• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

LIGHT STRINGS

#2
Lighter strings have less tension and require less force to make the same sound, but you have to have a light touch or you will have fret rattle issues. You may want to try a slightly lighter set than what it has now. Likely came with 45-105s, may want to try 40-100s. D'Addario makes a 35-95 set that may be an option also. I have a 5 string that I just restrung with 30-50-70-90-125s. It has a wonderful sound, but I had to adjust my playing style to be able to play it. I am still struggling with it, but I love the sound.
You may also want to try DR Sunbeams also. They have a round core and less tension than hex core sets. However, hex core strings will allow you to set your action a little lower than round cores. No matter what everyone tells you about different strings, you will likely have to try a few sets to see which suits YOU!!
 
#3
yes, and depending on what you want for sound, flats or rounds.

Flats I would recommend light guages (100 or less mostly) TI JF 344 or Fender 9050L. Both really make a J Bass growl.

For rounds I like the Fender superbass on my other J.

All are also fairly low tension. Read thru the threads and learn how to set up you new toy so you can get the action where you like.


Jason at bass strings online is your friend :help:
 
#7
I use a light gauge of flats on my fury 95-40. the fury has a very thin neck so anything bigger would be un-wise anyway, but sounds so good and plays so sweet. My younger kids also enjoy its playable neck and light body.
 
#11
another light gauge fan here. right now my go-to strings are ghs boomers in 40-55-75-95. i tried a couple sets of 30-90 but they ended up being too lite for me. easy on the fretting hand but a bit too much "give" when plucking, so i needed something a bit stiffer. the 40-95 set along with super low action (somehwere around .80mm) is a happy medium for me.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BeyondFiredUp
#12
You know, it never even occurred to me to play light gauge strings. The first time I sat down and tried to play a bass, years ago, it had big gnarly strings on it, round wounds, and from then on I just assumed that's what you needed to get the low end. Since then, I've switched to flats, but the big strings stayed. Just because I'm a curious sort, can you tell me what you enjoy in a lighter gauge? Maybe I'm missing out. I recently tried a set of strings with lower tension than I'm used to, and I kind of liked it. They were a big gauge though. Very boingy, fun. Like jumping on a trampoline.
 
#13
I`ve played 95-35 in a longe time, but now I`m playing 40-100. I felt I didnt cut trough the mix when slapping my 95-35 strings. Alone they´re wonderful, but I tend to play a little harder with my band on a gig.
 
#14
wcoffey81 said:
i still have wimpy hands and i had the same idea. basstringsonline had a great deal on light gauge B52's so i picked up a couple of sets to try.
Click to expand...

lol it no longer has that great deal, I loved them so much that I contacted Jason and bought out the remaining inventory :D

But yeah, definitely go for light strings. My whole playing career, first on guitar, and then finally finding my home on bass has been a progression from being a teenager and thinking 'Raagh! heavy strings is better because br00tz!', to realising that's stupid, and light strings sound better (to me), and are easier to play.
 
#17
Frenchy-Lefty said:
No to light strings! They sound like a tiny whacka whacka reminiscent of 1980's fusion bands...Learn to play a good old standard 105-45. You get used to it and it will sound much fatter. My two cents
Click to expand...

You may have your two cents refunded. I play a P (mostly) into a Streamliner into a Fearful stack, I love The Thickness and I deliver The Thickness whenever possible at the greatest volume and intensity possible. I've played 5s, I've played detuned 4s, I've played 4s with big thick strings; I like light strings. My action is slightly higher than it used to be, and I hear my upper register coming through clearer, those are the only real differences. In fact the raised action came as a blessing in disguise, as it allowed to be more freely use dead notes and make my playing a little more percussive.

I'm certain you can make light strings sound like you described, but saying that's just how they're going to sound no matter you do and you should use 'real man' strings is just ignorant. Just my one cent, 'cause I need less metal to make more of a point :D
 
#18
Frenchy-Lefty said:
Learn to play a good old standard 105-45. You get used to it and it will sound much fatter.
Click to expand...

i did learn to play on "good old standard 105-45" gauge sets for the past 12 years, and no matter what, always struggle with certain aspects of playing. the bass was always fighting back and the amount of muclse i had to put into it to get the sound i want out was too much. it wasnt until i started playing with low action and using light gauge strings that made playing bass much more enjoyable that it had even been all those years playing standard gauges. if 45-105 works for you, thats cool. light gauge string work better for me, and thats cool too. it's nice to play bass in this day and age when we have so many choices in gear.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back