Bass String Gauges - These Tips Explain EVERYTHING!

[@OnlineBassGuitar1]

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[@frankthebaldguy9819]

I’m a bass player who ain’t a bass player. I love the sound of heavy gauge strings, but I need to keep it in the middle to light range so that I keep my fingers attached to my body.

[@markej4801]

Thanks for the great explanations without a lot of "noise". Your thoughts made the differences easy to understand and you didn't take forever to make each point. Great vid!

[@fejlikable]

The action remark sounds very counter-intuitive, my thoughts would be: heavy gauge -> higher tension -> lower string amplitude -> less unwanted fret contact -> possibility for lower action.
Also, I would mostly be concerned with getting less of fundamental and more overtones with heavy gauge, which is the topic I came to this video for.

[@bremexperience]

Labella Deep Talking Bass 1954 Vintage. Going for the Motown sound!

[@eyelesscrown7346]

I play a lot of heavy metal in tunings like c standard. And I like fret buzz because I think it adds to the heavy vibe of the song. I play with 45-105 and It works out fine.

[@petebishop1603]

Having experimented with many different string gauges over the past year or so, I've found 40-100 work best for me. They are slightly on the lighter side, but the string tension is even and they are versatile. If I want a tighter feel with my right hand, I just play a bit closer to the bridge. I've had a lot of fun playing with 90s and 95s, but when the inevitable part of the song comes where you have to lay duck eggs (simple sustained notes), the sound decays too quickly. On the other side, 105s and 110s limit me musically because they introduce too much physicality. My 2ps.

[@jerrycastanha6402]

I use Ernie Ball 55 110 I tune B F# B E they work great.

[@jerrycastanha6402]

@@OnlineBassGuitar1 I play a lot a Slipknot music.

[@kristnovoselicsdeepfake3137]

Thank you so much!!! This actually does help a lot considering I am looking into playing more Slipknot, and needed to know what would be good for that.

[@hannes1734]

@@OnlineBassGuitar1 Drop B is like third-least inconventional tuning in metal

[@Sicel1304]

Thanks for the explanation on string gauges. I've watched about 3-4 videos now on the subject (including yours), and your explanation worked the best for me.

[@absoluteai41]

I played a bass with the lowest gauge at 170 or so and I could play faster on it than with tighter, smaller gauges. I thought I'd hate the lower tension and larger gauge but I actually loved it. Very easy to play imo. Thank you for clearing things up!

[@dikoman516]

I didn't understand a thing you said.

[@BlackRootsUNLIMITED]

Medium to Heavy on mine, coz I drop down tune. And I didn't go to a local store for it to be set up coz errr, we have none here 😳
I got a Graphite neck, I installed DR Black Beauties, 45 - 130, sounds quite good, but takes getting used to.
Greetings from Uganda 🇺🇬👊🏿

Nice video dude. There is an Ernie Ball Beefy Slinky Bass roundwound strings 130/100/80/65 and i'd like to know is do you consider is a good choice to play stoner and doom style in C standard on a Squier Precisión 4 bass strings?

[@mattster693]

There is nothing quite like some really heavy strings on bass, I’ve got a set of DR ddt 135-55 strings and they sound awesome, super fast punchy feel with a full bottom and after adjusting the truss rod I’ve got super low action so I don’t wear out my left hand, I do the same thing to guitars so they don’t feel like a toy lol

[@rinkoshirokane8263]

I think I need new strings... I was an idiot and tightened them WAYYY too much, the tuning app thought it was the string above;~; my gauges i thing are the 45, but I don't wanna switch bc of problems with maybe having to adjust intonation, I have no idea how on my specific bass and no one can give an explanation on how it works even that I can understand ;; ...
At least this made sense quq
Can you just bring it to a guitar store for them to adjust it? Would u needa pay? I've never done that...

[@MrTimjm009]

I would say go with a gauge that suits you r instrument and feels comfortable . Then use you r amp for the rest . After all that is what all your eq´s are for in the end

[@dontpanicblink]

the standard strings on my ibanez rgb are very squeaky i hate it, i just need to lift off and it makes the horrid squeaky noise i have ernie ball hybrid slinkys on my ibanez gsr 200 gio and dont have any squeaks ( very slightly but nothing to complain about ) both are the 45.65,85,105, iam thinking putting on super slinkys on the rgb just to see what they feel like, any thoughts, or is it the fret board wood thats the problem ?

[@domagojoinky8262]

I like .045-.130 nickel wounds on my basses. I tune to B standard most of the time. On 4 string I like to have .045-.105, I would like a little bit heavier E string cause I tune it sometimes to drop D.

[@jerrypaswatersmusic3931]

The Billy Sheehan rotosound s are nice for hipshot or tuning lower on the E string . 43-110

[@MattieCooper10000]

I'm struggling to determine what gauge strings I have on my electric bass. They are the most common strings to have on a 4-string bass guitar, I believe....but you said 45 to 105...I see Super Slinky 45 to 100...I believe that must be the gauge I have on my bass because I wasn't doing anything tricky with a thicker sound, and I'm dreading spending 20 buck on the wrong gauge strings. Thank you if you can provide any help.

[@nealmont]

I don't know where to start. A little off topic here. I play simple rudimentary old time music on an upright bass. Some of the jams are huge, so I need some volume. I played my own bass with steel strings after some time off and after 15 minutes I had blood blisters. I played a friends bass the next week with nylon string and was fine even after 3 hours. I just don't know what gauge to try. Any suggestion at all would be helpful. They have to be nylon. Thank you.

[@nealmont]

@@OnlineBassGuitar1 Thanks for the quick reply. It helps. I saw the upright sitting in the stand, that's why I asked. There isn't anything I have found on youtube that helps. I guess I just need to ask around. Thanks again!

[@simaojoseph]

Perhaps start with a regular set from one major manufacturer. One that’s nylon and fits your instrument.

[@MattieCooper10000]

I'm struggling to determine what gauge strings I have on my electric bass. They are the most common strings to have on a 4-string bass guitar, I believe.....I see Super Slinky 45 to 100...I believe that must be the gauge I have on my bass because I wasn't doing anything tricky with a thicker sound, and I'm dreading spending 20 buck on the wrong gauge strings. Thank you if you can provide any help.

[@KM-px8cs]

Great and concise video, and I love your hair.

[@michaelblaney4461]

I put the strings on that the bass likes. The difference of 40-100 or 45-105 makes a difference on some basses. I've got basses that sound better with rounds , flats, tape wound (a real surprise when I tried them) . I would not be caught in the trap that I MUST use 45-105s .

[@dontpanicblink]

i struggle with faster songs like' summer' sum 41 would on the E string , would 100. 80 on the E and A be better for me rather than the standard 105, 85, i do suffer from slightly weaker fingers

[@Bryce-rh2fp]

I play bass and i really love the punk more mid sound so lighter strings seem better for that

[@DavidCrane]

If you're switching to a heavier or lighter gauge string make sure that your nut can accommodate the change in gauges

[@Babanov752]

Is it Ibanez Garry Willis signature? Those are some SUPER BRUTAL tuner knobs!

[@ameurstihn6610]

I'm kinda struggling to get low action without having fret buzz.
Would getting a lighter gauge help?
I play really heavy/fast thrash metal.

[@ameurstihn6610]

@@OnlineBassGuitar1 I never stick with the same tone, distortion on and off within seconds, wah on and off within seconds. Heavy strings don't work for me cause I play big bends. Cliff vibe to it ya know?

[@ameurstihn6610]

@@OnlineBassGuitar1 Yeah, I just ordered the exact same strings Burton used. Just gonna see how it works out, I don't really get why strings are higher the higher you go up the neck. Think it would be better if they were just level with the neck?

[@thebarryhorns]

Just got some Nickel Rotosound 45, 65, 85, 105. Sounds a bit too bright and light. Want something dark, rich and moody. Can anyone recommend a heavier gauge set that won't totally kill my pathetic writer's fingers?

[@SlinkyBass0815]

Hi,
I would like to change my gauge from 45 - 105 to 40 - 100, do I need to worry that my neck might bend or would you consider it as safe to just simply change it?
Thank you in advance!

[@SlinkyBass0815]

Thats what I call a fast reply :D
Alright that are good news to me. Thank you very much!

[@hadleymanmusic]

Heavy i wanna try im not a bass player but got 2 cheap ones ive been workin on to use to track with and Im gonna need strings but Ii cant afford high dollar types .

[@hatbeat9624]

How does this change/transfer to short scale bases? Is it possible to use same gauge on long and short scale bass'es?

[@buddygibson6884]

I have an instrument with homemade baseball bat type neck that , I want to make into a Mid-gauge, four string bass between the gauge of electric guitar and a electric,P bass. So I’m thinking maybe the gauges that a person would use for a six string bass . Take the 3 bottom strings ,Add another little bottom string, and make that the gauges ? 54 gauge guitar string as the little string?? The Tension to match the sound is the ,,, math problem? This may just be a playable wall hanger. But a lot of fun making.

[@CyrilViXP]

It’s more about tension, bends and ability to produce the low notes than tone itself, I believe

[@CyrilViXP]

@@OnlineBassGuitar1 I don’t have much experience with bass string but on guitar I found out that the most crucial difference is in tension, not in sound itself

[@thesocialartsclub9095]

95-35.... can't stop playing

[@hannes1734]

Your bass strap is massive, which model is it?

[@Anton_the_Vampire]

Thanks for the informative video. This is gonna seem like sacrilege to Bass players, but I'm primarily a Guitarist (Electric and Classical) and just getting into Bass to expand my horizons, as it were. My Bass (cheap and cheerful Yamaha RBX270) is in need of a string change, so I plan to go with D'addario EXL170 strings; 45-100. I figure that should stop me from wearing my hands out! lol Any thoughts or tips you could offer would be most welcome.

[@BigBri550]

@@OnlineBassGuitar1 I agree. I'm a seasoned bassist, and I still prefer round wound extra lights. The only difference is that I don't like the .040 G string; I use .045, then .055, .075, and .095. On my five string I add a .110 for the low B.

[@beepbeepnj2658]

45-65-85-105 is the most un scientific tension. This is like a guitar set being 10-15-20-25-30-35.

[@foot942]

Do i need to go to the shop if im using really light gauge?

[@dimedisciple5144]

What’s a good gauge for a 4 string I want to tune down to B?

[@SnorkelLeopard]

I’d recommend Ernie Ball Beefy Slinkys. ;) (65-130)

[@dimedisciple5144]

@@SnorkelLeopard you think that’ll give me a nice tight low E string even tuned down? I’m not a bassist and I usually have a 5 string stingray that I use so I’m unfamiliar with 4 string gauges. While I’m asking, what gauge would you suggest on a 5 string for drop tuning?
Also, no love for D’adarrio?

[@SnorkelLeopard]

@@dimedisciple5144
Question 1:
I use the Beefy Slinkys on my 4 string as it brings back the tension. The heavier the gauge the more tension with lower tunings. If you want to get silly with your gauges put on Rotosound Drop Zone Plus, they go up to 175 gauge and will break your neck lol
Question 2:
For a 5 string I’d recommend Power Slinkys as they keep the high end and the B string is already quite heavy gauge.
Question 3:
Ive always used Ernie ball strings as my favourite strings are Beefy/Power Slinkys. D’Adarrio don’t have very heavy gauge strings and rotosound strings are for old people imo 👌

[@dimedisciple5144]

@@SnorkelLeopard Thanks brother, much appreciated!

[@bombercountyblues]

How big is the difference between the lightest bass string and the heaviest guitar string?

[@willdelisle6969]

Typical medium light guitar strings have a low E that is .46 gauge, so just a hair heavier than a high G on a bass. Guitars are much shorter in scale than basses, which means they need heavier strings to produce the same notes. That’s why a guitar’s low E is similar to a G string on a bass, even though the G is higher pitched.

[@Direwoof]

I saw a set of .60 to .120 gauge 4 string set. Super heavy I have never heard anyone play that.

[@Direwoof]

@@OnlineBassGuitar1 Yeah I think it is but I just really enjoy the tone of super heavy gauge and ive got some strong fingers so I think i'll make it work. Will it be bad for me bass neck though? Ive got an old P bass clone with one of those thicc half baseball bat necks. Just wondering if all that tension would warp it slowly?

[@Direwoof]

@IMA SKIER I think my current ones on my old skool P bass are 40-100 Roto sounds and other that sounding a bit weak and tinny they play great. I'd say if I was gonna play for others i'd get thicker because they sound much better. For practice light strings are great.

[@alanpedrueza6467]

@@OnlineBassGuitar1 what set of strings do you recomend for C standar tuning, C F A# D#
I was thinkin in put some 120 90 60 45

[@ObzzorRock]

I play in a progressive rock/metal band where I play really fast, so I go for lighter nickel sets... and I actually prefer the sound of lighter strings. My favorite is Galli RSB 61 (. 030 . 040 . 060. 080. 0100 . 0125)

[@ThatOneLegoshiCoser3209]

a heavy gauge user i use it for slaps and it helps me to get less buzz when playing on lighter gauges

[@recordlabeldao7820]

i use 100-45 and i dont like 105-45 its so awful and to heavy and hard to play

[@flexiland6741]

Comparing strings mounted on two dramatically different basses is a joke of a demonstration of string gauges differences. No comparison is ever valid unless you keep all the other variables equal (at the very least: same bass, same pickups and same neck/bridge balance, same action height, same playing position, same notes) . Another totally useless video from another self-proclaimed expert.

[@TheSteelDialga]

Was looking for this comment. Too many videos like this one. Wish there were more videos by people who actually know the science and engineering behind these things

[@cianw10]

Just remember, the heavyer the gauge, the heavier the dread