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Heavy Gauge String Player Thread
- Thread starter Problemchild
- Start date
May not count but I have a 28.5" scale Ibanez Mikro strung 40/55/75/120 tuned standard. Most of my other shorties are 30" scale and strung 40/55/75/107 and also tuned standard. Anybody having trouble with heavy's should make sure your nut slots are filed to the proper depth - fretted at the third fret you should be just able to put a business card between the string and the first fret. Most basses I see are WAY high and this has a HUGE effect on the effort to fret the string 
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+1 here on the telephone pole cables.
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Can anyone direct me to a set of stings - here's my wish list:
1. four string Round and Flat sets
2. ~.110" E string - not too picky on the gauge of the rest of the strings so long as the light strings aren't gauged something silly (cough... Billy Sheehan set)
3. Round core
4. Nickel wrap
5. Lots of deep lows. The kind you feel vibrate you body when you're pushing air with a pair if 15's.
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That ^ doesn't seem like too much to ask for but the pickings are slim.
I'd like to try out the Chromes but they only go up to .105's - maybe we can start a petition for them to make a heavier set?
-thanx - mac
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Can anyone direct me to a set of stings - here's my wish list:
1. four string Round and Flat sets
2. ~.110" E string - not too picky on the gauge of the rest of the strings so long as the light strings aren't gauged something silly (cough... Billy Sheehan set)
3. Round core
4. Nickel wrap
5. Lots of deep lows. The kind you feel vibrate you body when you're pushing air with a pair if 15's.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
That ^ doesn't seem like too much to ask for but the pickings are slim.
I'd like to try out the Chromes but they only go up to .105's - maybe we can start a petition for them to make a heavier set?
-thanx - mac
2. ~.110" E string - not too picky on the gauge of the rest of the strings so long as the light strings aren't gauged something silly (cough... Billy Sheehan set)
nothing silly about them. the feel of the tension is far more balanced than most sets. to me the sets with a 110 E and a 55 G is silly. that G will always feels far stiffer than the E
Hopkins
Commercial User
I use Rotobass 50s .110-.050, I used to use D'Addario EXL-230s. I love the sound and tension of big ole thick strings.
No secret that I always use the Rotosound RS77LE (50-75-95-110) on my fretted basses and the RS88LD (65-75-100-115) on most of my fretless basses over the years (with exception being the 77LE set now also on my P fretless; 88s on the Rob Allen). When I had a StingRay 5, I had the 77LE + the 77 single .130 flat). High action is also a big part of the equation, too.
I've been using the 77LE set since 1988, and the 88LD set since I started playing fretless around 1992. Before 1988, I mainly used school instruments until I got my beloved '78 P.
I've been using the 77LE set since 1988, and the 88LD set since I started playing fretless around 1992. Before 1988, I mainly used school instruments until I got my beloved '78 P.
I use 50 - 110 Rotos on my 31'' short scale bass. Compensates for the scale length and gets the strings back to a similar tension to a 105 pack
...Anybody having trouble with heavy's should make sure your nut slots are filed to the proper depth - fretted at the third fret you should be just able to put a business card between the string and the first fret. Most basses I see are WAY high and this has a HUGE effect on the effort to fret the string
+1
I recently gave my Ibby a BEAD job. I filed the nut till it had the height of a fret. It's better for intonation and ease of playing.
Just gonna revive this thread. I used D'Addario 110-50 for ages. For the last year or so have switched to EB Power slinkies (same gauge). I like the tension of the EBs (a little tighter than the D'Addarios), but prefer the tone of the D'Addarios.
On this point could anyone suggest any other brands that do a heavy set (with a 110 or higher E string) that don't have any cotton wrap?
On this point could anyone suggest any other brands that do a heavy set (with a 110 or higher E string) that don't have any cotton wrap?
knuckle_head
Commercial User
- Jul 30, 2002
- 2,621
- 58
- Disclosures
- Owner; Knuckle Guitar Works & Circle K Strings
I'll join this club. I purchased a bass just for the kind of specs that could handle high tension strings. That's my big fatty.
Nearly ordered some 105's the other day 
Don't worry though, I ended up going with .110 Roto 66's.
Actually just found them waiting in the mail, didn't expect them so fast. That Jason at Bass Strings Online is the MAN.
Don't worry though, I ended up going with .110 Roto 66's.
Actually just found them waiting in the mail, didn't expect them so fast. That Jason at Bass Strings Online is the MAN.
52-110 user (LaBella "Jamerson" Set), in standard tuning. HUGE sound, and the neck on my P-bass can cope with the high tension, since it was used as a battering ram in the 13th century.
I'm using Rotosound SB '66 50-110 on my Warwick Streamer Standard. It's currently tuned to Eb, I'm thinking of taking it up to standard later. It's constructed on Carolena wood which is very light. I hope it can withstand the tension!
It's all so much fun!
It's all so much fun!
Until a couple of days ago my P-bass had been strung with D'Addario XL230 heavy gauge rounds (55-110) for a couple of months. They sounded great, though I wouldn't necessarily call their sound huge--in fact, some have said here on TB that higher tension strings actually throw out more harmonics.
Also: I liked the feel of the heavier strings, and they helped keep my melodic wanderings more on the mark. Had to adjust the truss rod to take a little relief out of the neck, but that was not a big deal.
Also: I liked the feel of the heavier strings, and they helped keep my melodic wanderings more on the mark. Had to adjust the truss rod to take a little relief out of the neck, but that was not a big deal.
Tuned to standard EADG earlier with Rotosound SB '66 - .50 .70. 85.110 and it feels fantastic. High tension and (quite) low action gives a superior attack as the strings bite back. I find this ideal for fast playing, mostly death and black metal.
