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lighter gauge strings = better?

project_c

project_c

May 8, 2008
1,592
1,870
London, UK
#1
Something I've been wondering about for a while - why do most bassists prefer lighter gauge strings? Is it the difference in tone? Is it tension / action? Or just the overall feel? I have no personal preference and usually can't really tell the difference between say a 50-105 set and a 45-105 set, but I'd like to know the thinking behind what makes people choose a certain gauge.
Please also mention if you prefer certain gauges for fingers / pick / slap. Thanks!
 
#2
There is really not one gauge that is any BETTER than another guage. The difference comes in the tension. Some players like to play with a light touch, this allows you to use less physical force which makes it much easier to play fast, but if you try to dig in at all the sound gets choked. However, many people, like myself like medium or higher gauge, simply because the tension feels right under our hands and you can dig in if you so choose.
 
#7
I like heavier strings for a couple of reasons.

1. I don't have the lightest touch, and particularly when the groove is really happening I tend to pluck fairly hard and the heavier gauge strings don't flop around as much and make fret noise. Now some players use fret noise as part of their tone, but I hate it so I'll jack up the action and gauge as much as necessary to get rid of all of it.

2. I find heavier strings have a purer fundamental (as mentioned above) and more bottom. I've heard plenty of players say the gauge has no effect on the amount of bass, but I hear what I hear. I tested the exact same strings from several makers in different gauges and in every case the heavier gauges had more low end.

I've settled on a set that I use on all my basses...either D'Addario XL Nickels or Chromes flatwounds in 50/70/85/105. I find that the D and G strings in this set have more beef than the standard 45 and 65 in most sets.

Call me crazy, but I spent a lot of time and money going back and forth between strings to prove it to myself.

Fiduciary disclaimer: current market value of this opinion = .02 cents
 
#8
As much as I loved the Chromes 50-105's I had on my P-bass, the high tension would get to me after an hour or so of playing.

On a whim, I switched back to rounds, EXL 170's (45-100), and it's like having a brand new bass...one that I can play for hours without cramping. I'll always prefer the sound and feel of flats, but the lower tension of the rounds is working for me now.
 
#9
dwm74 said:
As much as I loved the Chromes 50-105's I had on my P-bass, the high tension would get to me after an hour or so of playing.

On a whim, I switched back to rounds, EXL 170's (45-100), and it's like having a brand new bass...one that I can play for hours without cramping. I'll always prefer the sound and feel of flats, but the lower tension of the rounds is working for me now.
Click to expand...

You need better flats. I believe TI and LaBella make low-tension flats.
 
#10
From this it looks like most of you actually prefer a heavy gauge - for some reason I thought it would be the other way round.
So overall it looks like a heavier gauge string is more suited to a tighter grip and a more aggressive playing style, whereas a lighter gauge provides less tension and is therefore easier on the hands. Good to know, and it makes sense - thanks for the replies everyone.
 
#11
Used Rotosound standard gauge for decades BUT got some nice Greco LP clones with thinner necks that did not like the tension at all so I switched to 40-60-80-100. Problem solved.
The ONLY difference I can hear(before fixing with EQ) was less "bass" from the D and G string. May wind up with 45-65-80-100's but Roto doesn't seem to sell single strings. A difference I can feel is the "bounce" off of lighter strings seems to assist with playing some parts.
 
#12
I use 040-100 and 035-095 gauges nowadays. IME, I can control dynamics and articulation better with a lighter gauge. It's just a matter of a person's approach. Harris uses a 050-110 gauge and Mark King uses a 030-090 gauge. Both of them have killer tones.
 
#13
dwm74 said:
...I'll always prefer the sound and feel of flats, but the lower tension of the rounds is working for me now.
Click to expand...

Try DR's low-rider flats. I was using both sizes of the D'Adds Xl flats. The med-light gauge on my acoustic bass is really perfect-I don't know why anyone would play the phosphor bronze if they tried these. And on my Pbass I've used the 50-105 Xl flats.

Then tried the DR's. Both flats are really great but the DR's have much less tension. They also don't have that higher crispness of the XL's, but then they have a crunchy thump. Texture of the two are also quite different. I wouldn't say one is better than the other, but if you like flats and lower tension its the DR low-rider flats all the way.

Read Ed's article in the Bass Emporiums' newsleter. Sound samples of the DRs here also. Cheers
 
#16
For guitar I diff prefer light gauge, 9's. For bass I used 40-100 for long time, but then they stopped been readilly available and I went to std 45-105 gauge. I would want anything heavier then that but wouldnt mind returning to 40-100 or maybe 45-102 area. Med 45-105 is fine for me though.
 
#19
I don't play in fourths tunings but if I was tuned EADG it would be 75 55 40 28w for a fretted bass. I have a very light touch, I like to tap a lot, Ebow, chords and big sitar style bends. D'Addario's flexible roundwound strings sound good at low tension.
 

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