If you play 6-string, our medium C .032 is ready to pick up as a single string. So don't be compelled to purchase a 4/4 size bass because you think it's "better" than a 3/4 size bass, or you believe that you need to have a "full size" bass. String gauge is more than a number: it determines how your bass strings will feel and sound. The thickness of an electric bass string has a large influence on the playability and sound in addition to other factors like the string material. Our Nickel Plated Steel Bass Strings with NANOWEB Coating deliver rich, rounded tone with greater clarity and heavier mid-range presence. If you play 6-string, our medium C .032 is ready to pick up as a single string. Do experiment, but remember that jumping between gauges may require you to tweak the action and intonation of your bass. The thickness of an electric bass string has a large influence on the playability and sound in addition to other factors like the string material. When fitting Rotosound Bass Strings, be sure that the silked part of the string ONLY is wound around the machine post. If you play 5-string, supplement that standard Foundation Set with a single B string in .125, .130 or .135. The rule of thumb is, that heavy-gauge strings (around .050 - .105) have a richer bottom-end, but require more finger-strength than a lighter set (typically .040-.095). How do I know which sizes I need for my bass guitar? A string is made up of the core and then different types of winding which is what we technically call twisting. To choose the right thickness or caliber of strings in our bass we must take into account several factors. It is the most common to play any style because the final sound will be brighter and more harmonic than the flatwound finish, also have greater sustain, even so much will depend on the material we choose for this. This makes coated bass strings well worth the extra initial cost. There’s no hard rule for choosing the right gauge. Converted four-string basses usually require either a new, thicker top, or lighter strings to compensate for the increased tension. The best bass strings for you will also depend on whether you sit in the pocket, playing rumbling root notes (if so try a heavy-gauge) or race across the fretboard, playing slap 'n' pop lines (for which light gauge is generally favored). How to choose the right gauge of strings for the Electric Bass ? Finally, if you want to assemble your own bespoke string set to really shake the room, remember that all Elixir Strings coated bass strings are available as singles. We play SLAP ! Some five-stringed instruments are converted four-string instruments. Help me out, I'm new to the music world. Even manufacturers don’t have a set formula for which gauges should go together in a set. These are not your Daddy's doghouse... FREE SHIPPING: To all 50 US States. This type of breakage is not covered by our normal warranty. I like them for their versatility and articulate sound. These strings (in their 3/4 size incarnation) are my personal favorite for my own particular double bass needs -- but that doesn't mean they are perfect for you. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are as essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. It makes the timbre turn off and also the harmonics, so they are ideal for playing jazz or blues because they have less sustain and also facilitate the drag or glisandos because they are the strings more similar to those of a double bass. If you would like to disable cookies, please view “How do I manage cookies” in the Policy. A heavier gauge produces a richer tone that is determined by the strength of your fingers. Although the most popular format might be 4-string bass, Elixir Strings makes it easy for players of every persuasion. Most five-string basses are therefore larger in size than a standard four-string bass. Our Stainless Steel Bass Strings with NANOWEB Coating have a bright stainless tone with growling mids that offer an articulate pop 'n' punch. What is the standard size of bass strings ? There is an added dimension to choosing bass strings, because you will need to match the string length to your instrument's scale (i.e. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. As a result, our NANOWEB® Coating designed for bass raises the bar for bass performance. The acoustic bass is very useful for acoustic jams or traveling- it’s a fraction of the size of a double bass. continued from Bass Strings p. 1. I noticed while I was browsing around for some Elixir bass strings on guitarcenter.com, some of them come in different sizes. As with electric guitar or acoustic guitar strings, there’s no set rules for choosing the perfect gauge. Electric Bass String Gauges. Because these do not have wider fingerboards, some players find them more difficult to finger and bow. With uncoated bass strings you will soon lose your tone to corrosion and deadened vibrations. Therefore, among the different types of electric bass strings that we can find today there are different materials, different thicknesses or calibers and also different qualities. Acoustic basses are a serious commitment- their scales are long and their strings are very high-tension.