arabassist Posted November 30, 2011 Share Posted November 30, 2011 Hello all, I haven't been playing the bass in a long while, I started to play again and I've realised how light my strings feel. They're coated Warwick EMP strings, not sure on the gauge but I think they are 40-100, but nonetheless they feel light to me and the sound of the D and G strings just feel a bit empty compared to E and A. When i pick up a stock Squier jazz the strings feel a bit thicker and the sound is more full. I'm thinking of moving up to thicker strings for a bit more fat sound, but I'm not sure by how much. Would 45-105 make a big difference or should I go for 50-110. I've been using the same strings for a long time so I don't have a point of reference to compare to easily. Anybody got any clue or had experiences with changing gauges much? Or is it one of those things people overlook? Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skidder652003 Posted November 30, 2011 Share Posted November 30, 2011 45-105 should be fine. I found 50-110's a bit too heavy if theres any widdly involved! these are a good bet just to try em out as they're only £7.95 a set! [url="http://www.stringsdirect.co.uk/products/597-legacy_4_string_nickel_bass_strings_40_100_45_105"]http://www.stringsdirect.co.uk/products/597-legacy_4_string_nickel_bass_strings_40_100_45_105[/url]_ i use em for gigging and in my shoddy rock band they're fine.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted November 30, 2011 Share Posted November 30, 2011 I use heavy gauge 50 - 110s, and whenever I buy a bass, it is invariably strung with regular gauge, 45 - 105. I really notice the difference in the amount of bottom end that just isn`t there with the regular gauge. Some might say that it`s all in the mind, but when I took one of my Precisions to band practice, with regulars on, my bandmates all enquired why I`d changed my settings, and could I change them back, as the big bottom end wasn`t there with the new settings. Give it a go. If you don`t like them, sell them on here. I`ve done this a few times, just make it clear how long they were on the bass for, and price them fairly. You`ll lose a few quid, but not the whole lot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
algmusic Posted November 30, 2011 Share Posted November 30, 2011 [quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1322693715' post='1454731'] I use heavy gauge 50 - 110s, and whenever I buy a bass, it is invariably strung with regular gauge, 45 - 105. I really notice the difference in the amount of bottom end that just isn`t there with the regular gauge. Some might say that it`s all in the mind, but when I took one of my Precisions to band practice, with regulars on, my bandmates all enquired why I`d changed my settings, and could I change them back, as the big bottom end wasn`t there with the new settings. Give it a go. If you don`t like them, sell them on here. I`ve done this a few times, just make it clear how long they were on the bass for, and price them fairly. You`ll lose a few quid, but not the whole lot. [/quote] +1 I went to the 50's it was good the 55's ain't bad either Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul_C Posted December 1, 2011 Share Posted December 1, 2011 I use 50 - 110 on my basses . . . . . but tuned BEAD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arabassist Posted December 1, 2011 Author Share Posted December 1, 2011 Thanks guys for the info. Paul_C do you tune it down for personal preference or do is it hard to do EADG on thick strings? Skidder, those are really cheap so I might get them, even though I was intending on getting coated strings again - my fingers really destroy strings, even 'durable' ones like ernie ball Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve-bbb Posted December 1, 2011 Share Posted December 1, 2011 55 ???? bejeebus ive gone all dizzy at the thought i use 45s on a 34 and 35 scale length and both sound fine in the bottom end although i do agree the G can sound a bit puny but in mycase that may be cos i should spend a bit more time and adjust the pickup a tadge at that end Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul_C Posted December 1, 2011 Share Posted December 1, 2011 personal preference for me - I used 30-90s for EADG but wanted the low B without the weight and hassle of a five string. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arabassist Posted December 2, 2011 Author Share Posted December 2, 2011 [quote name='Paul_C' timestamp='1322779610' post='1455936'] personal preference for me - I used 30-90s for EADG but wanted the low B without the weight and hassle of a five string. [/quote] Bloody hell mate, do you pick very lightly? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat Burrito Posted December 2, 2011 Share Posted December 2, 2011 I used to use 40-100 but over the last few years I've opted either 55-115 or 50-110. Nothing a bit of practice won't allow you to adjust towards and a definite improvement. I'd imagine much harder for the really showy playing but great for general usage Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bremen Posted December 2, 2011 Share Posted December 2, 2011 How significant is the extra tension on the neck? I'm frightened of truss rods...what could go wrong? I like the idea of 50-110; I hate the sound of a weedy G string. If I'm allowed to say that here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arabassist Posted December 2, 2011 Author Share Posted December 2, 2011 [quote name='bremen' timestamp='1322818813' post='1456107'] How significant is the extra tension on the neck? I'm frightened of truss rods...what could go wrong? I like the idea of 50-110; I hate the sound of a weedy G string. If I'm allowed to say that here. [/quote] No I don't blame you - my G string sounds like a nylon thread being plucked on an acoustic guitar eurghhh *shudders* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted December 2, 2011 Share Posted December 2, 2011 [quote name='bremen' timestamp='1322818813' post='1456107'] How significant is the extra tension on the neck? I'm frightened of truss rods...what could go wrong? I like the idea of 50-110; I hate the sound of a weedy G string. If I'm allowed to say that here. [/quote] I suppose it depends on the brand you use, but a quarter turn of the truss rod is all that I`ve needed to do, when I`ve got a new bass and put 50s on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul_C Posted December 2, 2011 Share Posted December 2, 2011 [quote name='arabassist' timestamp='1322815316' post='1456073'] Bloody hell mate, do you pick very lightly? [/quote] I must do, I suppose - I use basses equipped with J East preamps, so I don't have to really dig in to get a note. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
algmusic Posted December 2, 2011 Share Posted December 2, 2011 opps I meant I went to 55 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bremen Posted December 2, 2011 Share Posted December 2, 2011 [quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1322821081' post='1456152'] I suppose it depends on the brand you use, but a quarter turn of the truss rod is all that I`ve needed to do, when I`ve got a new bass and put 50s on it. [/quote] Exciting times! I'm making a Bitsa as we speak, getting a nice MIJ Precision neck from Beedster tomorrow. I want this to be my dirty/rough/rocky/clanging/thunderous instrument, to complement my smooooth P with flats. Favourite rounds so far are GHS Boomers, medium gauge, so I reckon I'll try their 50-70-95-115. Will I be happy forever if I do this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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