I have found differences. I prefer the heavy gauge strings for the thicker tone.l

 

Yeah, I know. I was kinda out of it when I posted that.

To answer the OP, yeah, they do make a difference in tone. I agree with the people who posted above this, even the slightest difference in gauges makes a big difference to the tone

 

Heavier gauge have higher tension, so you have to adjust your plucking which affects tone as well.