Bass string gauges.

[Al Nico]

Hi. I am now the lucky owner of two, albeit budget, bass guitars. A Harley Benton TB-70, the thunderbird derived instrument with a set neck, and a Spector with a spangly bolt on.

The HB has noticeably thicker strings on it and produces a strong sound, where the lighter stringed Spector is more articulate with a lower fundamental. It takes noticeably more effort to pluck the thick HB strings, hence the strong sound.

I realise it's a dodgy comparison in terms of tone, since they are different constructions, materials and electronics.

I expect someone must have been here before and decided to change string gauge?

If I put thicker strings on the Spector to get a louder fundamental, will it stop being articulate?

Also, my son gifted me some very light gauge strings which I'm not sure if I'd like? Packet says they are funky?

I'd be interested to hear about any experience you have of changing string gauges.

[Lozz196]

The pickups will make a huge difference in the sound, with each bass type rather famed for how you’re describing the sound. Putting heavier gauge strings on the Spector will make it beefier but you should retain the articulation.

[Norris]

It's actually a fairly complicated bit of physics. The thicker the string, the more metal mass vibrating in a magnetic field -> higher output -> louder. But the thicker the string, the more tension required to achieve a given pitch for the scale length.

 

Some people prefer a lighter, hence lower tension string, which has a bit more "compliance". They may be slightly lower output but you can adjust your pickup height, and after all amplifiers have volume controls.

 

It's actually more down to personal preference. I usually play with a medium/heavy set of strings. However it's good fun playing my son's Hofner violin bass with short scale and light gauge sometimes - very bendy strings. It's really down to what you like. Try the skinny strings.

 

"Articulate" is more down to your technique.

[Mykesbass]

4 hours ago, Norris said:

 

"Articulate" is more down to your technique.

Agree completely with the first couple of points, but articulate when used about bass tone is one of those words like heft, it is a subjective description.

 

I'd say strings can have a lot to do with this, having switched from laBella flats to d'addario  Chromes. The laBellas give a lovely warm thunderstorm, but the chromes have a bit more crispness to them, which to me sounds more articulate.

 

@Al Nico have fun experimenting - one of the cheaper versions of Gas 😀

[Al Nico]

@Lozz196 @Norris @Mykesbass

Hi. Thank you for the replies. You seem you understand my ambiguous reporting. It's a tricky one. As you mentioned, the experience of changing from playing heavy to playing light stings, is a delightful experience.

While I'm learning I like the higher effort needed for the heavy strings, to develop strength in my little finger. I think I've done that now and gone past sore fingers a few months ago.

Just left with a tingly left index finger tip, I think that is permanent nerve damage, so should never feel sore again.

Ultimately, I will have to experiment to find what I like, but thank you for passing on your thoughts.

 

[Mykesbass]

28 minutes ago, Al Nico said:

@Lozz196 

While I'm learning I like the higher effort needed for the heavy strings, to develop strength in my little finger. 

 

Sorry, Lozz, can't seem to delete your tag, and this is not responding directly to you.

 

Al, you have raised another very important point here. Your right hand technique does not want to be too strong. This is something I am guilty of - digging in. It really doesn't help your tone. You need to let the pickups and amplifier do the heavy lifting. Turn up, play lighter. You get a more even vibration this way. I was always a bit sceptical about this until I saw Nick Fyffe playing with the Temperance Movement. He had the biggest, most driving sound you could wish for, and was hardly touching the strings. Stupidly, I STILL can't do it (left it too late).