Will a 50-105 help making the G not sound so thin?

[Aeolian]

Hello!

D´addario have a string set called exl160 set with 50-105 string gauge.

I now use xl165 (45-105) strings and I wish that a the D and G would be a little fatter sounding on my P bass. I tend to use E and A sting a lot, D string is "ok" but the G string only is for faster licks that does not require bass fundamentals..

Will a set of 50-105 make the G and D sound noticeably fuller or is it a small difference?
Tension is not a big issue for me, I don't do slapping.. sound is more important.

I can also say that i have tried experimenting with pickup height already.

 

[bearfoot]

Yes, a heavier string should sound like it has more fundamental. Your G string will be a LOT tighter than the E and A strings, but that is fairly common in bass string sets.

But changing string brands or type might be a better approach. I think a roundwound G string is always going to sound zingier no matter what you do.

 

[Solarmist]

Yes, a heavier string should sound like it has more fundamental. Your G string will be a LOT tighter than the E and A strings, but that is fairly common in bass string sets.

But changing string brands or type might be a better approach. I think a roundwound G string is always going to sound zingier no matter what you do.

I agree - the G will be way too tight, and moving to a different type of string would be far more helpful. D'Add half-rounds or Chromes might be a better choice.

I have one of my basses tuned to D standard using a 50-70-90-110 set.

 

[bearfoot]

Yeah, or if the .50 G works, match it to a .135T E-string!! which would be equal tension

 

[Jay2U]

Thin tone does not equal thin string. Thinner strings tend to produce less harmonics, so more of the fundamental tone can be heard. My recipe for a fatter tone is to strum closer to the neck.

 

[michael_t]

Will a set of 50-105 make the G and D sound noticeably fuller or is it a small difference?

An increase in size would possibly result in more punch and definition as a result of the increased tension. But it's debatable whether a larger gauge will result in a "fatter" tone.

 

[Aeolian]

Thin tone does not equal thin string. Thinner strings tend to produce less harmonics, so more of the fundamental tone can be heard. My recipe for a fatter tone is to strum closer to the neck.

I quite often find myself using the end of the neck as my thumbrest live, just to get a more fat and even tone.

 

[Jay2U]

I quite often find myself using the end of the neck as my thumbrest live, just to get a more fat and even tone.

I've got a BEAD strung Ibby. I'm used to strum the B string closer to the bridge to match the tone of the other strings.

 

[Aeolian]

An increase in size would possibly result in more punch and definition as a result of the increased tension. But it's debatable whether a larger gauge will result in a "fatter" tone.

You and others seem to think that a thicker string might not be the answer.. Someone suggested flats. I already have chromes on another bass and it has more even tone but also another sound. Flats are awesome but maby not on every bass I have..

Maby I just should not think so much and just play and continue to use E and A string live to be able to hold down The fundamentals

 

[Linnin]

Will a set of 50-105 make the G and D sound noticeably fuller or is it a small difference?
Tension is not a big issue for me, I don't do slapping.. sound is more important.

I like a heavier set, especially the G. I have a bass with Fender 9050M Flats with a 55 G. It sure is beefy, but it is also high tension city. A thicker core, such as that used by GHS, is also good for fatter tone. Bass Boomers are legendary for serious bottom and low mid growl in a NPS roundwound. Their heavy 50-115 might just be the set for you.

But it's debatable whether a larger gauge will result in a "fatter" tone.

It's well known I prefer a heavier string. Let me add that for fat tone you also need a fat amp and EQ settings.

 

[michael_t]

You and others seem to think that a thicker string might not be the answer..

Not quite sure for myself yet...

I'm in the process of downsizing. I've just ordered a set with a 40G for the first time in a couple of years after consistently using 44's and 45's. Just curious to see if my tone will get "skinnier" as a result. We'll see...

 

[mexicanyella]

I had a zingy bright annoying G with Dunlop Nickel 45-105 on my Squier P. After the strings got old I liked the tone of the E, A and D. So I figured maybe that was a sign that I ought to try some flats. I put a set of 40-100 D’Addario chromes on it and started EQing to emphasize 1-2 kHz and rolling off above 4 kHz. Sounded kind of weird solo but man, did it sit in the mix better with crunchy guitar. Later it occurred to me that the G string sounded nice and round and warm afterwards too. Not sure how much of that came from the strings, the subsequent EQ adjustments or unconscious playing technique adjustments to suit, though.

 

[2F/2F]

With a P Bass pickup, a lot of this can be adjusted for. Have you made adjustments to your pickup coils yet? And do you have them tilted for good string-to-string volume balance?

 

[bombpop14]

Have you tried a compressor?

 

[fretlessbass]

I always use 50-105 string sets; I just greatly prefer the feel of thicker strings.
However, I don't think it necessarily sounds fatter than a .45; I generally play in a higher position wherever that is a concern.
And, as others mentioned, playing closer to the neck can make a big difference.
BTW: I have noticed that the G string sounds significantly fatter on reverse P pickups, probably because the poles for the D and G strings are closer to the neck.

 

[BassikBrad]

Hello!

D´addario have a string set called exl160 set with 50-105 string gauge.

I now use xl165 (45-105) strings and I wish that a the D and G would be a little fatter sounding on my P bass. I tend to use E and A sting a lot, D string is "ok" but the G string only is for faster licks that does not require bass fundamentals..

Will a set of 50-105 make the G and D sound noticeably fuller or is it a small difference?
Tension is not a big issue for me, I don't do slapping.. sound is more important.

I can also say that i have tried experimenting with pickup height already.

I agree, in fact I have been complaining about thin,tinny D & G for 30 years, but no one listens &
since all the big names like to do this bright slapping stuff the string makers listen to them.
The problem with thicker strings is that the tension is too much & slappers don't like that.

 

[Kerem Koseoglu]

If the weakness of the string is due to wood density cancelling out certain frequencies, you might be in trouble. Other than that; thicker strings might help. Boosting certain frequencies (EQ) targeting the G string might help too.

 

[/\/\3phist0]

Hello!

D´addario have a string set called exl160 set with 50-105 string gauge.

I now use xl165 (45-105) strings and I wish that a the D and G would be a little fatter sounding on my P bass. I tend to use E and A sting a lot, D string is "ok" but the G string only is for faster licks that does not require bass fundamentals..

Will a set of 50-105 make the G and D sound noticeably fuller or is it a small difference?
Tension is not a big issue for me, I don't do slapping.. sound is more important.

I can also say that i have tried experimenting with pickup height already.

Not sure guage is the answer, EQ and technique play a large role, so does the amp/cab to getting a fat G.
I have a suggestion, dim the tweeter, roll back the highs a bit , accent the mids.
You tried flats, I suggest trying EB Cobalt flats, sound close to a round and have strong mids, the DG strings have more presance , a better balance with the rest of the set.

Another afterthought, raise the action on the DG a bit, you may be losing some of the energy amplitude of the string vibration being lost to touching the frets.
Also be sure the pickups are not too close, the magnets Rob energy from the string too.

 

[JW56789]

To spend a little time on adjusting your P-Bass pickup, a few thoughts:

-Of course, a lot of this is dependent on your amp settings and the room (!)

-Be sure you have a proper setup: Neck relief, string height over the last fret, everything squared up

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. . . . which need to be done with a NEW set of strings only. Right now this could be down to a dud D and/or G. New strings will eliminate this variable.

-As the Fender Guide shows, a properly adjusted P Bass pickup will be arched somewhat like the roof on a house.
In other words, to follow the strings which have been adjusted at the bridge saddles to follow the curve of the fingerboard, the pickups will be higher in the middle at the split than the 'outside' ends under the E and G, though probably the D/G half may run just a hair closer to make up for the smaller strings relative to the E/A. When I do a Fender P, I use those measurements on the D and A, then raise/lower the other side of each half where it's the same number, to have an equal clearance under each string as a starting point: Then I listen and see if I think it needs changing, and if any additional fiddling with the heights make the difference I'm looking for.

That's your starting point, and some small adjustments (probably lowering the E/A) may get you there.

But do this when you change strings, I would not trust the heard results with strings with lots of miles on them.

I used to try bigger D's and G's, and ultimately I just didn't hear enough difference to continue doing it.

 

[Outbush]

I have a humbucker with a lead and plug coming straight out of it & I can move it around on the bass and fasten it reasonably well with old shoe laces. It gets its best sounds around the P position but angles at about 20-25 degrees with the E towards the bridge and the G towards the neck. This confirmed to me why I like a reverse P with the D & G closer to the neck which evens out the zing considerably. My opinion anyway.

I’d fiddle with the pickup heights first but if there is no joy there, I’d wonder if you could mix flat strings on the D&G with rounds on the E & A? Or is that just likely to feel too odd...