TRBboy Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 (edited) Just interested to see what gauges people use really. I've only just returned to regular 5 string playing, and I'm not sure what gauge I used to use. I've just re-strung with .045" - .135" on the basis that I use .45" - .105" on a 4 string anyway, but they feel a bit like hard work TBH! I'd like to try lighter, like .40" - .125" or maybe lighter still, but I don't know if they'd be a bit flappy (especially the B ). With regard to the poll, I realise this isn't an exhaustive list, and we are talking about standard(ish) tuning (e.g. not E-C). So what do you use? Edited June 22, 2012 by TRBboy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LiamPodmore Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 45-130 for me, i had i think 50-135 but i found that i was having issues with the other strings (It was in my quest to make my B sound good) and playing fingerstyle at speed so i dropped down a bit. Don't play my 5 that much any more though. Liam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 (edited) La Bella Hard Rockin' Steels: 40-60-80-100-128 on the Red Gus G3 and Sei Flamboyant Fretless 45-65-85-105-135 on the Black Gus G3 SIT Power Wound Nickel: 45-65-85-105-130 on the Reverend Rumblefish and Yamaha BJ 5B Overwater: 44-64-84-104-134 Stainless on the Overwater Original 44-64-84-104-134 Nickel on the Overwater Original Fretless HTH Edited June 22, 2012 by BigRedX Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fingerz Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 Depending on the scale length and tension, I tend to go between DR 40-120 or 45-125. I like these gauges because they don't have a ridiculous B string, and there is consistency as all strings step up by the same amount. Unless you've got a 5 string with issues I don't really understand putting a telephone wire across the fingerboard (Massive novelty B string), and it not being relative to the rest of the strings.. 5 strings tend to have a different feel to the tension in the neck (obviously-more strings!) so it can be tricky getting the tension/sound you are happy with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andydye Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 [size=4]Lakland LCWS5 or LCWN5 in Medium (.45 .65 .85 .105 .128)[/size] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conan Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 Depends on the bass and the type of music I am predominantly playing at the time. I do find, though, that I am preferring heavier strings than I used to. Just bought a new (to me) fiver and just about to look for some strings. Will probably go down the Newtone route and see what gauges they have around the 45-130/5 range... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrismuzz Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 (edited) On a 35" scale in standard tuning I like .045 - .130, if it's 34" scale then I go to the next gauge up. This is with hex core strings which are a bit stiffer already! Edited June 22, 2012 by chrismuzz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoJoKe Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 My main gigging basses are a pair of lakland 55-02's... Both are strung with Elixir as all my basses are. the big challenge with Lakland is to string through body (and in fact even through bridge i still cutting it fine!) the standard "long" strings aren't long enough, so I use the extra longs which only come as 45-105 with a single 130 taper wound B string. This is a slightly heavier gauge than I used to use on my previous Spector basses, but I absolutey love them. They are nice and soft to touch and slippery, with a beautiful tone, particularly the B, and they last for ages as long as you don't strip/damage the coatings as you pull through the bridge. I just checked, and the last set i put on my main bass was in March. They still look, feel and sound like new, even though they have probably done about 25 gigs and a load of rehearsals (I play finger style, I think using a pick would have damaged the coatings by now...) I've never been lighter than a 125 B string... I suspect you are right, it would lose definition and start clacking on the fretboard unless you played really gently! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kongo Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 (edited) My main gauge is - .45 .65 .80 .100 .130 I use those for standard, Bb standard and A standard. I play fingerstyle, root on the neck pickup and I'm not very reserved either. X-D They don't flob, but I don't like strings over tight, they tend to loose tone, especially the bell like tone I crave, the tighter they get. Also for tapping, having the lower strings not quite so thick helps reduce mud. It's all about the way you attack and EQ I think, long as they ain't rattling like hell it's all cool, and I do like a little fret buzz. Just as a fretless gains it's mwah from neck contact, fretted gains edge and grit from a touch of buzz. :-) Forgot to add, this is on both 35" and 34" scale. Strings are D'addario Pro Steel. Edited June 22, 2012 by Kongo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 Im the only person who voted for 0.125" so far then, pink Ernie Ball super Slinkys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silvia Bluejay Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 45-132, D'Addario Chromes. I'm addicted to low tension flats Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRBboy Posted June 22, 2012 Author Share Posted June 22, 2012 [quote name='Kongo' timestamp='1340378156' post='1703752'] My main gauge is - .45 .65 .80 .100 .130 I use those for standard, Bb standard and A standard. I play fingerstyle, root on the neck pickup and I'm not very reserved either. X-D They don't flob, but I don't like strings over tight, they tend to loose tone, especially the bell like tone I crave, the tighter they get. Also for tapping, having the lower strings not quite so thick helps reduce mud. It's all about the way you attack and EQ I think, long as they ain't rattling like hell it's all cool, and I do like a little fret buzz. Just as a fretless gains it's mwah from neck contact, fretted gains edge and grit from a touch of buzz. :-) Forgot to add, this is on both 35" and 34" scale. Strings are D'addario Pro Steel. [/quote] I'm suspecting this is where I'll end up, in fact, the more I think about it the more I think this is what I used to use. D'addario Prosteels are just awesome! They seem to be some of the chepest "name brand" strings about these days, but they're just great strings. I very rarely buy anything else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doctor J Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 45-135 Elixirs, as I use 45-105 on a four banger. I love the B, would probably go to 140 if they sold one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRBboy Posted June 22, 2012 Author Share Posted June 22, 2012 [quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1340384155' post='1703909'] Im the only person who voted for 0.125" so far then, pink Ernie Ball super Slinkys [/quote] How do you find them? Your 'Rays are 34" scale right? In my mind they would feel nice and easy to play, but I imagine them to be slightly flappy/rattly in action. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jensenmann Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 I´m playing an obviously rare set, which is not in the poll: 0.040", 0.060", 0.080", 0.100", 0.125" stainless steel of Rockinger guitars. After a few years of trying different brands and strength I felt in love with these and use them since 20 years now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTUK Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 40-118..but I'll use a 120 or 125 ..or have done. I like tapered core so I get them custom wound on all strings...it is working atm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 [quote name='TRBboy' timestamp='1340388048' post='1703979'] How do you find them? Your 'Rays are 34" scale right? In my mind they would feel nice and easy to play, but I imagine them to be slightly flappy/rattly in action. [/quote] They probably could be tighter but I quite like a flappy string anyway, I might try and go up a gauge and see how I get on, the fact both Rays have useable Bs with 125's shows how good a 34" can be though, its probably criminal not having something tighter on there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRBboy Posted June 22, 2012 Author Share Posted June 22, 2012 [quote name='jensenmann' timestamp='1340388234' post='1703986'] I´m playing an obviously rare set, which is not in the poll: 0.040", 0.060", 0.080", 0.100", 0.125" stainless steel of Rockinger guitars. After a few years of trying different brands and strength I felt in love with these and use them since 20 years now. [/quote] Yeah sorry, I did realise I missed these out! I was just looking at standard D'addario gauges at the time as that's what I normally buy, but of course the gauge you're using is one of the most common ones too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musicman20 Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 I've tried a few brands and still find Ernie Ball strings fantastic. I go for the stock .130s. I have some Cobalts that I have yet to put on...might do it this weekend Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 I might go for those Gareth, I'm about to order some. Question is which one to try them on, ceramic or Alnico? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrismuzz Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 [quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1340384155' post='1703909'] Im the only person who voted for 0.125" so far then, pink Ernie Ball super Slinkys [/quote] I used to use those tuned down half a step on a 34" scale bass... How the hell I managed that I'll NEVER know! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musicman20 Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 [quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1340400985' post='1704194'] I might go for those Gareth, I'm about to order some. Question is which one to try them on, ceramic or Alnico? [/quote] Hmm, I'm trying it on my 2010 Ray 5, so Alnico for me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRBboy Posted June 22, 2012 Author Share Posted June 22, 2012 (edited) I was surprised to read an interview with Andrew Gouche where he said that he uses .044", .060", .078", .098", .125". He tunes down a whole tone and he's quite a big guy, so I didn't think he would use such a light gauge. He says his technique is really light and gentle though so I guess it works okay. Edited June 22, 2012 by TRBboy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrismuzz Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 (edited) When using light gauges my fretting hand goes all over the place, bending strings and making a huge mess, can't do it! Serves me right for using a .152 for so long EDIT: In hindsight... my fretting hand going all over the place, bending strings and making a huge mess is actually pretty normal for me Edited June 22, 2012 by chrismuzz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted June 23, 2012 Share Posted June 23, 2012 I'm quite heavy handed so changing up a gauge could be a wise decision. On the Alnico it is then Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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