I got SM66s to compliment my Geddy Lee jazz bass, I wanted rotos but just slightly lighter, and I love their bright and mid heavy character but I can't get over the lack of lows. If I go up to normal swing bass gauge, would I get some bottom back? (BTW I'm comparing these to the Ernie Ball slinky nickel whatever bass strings you can get everywhere)
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
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.
Rotosound SM66 having zero bottom
- Thread starter J03YW
- Start date
True bass content doesn't come from gauge. It comes from where you play on the bass, wood tone, and equalization.
I've heard that thicker gauge can get you a little fatter tone, but I'm not sure how true that is. They are rotosounds, after all. I just noticed a little hollowness/lack of warmth when the Ernies came off.
- Feb 27, 2005
- 3,218
- 125
- Disclosures
- Full disclosure, I'm a certified Fender technician working in a music store that carries Fender, Yamaha, and Ibanez products among others.
Where are you getting that idea? It absolutely comes from guage; that's why flats sound bassier than roundwounds in most cases, it's the amount of metal used. It's one of the main reasons why bass guitars have more low end than regular guitars. I hate to disagree on TB so vehemently, but really
Yes, putting on heavier strings WILL get you more bass frequencies. Not that playing position, EQ, and wood don't factor into the bass equation, or that lighter strings can't be deep sounding. Er, IME and all that.
Where are you getting that idea? It absolutely comes from guage; that's why flats sound bassier than roundwounds in most cases, it's the amount of metal used. It's one of the main reasons why bass guitars have more low end than regular guitars. I hate to disagree on TB so vehemently, but really
This idea probably comes from the fact that roundwounds are just as capable of producing as much or more bottom end than flatwounds. With rounds, higher frequencies can give the illusion of less bottom but it is there. Also, some of us believe that lighter gauges actually produce more bottom because the string is more flexible which enhances the fundamental. Stiffer accentuates harmonics. The problem for me with lighter gauges is pitch stability and finger feel, but the bottom is always there.
