Generally speaking do larger gauge strings (larger diameter) have a deeper sound or brighter
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String gauge
- Thread starter Don Sanders
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Generally speaking I'd say no on a gauge correlation. Round vs. flatwound and nickel plated, pickups, and EQ have a lot more to do with it.
But with all those things being equal with using the same string type, pickups and EQ what would be your answer
A thin string is definitely twangy, compare 10th fret G on the A string vs. an open G string. In this case you could say the G string is brighter, A string deeper, to use your terms.
If you're looking to buy a new set of strings, I'd choose based on string tension or feel that you like. I personally don't like very heavy gauge strings or high tension, so I choose medium gauge rounds or flats or whatever I'm after.
+1
I choose the string type for how I want them to sound and choose the gauges according to how I want them to feel.
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All things being equal doesn’t apply.
Each string set is different. The choice of alloys, winding patterns, number of wraps, individual wire gauges of the sub wraps, and many other parameters all have an effect on the tone.
String gauge itself is more a side effect.
All else equal (as much as it can be), including the string product line used and the pitch tuned to, it's not straightforward.
A larger gauge is stiffer, more stiffness darkens the tone. However, it also has higher tension, more tension brightens the tone. 2 things working in opposite directions.
A larger gauge is stiffer, more stiffness darkens the tone. However, it also has higher tension, more tension brightens the tone. 2 things working in opposite directions.
Apples and oranges. You've not zeroed in on the gauge variable with the comparison you propose, anything but.
10th fret G on the A string has a much shorter vibrating length, so that string, regardless of gauge (well, not really), is expected to behave less as an ideally elastic body and more like a solid bar, ergo more inharmonicity and less upper harmonics.
Also, on a common electric bass with magnetic pickups, your 10th fret G has the pickup way closer to the center of the vibrating section of the string than open G string: it's only natural that more fundamental, relative to the upper harmonics, will be picked up. The latter point equates to less brightness in relative but also absolute, if physiological, terms: (past the natural low-end roll-off point of the human ear,) lows mask highs more easily than the opposite happens.
The barely* meaningful way to compare gauge to gauge is to tune the strings you're examining (hopefully of same make and product line) to the same note at the same scale, through the same signal chain (exact same pickups/electronics, at the bare minimum: in practice, have the strings on the same instrument side by side).
* (considering that possible differences in internal construction of the strings beyond proportional scaleup, such as a jump in core-to-wrap ratio, would still be unknown in such a crude comparison)
In general given the same type smaller gauges give you more snap and high end. As the gauge increases you get more fundamental and at the extreme thick gauge they get a bit Clangy.
Typically I use 40-100 for slap and 45-105 for a meatier sound for finger style.
Also tension increases as you go up in gauge.
Typically I use 40-100 for slap and 45-105 for a meatier sound for finger style.
Also tension increases as you go up in gauge.
