What gauge strings for a bass guitar?

Subject: What gauge strings for a bass guitar?
From: Nick
Date: 26 Dec 06 - 07:56 AM

I think it's about time for me to change the strings on my bass guitar but I realise I have never bought a set (obviously aiming for the Motown dead string sound :)!).

Any recommendations for what gauge of string to buy and what the advantages of different gauges might be?

It's an electric bass and I play a mixture of music from rocky stuff (All Right Now/Blues/even a little metal when I play with my son) to folk music.

Subject: RE: What gauge strings for a bass guitar?
From: oggie
Date: 26 Dec 06 - 08:11 AM

If you're happy with the gauge you're using ain for the same. If need be borrow a micrometer to get the sizes. Only other advice would be, avoid Rotorsound wire-wounds, it's like running your fingers up and down a nail file all night.

All the best

oggie

Subject: RE: What gauge strings for a bass guitar?
From: GUEST,Mooh Up North
Date: 26 Dec 06 - 09:27 AM

D'Addario Chromes flatwounds. Not sure of guages as I'm not home, but will try to check in later with specifics. They last a long long time, sound great, feel great, tune/intonate great, and serve as well fretless as fretted.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: What gauge strings for a bass guitar?
From: GUEST,Jeremiah
Date: 27 Dec 06 - 01:18 AM

Flatrounds if you want that thunky sound. (Mooh's advice is usually excellent.) An excellent compromise for brighter (but not too bright) sound, but very smooth action are D'Addario Half-Rounds. As far as guage is concerned, whatever you're comfotable with. A very soft (light) guage will give you a wee bit more sustain than a heavier gauge. Light guage would likely be something on the order of
G - .40
D - .55 or .60
A - .75 or .80
E - .95 or 1.00

Subject: RE: What gauge strings for a bass guitar?
From: Nick
Date: 27 Dec 06 - 01:19 PM

Well if I was really after a sound it would be that of Jaco Pastorius :)

But I think I'd first off need a fretless bass and to brush up on my harmonics.

This is fairly typical of what I currently play bass on - Try Closure or Inescapable truth - I'm not really sure I know enough about whether I want a 'bright' sound or what.

Thanks for the help so far.

Subject: RE: What gauge strings for a bass guitar?
From: Les from Hull
Date: 27 Dec 06 - 03:54 PM

I'd go for 45s Nick, D'Addario or Elites are usually good. I'd avoid flatwounds as they sound a bit dead, but halfrounds (sometime called groundwounds) are a good compromise. Of course get flatwounds if you're worried about your girly fingers.

But if you are interested in something different, check out Thomastik-Infeld strings. I've got the acoustic version on my Ovation bass and they are incredible. Check out the reviews at BGRA.net.

All the best!
Les

Subject: RE: What gauge strings for a bass guitar?
From: Mooh
Date: 27 Dec 06 - 09:00 PM

After using both Fender and Rotosound nylon covered flats for a while I returned to regular D'Addario Chromes (light guage) because they are a bit brighter than many other flatwounds, especially for the low fifth string. They're good on the Godin fretless and both the Ernie Ball and Warwick fretted basses. (Fwiw, I also string the fretless Telecaster guitar with Chromes, but heavy guage tuned down to D).

For folk an overly bright string might not be suitable as it doesn't emulate the upright bass well. For older rock and blues an overly bright string might be too metal sounding.

Your milage may vary.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: What gauge strings for a bass guitar?
From: GUEST,rafael
Date: 23 Mar 07 - 01:23 PM