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Heavier gauge goes dead faster?
- Thread starter ObeyDaRiffness
- Start date
Then heavier strings would never "sound new" and lose life faster than lighter ones.
Last edited:
I have tried heavy and light strings and haven't noticed a difference.
I'm just a rookie but that's my experience.
I'm just a rookie but that's my experience.
in my experience, the difference is in the overall sound and response, as mentioned.
with lighter strings I tend to keep them on the bass for a longer time, because they maintain a brighter sound, even when old.
with heavier strings the highs are less from the beginning, so once they are used, they sound even less brighter, and for an ear used to the harsh sounds, they are not good.
last time I noticed this thing it was a couple of months ago: I alternated two used sets of Ernie Balls nickel on a new bass, a 45-100 and a 50-105 set. even if the 50-105 set was "newer", the sound was mellower but "fuller" on the fundamental.
the 45-100 set had many months on it's shoulders, but still sounded a bit more scooped and bright.
same when I used to alternate steel strings: the 40-100/95 sets lasted me more than any 45-105 set.
with lighter strings I tend to keep them on the bass for a longer time, because they maintain a brighter sound, even when old.
with heavier strings the highs are less from the beginning, so once they are used, they sound even less brighter, and for an ear used to the harsh sounds, they are not good.
last time I noticed this thing it was a couple of months ago: I alternated two used sets of Ernie Balls nickel on a new bass, a 45-100 and a 50-105 set. even if the 50-105 set was "newer", the sound was mellower but "fuller" on the fundamental.
the 45-100 set had many months on it's shoulders, but still sounded a bit more scooped and bright.
same when I used to alternate steel strings: the 40-100/95 sets lasted me more than any 45-105 set.
Be not concerned about a connection between string gauge and their going dead. No.
Rather, concern yourself with which string(s) in a set lose their new-string brightness sooner than the rest of the set.
Breakage aside, that's always caused me to replace a set of stings: one or two strings lose their new-string brightness while the other two or three retain it, yielding a tonally inconsistent set.
The strings to seek -and to keep - never actually go dead at all, but lose their new-string brightness consistently across the set.
Such strings do exist. They're why some bassists love their old strings.
Play whatever gauge of string gives you the right tension and the right harmonic content for your main playing style.
If you're fortunate, they will lose their new-string brightness consistently across the set, never going dead, and placing you among the ranks of bassists who love their old strings.
Rather, concern yourself with which string(s) in a set lose their new-string brightness sooner than the rest of the set.
Breakage aside, that's always caused me to replace a set of stings: one or two strings lose their new-string brightness while the other two or three retain it, yielding a tonally inconsistent set.
The strings to seek -and to keep - never actually go dead at all, but lose their new-string brightness consistently across the set.
Such strings do exist. They're why some bassists love their old strings.
Play whatever gauge of string gives you the right tension and the right harmonic content for your main playing style.
If you're fortunate, they will lose their new-string brightness consistently across the set, never going dead, and placing you among the ranks of bassists who love their old strings.
Can you name the string sets that mellow more evenly across the fingerboard? I look for that too but it's always the E string that goes dull on a 4-string set for me.
Unfortunately, the short answer to your question is no.
However, here's where I have found luck:
- nickel roundwounds.
- always keeping the strings as clean as possible.
Nickel rounds generally don't start out quite as bright as stainless steel rounds, but the problem of a big difference between one or two strings and the rest of the set has never seemed as great - both the degree of difference and how long the set remains consistent enough before one or two strings has gone dead and the whole set needs to be replaced.
Specifically, one particular set of Ernie Ball nickel roundwounds has never developed the problem of one or two strings gone dead. They lost their new-string brightness gradually enough and evenly enough that - still none broken - they continue to deliver good tone, balanced across the set.
That one set has made me one of those bassists who love their old strings. I put them on in the summer of 2005. With nice growl, clear highs, and well-defined bottom, they still sound great.
I use a dry micro-fiber cloth to wipe 'em clean, and I'm pretty good at preventing them from needing much cleaning. Keeping strings clean is critical to keep 'em from going dead.
