String Gauge Comparison Between Bass and Guitar

[humfree]

I mainly play guitar, but from time to time I need to purchase some bass strings and I can never remember what I bought last. I have an 80s Forum Series Kramer that is of an unknown scale - seems like a bass to me - in that it is not of short scale.

I could use some help with string gauge, preferable alloys, type of wind, or any other information you think I might need. Above all, it would be nice to know what you think a comparable string gauge would be to 10-46 for guitar - or any other comparisons you could make between guitar and bass string gauge.. damn, sort of hard to write out..

If someone played 9-42s on guitar, what would their choice for bass be?

10-46

10-48

11-52

12-52

Whatever comparisons you are comfortable making.

And FWIW - info on my particular bass:

http://www.vintagekramer.com/forum.htm

[Steve Haynie]

45 - 100 is what is on most of my basses. My guitars are a mix of 9's and 10's.

[Turdus]

I'm not sure you can even make the comparison.

Ernie Ball regular Slinky is 50-105. Rotosound is 45 -105.

Personally, I like the Super Slinky, which is 45-100. The 100 is a bit easier to play, but IMHO, gives up a slight bit of boom to the 105.

[JohnnyB]

I'm not sure you can even make the comparison.

Ditto. Differences in bass string construction and gauge are very noticeable. For a given feel and speed of a string set (tension), the construction (hex vs. round core), wrap metal used (stainless, NPS, Allloy 52, pure nickel, flats), and proportion of core to wrap thickness all have a significant influence. Also, different basses "like" different string sets. E.g., some need a fatter low E, some a thinner one to get good tonal balance.

On average, as a 10-46 guitar strings (and occasionally 11-49) guy, my go-to bass strings are 45-105. For a 9-42 guy I'd recommend 40-100s, though you might find 45-105 not that hard given you usually only play one string at a time.

[humfree]

Good info.. thanks!

[Armitage]

I use Labella Super Steps 045-065-085-105 set on my 4 strings basses. As a guitarist first, I can't stand anything looser feeling as they vibrate to wide and the string isn't where I expect it to be with my picking hand.

[JohnnyB]

I use Labella Super Steps 045-065-085-105 set on my 4 strings basses. As a guitarist first, I can't stand anything looser feeling as they vibrate to wide and the string isn't where I expect it to be with my picking hand.

I call that "chasing the string around the fretboard." High tension strings snap back into place quickly; low tension strings flop around awhile. String gauge is the most easily identified of several factors affecting string tension, but others include the factors I mentioned before--core/wrap geometry and metal content of the wrap. I have a set of Thomastik Infeld pure nickel-wound Jazz Flats.

GHS has emerged as one of my favorite bass string makers and I have several sets in different configurations. I currently use their tapewound flats on the semihollow fretless. It's a serious contender vs. the LaBella tapewounds at half the price. These give 90% of the upright tone while being much faster in snapback than the very expensive TI Jazz Flats. I also love GHS pressure-wound strings, which have most of the definition of round wounds while being easier on the hands and fingerboard, and the wrap is Alloy 52, which is very magnetic and adds some warmth to the tonal balance.

[Steve Haynie]

I was in a music store today and played a Vestax bass that had the lightest set of strings I ever felt on a bass. It was easy to noodle around, but it never felt like there was that oomph of a set of medium to heavy bass strings.

[Jeff R]

What a timely thread. I'm due to restring our Chap bass soon and I also can't ever remember what I put on it the last time around.

I just wrote down "45-105" on a Post-It Note and put it in the case