Have a big dilemma...

The solution is clear: NEW BASS!

 

The force is strong in this one.

 

Try every set of strings you can. How else will you know what works for you? The answer isn’t here. It’s only subjective. So my vote is always switch strings until you find the set you love.

Then buy lots of pedals.

 

I don’t think you’re going to get more bass in your tone when going to larger gauge strings.

If you change tunings a lot and play with pretty low action, you’ll probably need to adjust the truss rod every time you change from standard to D or C anyway.

 

I agree with this, and if you like the setup now you may not get back to it.

It is your bass of course, but you may be tinkering when you do not need to.

Good luck.

 

Agree with this. Fat strings = fat sound is a bit of a myth. I play light gauges and I get plenty of bottom end from my basses.

There may be other reasons you want to change gauges, but that should not be the driving factor. Downtuning might be a better reason but, as others have said, once you change the setup for the strings, you may not like what you have so much.

 

I'm a mostly heavy strings kinda guy, but I keep one bass strung light for bendy fun.

 

same as my vote, except that IME, you’ll need to add “rinse and repeat”. I have come full circle several times on string choices. ”THE ONE” set of strings to beat them all, is a fleeting and temporary mental state. If you are as fickle as I am about strings, you will most likely try many before you find your favorite, then after some time, you’ll find a new (but temporary) favorite. So, I strongly agree with the portion of your statement that says “always switch strings”! There is no best out there. Its all just different flavors that will hit your fancy at different times in your string journey.

 

Even tuning to Eb I find a adjustment is needed IMO. I think it's optimal to set up a bass the way it's going to be tuned...or not if your ok with letting the action change as you change tunings.

 

Like folks already said here, fat strings = more bass is not true. Maybe a bit more volume, but that's not significant on instrument with pickups.
Look at strings thickness as an ergonomic preference. If you have a heavy hand and slam strings - go for thicker strings.
If you play lightly, slap, or like bending - go for lighter strings.

 

Eh, a good setup isn’t wizardry. As long as you’re not going to file the nut slots, I see no reason why this string change can’t be reversed if you don’t like it.

 

lots of us use lighter-gauge strings. none of us lack "bass." i voted "...if it ain't broke, don't fix it." good luck with your fretless!

 

Agree with most above. I find fundamental is stronger with less tension, harmonics are more pronounced with more tension. Ymmv

 

Yup, I use Rotosound RB40 at the moment, but I'll probably go even lighter for my next set, like RB35.

 

i'm using 35-90 for my 4-string axes (various brands) and they're a pleasure/fun to play! good luck with yours should you try them!

 

Even if your setup is perfect now, the chances that it will remain perfect if you play the bass regularly are very low (even if you keep it in a case inside a closet). So dont fall in love with that specific setup, what you can do however is learn how to get the measurements for this setup, that way you can recreate it yourself again regardless of strings or bass.

Personal opinion here, but sound is more important than feel or playability of the instrument. If the current strings dont give you the sound you like, then I say try the other strings. If you still cant get the setup right then you can always just go back to the old strings.

 

This could get really expensive...

 

Excuse my ignorance here but I always thought that Flatwounds were used on Fretless basses, the reason being is the rounds scuff up the fingerboard???