Favorite gauge

[Liko]

Let's see what people prefer. I'm guessing the majority prefer one of the two standard sets (45-100 or 45-105), but I'm curious to see how lighter and heavier sets compare. If you have several favorites depending on which instrument gets them, vote for the gauge that is on the bass you use most often or that you like the feel/sound of best overall.

No piccolo, tenor or 5-string options in this poll; these choices are for EADG and detunings of same (DADG, EbAbDbGb, DGCF, etc). If you have a 5er or 6er, tell us the gauge of the EADG strings. If you string a four-string BEAD or ADGC, extrapolate the gauge of the "missing" string. In any case, feel free to expand on your vote in a post.

 

[SamanthaCay]

It always depends on what the bass wants although I tend to prefer a really light gauge. on my main fretted bass that I built and have been playing for about five years I use the top 4 of a thomastic flat six set so it’s my fore string with flats gauged 33 43 56 70. it plays like butter. I also like to bend strings a lot and I can play a lot longer. it also allows me to tune all over the place with out breaking strings or rattling on a low tunnings. for my main fretless I use fender nylon filament’s 70 80 90 100, because they are nylon they have a similar tension to the thomastic’s. So these are the strings I use on my favorite two.

 

[Fetusyolk]

I usually pack mediums but i voted heavies as that is what im going to buy next. i like to play detuned (drop d) and standard without switching basses, so this is ideal.

Plus it gives me a bit of a darker heavier tone. Which is definately favorable.

 

[Mastermold]

I voted ML since TI flats are my favorites right now.

 

[ishouldbeking]

My favorite is actually D'addarios medium gauge, which are .105 to .050. The thicker g string has a much thicker tone, and one that i prefer. I'm currently playing mostly DR's who use the standard .105 to .045 and i find myself missing the heavier high strings.

 

[TheBassPreacher]

I used to use .045-.100 for the longest time, but now my main bass has a hipshot d-tuner on it so I use .045-.105's to give a little more tension when I drop it down to D.

 

[metalmariachi]

I voted extra light, I really like the feel and sound of TI Jazz flats.
My P basses have GHS Lights though.

MM

 

[Figjam]

Love my mediums.

 

[Valerus]

Regular light .045-.100

 

[tasty sweeps]

.40-.100 always felt good to me, but i'm not opposed to a 45-105 set every now and again. i don't like the slightly thicker D and G strings on a 100-80-65-45 set. it bothers me. also, on my fiver i have a .120 gauge low B.

 

[Malachi71]

I love the 4-string set, RS 66LH, by Rotosound.

65-80-105-130

Real men play these. Nice and heavy. Dr. says my rheumatory arthritis is almost gone!

 

[Jeff Martinez]

Generally, I buy single strings because no one makes the set that works best with my tuning (DADA): 40-65-85-110

 

[mulambo]

045/100 on most of my basses, 045/105 on my P-Bass, and 040/095 on my Rick 4001S.

 

[Pilgrim]

Mediums are nice - I tried the Labella Jamersons and they were too heavy for my taste.

 

[JTE]

45/65/85/105 is my preference. I find the 85 pretty crucial and don't like 80 for the A at all. I used D'Addario's standard regular gauge 50/70/85/105) for a long time however, but found the 45/65 sounded better on both my P bass and on my pre-EB StingRay. I got used to that and stuck with them for my Laklands now too.

jte

 

[ShowKing]

45 65 85 105

 

[EagleMoon]

I've used the 45-100 set for a long time but lately I've been experimenting with different gauges on different basses.

 

[Solarmist]

I use 50110 nickelplated rounds tuned DGCF ... Perfection

 

[P-BASSLOVER]

I voted 45-105's, but lately Iv'e been favoring
50-70-85-105 on my four strings, and on my fives the same
but with a 135 for the B string. I have used 45-100's/130's
for the longest time but my hands must have got stronger or something, as I found myself digging in too hard.
So I went up in guage and it's the best thing I ever did!
My basses even sound better too!

 

[jugoziithouu]

I voted mediums since the addarios EXL 160 actually say medium gauge but are 50-105 that under the poll means something in-between medium and heavy so yea that.

I just love the punchiness and the tension...