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Lighter Gauge = Wimpier?

#41
I can't see how anyone plays with light strings, they feel way too thin and floppy to me.

I like at least 45-105 or heavier preferably.

I have the D'Addario Chromes light gauge on my P bass and they are too light for me, but I love the tone. Thinking of going up to the mediums.
 
#43
Playing thinner strings is a sign of weakness. That is why I don't play the D and G strings at all. Actually, I remove those two strings on my basses cause I don't even want to be questioned at all when I'm on stage (like... did you see that? He played the E on that skinny D string - what a whimp...)

Keep it low and fat - two fat strings is all you need! :D

Just playing with you - Of course I'm kidding, but I am about to switch to an ML set (45, 65, 80, 100) from Mediums, and I'm seriously concerned I'm going to lose something in tone by doing that... and I have a show this weekend.... should I or shouldn't I.... the question.
 
#47
I use to use 40-100. To me, they seem to cut through the mix better. I was either using Rotosound Swing 40-100 or DR Low Rider Nickels, same gauge. The thing I noticed for me was, lighter gauge strings playing wise are easier on my left hand but harder on my right. I like the feel of a taut string for my plucking hand. Slapping, lighter gauge strings are better IMO.

Now I use Ken Smith Custom Balance 44-63-84-106. I like how they feel compared to 45-105. Ken Smith offers 40-58-84-106. Kind of a light top and heavy bottom.

But no, that doesn't make you a wimp. Ask Jeff Berlin, Victor Wooten, Dave Larue, Victor Bailey, Stanley Clarke, P-Nut, Anthony Wellington, Mark King, some I know I'm leaving out.

Billy Sheehan says bass is a strength instrument and Gary Willis says bass is a finesse instrument.
 
#53
WoodyG3 said:
Oh, THAT's why they have been throwing stuff at me on stage! :D

I dunno', I just don't hear much difference between , say, a .100 or .105 E string. The only .110 I've used was a tapewound, so naturally there was a difference in tone there. I suspect, as with many things, it depends on the bass and your playing style.

Anyway, lighter gauges are not wimpy and you aren't a wimp for using them. There. I said it. I feel so much better now! ;)
Click to expand...

Haha!!! To me, there's not a ton of "tonal difference" between a .105 and a .100, but I prefer the feel of a set of .45-.105s.
 
#54
MikeMasonRock said:
Hey everyone,

I was thinking about trying some lighter gauge strings on the next pair I buy, but I have a few questions...

-Will it drastically change my tone?

-Are you considered a "wimp" if you use lighter gauges?

-Should my comfort on the strings overrule the above questions?
Click to expand...

Try some TI Power Bass. Floppy, for sure, but some of the best-sounding strings I've tried. I love 'em.
 
#55
I have recently come to the conclusion that some basses feel and play great with a heavier gauge, and others with a lighter gauge. I used to think I should be playng the same gauge string on all my basses, then I got a CIJ 70s Jazz. It came with heavier strings, and played and sounded awesome, until I switched out the strings to my preferred lighter gauge. Man, that screwed everything up, and I have been adjusting that bass for over a week with no luck. I'm slapping those heavy gauge strings back on there a.s.a.p.
 
#56
There are too many variables to say "this size is right". I generally prefer 50-105, but my favorite flats are the 760FL. I practice with the 760FS every day, but the FLs sound better IMHO.

On short/medium scales however, I prefer chromes in 45-100 long scale. For some reason the thinner strings just seem to work better for me on short/medium scale. I know this is the opposite of what TI does.
 
#59
I can appreciate both posstions here, but it greatly depends on, as always, the type of sound you're going for and the type of bass you play. Those two factors alone should be the guide in your decision.

In my case. I play a 4 string bass with the low E detuned to C#. It's important to note also, that the scale length is 35" Now, I initially fell into the thicker-is-always-better trap when trying to find the best gague for the C#. So I slapped on a 110. But even though the strings were brand new, I had lost a lot of the kick and growl that the lighter stock string had. I changed it to a 100, upped my action a bit, and WOW. The extended scale length kept things from getting floppy, and my sound was finally back.

The bottom line is that you need to experiment and keep an open mind as you try to find your own sound, and stringing your bass with what looks like steel cable is not always the best way to go. ;)
 
#60
I have been all over the medium to light map with different strings. These days I prefer mediums or medium lights. To my ears a 40 and 60 G and D sound thin.

I am fine with 80 an 100 on the A and E. 85 and 105 can either be fatter or boomier depending on all the other variables. Right now I am digging 85 and 105 Pedulla steels just fine. I listened to some recordings with 85 and 105 Sadowsky Nickels and I thought they were a smidge on the boomy side. I really wish more string manufacturers did the 45-100 thing.

And as stated already, setup has a lot to do with tone. I still play TI Jazz flats even though my #1 has mediums. The older I get, the higher my setups are. Give the strings room to breathe. And lighter gauge need more room (higher action).
 

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