Caliber of the ropes: 035 – 040 – 045 ?

Let’s start like this, do you know which caliber is right for you?

Which scale do you use? Super light, light, long, extra long or medium?

Not many possibilities? Usually the most beginners have this great difficulty, which is normal, however, even some bass player with a certain experience, also has the difficulties, but no case of them is more the doubt of which caliber to use that will meet what is comfort and it want.

Talking about the caliber of the strings, we have some options that are grateful to several audiences, and how to know which audience you are? Easy, test, yes, that’s right, without testing there is no way to know which string is most comfortable for you, which sound you like best and which caliber you may need for a project.

I’ve already used 0.45 a lot, but due to a finger injury (RSI – repetitive strain injury) I’m using 0.40 and it has served me well, but this is a reality that I currently live in, don’t take it as a rule.

Gauge types: 0,35 – 0,40 – 0,45  –  0,50

Extra caliber: 0,44  – 0, 52

I’ll talk a little more about each caliber:

0,35

This caliber is very light, good for those who enjoy Two hands, tapping, many phrases and so on. It is not suitable for monitoring, driving and things like that, because it has no weight, as it was said it is very light. For lovers of this caliber, it may be that you have some difficulty finding this rope, it is not very commercialized.

0,40

We can say that this caliber is the starting point for all beginners and intermediate, a standard caliber, they are great and well balanced, they are more popular. Provides more agility in the left hand because it is light but with a little more weight, very good for Slap, due to the response of the weight at the time of the hit, it has a good definition of the notes in driving, and has a good sustain.

0,45

Heavier strings, you will probably feel this difference, indicated for those who have a stronger grip on the strings, have a good response in the bass and weight. It has a very good support, due to her weight. There is a good answer in Slap too, but be aware that with it, you will have to do a little more strength, and maybe your fingers will feel the impact.

0,50

Very heavy strings, however, can leave the conduction with more rounded and well-defined lines, super indicated for people who use a lot of tuning in D.

ROPE SCALES

When we buy a set of strings down the words Long Scale, Extra Long Scale, Medium Scale, Small Scale, Super Light, Light appear.

This nomenclature is capable of leaving anyone crazy. What scale is my bass? Does this affect the sound? What is the scale length that suits my hands or style? What strings should I buy?

When I say “Scale” I mean the length of a bass from the lash to the bridge (with the saddles adjusted closer to the arm).

The deeper the notes we need, the longer the string has to be. That’s why guitars, which use higher notes, are shorter than the bass.

The most common scale on an electric bass is 34 ”(86.3cm). It is called the Long Scale.

Some basses, especially 5-string, are 35 ”(89cm). These are the Extra Long Scale.

Between 30 ”and 33” (76.2cm – 83.8cm) are the Medium Scale.

And the shorter than that are the Short Scale (not to be confused with the Piccolo Bass, although some basses of this genre are between 28 ”and 30”).

A 34 ”scale is ideal for a 4-string bass with Standard tuning.

For those who have a 5-string bass, consider using a bass with an Extra Long scale. This little detail makes a big difference. The fifth string (B) is more reliable and gains more definition.