I read through the appropriate info in the FAQ but didn't feel satisfied with the information. What I'd like to know is what kind of differences I will notice, particularly in sound, if I go lighter in gauge. The information I saw basically said you sacrifice tone for playability.... but what exactly does that mean? Tones change, but what does it sound like when you're "sacrificing" tone? Are lighter gauge strings brighter sounding?
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String Gauge Question
- Thread starter Reflective
- Start date
I will answer the same way JimmyM told it to me.
Can you listen to a cd or live concert and tell me what size strings the bass player is using?
Answer will be no you cant.
In my experience its all playability.
I sounded the same with heavy or light but since im a heavy handed pick player i need heavier gauge.
Can you listen to a cd or live concert and tell me what size strings the bass player is using?
Answer will be no you cant.
In my experience its all playability.
I sounded the same with heavy or light but since im a heavy handed pick player i need heavier gauge.
agree
There will be a difference, but whether or not you're "sacrificing" anything is debatable. You tend to get more fundamental and low end with lighter strings. With heavy gauged strings (heavier than 45-105) you get more harmonic richness and less fundamental but they don't necessarily sound "bigger" than the light strings. Punchier perhaps but not bigger. If you were to go from a heavy set to a medium or lighter set you'd probably notice a slight difference but chances are if you go from a medium gauge to even lighter you won't notice as much of a difference there. But as was said, YOU might notice something, but chances are the listener won't.
Me again....
This is a video of a fellow tber using TI flats which are some of the lightest strings you will find.
Use some headphones, they sound huge.
This is a video of a fellow tber using TI flats which are some of the lightest strings you will find.
Use some headphones, they sound huge.
Light tension wise, but not gauge wise. You can buy any string in the same gauges as TI.
For me definetively, YES.
If you win in playability go for it. There´s some good bass players such Tony Levin, Dough Wimbish, Victor Wooten,... that they strung their basses with lighter gauges. And check by your self that each one has his owner bass sound.
- Aug 5, 2005
- 7,243
- 92
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: J.C. Basses
Assuming all things equal except for string gauge, higher gauge means higher tension, which in turn means a stiffer string a greater percentage of the plucked energy is put into higher-order harmonics. Tone-wise, this means that strings with higher tension will be brighter, while those with lower tension will have better bass/low-mid presence.
Playability changes as well - lower gauge strings are more flexible and easier to fret, but it's also easier to get fret buzz, leading to higher action or learning to play with a lighter touch. Higher gauge strings are less flexible and harder to fret, but also make it harder to produce fret buzz, leading to a lower action and no change in finger/pick attack. My description really makes the difference sound much greater than it really is (unless you're comparing dental floss and steel rebar).
All that being said, gauge more of a guideline between manufacturers and not quite as descriptive as one would hope. Because of various construction techniques and materials used, you can find a .100 from one manufacturer that has greater tension and/or is more stiff than a .105 from another manufacturer.
Playability changes as well - lower gauge strings are more flexible and easier to fret, but it's also easier to get fret buzz, leading to higher action or learning to play with a lighter touch. Higher gauge strings are less flexible and harder to fret, but also make it harder to produce fret buzz, leading to a lower action and no change in finger/pick attack. My description really makes the difference sound much greater than it really is (unless you're comparing dental floss and steel rebar).
All that being said, gauge more of a guideline between manufacturers and not quite as descriptive as one would hope. Because of various construction techniques and materials used, you can find a .100 from one manufacturer that has greater tension and/or is more stiff than a .105 from another manufacturer.
