Peloquin Posted June 20, 2023 Share Posted June 20, 2023 This may be the silliest question so far but how do I tell what gauge strings I have on my bass? They are the strings it came with and I wasn't too get the same next time after struggling getting a lighter gauge on the last bass I had... loads of fret rattling so I had to get it set up. Is it simply a case of getting some verniers on the string? Cheers folks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nige1968 Posted June 20, 2023 Share Posted June 20, 2023 I take it you bought used -- if new the manufacturer probably has standard string gauges posted somewhere. Otherwise I'm told digital calipers are the thing to use. I don't have any so I generally just compare them to some old strings and guess. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueMoon Posted June 20, 2023 Share Posted June 20, 2023 Yes, a vernier gauge (caliper) will give you the correct dimension. Recommend that you take several measurements to give you an average. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peloquin Posted June 20, 2023 Author Share Posted June 20, 2023 I bought new about 18 months ago but don't remember seeing what strings it had on. I'll grab some verniers from work tomorrow. Just out of interest, how often would I be expecting to change strings. I only play at home, few hours a week. I'm still learning. Cheers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casapete Posted June 20, 2023 Share Posted June 20, 2023 1 hour ago, Peloquin said: I bought new about 18 months ago but don't remember seeing what strings it had on. I'll grab some verniers from work tomorrow. Just out of interest, how often would I be expecting to change strings. I only play at home, few hours a week. I'm still learning. Cheers. A lot depends on how sweaty your hands are! If you’re not a clammy handed person, you’ll get a lot more life out of a set of strings. Usual time to replace them is when they lose their tone and become less stable with tuning. I reckon you’ll get a good year or so on your bass. (This applies to roundwound strings - if they’re flat wound type they seemingly last forever…..) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peloquin Posted June 21, 2023 Author Share Posted June 21, 2023 Haha I don't think I'm over sweaty 😅 Cheers. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
naxos10 Posted June 21, 2023 Share Posted June 21, 2023 If you let us know what bass you have I am sure one of the learned brethren on the site maý be able to advise what strings are fitted. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nilorius Posted June 21, 2023 Share Posted June 21, 2023 6 hours ago, Peloquin said: Haha I don't think I'm over sweaty 😅 Cheers. Maybe You should try out this option?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peloquin Posted June 21, 2023 Author Share Posted June 21, 2023 It's one of these... I'll have to wait till I get home to check but it's an ibanez and was around 280 quid new.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nilorius Posted June 21, 2023 Share Posted June 21, 2023 9 minutes ago, Peloquin said: It's one of these... I'll have to wait till I get home to check but it's an ibanez and was around 280 quid new.... It looks like Ibanez SR series past years model. I can't find the model in website with these pickups. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dood Posted June 21, 2023 Share Posted June 21, 2023 16 minutes ago, Peloquin said: It's one of these... I'll have to wait till I get home to check but it's an ibanez and was around 280 quid new.... Very likely to be D'addario XL Nickels, standard gauge 45-105! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dood Posted June 21, 2023 Share Posted June 21, 2023 (edited) 3 minutes ago, Dood said: Very likely to be D'addario XL Nickels, standard gauge 45-105! Otherwise known as D'Addario EXL165 - D'Addario of course being superb strings. Edited June 21, 2023 by Dood 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nilorius Posted June 21, 2023 Share Posted June 21, 2023 11 minutes ago, Dood said: Otherwise known as D'Addario EXL165 - D'Addario of course being superb strings. I think the same. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dood Posted June 21, 2023 Share Posted June 21, 2023 51 minutes ago, nilorius said: I think the same. Yup, I video reviewed loads of Ibbys, but I also just checked on the Ibanez website that states they're still using the same quality strings for their basses as stock. Cort do too. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peloquin Posted June 21, 2023 Author Share Posted June 21, 2023 Many thanks folks. So a set of 45-105 will be fine then. I half expected them to be lower end strings with them being the supplied ones but it seems they are decent. While I'm on the subject of strings then... what is the difference (playing style) between flat and round? The model is........ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EssexBuccaneer Posted June 21, 2023 Share Posted June 21, 2023 If we’re broadening the topic, has anyone used Black Beauties? I’d like a set of black strings for my five-string, but much as I want it to look the bees-knees, I don’t want to sacrifice tone…. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norris Posted June 22, 2023 Share Posted June 22, 2023 If they are d'Addario strings then the ball ends will be different colours - brass, red, black and green (going E-G) 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeresaFR Posted June 22, 2023 Share Posted June 22, 2023 16 hours ago, Peloquin said: Many thanks folks. So a set of 45-105 will be fine then. I half expected them to be lower end strings with them being the supplied ones but it seems they are decent. While I'm on the subject of strings then... what is the difference (playing style) between flat and round? The model is........ Flats have a warmer tone, hi there tension and feel smoother to the touch. Generally considered easier on the fretboard and likely to last quite a lot longer than rounds. Now, to be clear, there's more than one type of round (steels and nickels being the most common two varieties) and there are hybrid types like ground wounds, but we're getting a little more complex than perhaps you need at this stage of your journey. Just know, the options are myriad and varied. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peloquin Posted June 22, 2023 Author Share Posted June 22, 2023 6 hours ago, Norris said: If they are d'Addario strings then the ball ends will be different colours - brass, red, black and green (going E-G) Haha, I've had the bass for over 12 months and only just seen that. Yeah, they are coloured. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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