Would lower gauge strings sound as good and improve playability?

[BeyondAntares]

I'm new to bass, having come from playing guitar with light gauges and a light touch when playing. I own a strandberg prog 5 bass and find the D'Addario NYXL 45-130 SL on a 33-35" scale having quite high tension at standard E.

Is this normal or can I go down in gauge to say a D'Aaddario NYXL super light at 90-105 and perhaps have a 110 on for the low G? Or try the Simon Grove method of having a standard 4 string bass set but with a high C with a 32.

 

[Roland GR 88]

FWIW I’ve used light gauge strings for years with many different bands and musical styles. 30-85’s, 35-90’s and currently NYXL 40-95’s. I have a light touch and despite the general consensus that I’m losing tone and punch nobody in 30 years that I’ve played with has ever noticed, cared or so much as commented on my choices.
Light strings make bass notes just like heavier ones. For me it’s about feel and comfort and what I’m used to.
I don’t play a 5er though so getting a light B string to behave well is a story for someone else to tell.

 

[BeyondAntares]

Thanks, that's reassuring.

Sorry about the main post everyone, it should have been D'Addario NYXL 40-95

 

[jimmydean]

Yes , I have even gone as low as 35-85 , well worth it .

 

[michael_t]

Based on my personal experience... Lower gauges = gain in playing comfort with very little loss in tonal quality.

 

[tindrum]

Well it works for Victor Wooten and plenty of other legends.

 

[Killing Floor]

Try it. Nobody knows the best strings for you.

 

[bassbrad]

I used med [45-110] and 'light' [40-105] strings for my early playing and it was no issue as I also doubled on upright and had lots of strength. Eventually I went with lighter strings, my long time faves were GHS Bassics 40-58-80-102. Currently I use D'Addario 35-55-80-100 on my main basses but am considering some of the lighter strings for ease and added dynamics.
When I switched to lighter strings I found a wider range of dynamics and response to playing styles as well as being able to articulate the strings with both hands, they also seem to be more responsive to playing positions, neck to bridge, while still delivering the power and punch I needed.

 

[80jazz]

As a guy who thinks 40-100 is heavy, I'd say go for the lighter gauge.

Depending on the bass, I tend to use 35-90 or 40-95. There are odd occasions I will use 35-95.

 

[edot3021]

Well it works for Victor Wooten and plenty of other legends.

Recently heard an interview where he mentioned having heavy gauge in the studio because he believes it sounds better on a recording, but light gauge live for the efficiency.

 

[Dincrest]

I like D'Addario ProSteels 40-125. Those strings are nicely pliable. The only thing is that I play with a somewhat lighter touch and more dynamics, otherwise that 40 high G gets twangy. Getting different dynamics using the fleshy part of my fingertips vs the tip tips. It also allows me to play more agile passages, allows my right hand technique to relax, and allows my left hand to better control hammer-ons and pull offs. I don't have to clobber on the string to get a big sound or yank on it to get notes to ring out.

(Bear in mind, I used to play in a punk band where I used to dig and clobber on my strings, so I had to learn to play with a lighter, more dynamic touch and now it's habitual. I wouldn't call my touch feather-light, but it's a little lighter than what I used to do).

In my current situation, I play a variety of music from folky stuff to Joe Satriani style rock to alt-metal.

Basically, yeah, you can get a big sound from lighter gauge strings, but you will have to adjust your technique to do so. And your amp's volume and EQ settings.

 

[GeeBass]

I've tried many times over the years to go lighter gauge - but the loss of tone/fullness is always immediately apparent to me.

If lower tension is the goal - you might want to explore round-core roundwounds. That will give you a much more flexible/comfortable feel, even in a heavier gauge like a 45-105 /130.

 

[Discount Bassy]

I started out playing heavy strings. I set up a bass...and gigged it for years...using the BEAD strings from a set of heavy fives on my four string, tuned EADG. Super fat strings. Very high tension. Very unhappy truss rod. It worked. Four lanes of railroad tracks. I liked the sound and I could be super consistent and played it hard, cheap new strings weekly, for years. Then I played a nice bass with lighter gauge strings and low action. I got to test drive it on an open mic stage where the drummer and I backed every player, so a four hour road test. I was faster and not struggling on some stock tracks we'd use to fill time that pressed me previously when pacey. I felt less fatigued. It changed my approach to the instrument.

People make strongth faces when doing delicate things gently using specialized tools.

 

[deepestend]

Yes. Light string gauge still sounds great and it's a lot easier to play.

 

[Grinderman]

Try it. Nobody knows the best strings for you.

Exactly. It depends on who you are, what you do, and how you do it. Improved playability might be achieved with looser/more flexible strings or with tighter/stiffer/less flexible strings.

 

[Rib 13]

Ive played .40s pretty much my entire life with an exception here or there. My attitude is "They are bass strings: they are already BIG! Why make them bigger?"

 

[mambo4]

"Heavy strings= MOAR BASS" is one of the delusions I have over come in my time.
In fact most of the things I once believed were necessary for a good, fat bass tone turned out to be in correct.

 

[logdrum]

Try it. Nobody knows the best strings for you.

Whoa! Usually TI advice would be coming from you
But yeah... it depends. If you give me a bass with light gauge. I compensate by raising the action. I string my guitars with 12-13s if the neck can take it snd I use high tension Savarez for nylon with a wound G and B. But for bass.. I go the middle path but would not mind a heavier G.

I am also not the type of guy who would immediately restring a used nass to my preference. I'll play what's on it for a while.

 

[basmartin]

Don´t know the numbers, but Daddario and other hex core strings, are a little bit stiff compared with round core strings. I´m a big fan of DR Fat Beams which are to my finger at least, much easier to play than same gauge Daddario. Thinner strings tend to sound a little bit more scooped and a bit more treble than thicker ones, in my experience.

 

[svlilioukalani]

Yes, why work harder!!!