like when you get a new set, sometimes you get a set that has a weak D&G?
How often do you change your strings?
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What would i gain or lose??
- Thread starter bogie1519
- Start date
How often do you change your strings?
JeezyMcNuggles
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- Feb 23, 2018
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I play mediums. Medium, not medium light. 105 - 55. Tension, feel, stout yet flexible, and tone for days.
I use very light gauges because you can dig in and get that sound without as much force. You may have to turn your volume control up half a click.
Agree. I've gradually reduced the gauges of my string sets where lighter gauges were available, and I didn't experience any loss of tone either I, or anybody I play with, could hear.
About the only difference I found was that the lighter gauges had a touch more punch on tap. I'm guessing that the small reduction in tension and inertia made it quicker and easier to get the strings moving with greater excursion using the same plucking force I'd normally use on heavier gauges. But that's just a guess.
BTW, [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] can do up custom string sets with any selection of gauges you want from .025 to .145. A 4-string set of nickel wounds goes for a very reasonable $30. So if you have something very specific in mind in terms of gauges, it might be worth checking them out.
Disclaimer: I'm in no way affiliated with Stringjoy.
I don't think you lose anything with lighter gauges if you like lighter gauges and you are dialed in to playing with light strings. Muting without fretting requires a light touch, but that's what I was shooting for. Pickup height does need to be right.
I'm running .080 or .085 to .030 or .032 on my four strings. E-G. Basically, your regular A-C strings, set up as E-G.
Super light, great set ups and easy playing. Less wear and tear on the fingers and hands.
I'm fine tuning things as to exact numbers, but happy with where it's going. The D'Addario super light .035 XL's are a good set, and the GHS Boomer .030 are also very nice.
A little heavier for longscales like 35" or more and lighter for medium scale.
I'm running .080 or .085 to .030 or .032 on my four strings. E-G. Basically, your regular A-C strings, set up as E-G.
Super light, great set ups and easy playing. Less wear and tear on the fingers and hands.
I'm fine tuning things as to exact numbers, but happy with where it's going. The D'Addario super light .035 XL's are a good set, and the GHS Boomer .030 are also very nice.
A little heavier for longscales like 35" or more and lighter for medium scale.
Why do you need the pickup specs?
Just raise the pickups on the D and G string side until it sounds good to you and the D and G string balance well with the E and A string, measurements in setup guides are only general guidelines for a starting point, not something that will will work in every context, regardless of the specific bass, regardless of whichever strings are installed on it, and regardless of the individual person's personal preferences.
Use your ears and common sense and you can't go wrong.
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The strings you are currently using are VERY light and most people prefer heavier gauges but there's only one way you will find out what's best for YOU. Maybe try the 45-100 set with the same type of strings? This would still be considered pretty light. I wouldn't go heavier than that at first.
Different types of strings may have a very different perceived stiffness (and tone of course!) so unless you're not happy with the D'Addario nickels I would recommend staying with them for now but try a slightly heavier gauge. This will give you a much better idea of how gauge can affect your playing and tone. If you move to a completely different type of strings there will be far more variables involved and you may not get the answers you are looking for. Of course it may turn out GREAT but you won't really know if it's because of the gauge or because you like another type of string better.
If you end up liking the slightly heavier gauge D'Addario nickels... well, then you've got your answer and THAT would be a better starting point to explore other types of strings IMO. Plus the D'Addarion nickels are reasonably cheap compared to many other strings so you won't waste too much money if you don't like the heavier gauge set.
Just be aware that changing to a heavier gauge will probably require you to tighten the truss rod a little bit. If not you will most likely end up with more relief in your neck, giving you slightly higher action and worse playability. Adusting the truss rod is easy but you need to know what you're doing to avoid any damage to your neck. There are lots of tutorials online. You should be able to do this yourself but make sure you REALLY understand how it's done. Going from Super Light to Light will only require very little adjustment, probably less than a quarter turn of tightening.
Different types of strings may have a very different perceived stiffness (and tone of course!) so unless you're not happy with the D'Addario nickels I would recommend staying with them for now but try a slightly heavier gauge. This will give you a much better idea of how gauge can affect your playing and tone. If you move to a completely different type of strings there will be far more variables involved and you may not get the answers you are looking for. Of course it may turn out GREAT but you won't really know if it's because of the gauge or because you like another type of string better.
If you end up liking the slightly heavier gauge D'Addario nickels... well, then you've got your answer and THAT would be a better starting point to explore other types of strings IMO. Plus the D'Addarion nickels are reasonably cheap compared to many other strings so you won't waste too much money if you don't like the heavier gauge set.
Just be aware that changing to a heavier gauge will probably require you to tighten the truss rod a little bit. If not you will most likely end up with more relief in your neck, giving you slightly higher action and worse playability. Adusting the truss rod is easy but you need to know what you're doing to avoid any damage to your neck. There are lots of tutorials online. You should be able to do this yourself but make sure you REALLY understand how it's done. Going from Super Light to Light will only require very little adjustment, probably less than a quarter turn of tightening.
Di you dig in? Like to bend strings? Do you like the more relaxed mids and highs of a lower tension string? How aggressive is your right hand? For those with a light touch, lighter strings put less wear and tear on the muscles and tendons. Those of us with a heavier touch should probably get a lighter touch, but habits die hard.
I just bumped my string gauge up a notch to 45-105 on all of my basses, and I like it. As a former guitar player, my picking/plucking hand is the weakest part of my game, and I've found it much easier to be consistent with heavier strings. Also, I hate the occasional feeling of chasing strings around the neck when I use thinner strings. As strings go from lighter to heavier, the low end tightens up, and the high harmonics can get zingier, but you mainly notice that at the extremes of the spectrum.
I just bumped my string gauge up a notch to 45-105 on all of my basses, and I like it. As a former guitar player, my picking/plucking hand is the weakest part of my game, and I've found it much easier to be consistent with heavier strings. Also, I hate the occasional feeling of chasing strings around the neck when I use thinner strings. As strings go from lighter to heavier, the low end tightens up, and the high harmonics can get zingier, but you mainly notice that at the extremes of the spectrum.
my use of heavy gauge strings is, at least in part, based on an interview I read as a new player in which Billy Sheehan jokingly called Jeff Berlin a "jazz weenie" for using light strings. I find very little tonal differences between different gauges. Worst that happens is you don't like them.
