String Gauge Questions

[shawshank72]

alright.....
Been reading alot of threads on flats and im getting blurred by all the info.
But some questions.
1. Will a set of say 40-60-80-100 sound the same as a 45-65-85-105 or in the case of more heavier 50-70-90-105?
I find that every manufacturer has their own sizing per set, some are same and some not.
2. What is the difference in say going from a 90 A to a 100 E as opposed to 90-105 or 85-100 or 85-105 and the same in D and G strings?

 

[Richie54]

I just went through this dilemma. I have DR Hi Beams (45-65-85-105) on my Jazz Bass. The action is a little high but very playable. I just picked up a Lakland 44-01 and it played great but the strings were shot. I dumped them (light gauge 45-65-80-100) and put on a set of Fender 7250M 45-65-85-105 on it. Big mistake. It sounded great with the light gauge strings. Now the action is way to high. So I am putting on a set of D'Addario Light gauge XL's (45-65-80-100). Hopefully I'll get the playability back. And guess what I'll be putting in the Jazz Bass.

 

[SilGarzaJr]

Could have tweaked the truss rod just a hair and get it where you had but the tension on the strings would have felt different.

 

[Lo-E]

There are a few different things going on:
The gauges of the strings relative to each other will affect the relative tension - how the strings feel to the player in relationship to each other, and also the relative volume of the strings to each other because of how they react with the pickups.

The relationship of entire string sets relative to each other will probably have a bigger impact on how they feel to you than how they sound, but both will be affected.

The best (and, sadly, most expensive) way to find all this out is through years of trial and error. Every bass plays and sounds a little differently with various string sets, and every player gradually developes his or her preferences. A set of strings you love on one bass might not work out so well on another and then the search is on again!

Best to look at it as an adventure!

 

[shawshank72]

Now that ive been given a few beater basses, was thinking of getting a few different brands and gauges.
Figured i could swap them out between the basses and experiment.

 

[Lo-E]

Not a bad plan. I've been playing almost 30 years and I'm still experimenting with different string sets. It's fun.

 

[backup]

i just changed from lightest gauge fender flats to highest gauge. the difference is really not that big. i prefer the latter because i can't stand stiff but thin high stings. now it's a little better.
i can't tell you about the tone difference yet.
however, the tension increase is really not that bad.
i wouldn't advise mixing gauges because flats are more delicate and that relative tension that has been mentioned before is more crucial than with rounds. imo

 

[Sheffield]

In general: the less tension there is on a string, the greater the degree to which it will emphasize the fundamental versus the overtones.

This means that lighter gauge strings, played with an appropriately light touch, can sound 'deeper' than heavy gauge strings. They're definitely easier for slapping, tapping, etc. as well.

The advantage of heavy strings is that, since there's less string excursion when the string is plucked (owing to the increased tension), the action of your bass can be set lower than you could set it with a lighter gauged set of strings. This is assuming you were to pluck with the same amount of force. 'Sone of the reasons that Gary Willis advocates heavier-gauged strings.