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String Gauges... do they really matter?

tb-player

tb-player

Why so serious?
Mar 6, 2019
6,714
29,994
East Coast, USA
#1
I have always tended toward nickel strings with lighter gauges. On a 5-string my preference has typically been 120|100|80|65|45. On a 4, I use the same, minus the 120. I usually play D'Addario XL Nickels.

Just recently, I got a deal on some Pure Blues, so I nabbed them. The gauges are 125|105|85|65|45. I had to (barely) adjust the neck on a couple of my basses, but I didn't really notice any relevant differences from a playing or tone perspective. So it got me thinking... do those minor gauge differences really affect my playing?

In another instance, my MTD 535-24 came with MTD-brand nickel strings. The gauges were 45-130. As an experiment, I left them on just to see if they made any significant difference. The feel of the strings was different (that's a brand-thing, I think) and the 130 definitely felt bigger than my normal 120. But after a few minutes of playing, it wasn't a big deal. And the tone sounded like my bass... with a little extra 'boom' on the B.

At the end of the day, I'm not entirely convinced that minor differences in string gauges matter all that much. What has been your experience?
 
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#2
Without getting too far in the (boring) story, I tried lighter gauge strings in 2014. I discovered I can get along quite nicely with .035-.090 sets and have little desire to go past .040-.095.

I do have one bass set up with .040-.100 but the action on it is quite low. I will be restringing my new L-2000 with Stainless RX Labellas in that gauge to see how I like it.

Unless these strings really get my ear (I am not saying they will not, but we will see), I will probably ultimately put .040-.095 on that bass.

I think everyone should try playing around with gauges other than the usual .045-.105. Not everyone will stray from it, but I would not be surprised at some leaving that gauge.
 
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#3
80jazz said:
Without getting too far in the (boring) story, I tried lighter gauge strings in 2014. I discovered I can get along quite nicely with .035-.090 sets and have little desire to go past .040-.095.

I do have one bass set up with .040-.100 but the action on it is quite low. I will be restringing my new L-2000 with Stainless RX Labellas in that gauge to see how I like it.

Unless these strings really get my ear (I am not saying they will not, but we will see), I will probably ultimately put .040-.095 on that bass.

I think everyone should try playing around with gauges other than the usual .045-.105. Not everyone will stray from it, but I would not be surprised at some leaving that gauge.
Click to expand...
I used Fodera 40-95 for about a year. They sounded good, to my ears. They're the strings that made me lean toward super-light gauge strings. They were expensive, but an all around nice string. I went to the D'Addario because, at the time, I had 7 basses and they were much cheaper. The 45-200 sets were close enough. If I'm being honest, making that change didn't really affect my playing or my tone.

I know there are some guys here who know the deep science behind a .05 difference in string gauge. I've just never noticed it.
 
#5
Also, the D'Addario nickels are hex core, and the Pure Blues are round core, so the slightly larger Pure Blues might feel about the same as the slightly smaller D'Addarios.

More variables than just overall string diameter!

But in any case, given different sizes of the same type of string, I can feel a difference between a 40-100 set and a 45-105 set. It's not drastic, but discernible.
 
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#6
trothwell said:
Also, the D'Addario nickels are hex core, and the Pure Blues are round core, so the slightly larger Pure Blues might feel about the same as the slightly smaller D'Addarios.

More variables than just overall string diameter!

But in any case, given different sizes of the same type of string, I can feel a difference between a 40-100 set and a 45-105 set. It's not drastic, but discernible.
Click to expand...
Wow. This is interesting. I really don’t know much about strings. I’ll spend the next half-hour googling hex vs round core bass strings… lol
 
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#8
tb-player said:
Wow. This is interesting. I really don’t know much about strings. I’ll spend the next half-hour googling hex vs round core bass strings… lol
Click to expand...
On top of round vs hex core there is core size vs. wrap wire. Its getting way out in the weeds but It’s possible for different models and/or brands of a .45 string to all have different size cores and then different sized wraps, resulting in a different number of wrap layers. The old DR Jonas Hellborg models were wound so that they only had one wrap layer. That would change things like flexibility of the string, the strength of the overtones it produces, how slick or rough it feels. There’s a lot of variables, how much you care is up to you. Over the years through trial and error I’ve discovered I like the feel of thinner cored light gauge strings because I like their flexibility. I also know that the only two brands I like are DR (just the round cores) and LaBella tape wounds. Trial and error got me there as my playing style has evolved and refined. Ultimately though, that’s just my preference. If I absolutely had to restring with D’addarios or boomers or something I really wouldn’t be too stressed about it. It’s like I can drive any car you put me in, but I prefer mine. It just feels right and I know how it’s gonna react.
 
#9
Gauge can be subtle. In your example all the strings were pretty close. So you might notice it more next time you switch back to the smaller gauge. Or maybe not. I notice tension more. I notice the difference between LaBella DTF and TI Jazz Flats but I think it’s the tension.

Now for a derail, I play 9s on my guitars and I can definitely feel a difference if I try 8s or 10s. But that’s more big bends, I don’t notice it much when chording.

So I suppose I’m saying the gauge and the tension and even the surface feel of the strings change how you perceive them. So try as many types as you can until you find your favorite.
 
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#10
I'm very picky when it comes to how a set of strings FEEL in terms of stiffness/flexibility. I want them to be comfortable (= not too stiff) for the left hand (fretting) but at the same time firm enough (= not too floppy) for the right hand (plucking). Achieving that fine balance means experimenting with different gauges according to the type/material/construction of any give string.

So, yes, string gauges DO matter to me as well as the string type, material and construction.
 
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#11
I have had wrist issues (not from playing, but it still interacts). Given that, I'm really sensitive to tension and feel. I also like some clank in my sound. My basses wear really light gauges (35-50-70-95-130), which works - my hands are OK, and I get my sound. Heavier strings simply don't work for me.
 
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#13
I used to use various guages in the 1980's. There is a depth that a larger string brings to the table that lighter strings can't (in my 42 years of experience). I have been using 40-60-80-100 for about 30 years now. Sometimes I will have a Precision strung up with
45-65-85-105 however, when I do I make sure there tension is a lower tension string (DR Hi Beams).

For me regardless of string guage, I am more interested in playing strings with less tension, again DR Hi Beams and or a few other brands.
 
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#14
String gauges don't matter much for players who can minutely calibrate their attack for a given string gauge. I am not one of those players, so I stick to roughly 45-105 for all strings, and generally go for moderately stiff varieties. I have a strong left hand from playing baritone guitar, but as someone who started on guitar, I fight a tendency toward string throttling. My right hand is often hanging on for dear life, so I like a string that will stay put for plucking/ picking. Right now, I'm playing 45-105 gauge in Dunlop Flats, GHS Precision Flats, and GHS Boomers.

I do notice a slightly constricted sound while playing huge string gauges of any variety. This can be a plus or minus depending on your intent.
 
#16
Light gauge is where it's at for me in terms of playing comfort for both my hands.
I went from the ubiquitous 45-105 to 50-110 initially, and didn't love the feel. The strings felt too 'wide' for my fingertips to fret and the stiffness made me pluck harder than I am comfortable.
So went back to 45-105 for a while and that felt ok but sort of meh.
One day I decided to go for 40-95 and my comfort improved right away...I could fret and pluck lighter, with less "strain" over time, i.e. I can play comfortably for longer.
I will give 35-90 a try soon.
 
#17
tb-player said:
At the end of the day, I'm not entirely convinced that minor differences in string gauges matter all that much. What has been your experience?
Click to expand...

I've been saying this for a while. Gauge is an important component and a useful reference guide, but it's not the end all, be all.
 
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#20
I tend to "dig in" occasionally when I play, so I like strings with a little more heft and balance. I am currently using the D'Addario EXL170BT 45-107 with a 130 (tuned up to C) for my gig set. To me, they are just right.
 

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