Lighter gauge strings

[Jasonm3]

My first time ever trying lighter gauge strings and I’m pretty blown away. I felt my bass was little to bitey and punch for the genre I was playing. It’s 35 inche scale and I using d’addario xls. Was trying smooth out the tone with eq but just aggressive and punchy for what I’m trying to do. Just happened to try Dunlop NW 100-40 and wow. Having not dig so hard defiantly smoothed out the sound and gave me what I was wanting for this genre I’m switching too.

 

[michael_t]

I've been using 40-95/40-100 for the last few years as my 67-yr-old battle-scarred hands can't handle anything too stiff anymore. I really don't think I've lost anything in terms of overall tonal quality by going lighter, though. I still do use 45-105, but only for DGCF tuning.

 

[Jasonm3]

Yeah….tonally, I feel it slightly lost a little punch. Which is great because it was just too aggressive and punchy. At the same time if I dig in I get a nice growl now.

I love how easy some riffs I use to mess up come now.

 

[michael_t]

Yeah….tonally, I feel it slightly lost a little punch. Which is great because it was just too aggressive and punchy. At the same time if I dig in I get a nice growl now.

I love how easy some riffs I use to mess up come now.

What I'm finding with lighter gauges is they tend to be a little more responsive to dynamic input. You can play lighter and be expressive or dig in for some bite instead of always fighting with them.

 

[JRA]

i've always preferred lighter gauges just because i think they're easier to play (fingers) with more dynamics/expression available. they're also more compliant than their heavier counterparts. YMMV

 

[Jasonm3]

i've always preferred lighter gauges just because i think they're easier to play (fingers) with more dynamics/expression available. they're also more compliant than their heavier counterparts. YMMV

after all the years. My first time trying lighter gauges and It made playing so much fun. Flying thru licks that use to trip me up. Really enjoy the feel and tone of the Dunlop NW

 

[charliethomas]

Currently using 40-100s on a 5 string (with a .28 for the high C) and I'm loving them. Fedora nickel round cores.

Very nice consistent tone over all the strings after breaking them in. Super flexible and easy to play. No complaints here!

 

[Jasonm3]

Currently using 40-100s on a 5 string (with a .28 for the high C) and I'm loving them. Fedora nickel round cores.

Very nice consistent tone over all the strings after breaking them in. Super flexible and easy to play. No complaints here!

That’s is awesome. Nothing like having a set of string that enjoyable to play. What kind of bass do you have them on

 

[Killing Floor]

There’s no best string set. I like lighter and lower tension for most. I only prefer higher tension on Fretless because the fight fits my raccoon-like technique.

 

[buldog5151bass]

I like medium gadgets hex core strings for rounds. Of course, that's what I've been playing for about 45 years.

 

[charliethomas]

That’s is awesome. Nothing like having a set of string that enjoyable to play. What kind of bass do you have them on

They're on a Yamaha trbx 605! I think the fodera strings fit that bass really well sonically. The 34" scale works great with the high C, and the pickups respond well.

Went through a couple other sets before this one and they were all thicker gauge. The EB Slinky nickel set had (32) 45 65 80 100 which is an interesting compromise between the low and high strings, but I prefer the sound of the (28) 40 60 80 100 foderas. Not sure if it's the round cores or what, but the smaller strings actually sound more consistent at the lower gauge for me.

 

[trothwell]

I don't like strings that are so stiff that they cause excessive hand fatigue. I can understand my hands being tired after an hour of playing, but if my hands are tired after five minutes, I probably need lighter strings.

On the other hand, extremely light strings can present their own challenges to play. It can be harder to play quick passages, strings can be too easy to accidentally bend, it can be harder to avoid fret buzzing noises.

I usually end up with something in the 40-100 or 45-105 range for roundwounds, and preferably more like 40-95 for flatwound.

I have light GHS Pressurewounds on one bass, really super liking, and just ordered a medium set for another bass, though I'm starting to question that decision and the strings haven't even arrived yet. Maybe should have gone medium-light rather than medium................ zeroth world problem, I know

 

[Jasonm3]

I don't like strings that are so stiff that they cause excessive hand fatigue. I can understand my hands being tired after an hour of playing, but if my hands are tired after five minutes, I probably need lighter strings.

On the other hand, extremely light strings can present their own challenges to play. It can be harder to play quick passages, strings can be too easy to accidentally bend, it can be harder to avoid fret buzzing noises.

I usually end up with something in the 40-100 or 45-105 range for roundwounds, and preferably more like 40-95 for flatwound.

I have light GHS Pressurewounds on one bass, really super liking, and just ordered a medium set for another bass, though I'm starting to question that decision and the strings haven't even arrived yet. Maybe should have gone medium-light rather than medium................ zeroth world problem, I know

yeah I’ve been a long time hex core player. So I’ve played higher tension string for a while but I switched genres. Noticed how heavy handed my plucking has gotten.

im really enjoying adding more dynamics in my plucking techniques due to lighter strings. Describe the pressure round strings. Always been interested

 

[michael_t]

Describe the pressure round strings. Always been interested.

https://www.talkbass.com/threads/review-ghs-pressurewounds-tangy-not-twangy.1179992/

Products - PRESSUREWOUND™ - GHS Strings

I use L7200 (40-96) for EADG tuning and M7200 (44-106) for DGCF tuning.