Strings

Mr. CooL ICE

Ive been playing bass for over three years so i should know something more than I do about bass strings already, but I don't. I know what guitar strings are about (from listening to guitarists conversations), such as using 9s and 10s as standard, and for downtuning, using higher gauges such as 11 or 12. Is it roughly the same (except with bass gauges) for basses?

I had a cheap-ass Hohner 4 string with Jazz style body for 3 years and bought only medium-gauge strings, then I bought a Yamaha 5-string and fell in love with the looser string style. I'm not sure what string type are on it, but I just want to use my 4-string for downtuning now (nothing craaazy, such as FCGD) and hope to keep something resembling the feel of the new 5-string. What sort of gauge should I go for?

Doctor J

Personally, I like fairly light strings, my strings of choice being Rotosounds set up as

E - 95
A - 80
D - 60
G - 40

if I was going down a step, say to D I'd use at least a 100 for the low D. I'd probably use heavier strings if I played with a plec, I'm a finger player, so I like the response I get from the lighter strings.

On my 6 string (which has a low I have a 125 for the B, but it's taper wound (it thins out over the bridge, like a piano string) which I'd really recommend to anyone using heavy strings from a 105 up.


Edit -> If you tune it down to B you'll need at least a 125, maybe a 130 but be warned, you'll more than likely need to file a bigger hole in the bridge for the string to fit through and a bigger groove in the nut too so think about it before you make any rash moves.

It wasn't me!

On the subject of strings, how often should I change the strings on my bass, and what guage will they be as standard. It's a Squier Jazz and the strings are the ones that came on the guitar so if I change guage, manufacturer are there going to be any adjustments to be made?

voxpop

I think that you only need to make adjustment if you have a floating bridge - but i could be wrong.

My brother swears by strings called "super slinkys" or something - the are 8 guage - these are on electric guitars though.

Zombienosh

for my bass i always use rotosound 45's
rotos rule :P

John

I used to use Rotosounds but they never sounded right to me. I use the Super Slinky Bass Strings (45-65-80-100) now. Although it's been around a year since I've changed the strings so I might invest in a new set soon but come on, €30 a set!

Mr. CooL ICE

My aforementioned 4-string, i had it 2 years before i changed strings! This was with me fcukin around with tunings and whatnot, before the E-string went slack at the bridge. I was so sad!

John

A friend of mine boils her strings with a drop of washing up liquid but I'd much rather buy a set then **** around like that.

ferdi

i used to use rotosound but i've changed to the ernie ball ones 45-100.

to clean them if i'm feeling a bit poor (which i am most of the time) i been boiling them in a saucepan with a dash of vinegar, works a treat.

musician.ie

There's a good discussion of the factors to consider here