light gauge vs heavy gauge

[smogg]

mediums here as well;
45-65-85-105-130 x-long scale (my fret board is 35")
seems to be the sweet spot for me to keep the action low

 

[Bass Below]

I prefer very light gauge: 50-65-85-120-165

 

[jbotz9]

i use rotosounds 45-105. i find them quite heavy but rotosound continues to refer to them as a "standard gauge". i dont know how true that is because i like to think that 45-100 is the standard gauge.

 

[FunkyFlashFive]

That's not true. If you don't believe me, try tuning your E string up to G in the same octave as the open G string. I'd suggest wearing safety glasses while conducting the experiment.

Personally, I prefer thicker, higher tension strings because the strings excursion is less than it is with smaller strings with less tension. That enables me to have a lower set up with less relief in the neck and that equates to easier playing for me.

+100
the place where this makes the biggest difference for me is on the low b.
also discovered the feel of using a d string as an a is not optimal, but i got away with it for one day before i could get a new a string

 

[blueingreenbass]

I play upright and I got used to heavy ass strings and to say the don't sound good for slapping is silly. I can set them up any way I like and get whatever tone I want... Just a matter of getting your sound and finding the feel you like...

 

[FourBanger]

Dude...

2007.

 

[Precision101]

Lightest gauge possible 30-85

 

[dannster]

Dude...

2007.

Half of TB whining, "Do a search".
The other half whining, "Zombie".

 

[dannster]

I used to use light gauge. Then went heavier as that was the trend. I recently tried those D'addario BT's. the .107 set & also the .095 set. I really liked the lighter gauge set. more fun to play, easier to dig in and get squirrelly.

 

[FourBanger]

My E is thicker than the rest of the strings on there.

The way the rule should work is "do a search first but if the post you find is old enough to be outdated don't zombie it"

 

[MaddogMonument]

holy zombie thread batman

 

[shrimpflea]

When I used to play rounds I preferred heavier gauge strings to fatten up the tone.
With flats I like a lighter gauge because you already get so much fundamental from the string, plus they usually have higher tension.

Flatwounds vs. Roundwounds

 

[Bastardbass]

I personally love roto sounds funk masters light gauge 30,50,70,90 u can really move fast around the neck and do bend and vibrato just like a guitar. They have never broken on me before the sound is sweet as honey and tight and punchy really snappy . But my band really likes when I use a heavy gauge string I use 50,70,85,110 gauge for my heavy set also roto sound strings, they have more bass and just more sound presence to fill a room but it’s just bassy and booming it’s not as defined in my opinion as the lighter gauge string they cut through the music mix with more detail and definition to my ears. Strings are cheap nowadays $20/$30 a set experiment try each one for at least a month see what you like what works for you best . I love them light strings but my band mates bully n shame me into use heavy duty strings

 

[JRA]

I personally love roto sounds funk masters light gauge 30,50,70,90

me too! they're not the only light-gauge set i like, but they're reliably punchy and fun to play for me. just strung this one up with funkmasters:

 

[Bastardbass]

me too! they're not the only light-gauge set i like, but they're reliably punchy and fun to play for me. just strung this one up with funkmasters:
View attachment 5356025

Those are some fine strings man make for a good time on the bass, they have punch and snap that can only be achieved when you playing some funk masters. Light gauge strings get alot of hate but they are superior in my eyes and most importantly they make u enjoy playing ur bass more and play it more often which in return makes you a better player as u get more practice in. They look really nice on you black bass black and red good combo

 

[Prodigus Filius]

I like lighter gauge for EAD in BEad tuning, where I'm use Jamersons 95 73 52 for EAD and I am using Chromes 95 70 and 50 in the same way. I like the feel and sound of smaller gauges for those pitches instead of heavier gauges. Sound sweeter, a little more sustain, which is a nice side effect with the 54's, because the decay is real quick if the 95 73 and 52 are tuned to ADG instead of EAD. The lighter gauges are better for bends (yes even the stiffy original 54's) and just more comfortable to play all round imho