Size of Strings

Discussion in 'Strings [BG]' started by John Deacon, Dec 8, 2007.

  1. John Deacon

    John Deacon Guest

    Aug 24, 2007
    Virginia
    What difference do they make on sound?
     
  2. Mingus

    Mingus Guest

    Aug 23, 2007
    Miami
    Are you talking gauge, or in general?
     
  3. enderwaves

    enderwaves

    Mar 6, 2007
    milton, wv
    it's not the size the matters, but how you use them.

    really, who could resist
     
  4. John Deacon

    John Deacon Guest

    Aug 24, 2007
    Virginia
    Haha, Im just speaking in general. Im guessing that smaller gauge strings give a brighter sound and larger gauge strings give a deeper sound? How do I figure out what gauge my strings are on my bass that I bought from a music store?
     
  5. Dave R

    Dave R

    Sep 21, 2007
    Boise, ID USA
    If you have a caliper, or know someone who has a caliper, you can use it to measure the width of each string. That'll tell you the gauge.

    I'm a handloader, so I have a caliper. If you know anyone who handloads ammo, they will almost certainly have a caliper. Most machinists would, too.
     
  6. Mystic Michael

    Mystic Michael Hip No Ties

    Apr 1, 2004
    New York, NY
    Not exactly. Lighter-gauge strings generally sacrifice a little power, due to the decreased mass relative to heavier-gauge strings. But they tend to be more supple and flexible.

    Heavier-gauge strings are by contrast generally stiffer, and hence, require a little more physical force to play. But they do tend to emit a more powerful signal.

    Gauge isn't so much a factor in the timbre/tone of the strings. It's more relevant to one's preferred playing style - and by extension, one's preference of musical genre...

    MM