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Light gauge users..what's your reason?

#21
I liked medium-light strings the best (40-100) but last time I bought strings, Musician's Friend accidentally sent me the wrong ones. (35-95 or something insanely light like that) While it's a pain to get rid of the fretbuzz, I can slap a mile a minute now and the slap tone rocks. It still feels kinda flimsy, though.
 
#22
This is a great topic. I wonder if anyone can help me? I just bought a sterling which is fitted with lightish gauge strings (.100 for the E) and although it seems 'faster' than my Fender Jazz Bass it doesnt seem as easy to slap??

I am wondering why? I measured the gap between the strings and the Fender has approx 1mm more than Sterling but I dont think that would make a massive difference. Does anyone know what Fender Jazz's ship with? I only had it 2 months so havent changed them yet but they look thicker than Sterling strings to me? Could be imagination - hard to tell :-)

I imagine this would make a difference to slap if I am not used to the lighter gauge? I seem to be struggling to deaden the other strings a little.

Thanks for any replies

Steve
 
#23
birdsg said:
This is a great topic. I wonder if anyone can help me? I just bought a sterling which is fitted with lightish gauge strings (.100 for the E) and although it seems 'faster' than my Fender Jazz Bass it doesnt seem as easy to slap??

I am wondering why? I measured the gap between the strings and the Fender has approx 1mm more than Sterling but I dont think that would make a massive difference. Does anyone know what Fender Jazz's ship with? I only had it 2 months so havent changed them yet but they look thicker than Sterling strings to me? Could be imagination - hard to tell :-)

I imagine this would make a difference to slap if I am not used to the lighter gauge? I seem to be struggling to deaden the other strings a little.

Thanks for any replies

Steve
Click to expand...
Well lighter gauge strings are usualy lower tension, which would affect slapping, i would think. Maybe they would flop around a little more than usual? I like them for slapping, makes popping easier and more effortless.
 
#24
appler said:
I liked medium-light strings the best (40-100) but last time I bought strings, Musician's Friend accidentally sent me the wrong ones. (35-95 or something insanely light like that) While it's a pain to get rid of the fretbuzz, I can slap a mile a minute now and the slap tone rocks. It still feels kinda flimsy, though.
Click to expand...
Its probably buzzing because lighter gauge strings cause the neck to bend backwards a little, taking some relief out. If you tighten the trussrod a little to add some relief, it should go away.
 
#25
I use light gague strings for all the same reasons-lighter feel and better expressiveness. I used medium strings forever until I was forced to use a 'light' set on the Steinberger that was my travel bass. The feel of the strings was a revelation because the bass responded to my touch without feeling the need to manhandle it. I now use GHS Bassics L6000 on most basses 40-58-80-102 and add a 20 or 126 as needed.
 
#26
Actually I have just checked and the strings on my Fender look to my eye to be the same as on the Sterling.

I think its just a matter of getting used to the new neck and slightly diff spacing (who'd have thought that 1mm would matter) as after playing the Sterling for a couple of hours and then picking up the Fender I yearned for the Sterling again.

Thanks for the help

Steve
 
#27
Figjam said:
Its probably buzzing because lighter gauge strings cause the neck to bend backwards a little, taking some relief out. If you tighten the trussrod a little to add some relief, it should go away.
Click to expand...
Actually, the neck just straightens when you put on lighter gauges, but not "bend it backwards"


You must loosen the trussrod (turn counter-clockwise), not straighten it, to add some neck relief.

BTW, I use a stainless steel set gauged 035-095, I tried others but I prefer this set for sound and ease of playing.
 
#28
I was using D'adarrio ultra lights until I joined a new band and had to tune down a half step, and then drop D. It just got too clanky. Almost like Korn. If I raised my action too high, then it was hard to play. Either way, it wasn't working out. I had to go back up to 100s. I miss the old action and ease of fretting with the old strings, but if the guitarist insists on tuning down, what are you gonna do?
 
#29
Lights all the way for me! They have a much better feel, and I can set my bass with lower action. They've also cleaned my playing up quite a bit as well. I have found that on the 5 string variety that some of the B's are hit and miss. The B can either have a good feel, or way to floppy. Overall, I will probobly never go back to medium or heavier again.
 
#31
JMX said:
Actually, the neck just straightens when you put on lighter gauges, but not "bend it backwards"


You must loosen the trussrod (turn counter-clockwise), not straighten it, to add some neck relief.

BTW, I use a stainless steel set gauged 035-095, I tried others but I prefer this set for sound and ease of playing.
Click to expand...
By bend backwards i meant straighten out. I mean backwards in the sense that it isnt forwards, ie: mor relief.

-sorry bout that
 
#32
Many years ago, I used heavier strings, But I much prefer light gauges now. Granted, on my 6, I don't want the C too thin, but I still want low tension - I'm using Thomasticks on that bass. The Fodera Vic Wooten signature strings work great on my 4 string Pedulla. On my fretless 5 I use tapewounds, which are thick though. My fretted 5 has light gauge pedulla strings on it and due to its set-up I should probably use a heavier string on this one particular bass.
 
#33
I had ordered a set of those free Hartke Strings in their extra light or light package and I slapped them onto my P-bass. They really brought the clarity out in my P-bass, and I felt like I could play stuff more easily. I would definately try some more Light/Extra-Light strings out if not for playing R&B/Fingerstyle-Funk this summer...and my fretless demands medium gauge, so I guess I won't be able to try the lights for a while.
 
#34
Interesting that I just came across this thread...I just threw some DR Hi-Beam lights on my MTD 535, and it is amazing how clear this bass rings now. As it was said earlier, adjusting it for the new strings took some time, but I am really happy with how these strings feel on a 35" scale length. I was worried that I would lose some punch, but that was not the case. I feel like I have gained a lot of clarity, though. I still keep medium sunbeams on my Lakland JO4, but these lights have really got me thinking.... :ninja:
 
#35
I like lighter guage strings, and lower tension, because I feel that I can play better with them. For me, it gives me a better feel and I can use a lighter touch, which improves my playing.

Interestingly, I found out recently that my Fender Jazz does not do well with high tension strings, or even medium tension. I get all kinds of strange harmonics that my bass tech says are due to harmonic frequencies that vibrate through the neck. Somehow, these sounds get to the pick-ups and it can sound pretty strange through the amp. I put an old set of low tension strings on the bass a couple of days ago and it sounds great, no weird harmonics and clean sound again.

I know TI flats are well known as low tension, but what is the lowest tension roundwound string that you folks know of? Eventually I gotta' put new strings on my Jazz.
 
#39
vegaas said:
Dont you guys run into problems of being too bright? My Spector came with light gauge strings, and I just am not getting the deep booming bottom end I need.
I assume this is a common problem with light gauge strings?
Click to expand...

Not too bright, but sometimes, depending on the bass, the light guage strings can make your bass sound thin, but with the propper eqing, it's hardly noticable. I will say that I find myself using more eq with the lighter guage strings. It's really not that bad though. You either boost and cut on the bass or on your amp, and that takes care of the problem for me.
 

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