Gauge and Technique

[ebe9]

Just a basic poll to find out a bit about the forum and their preferences.


What gauge stings do you prefer with regards to the following techniques?

1. Fingerstyle
2. Picking
3. Slap and Pop
4. Tapping

I am trying to get an idea of what the general preference is to each.

E.g. I choose the following:

1. Medium Gauge
2. (Don't use a pick)
3. Medium to Light Gauge
4. Medium to Light Gauge


Obviously this is bassed on what you use or have used in terms of string gauges and what you found worked best for you and various techniques.

[willibassist]

1.medium
2.heavy(on those rare occasions)
3.medium-light
4.light

but i havent tried out every type of string by every brand so this is only my opinion at the moment

[British Kid]

1. heavy
2. heavy
3. heavy
4. N/A

i like my strings heavy. :thumb:

[kilian]

Ehh.. the strings that are on my bass :amaze:

Lately I've been getting a kind of: 'shut up and play'-attitude.

[Roo_bass]

1. Medium
2. Heavy
3. Light
4. Light

[Kilalues Guises]

1. medium lights
2. who picks any more
3. medium lirhgt
4. extra lights

[peeted]

1. Fingerstyle - thick as posible
2. Picking -medium
3. Slap and Pop - light
4. Tapping - light

[Killer Fridge]

1. Standard (45s)
2. Standard (45s)
3. Either Standard or Lights (35s)
4. Medium Lights (40s)

[wicked_child]

1. 45
2. 45
3. 45
4. 45

[frankfurtBass]

I play Fingerstyle and I always use .045-.100
I don't slap and I don't use pics.

[Radiobass81]

1. Fingerstyle
2. Picking
3. Slap and Pop
4. Tapping

1) .045 - .105
2) .045 - .105
3) I don't slap
4) .40 - .100

[Led_Zeppelin678]

Just a basic poll to find out a bit about the forum and their preferences.


What gauge stings do you prefer with regards to the following techniques?

1. Fingerstyle
2. Picking
3. Slap and Pop
4. Tapping

I am trying to get an idea of what the general preference is to each.

E.g. I choose the following:

1. Medium Gauge
2. (Don't use a pick)
3. Medium to Light Gauge
4. Medium to Light Gauge


Obviously this is bassed on what you use or have used in terms of string gauges and what you found worked best for you and various techniques.

Rotosound .95-.40, for everything. If I had a P or a Ric, something that I would use for straight rock, I'd probably put standard Rotosounds on it.

[nerdbert]

I tend to always use 40s on my 4 string, which suits me fine, though I rarely use a pick or tap. I think I got 45s on my 6 string, which is nice for digging in, but without being too heavy.

[d-mart]

I can't afford or be bothered to change my strings everytime I play a different style.

If i could i'd still use 45s all round.

[LewsTherin]

i like 45s-50s.

I also like a really heavy B.

[edgebass5]

DR Medium-Lite (45-65-80-100)..... for everything

[BenJammin]

I like lights and medium lights for everything. Just depends on what I decide to buy (not that I've bought strings for anything but my acoustic in over a year).

[nicatterberry]

D'Addario Medium Gauge Prosteels(.050-.105) on my Fender
D'Addario Nickel .045-.130 for my Ibanez

[Rowan S]

1 Light - medium
2 Never picked before.. Probally say medium
3 Light
4 Light

[Chris K]

I use medium Lights if I can get them, and lights if I can't.

[bleeding_fingers]

I can't afford to change the strings when my style changes. But,

1. Heavy
2. Heavy
3. Heavy
4. Light-ish I guess, I don't really tap.

[Left Shoe]

1. standard
2. standard
3. standard
4. standard

[Manticore Guy]

I use 45-105's (I think) for everything. In addition, I love 3 mm picks for Bass.

[willibassist]

I can't afford to change the strings when my style changes. But,

1. Heavy
2. Heavy
3. Heavy
4. Light-ish I guess, I don't really tap.

Dude, 7 more posts

[PainKiller8191]

1. heavy
2. heavy
3. heavy
4. N/A

i like my strings heavy. :thumb:
123

[mastrrbasser]

123


456. i like my basses to boom.

[Scott01]

I recently put .035-.095's on my bass, they are also pro-steel round wounds... they have a really high end bite, and they are really clean sounding, but they do lack some low end :( and its not the kind of low end that an EQ or amp can fix.

[The_Red_Death]

I'm a standard gauge kind of guy. I only buy new strings maybe once or twice a year. So I usually just stick with a happy medium, that being standard gauge strings. I wouldn't mind some medium-lights though.

[Scott01]

.045-.105 is standard, yes?

so .040-.100 would be reasonable slap/fingerstyle, yes?
and .50-.110 would be reasonable fingerstyle/picking, yes?

[Chris K]

so .040-.100 would be reasonable slap/fingerstyle, yes?


Indeed, which is why I use that gauge. I've just ordered some Fodera Stainless Steels in this gauge, should be ace.

[Scott01]

mmm i feel kind of stupid, the first set of non-stock strings i purchased turned out too light... now i feel like i need to learn tapping and slapping to make them useful :(

[Az_Holl]

I use heavy (110-50) for everything and lately have been playing near the bridge alot.

I suppose i cant get my strings tight enough.

[Chris K]

mmm i feel kind of stupid, the first set of non-stock strings i purchased turned out too light... now i feel like i need to learn tapping and slapping to make them useful :(

Why? Lights have "to much top and not enough bottom" for some people, but they are very good and very easy to play fingerstyle on.

[funkyhoney]

i dunno, i like something heavy, .050 - .110

i bought a set of nylon coated roundwound for my fretless the other day, the gauges are .070 .080 .090 .100
i was like :amaze:

[Scott01]

Why? Lights have "to much top and not enough bottom" for some people, but they are very good and very easy to play fingerstyle on.

Thats the problem im having :( the D & G are nice, but the E & A sound rather weak unless i completely mess up the EQ to try and hide their weak low end :(

[Chris K]

They can sound a bit thin, so lights aren't great if you're playing heavy metal or reggae, but if you're doing a lot of slap and tap stuff they're great. However, at least you know now that lights aren't for you, so next time you'll be happy with your strings.

[The jazz metal flum]

I love playing heavy gauge for everything. It's hard at first but my fingers have gotten stronger as a result.

[Scott01]

mmm i think ill go mid-heavy gauge next time. maybe warwick yellow/black labels, something with some growl. I suck at slap, and i cant be bothered trying to get a setup to get the nice bouncy slap tone, i think i'll do with fingerstyle for a while :(

My theory:

.030-.090's...............................Extra Light - Tapping
.035-.095's.......................................Light - Tapping/Slapping
.040-.100's.............................Medium light - Fingerstyle/Slapping
.045-.105's....................................Regular - All rounders
.050-.110's...........................Medium Heavy - Fingerstyle/Picking
.055-.115's......................................Heavy - Picking

Textured Roundwound - Growly
Roundwound - Standard
Groundwound - Semi-smooth
Flatwound - Smooth

Steel - Super Bright
Coated - Warm
Nickel - Mellow

[Bass_swede]

I use 0.55, it sound ace but I want another gauge bass too.

[Chris K]

Heavy gauges can sound cool for big, meaty bass tones, but they're uncomfy to play-I find it much easier flying about on lights.

[nisakss]

I play with heavy gauges. I like the tone and the tightness they bring. I also like the fact that you really have to practice your vibrato to make it sound good on them.

Anyhow, I'm a few-note player, so I don't feel like having to fly around the neck.

[mikethecoug]

1. 45
2. 45
3. 45
4. 45
seconded

[rh15951]

1. Fingerstyle: 45-135
2. Picking: 45-135
3. Slap and Pop: 45-135
4. Tapping: 45-135

[BrodieBear]

1. 45
2. 45
3. 45
4. 45

123:thumb:

[BassVirtuoso]

I wonder if I'm the only one who thought of the adult film actress.