What's the tonal impact of smaller gauge strings?

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: What's the tonal impact of smaller gauge strings?

One of the local guys uses a really light set with a 90 on the low E. He had one of the clearest, most present bass tones I've ever heard.

The only bass I currently own is an Ibanez Mikro, but I'd like to try a really light set on it.

[ArtieToo]

Re: What's the tonal impact of smaller gauge strings?

Wow. Nice bass licks. That's encouraging. I guess I'll need to practice more.

[DavidRavenMoon]

Re: What's the tonal impact of smaller gauge strings?

Thanks again guys. I understand about re-doing the setup. My main concern is about losing the basic "bass" snap 'n grind. I don't want to take my strings down so light that I effectively have another guitar. If that makes any sense.

You get more snap and grind.

These are D’Addario XLs on an ‘87 Ibanez SR885LE. It’s running direct into Logic Pro X, with one of the amp plugins.

https://soundcloud.com/davidravenmoon/supercollider

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[ArtieToo]

Re: What's the tonal impact of smaller gauge strings?

Thanks again guys. I understand about re-doing the setup. My main concern is about losing the basic "bass" snap 'n grind. I don't want to take my strings down so light that I effectively have another guitar. If that makes any sense.

[DavidRavenMoon]

Re: What's the tonal impact of smaller gauge strings?

Thanks Dave. That's good to know. Do you re-adjust your action, or setup, with the smaller gauge strings.

Yes, any time the action changes you need to set the intonation. Your truss rod will probably need a slight loosening too.


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[ArtieToo]

Re: What's the tonal impact of smaller gauge strings?

Yup. I'll definitely do a full setup after the new strings. Or, to be more accurate, my luthier friend will. My "Badass" bridge should arrive tomorrow.

[Demanic]

Re: What's the tonal impact of smaller gauge strings?

You might want to check the intonation .

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[ArtieToo]

Re: What's the tonal impact of smaller gauge strings?

Thanks Dave. That's good to know. Do you re-adjust your action, or setup, with the smaller gauge strings.

[DavidRavenMoon]

Re: What's the tonal impact of smaller gauge strings?

That’s the gauge I use, only a 5 string set. I like them because if you hit them hard you get a nice attack. And they are great for more nuanced playing, i.e., vibrato and bends.

I find no lack of low end or fatness.


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[ArtieToo]

My bass came with 45-105's. But they're real old. So I ordered some DR Pure Blues of the same gauge. Then I got to thinking about using a smaller gauge to make it easier to play. So I ordered some DR Pure Blues 40-100's. What tonal impact might these smaller strings have? We're only talking about 5 thousandths difference.