Round wound players what gauge and why?

[Jonathan C]

I'm looking for opinions about what made you settle on the string gauge you're currently using. I've been strictly using light gauge, current favorite are the new GHS Balanced Nickels on my two Fender Jazz basses, one a 2016 Elite 4 and a 2003 MIM 4 with DiMarzio Model J's.
Thanks for your input!

 

[michael_t]

In an effort to avoid being redundant, here are a couple of the recent threads I've already contributed to:

How do you decide on string gauge?

What's your favorite gauge? (all basses)

 

[Jonathan C]

In an effort to avoid being redundant, here are a couple of the recent threads I've already contributed to:

How do you decide on string gauge?

What's your favorite gauge? (all basses)

I will review those threads, I guess my search for this information was not specified correctly. Thanks Michael!

 

[michael_t]

I will review those threads, I guess my search for this information was not specified correctly. Thanks Michael!

When you're doing a search, instead of using the search function within this forum, do a general Google search by entering "talkbass (subject)". For example, the above two showed up when I went, "talkbass gauges and why".

 

[Solarmist]

I think it's just personal preference, but I've been using the DAdd EPS300 Prosteels because they are a fairly balanced tension set including a taperwound E & A with gauges 107T, 85T, 63, 43. I like the slightly beefier E, and smaller D/G than in a standard 45105 set. You can also drop the E to D with no problem, and even CGCF sounds good.

 

[GIBrat51]

Unless they aren't available from the maker, 50-105 or 45-105 is what I use - on the rare occasions I use rounds. My Kramer Duke has short scale Boomers, which are 50-107s, and my 4003 Rick has the discontinued Rick Light Nickel Rounds (40-95), but they're the exceptions. I always put EB Hybrid or Regular Slinkys on a new bass, then (usually) start looking for other strings to get the sound I want. And, I almost always wind up with flats or tapes... There are a few basses that have kept the Slinkys, though; but not many. Oh, well; c'est la vie....

 

[Arthur U. Poon]

For a 4-string, .045-.105 is my preference, - probably more out of habit than anything else. I like a higher tension feel for my plucking hand.

After I bought my first bass with a 35" scale length, I found I could use a lighter gauge string and still have enough string tension for my taste.

 

[Bob_Ross]

I use what Ken Smith refers to as their "medium gauge" which is .045 - .065 - .085 - .105
When I first started using Smith strings (in 1985) I was using their "medium-light gauge" which I believe is .005 smaller for each string, but about 15 years ago I decided I wanted a little more "meat" both sonically and tactiley.

 

[fretlessguy]

I prefer .45-.100. It makes the strings output closer to being balanced. I also like .40-.95 and .40-.100 as well, but prefer the first set if no other is available.

 

[Chrisk-K]

My favorite is DR Hi-Beams 40-100. I just prefer the tone of thinner strings. I just put a set of Ken Smith 35-95 on my Geddy and love its snappy tone. I'll move to 35-95 or even 30-90.

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

45 - 105. Because I like them better than lighter or heavier gauges.

 

[Geri O]

I like heavier gauges.

.50, .70, .85, .105, .135. (Jaco doesn't want to hear it)

While I don't thrash strings, I have a fairly moderate stroke and dig in a little.

 

[redneck2wild]

I have been purchasing single strings as the E & B strings in most standard sets have lower tension than the other strings. A balanced set requires a heavier E & B.

Sites that l purchase single strings from:

• Buy Single Electric Bass Guitar Strings and put together your own custom set from Bass Strings Online.
• Single Bass Guitar Strings
• Kalium Strings

Talkbass member SLaPiNFuNK from Bass Strings Online will even create custom sets for you.

Kalium Strings has an online tension calculator that is useful for making balanced sets.

• http://store.kaliumstrings.com/TensionCalculator/tensionChart.php?scale_length=34

 

[FrenchBassQC]

40 - 100 for me...

 

[DWBass]

4 string: 45-105
5 string: 45-125 (130)

 

[Real Soon]

This thread is doubly relevant to me: I have a Washburn Taurus modded with DiMarzio Model J's and a set of Ernie Ball Super Slinkies that were pretty cool, but are dying and that I'm not sure got the most out of the absolutely, disgustingly corpulent J tone the DiMarzios deliver. But I don't know that for sure. They're .45-.100, and I see the Regular Slinkies are .50-.105, but I ALSO see that other makers go .45-.105, and of course there's the matter of material.

I installed a pretty sweet capacitor in the tone pot path and kinda wish I used said pot more...so is there a string that maybe adds even a little more high end without sacrificing too much of the lows? I get nice, very workable lows (and of course low mids, holy potbelly Batman) as it is. Might very well be the same gauge range with a brighter material, but while y'all're here, I thought I'd ask since there's much more to sound than on-paper specs.

In short, maybe I'm asking: with DiMarzio Model J's and an open mind, is there a set that might get the most out of both tonal versatility and the totally, barf-inducingly gross awesomeness of those pickups?

 

[grimjim]

Boomers, tuned to A standard. 45,65,85,110,130. Notes articulate well, even detuned.

 

[JRA]

i've used roto swing 66's (35-55-70-90) for years but i started appreciating TI jazz rounds (43-51-68-89) a couple of years ago (after reading some TB comments and recommendations). i like the similarities (clarity) and the differences (feel, stiffness/tension). i'm used to them both so i'd rather rely on those two rather than search for something 'better'. i've done that search several times and i arrived back at the beginning...relying on what i'm used to = what i can depend on.

one set cost $20 or less, the other is pricey at $55-$75. both are good strings* for me.


*lots of great strings out there!

 

[jchrisk1]

TI jazz rounds. 43-51-68-89
Because the smaller windings make them super slick.

 

[easyj]

I use 40-100 gauge. I chose a light gauge because it is easy in my hands and I am trying to take care of them.