Standard Gauge Preference

[manchild]

Im currious to know whether there is a preference on standard gauge strings to use the lighter or heavier option. Given that the D & G strings stay the same.

If you use standard gauge, whats your preference and why?

Also if you used one then switched to the other - for what reasons?

Of course if you hit other - please specify

 

[BassBob1]

I chose the 45,65,80,100, but only because that is what's on my bass right now, I don't have a problem with the 85 and 105 A and E strings. I guess my string track record would show that I favor the 45-100 gauges but I couldn't tell you why.

 

[mdogs]

Different basses respond differently to different gauges, IMO.

 

[BassPlayer900]

I chose 45-105. I haven't really been using a whole lot of strings, but I've recently tried a 45-105 set and really liked it. I like having those big lower strings because they seem to have a little more punch. Could be because I went from nickel to cobalt strings though.

 

[patlozrox]

i personally like the higher gauge strings above the 45-105
i like the ernie-ball power slinkies that are 55-110
smoother for my bass and tighter tention less buzz and it gives off a thicker and more "in your face" sound

Rock on!!!!
4 STRINGS 4 LIFE!!!!!

 

[chucko58]

I'm becoming a big fan of the "balanced" approach. I've always liked a .105" low E on a 34" scale, but the middle strings were always too tight. A balanced set with a .105" is typically .080", .058", .043" or so.

 

[Lo-E]

45,65,80,105

I like the lighter A.

 

[MattS]

for my 4 strings I've been using 45-100 for the past 5 or 6 years or so. Here's a bit about how I came to settle on that gauge...
When i first started playing bass at age 13 til I was about 18 I used 45-105, pretty standard common and easy to find, but I kinda felt that my ideal slap tone died quicker and notes on the 10th fret or above on the E string were too muddy. So i tried a lighter set, started using 40-100, really liked the feel, used these for about 6 or 7 years until I realized that my D and G strings were kinda weak in volume; I tried to adjust my pickup height, but not much luck as they continued to sound a little thinner in volume compared to the lower notes. So then I tried 45-100, at first i was worried that the unequal gauge gap (meaning not 20 between every string) might feel weird, but it did not. I really like 45-100, chunky on the low notes, better volume on the high notes. I am mostly a 5 string player so I was making my own gauge sets for a while 45-105+125, 40-100+125, but 45-65-80-100-125 in a set is not too hard to find. I personally like SIT powersteels, plays better and are cheaper than making my own set. Just a bit of my experience. I hope this is helpful.

 

[Duckwater]

Balanced high tension. For me, something like .112 .086 .065 .049 tuned to E standard

 

[Jay2U]

I like equal tension across the board. This combination of standard gauges does the job quite well: .045 .060 .080 .105.

 

[Dave Siff]

I voted .085 & .105, which is what I've used most often over the years. But I've got different configurations on each of my basses right now. One's got .080-.100, one has .085-.105 (with a .125 B), and one has .085-.110 (with a .130 B). I like 'em all.

 

[FunkMetalBass]

I like equal tension across the board. This combination of standard gauges does the job quite well: .045 .060 .080 .105.

This, except with a .040 G.

 

[seanm]

I *tend* to like strings with a larger G string. My three main basses right now are strung:

55 70 90 105
50 70 85 105
43 60 82 104

 

[bassbrad]

Depending on the bass my favorite sets are:

35-55-80-100 my preferred set these daze, solid fundamental and expressive top

40-60-80-100 good all around set, some basses need the added tension on the G & D strings to get the action I like.

40-58-80-102 (GHS Bassics) was my long time favorite set and still use it on some basses

 

[manchild]

Thanks for the votes and all the replies, some good info there and interesting reasons.

 

[spector_boogie]

If I just had a basic 4 string tuned to E std I'd go with the .105 set.

 

[Mystic Michael]

Depends on the instrument...

My standard four-string set is: 45-65-80-100. That's considered medium-light gauge. I like it because the heavier G & D strings provide a bit more "heft" and thickness to the tone where it's most needed, while the lighter A & E strings retain a bit more suppleness and flexibility where it's most needed. It definitely feels more balanced than either a straight light-gauge set or a straight medium-gauge set.

All my five-string basses - except one - are currently wearing medium-gauge sets. That's: 45-65-85-105-125. The one exception is my Carvin Bromberg fretless 5, which wears light-gauge strings, i.e. 40-60-80-100-120, for a little more expressiveness and mwah - especially during solos.

MM

 

[G On Bass]

I like Circle K balanced sets on my fivers, so mine are:

142 .106 .079 .059 .043
and
.136 .102 .076 .057 .041

 

[Root 5]

I like heavy gauge strings; something in the range of 55-110. Fat strings = fat tone!

 

[Braddock]

I only play in standard tuning and no matter if I use Nickel Plated, Stainless Steels, Flatwounds, any of them; on 4 string basses my perfect gauges would probably be 55-75-90-110, possible 95 on A string maybe, not exactly sure yet on that one.

I only use 5 and 6 string basses (just not my preference) when the piece demands extended range, and that's only an "absolutely HAVE to" situation. As much as I like the heavier gauges on the 4's, I tend to go lighter on these, more like 45-65-80-100-130.