Is there a big sound difference between .45 and .40

The difference is really HUGE

 

The absolute best way to determine this is...to start playing with a .40 gauge string and experience it for yourself. That's what I had to do, in the days before TalkBass...

A big difference in sound? No, not likely...

This will clearly differ somewhat from one make & model to another, but generally the lighter gauge string will have a little less "heft" and phatness to the tone, but will probably be a little more supple and flexible, maybe a little "zingier"...

Again - you really should experiment with a set or two of your favorite brand(s), and see what you think...

MM

 

The more string you have vibrating, the "bigger" the sound is going to be. Granted, the difference between a 45 and 40 is rather minimal in tonal quality, and the deciding factor will likely be how it feels vs how it sounds, but a .50-.110 set will sound a lot thicker and meatier than a .95-.35 set.

 

There's a difference in feel on most of the basses I've dealt with. I used to use .040 but when I really got into lightening my touch, because of the lower action I needed something that didn't "give" quite as much. Switched to .045 and couldn't be happier. Bigger sound, more control, still very easy to play with low action. A very noticeable difference IME.

BTW I've been playing for over 30 years now with no muscle issues, knock on Ash. For me it's all about playing comfortably. Less effort, less stress, less problems.

 

It really depends on the strings. With a lot of flats, I find that *I* need a 50 on top to get the sound I want. A 45 will sound wimpy. Again YMMV. I find this very true with Fenders and Chromes.

However, I did use the soft chromes, with a 45 on top, on short scale basses and liked it. Yup, I used the long scale and cut them short.

That said, my favorite LaBella flats are the FL, with a 43 on top. To my ear, they sound a lot different, and better, than the FS with a 45 on top.

So, it really depends on the strings.

 

I have found that the 45 is a little fatter sounding and the action can be made lower. At this point I find myself liking 45-65-80-100 which is pretty easy on the hands. I used to go 40-60-80-100 and I would have to raise the action. It was the 60 on the D that was usually the driver on action height.

 

I find 40 twangier sounding than 45. 40 feels really thin to me. I much prefer the feel of 45. 45-100 is my favorite gauge.

 

So a good general rule then? The thicker the string the...bigger/meatier the sound?

 

Yes.

 

I would say the difference is about .05, not to be exact or anything.