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String Gauge Quandry

Geri O

Geri O

Supporting Member
Sep 6, 2013
11,199
27,356
68
Florence, MS
#1
This isn't really a question or statement of any significance, perhaps just venting about my struggles with string gauges. Of course, in the big picture of the world around us and the situation in New Orleans and South MS, I should just be quiet. Well, I gotta whine just a little.....

A little over a year ago, I decided that, with a good bit of time on my hands (not for long, it turned out), it would be a good time to start playing lighter-gauge strings and play with a lighter touch. I was using the Power Slinkies (again, 50, 70, 85, 105, 135) for the longest time, not out and out thrashing them. but playing with a good strong stroke. It was just my style, nothing more, nothing less.

But turning 62 last year, I decided that perhaps I should lighten up on my style and strings while I could choose to do so without being forced to do it because of hand and arm injuries. So I set about with lighter strings (45, 65, 80, 100, 130) and set the action accordingly and even a little lower so that it would rattle if I was playing too hard. It took a month or so to get used to the change, but I did and life has been good.

Until now.....

I got a very cool gig with a country artist that insists that everyone tune down 1/2 step. At first, I over-reacted, thinking I needed to buy a bass just for that purpose. Thankfully (in a weird way), I literally had two days to learn the show, and not enough time to find a suitable bass. So I simply tuned my Mike Lull M5V Jazz-style bass down a 1/2 step and ran with it. First gig worked out great like this. I did buy a very cool Lull P5 Precision-style bass for this particular gig and I do like it very much as well, simply tuning it down as well. And all the gigs have been great and all is well.

Again, until now....:D

We multi-tracked the last show we did and I have the task of mixing several of the songs to have available for whatever. During the mixing process, I realized that I really don't like the sound of the bass simply tuned down. It rattles a lot more than I realized. And to my ear, the tone is kinda flabby with the light-gauge strings. Well, I had a set of Power Slinkies left over, so I got an idea. I strung up the P5 with the Power Slinkies, tuned the bass a 1/2-step down, and set the neck relief, the action, and the intonation for this tuning. Much better now. I can't wait to use it on the next show with this artist.

Here's the dilemma...I've absolutely fallen head over heels for the heavier-gauge strings again! The bass feels sooooooo good with the Power Slinkies. It sounds so much better. Tone is solid, little to no rattle, just sounds better to my ear all the way around. That's all one thing. But now I'm looking at the M5V and wondering if I should string it up with the Power Slinkies and set it up for normal tuning. I got away from the bigger strings for a reason, but GOSH, I'm missing the feel of the big strings so much. I'd have to actually set the M5V up with the bigger strings to see if it's what I'd rather play. I'm so undecided.....:nailbiting:

Real world problems, right?? I know, I know, get back to practicing, Geri!...:roflmao:
 
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#2
A couple of years ago, I came up with the idea of tuning my Jazz bass in DGCF for when the open low D could be useful for some of the songs we do in church. This is where my obsession with tension numbers came in handy.

My current setup...

Fender P in EADG = GHS Pressurewound L7200 (40-54-76-96) = 147.2 lbs. in total tension.
Fender J in DGCF = GHS Pressurewound M7200 (44-62-84-106) = 148.5 lbs. in total tension.

This allows me to switch back and forth between the two basses with two different tunings without a drastic difference in overall playing feel.
 
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#3
Of course tuning down reduces the tension so a heavier set will help get the tension back up. Maybe keep the heavy ones on the down-tuned bass and the lighter ones on the standard tuned ones.

I'm a big believer in letting the instrument tell me what it likes best. It can be a frustrating experience to try a bunch of strings, but when you find the right ones it's great.

For example, with my guitars, my Strat works best for me with regular D'Addario 10s. My Guild Starfire has a shorter scale and I spent years trying different gauges- 10s were too slinky feeling and thin sounding, light top/heavy bottoms didn't balance well, 11's were too stiff. I found D'Addario 10.5 (yeah, ten and a half thousandths of an inch) and that guitar sang.
 
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#4
michael_t said:
Fender P in EADG = GHS Pressurewound L7200 (40-54-76-96) = 147.2 lbs. in total tension.
Fender J in DGCF = GHS Pressurewound M7200 (44-62-84-106) = 148.5 lbs. in total tension.
Click to expand...
Looks like tuning down two steps has about the same effect on tension as switching to 30" scale (or a capo on the second fret and retuning to E).
So, tuning down one step might feel about like medium scale (or a capo on the first fret and retuning to E). If you have a capo you could try those out for feel.

@Geri O, you could consider committing to downtuning (wouldn't be the only one), or switching to 32" scale.
Either would fit with your original motivation of being easier on the fingers. I'm thinking the same things. Good luck. :-)
 
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#5
wait,.theres anouther trick
so you can stay with the strings you like
turn up your pre amp gain
untill you have to play quieter with your fingers

i play a 5er the B is too fat
i use a very light touch on it

you may need a compresser untill you get used to playing looser w your rhand
 
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#6
Yes, the logical course of action, and my original intention, is to have the medium gauge strings on the normally-tuned bass and the heavier gauge strings on the 1/2-step down bass. I could roll with this arrangement from now on just fine.

I was just taken aback by how much I really enjoyed the feel of the heavier strings, even tuned down 1/2. It felt like old times. Kinda like the old pot-smoking days. You know it was bad for you, but it's fun to reminisce…:roflmao::roflmao:
 
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#8
CF45EADA-0805-49E4-BB54-8EE5966929F0.gif


Doesn't read like much of a quandary to me. Heavier gauge for the win.

I love heavy strings (unless I'm slappin' a lot).
 
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#9
If I understood your stint with lighter strings:

-- you put lighter strings, which AUTOMATICALLY lowers your action a bit due to less tension on the neck, so it doesn't bow quite so much

-- And then you lowered it a little more, if I understood, specifically so you would have to play lightly to avoid buzz.

-- edit: and of course tuned down.

If I'm misreading or got confused on the combination of the above points, then I'm sorry - not very awake yet :)

Why would you not just set it up how you normally have it, same resulting string heights, but with lighter strings? you get the easier tension of lighter strings, you get the brighter initial tone of lighter strings which you can darken easily (but you can't brighten darker strings), and you get no more buzzing than you do with heavier strings, and can play with a slightly lighter attack. Specially so when you heard it buzzing in recordings but didn't hear it when playing for months on lighter strings until then... it must be a subtle thing.

Now I'm only concentrating on the buzz - if you simple don't like the brighter tone as much and don't want to adjust your tone controls on amp or di to make it sound fuller, then yea, maybe heavier strings ARE perfect for ya! And that's just fine :) .. I'm just wondering about the lowered action with the lights - that's changing two things in your setup, not one, and it's specifically the lowered action that caused the rattling or buzzing, not the lighter strings for the MOST part.

And, just while on the subject of string rattle, another way to reduce fret buzzing with lighter strings is playing heck core strings - they are stiffer than round core. You may already use hex cores, they are common, but there are some that are specifically stiffer than others such as DR Low Riders. They are fantastic for the setup you were playing when you did the lighter gauge string thing with a lower action, not to mention being wonderful sounding strings. So if you ever DO want to try lighter strings again, consider DR low riders.

anyhow, just my thoughts - glad you are happy with your heavy strings now! :)
 
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#10
michael_t said:
A couple of years ago, I came up with the idea of tuning my Jazz bass in DGCF for when the open low D could be useful for some of the songs we do in church. This is where my obsession with tension numbers came in handy.

My current setup...

Fender P in EADG = GHS Pressurewound L7200 (40-54-76-96) = 147.2 lbs. in total tension.
Fender J in DGCF = GHS Pressurewound M7200 (44-62-84-106) = 148.5 lbs. in total tension.

This allows me to switch back and forth between the two basses with two different tunings without a drastic difference in overall playing feel.
Click to expand...
great post!
 
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#11
Yeah, I find that bass guitar strings/actions are more sensitive than regular electric guitars. Had a band where we did a set in a drop-D tuning where it was straightforward for the guitars but turned the E aka D string into mush on the bass. It's why I took up 5-string, really.
 
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#12
I love light strings with low action. I have found when tuned down a half step, it may be worth raising the action a hair. Or just use a light touch. My problem is; I get wound up, and dig in to hard. Then I get a get some noise off the frets. Funny thing is nobody cares but me.
 
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#16
JW56789 said:
On a five, I've never understood tuning down a step. I'd have left it in regular tuning and played everything one fret South, and the tension would have stayed the same.

What am I missing about this ?
Click to expand...

That was my first question….

It's the wish of the artist. He says there's been confusion from not everyone (guitars, keys, basses) tuning down and then a song comes along that he's feeling a little lower or higher. Suits me, I guess.
 
#17
Geri O said:
And scrolled through how many responses to post this?

No worries. Now back to the "What bass is best for metal" posts….:eyebrow:
Click to expand...

Didn't count, just hit "end", don't always read those "metal" posts but do find it a funny meme.

I'll leave those post, I guess, to others like you?

I'll just add, clarity and conciseness - how I try to play, also (not a shot, just a hopefully useful comment).
 
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