Would lower gauge strings sound as good and improve playability?

[dbsfgyd1]

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.

I'm not engineer, but wouldn't more mass going through the magnetic field from a pickup create a higher output? I'm not talking about tone, I'm asking about gain.

 

[Pilgrim]

For years, my favorite strings have been Labella 760FLs. Those are light gauge strings, .043-.104. The difference in the string gauge seems to be greater in the lower strings, as the .043 isn't very different from many other sets.

I have tried heavier Labella strings and found them very difficult to play. Not higher tension, but the thickness of the strings was apparent and made them significantly harder to pluck.

My experience was that the sound (to my ear) was the same.

 

[Vinny_G]

I'm not engineer, but wouldn't more mass going through the magnetic field from a pickup create a higher output? I'm not talking about tone, I'm asking about gain.

Slightly yes, but I think it's negligible and that the distance of the strings from the pickups is more important. To my ears, the lighter the gauge, the less harmonics there are in the sound (in favor of the fundamental) which can give the impression to some that the note is clearer.

 

[JazznFunk]

I'm not engineer, but wouldn't more mass going through the magnetic field from a pickup create a higher output? I'm not talking about tone, I'm asking about gain.

Perhaps.... but it's negligible, and could probably be compensated for in the setup by raising the pickups a hair, or tweaking EQ. In other words, you should concentrate on how the strings FEEL more than nitpicky differences between 0.95 and 0.100. I can tell you that in the times I used medium strings of the same type versus lights, it never once changed anything in terms of the output of my bass or my gain staging.

 

[JimmyM]

I'm not engineer, but wouldn't more mass going through the magnetic field from a pickup create a higher output? I'm not talking about tone, I'm asking about gain.

Output can be controlled by your amp. And I’ve never noticed any output difference once you get the pickups place correctly under the strings.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

Perhaps.... but it's negligible, and could probably be compensated for in the setup by raising the pickups a hair, or tweaking EQ. In other words, you should concentrate on how the strings FEEL more than nitpicky differences between 0.95 and 0.100. I can tell you that in the times I used medium strings of the same type versus lights, it never once changed anything in terms of the output of my bass or my gain staging.

You added a qualifier, the relationship between the pickups and the strings. Let’s say pickups are at the same hight. The question was a straight up, is there a difference in output.

While we’re are adding qualifiers, let’s say we compared the thinnest possible gauge to the thickest with the pickups at the same hight.

Output can be controlled by your amp. And I’ve never noticed any output difference once you get the pickups place correctly under the strings.

Thanks Jimmy. But what happens if you bass is wide open a your output on your amp is already on “11”. LOL..
‘

 

[80jazz]

Perhaps.... but it's negligible, and could probably be compensated for in the setup by raising the pickups a hair, or tweaking EQ. In other words, you should concentrate on how the strings FEEL more than nitpicky differences between 0.95 and 0.100. I can tell you that in the times I used medium strings of the same type versus lights, it never once changed anything in terms of the output of my bass or my gain staging.

This is why I find it humorous when some say that the difference between .095 and .105 at E is massive.

I suspect this happens based on how the strings feel.

 

[JazznFunk]

You added a qualifier, the relationship between the pickups and the strings. Let’s say pickups are at the same hight. The question was a straight up, is there a difference in output.

I said the difference *could be* made up by changing pickup height if it's something you REALLY THINK YOU HEAR. If you think light gauge strings have a perceptible difference in output, then raising the pickups could restore some of that (perceived) volume loss.

As I stated in the same post, I personally used medium and light gauges of strings of the same brand/type on the same bass with no pickup adjustments and did not have any - repeat ANY - change in output.... or tone. The only difference was in feel.

So don't chirp me about 'adding a qualifier' when you ignored the fact that I addressed my experience with the (non existent) output difference between medium and light gauge strings in my original post. I always have the volume dimed on my basses, and I never noticed a need to pull the volume back, or had the desire to add more volume based on .05 difference of thickness in my strings.

If you wanted to get a little more clinical about it, thicker strings demand more physical effort to play than lighter strings, so you might end up digging in more with heavier gauges than before, which means that dynamically you might be playing louder than you would have with light gauge strings at the same volume settings.... but that's not the string itself causing any notable change in the bass's output (all other things being equal)... that's you working harder.

 

[JimmyM]

You added a qualifier, the relationship between the pickups and the strings. Let’s say pickups are at the same hight. The question was a straight up, is there a difference in output.

While we’re are adding qualifiers, let’s say we compared the thinnest possible gauge to the thickest with the pickups at the same hight.


Thanks Jimmy. But what happens if you bass is wide open a your output on your amp is already on “11”. LOL..
‘

Then you’re either way too loud or you need a bigger amp. The only thing that hot pickups will do is send your amp into overdrive quicker.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

I said the difference *could be* made up by changing pickup height if it's something you REALLY THINK YOU HEAR. If you think light gauge strings have a perceptible difference in output, then raising the pickups could restore some of that (perceived) volume loss.

As I stated in the same post, I personally used medium and light gauges of strings of the same brand/type on the same bass with no pickup adjustments and did not have any - repeat ANY - change in output.... or tone. The only difference was in feel.

So don't chirp me about 'adding a qualifier' when you ignored the fact that I addressed my experience with the (non existent) output difference between medium and light gauge strings in my original post. I always have the volume dimed on my basses, and I never noticed a need to pull the volume back, or had the desire to add more volume based on .05 difference of thickness in my strings.

If you wanted to get a little more clinical about it, thicker strings demand more physical effort to play than lighter strings, so you might end up digging in more with heavier gauges than before, which means that dynamically you might be playing louder than you would have with light gauge strings at the same volume settings.... but that's not the string itself causing any notable change in the bass's output (all other things being equal)... that's you working harder.

Nobody is chirping at you. I can’t help it you decided to take the intent of my inquiry in a different direction. I was just redirecting back to the original question which you could have verily easily answered. It was a yes/ no question.

BTW, I’ve been playing professionally since the late 60s. I also dime my basses as well, since I’m a refugee from the days before FOH support and IEMs and using under powered gear, I still have a heavy hand plucking. To me it doesn’t matter the guage, I just adjust and because I’ve played practically guage of strings from the size of the biggest string on a piano, to a .009 guitar string. Being honest, I’ve never thought about the amount of the “work” based on the size of the string.

One last point, I certainly agree the difference as a human you may not be able to discern a difference, the signal chain certainly may be effected as that becomes an exponential experience proven by 40+ years of studio work.

But to your point, taking a bass and plugging into an amp and let it rip, I certainly agree with you

And in closing sorry if I ruffled feathers. That was not my intent, and I’ve appreciated both your pots. Take care.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

Then you’re either way too loud or you need a bigger amp. The only thing that hot pickups will do is send your amp into overdrive quicker.

Thanks aging Jimmy. Have a good one.

 

[smokerman]

I have a question related to this. I just switched over to bass from guitar a couple months back. I'm having trouble with fret buzz when fretting. I guess you have to press down a bit harder on bass, I'm still not used to that. I have two brand new AM Pro 2 basses, and the setup all looks good, so it's not an equipment problem.
I'm using LaBella DTB Flats on both basses. Would lighter strings help with the buzz? Seems like it would...
Also, doesn't the low E get pretty floppy?

 

[Yahboy]

Light gauge Low tension bass string changing my plucking finger playing skill.
My hand are float across the bass string , no more thumb finger rest on pickups , just lay thumb and palm a little for E A string mute while play on D G string. Improve my index and third finger has better balance plucking output level.

More enjoyment tonal dynamic range on both relax plucking and little dig in playing from neck side to bridge .

 

[smokerman]

Just changed strings on my P bass. Went from LaBella Deep Talking Bass 1954 Original Style Flats .052 - .110, to LaBella Low Tension Flats .042 - .100.

Man, what a world of difference! I don't have to fight, and I'm not clanking and buzzing all over the place anymore.

 

[BeyondAntares]

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?

Sorry, that's a bad typo. It should be the low B. So would a 110 gauge string be ok instead of 130 gauge string?