Big Low End with Lights?

[JeffJ2112]

After years of not varying from my 105's to 45's, I got some 90's to 40's. Wow, they are easy to play. But after tweaking my amp, eq, and onboard stuff, I still can't get those big lows like I can with the heavier strings. Anyone have any luck achieving this? Maybe different stings than the cheapo Draco's I decided to try this with on my project bass?

 

[shoulderpet]

Might be a combination of lighter strings and the strings being cheapies, maybe try a 95 gauge set of some Daddario's or something similar, gauge imo doesn't usually make that much difference to low end

 

[eriky4003]

You may want to try some DR Fat Beams. Not sure if they'll have your lighter gauge, however.

 

[ixlramp]

Depends what you mean by 'big lows'. With EQ and volume you can of course get the same balance of low to high frequencies. Maybe instead 'big lows' means a tonal character? Certain gauges have a certain tonal character, and tension has an effect on tonal character.

90 to 40 is a weird set though, very top heavy, so you might be hearing the tension imbalance.
95 to 35 is better. 95 70 50 35 is equal tensions.

Most sets are top or middle-heavy, so a more equal-tensions set can acheive lower average tension while still keeping a good tension on the lower strngs.

 

[micguy]

I play a lot on 35-50-70-95 sets of rounds (various manufacturers). They usually have a good amount of upper mid "snarl" that I don't notice in heavier gauge strings, but no lack of low end. I play in places where there's plenty of subwoofers and amps, and...yep - good solid low end, no problem.

 

[GIBrat51]

After years of not varying from my 105's to 45's, I got some 90's to 40's. Wow, they are easy to play. But after tweaking my amp, eq, and onboard stuff, I still can't get those big lows like I can with the heavier strings. Anyone have any luck achieving this? Maybe different stings than the cheapo Draco's I decided to try this with on my project bass?

Uh... yeah, cheapo strings probably don't help. If you want big lows, you usually need flat wounds. I'd maybe try some - like the 39-96 La Bella 760FX's...

 

[Pier_]

we should first understand what do you mean with "big lows". usually the frequencies are misunderstood: the"lows" between 40hz and 200hz are louder with light roundwounds, and always less raising the gauge.

by "big lows" usually people mean the mid-bass frequencies between 300hz and 500hz, which are powerful with flatwounds (flats lacks of frequencies below 300hz...), and are the frequencies of the "meat" we usually associate to the Precision bass or a Jazz played only with the neck pickup.

to increase those frequencies it's better to have tighter strings, which oscillate less and give a more defined tone. with light strings the oscillation is wider, the "lows" are more pronounced and the mid-basses are weak.