Would lower gauge strings sound as good and improve playability?

[micguy]

I've used 40-55-70-95-130 for a few years now. My tone has more "twang" and "snarl" than if i use heavier gauge strings - that's a good thing - they are more expressive when you dig in. Nobody has ever complained that my basses lack low end - no problems on any front, and your neck will thank you - less torque means your neck will be more stable.

 

[Gizmot]

I think there is a small difference in the sound of fatter, larger gauge strings. You can probably close that gap with a couple of EQ tweaks, so it’s not a big deal

 

[Rolling Thunder]

Different may not be "as good" to your ears. Playability will change because tensions will change. Give it try, maybe it works and maybe it doesn't.

 

[Turnaround]

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.

I don't understand how you are tuning. You say "Standard E" but also ask about using a 110 string for "low G". Where is there a low G in standard E tuning?

 

[80jazz]

Nobody has ever complained that my basses lack low end - no problems on any front, and your neck will thank you - less torque means your neck will be more stable.

This is a massive secret benefit to lighter strings.

It also means you don't have to work as hard.

 

[P. Aaron]

Now that both basses are strung with relatively new EBCobalt Flats, TB'ers have me thinking of spending money on more experiments.

 

[bass12]

I switched from 45-125 to 40-120 on my main basses several years ago (DR Hi-Beams and DR Pure Blues). I was kind of expecting to find that there was a loss in perceivable bass/low mids but I didn’t find that to be the case at all. Blues, soul, reggae - it all sounds just as good to me with the lighter gauge as with the heavier. And for any slap I do I much prefer the lighter gauge.

 

[Lackey]

Go light, go light, go light... also, go balanced tension. Get some Kaliums as a starting point would be my rec.

 

[JimmyM]

If Dunlop made Super Bright Nickels in a 35-95, I’d switch from 40-95, and they’re very low tension as it is. I work hard enough without the bass fighting me. Low tension, thin gauges and low action…that’s my thang.

 

[pcake]

i've played extra lights (well, i ultimately settled on d'addario super light nickels) for decades, and since i started using lighter gauge strings, i stopped having hand pain so i can play longer. my basses sound great, lots of low end. it's poss8ible my basses are a tad quieter with lighter gauge strings, but all my amps have had volume and gain knobs.

btw, depending on the bass, i use balanced tension strings on some but not others.

 

[antfarm]

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?

Low G? How is your bass tuned?

 

[Gigas444]

it's all about feel and it depends by your touch, a lighter gauge could be awful in my hands and awesome in yours (and visa versa), you just got to try, but like someone said before in this thread play for a while with each set you put on bass so you can have your own idea

 

[Vinny_G]

 

[Zooberwerx]

Now that both basses are strung with relatively new EBCobalt Flats, TB'ers have me thinking of spending money on more experiments.

I replaced my Cobalt Flat 45 & 65 with 40 & 60 (5 string set)...big improvement. Problem: can't buy the singles anymore! Next go-round I'm going with 40-95 and adding a spare 130 B stashed away.

Riis

 

[dbsfgyd1]

Try it. Nobody knows the best strings for you.

Absolutely. Strings are not lifetime commitments.

 

[80jazz]

If Dunlop made Super Bright Nickels in a 35-95, I’d switch from 40-95, and they’re very low tension as it is. I work hard enough without the bass fighting me. Low tension, thin gauges and low action…that’s my thang.

This post is why I suspect that if all bassists went on a string gauge quest, I suspect 45-105 would see a drop in sales. (I am not suggesting everyone would quit using them. You may be able to interpret this as 40-95 may see a bump in sales. I bet 40-100 would.)

 

[JimmyM]

This post is why I suspect that if all bassists went on a string gauge quest, I suspect 45-105 would see a drop in sales. (I am not suggesting everyone would quit using them. You may be able to interpret this as 40-95 may see a bump in sales. I bet 40-100 would.)

You could be right, but I know a lot who have no use for anything that light, too. Me, as soon as I discovered lights, I stuck with them for the most part.

 

[JazznFunk]

Yes. Lighter gauge strings in many cases give you a clearer overall tone, afford more dynamics depending on touch, and in some cases can help a bass 'speak' and feel better. A lot depends on the bass, and a lot depends on the player. I have always used light gauge strings as a general rule, regardless of core type. Hex core feel stiffer in general, while round core in general feel looser and more pliable. I've settled in the last few years on DR Sunbeams in a light gauge (round core), but also have some Lakland/GHS Custom Wounds in a light gauge that are hex core. I've never bought into the myth that heavier strings make a bass sound 'bigger'.... a lesson I learned to a major degree on double bass. There are some bodybuilders in the double bass world who swear by the heaviest, stiffest gauge steel strings imaginable... but those choked the life out of my bass and make it a chore to play. I switched to lighter steel strings (braided core), and then for the past 18 years or so I've played nothing but synthetic core strings of some sort. Lighter tension strings sound and feel better and don't rip my hands up after a 3 hour set. That's true on electric or double bass.

 

[80jazz]

You could be right, but I know a lot who have no use for anything that light, too. Me, as soon as I discovered lights, I stuck with them for the most part.

Those players are tougher than me.

 

[salmon256]

I mean, maybe way back in the day there was a noticeable tone difference, but today I can assure you with my heavier gauge I tried once and lighter on my jazz bass I heard zero difference, maybe the heavier was a bit slight, like nanometer slightly boom-ish but not enough to really care. Use light, I love using light if I was to use heavy I would never be able to play personally. Also with all our amp and pedal tech, VST etc we are only getting better and can overcome things like string gauge and make them pure comfort, which they pretty much are now!