Light Strings (0.045-0100)?

[OldSchoolFlats]

Lo-Riders and nickel Lo-Riders are different strings. Nickel Lo-Riders are darker than D'Addarios and less clanky.

I probably had the steel.

 

[AlexanderB]

Lo-Riders and nickel Lo-Riders are different strings. Nickel Lo-Riders are darker than D'Addarios and less clanky.

I agree. I was very surprized to discover that my nickel Lo-Riders felt like the SS one, but sounded like D'Addario nickels.....

 

[JimB52]

I happen to like .45-100 gauge best. I consider them medium.
To me, these Roto Funkmasters are light gauge strings, but I generally play with a light touch and like to bend. They sound great on a Ric 4001

 

[sawzalot]

45-100's aren't light to me. I play 45-100 or 45-105 on all my basses, moving from 40-95's a few years ago. I have never lacked for low end, I just turn up the bass knob. Mostly I think it's about feel, and even then there is a wide range of stiffness/feel even among strings of the same guage. For example, Rotosound Swing Bass 66's and Daddario EPS-170 ProSteels feel very stiff to me compared to the more traditional nickelwounds in the EXL-170 or equivalent Ernie Ball Slinky guages.

 

[sotua]

Any thoughts on light vs. regular strings?

I just got a new 4-string TRBX304, and it came with D'Addario EXL170 / 0.045-0.100. My first reaction is that the strings are too light, and I am thinking of putting-on some medium-gauge DR Sunbeams.

While I realize strings are a personal choice, and each bass/string combination has its own vibe...
...I am a hobby bass player. My main bass is the 5-string Sire in my avatar: I will probably put flats on it shortly. I got the TRBX304 for slap/tap and the 24-frets. Basically, I wanted both an "old-school" bass (with a B-string finger-rest ) and a more modern 4-string bass for easier slap: the TRBX304.

Question: Are the lighter D'Addario EXL170 / 0.045-0.100 strings worth giving a chance? I seem to recall that for slap, lighter strings are indeed a "thing". Right now though, they just feel "un-bass-like" to me. I grew-up with flatwounds, so I expect strings to be like "bridge cables".

I like them. They're a little more pliable than standard .85 and .105s, so you can really dig in and get a very satisfying snarl out of them. I haven't heard any notorious difference in sound (also my band mates never noticed if I was using 105s or 100s). I'd say give them a change unless they're really bugging you out.

 

[mikecd1]

My go-to gauges these days are 40-55-75-95. I do prefer hex-core over round-core to keep them from getting too loose and floppy.

Those were the stock gauge on Rickenbacker branded strings for the 4001's back in the day and sounded great on that bass!

 

[groovepump]

It's more than just tension and thickness. It's everything as a whole. I have written a few times on TB about how I love La Bella 750N on my P bass. I recently put them on the J, and didn't like the feel or the sound as much as the "old" rounds that were on it previously, and swapped them back in.

 

[RocknRay]

Any thoughts on light vs. regular strings?

I just got a new 4-string TRBX304, and it came with D'Addario EXL170 / 0.045-0.100. My first reaction is that the strings are too light, and I am thinking of putting-on some medium-gauge DR Sunbeams.

While I realize strings are a personal choice, and each bass/string combination has its own vibe...
...I am a hobby bass player. My main bass is the 5-string Sire in my avatar: I will probably put flats on it shortly. I got the TRBX304 for slap/tap and the 24-frets. Basically, I wanted both an "old-school" bass (with a B-string finger-rest ) and a more modern 4-string bass for easier slap: the TRBX304.

Question: Are the lighter D'Addario EXL170 / 0.045-0.100 strings worth giving a chance? I seem to recall that for slap, lighter strings are indeed a "thing". Right now though, they just feel "un-bass-like" to me. I grew-up with flatwounds, so I expect strings to be like "bridge cables".

Yes, the 170’s are popular and versatile strings. Play them for a while and see what they will do. No sense just tossing them. In 45 years of playing, I bet I’ve played more sets of those than any other.

 

[Jack Butler]

Ha. I was just gonna post something similar, but I run 40-95’s so I’m not at your level lol

That ain't light! Real men play .028 - .080! THAT is light!

If you want a bassier tone with your 45-100s, turn up the bass knob on your amp & instrument if necessary. Back off the mids & treble to taste.

 

[RocknRay]

Ha. I was just gonna post something similar, but I run 40-95’s so I’m not at your level lol

I’ve moved to those (40-95, XL220 set) over the last few years due to Arthur Rydus in left thumb! Fine strings but damn, are the D and G ever zzzinnngy!

 

[80jazz]

Interesting to hear others in this thread using much lighter gauges...

My idea of heavy gauge for standard tuning is 40-100. At this point, I think I would use Hi-Beams for that gauge. (Yes, I have tried the SuperBrights and found them to be little to write home about it. I have one bass that does seem to like them, but that is it.)

I prefer 35-90 to 40-95 for standard. If flats came in a gauge with 35 as the 1st string gauge, I would give them a shot. As it is, 40-95 Chromes would probably be where I would start.

To the OP: If that is the gauge you want, go get it.

 

[Root 5]

If you are playing in a band or ensemble be careful, cutting low mids can make it hard to hear the bass in the mix. Ok with a slight bass boost if needed however.

Yes very true, dbs. Mids are very important to being heard

 

[Root 5]

This is the only place I frequent.

This is where all the cool cats hang out.

 

[Hounddog409]

Any thoughts on light vs. regular strings?

I just got a new 4-string TRBX304, and it came with D'Addario EXL170 / 0.045-0.100. My first reaction is that the strings are too light, and I am thinking of putting-on some medium-gauge DR Sunbeams.

While I realize strings are a personal choice, and each bass/string combination has its own vibe...
...I am a hobby bass player. My main bass is the 5-string Sire in my avatar: I will probably put flats on it shortly. I got the TRBX304 for slap/tap and the 24-frets. Basically, I wanted both an "old-school" bass (with a B-string finger-rest ) and a more modern 4-string bass for easier slap: the TRBX304.

Question: Are the lighter D'Addario EXL170 / 0.045-0.100 strings worth giving a chance? I seem to recall that for slap, lighter strings are indeed a "thing". Right now though, they just feel "un-bass-like" to me. I grew-up with flatwounds, so I expect strings to be like "bridge cables".

That size is all i use. And no i do not slap.
The smaller E string just feels better to me.

 

[bassist4dalord]

I’ve got D’Addario ProSteels 45-100 tuned in D Standard on my Schecter Raiden Special-4 and they feel great. I’d like a little more stiffness for picking but it’s worth the lighter feel.

I love D’Addario strings so I say give it a try. You’ve got nothing to lose!

 

[logdrum]

I just tried 95-40 by accident and now I strung another bass again with those light gauges. I raised the action. They sound full that way. Let the amp do the work if you are hesitant

 

[Element Zero]

Normally I like bridge cables. Thick, dense, hex core and require a hefty amount of pulling power. BUT… I recently threw a set of 40-60-80-100-120 round cores on my main and I’m quite enjoying them.

 

[2tonic]

My strings are 89-68-51-43 and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Your statement sounds vaguely like the lyrics to a song by AC/DC!

 

[AdamR]

It's my preferred gauge. I would actually go to a 95 e string if I could find 6 string sets.

 

[-Asdfgh-]

Any thoughts on light vs. regular strings?

To me 40 to 100 would be medium, 35-95 would be light, 30-90 extra light, and 45-105 heavy, 50-110 insane. It depends on preference. But apparently, according to string manufacturers, I am wrong.