Double Bass How the gauge effects your overall tone.

[Fidfad89]

Hey guys i know this is a really opinionated topic but i was wondering what character changes would happen when switching form medium to light tension on the double bass? Would it be the same as on the electric bass? ex. lighter gauges are obviously softer in tension but they tend to have a more focused core tone and less overtones. Is it the same on the double bass?

 

[bassmastan]

I think it depends on the bass. Certain instruments respond better to certain strings and string tension. Tone also comes from the core material of the string, and of course, your fingers. That's why a lot of us, including myself, dedicate a lot of time to trying strings. IMO there are a lot of variables that go into DB tone

 

[MikeCanada]

The bass itself is a huge variable as well. Some basses are ok with high tension strings, some get completely choked. Sometimes switching from medium tension to lower tension opens up the bass and really makes it sound fantastic. Or it makes it really wimpy.

The strings are also a lot different brand/product to brand/product. Where a .045-.105 nickel round-core round wound is going to sound pretty similar across brands on electric, even steel "orchestra/arco" strings by the same company in a similar line (like the many variations on Flexicores) sound and feel vastly different.

If you do not like what you have now or want to try something different, there are a few generalizations that can be made based on tension alone, but it isn't nearly as easy of a variable to isolate as it is on electric.


Mike

 

[robobass]

... ex. lighter gauges are obviously softer in tension but they tend to have a more focused core tone and less overtones. Is it the same on the double bass?

I find the opposite to be true for both upright and slab.

 

[Dave Irwin]

As stated above, it's all about what makes your bass resonate. My old German likes evah medium , and the Upton Brescian, sounds better with Evah weich. If you have heavier strings now and your bass is really resonant, you just have to decide for yourself if it's worth testing a lighter set.
If you do test I'd try to keep it as apples to apples as possible with the same kind of string.

Good luck
Dave