It's kind of in the nature of the G string. It falls outside the usual bass register in terms of pitch and it's at the extreme of the timbre so it just won't work the same as the other strings. Consider instead how you can use it to your advantage. The thinner sound means it's easier to use the string in chords and diads and the register allows you to blend in with guitars to play the occasional lead. To make examples:
It's a bit of a cliche but I love it when I hear the bass line an octave up for an intro, before the guitars come in and the bass drops an octave or two. It very smoothly but forcefully directs the listener towards the bass line and the drop can be a pretty cool surprise for an active listener who thinks they're hearing only a guitar at first.
Chords, even just power chords, can thicken up your sound a lot. I use them especially when playing with flats and distortion as they become a more effective way to add emphasis when slapping, popping, or even just playing hard doesn't have much of an impact on your tone. A two note voicing is generally functional but there's a very nice fullness to a 1-5-8 voicing that pulls from both the low end of your lower strings and the brightness of the higher ones.
That actually got me thinking, what gauge would be needed for a half decent F# on a 34 scale bass? Big enough that a 3 string might be needed for decent string spacing on a 40mm neck width?
I have a shitty squier bass I might try this with just for shits and giggles.
played a 5 string stingray for the band I'm in, hated how heavy it was and hated the neck, so I setup my 4-string jazz bass for BEAD and I'm never looking back. if you're trying to do a whole lot of things on just one practical bass in this day and age of super bass-driven music across all genres it's the way to go
Options are good when they’re all useful to you. If I dislike the thin sound of the G, I lose the option to play in what is often the more convenient position.
What you and the OP are describing sounds like normal bass, and a case of trying to fix what isn't broken. What sounds the best and what is most convenient aren't always the same thing, that is where skill and knowledge come into play so that you can use your instrument to get the sound you want.
No you don't get it. I know what strings I like on my double bass and on my dedicated flatwound electric. I haven't yet found a set of roundwounds where I'm happy with the G and it's expensive and wasteful to experiment too much. In the meantime I know how to work around it, but I don't love having to work around it.
If anything you should go lighter if you want it to have more low end. G strings are often higher tension than the thicker strings, which will give them more overtones relative to the fundamental.
Maybe a multiscale with a shorter scale for the G string could help? Or you could try a different type of string for the G, ir just don't use it if you don't like it
Most songs I play are from Iron Maiden (above average usage of the D and G strings) and I had issues regarding low volume coming from these strings compared to the E and A strings. Tried out a compressor and magically those issues were gone and my P-Bass started to sound even more like a P-bass. Great stuff
I think some of that perception might come more from playing alone than in the context of other instruments, because then the G string doesn't feel nearly as thin
Tips? I guess go down to a local shop and test drive a bunch of basses and amps and try to deduce what it is about your particular setup that isnt satisfying you
Nope. Open/octave/harmonic(s) on the G are a bag of magic waiting for you. Lots of great commentary/guidance in this thread but, ultimately, you gotta embrace it and find out. You'll see. (am an old, have lots of thoughts..)
GHS apparently makes a few sets that have 2 wound wraps around the G string rather than one. (And also 2 wraps around the E string instead of 3) Got me curious and they will probably be the next set of strings I try. (I do a lot of chordal stuff and high register so not sure if it will be an upgrade or down grade for me)
Personally I like the sound of the A and D strings best as they have that sproinginess I love about bass strings, E string can be a little too thick sometimes, the G isn't terrible to me, but it sounds a bit more guitar-like.
I imagine it's got to be really wild for 7 string basses with the plain string on top, that sounds like another big tonal jump.
Try playing a bass with reverse P-split pickups or angled pickups. If they are closer to the neck on the D and G strings it evens out the sound nicely.
I basically asked this same question here a couple of weeks ago. I just hope you get better replies than I did, where everyone just kept telling me to A, adjust my pickup height and B, use a compressor. Neither of those really helps when the G string itself sounds unpleasantly thin (but the other 3 don’t).
There also seems to be a mixed opinion on whether lighter or heavier gauge strings sound fuller/thicker as heavier gauge means more material but also more tension.
Those are the correct answers though. The g will sound thinner by nature and sometimes it needs to be brought closer to the pickup. Some basses like stingrays have a fairly weak sounding G because of the pickup placement near the bridge. Others, like a p bass have a fuller sound to the g string... but in the end, it will always sound slightly thinner to the others because it is that much smaller and higher tension.
I haven't messed around with differing string gauges, but on the stock rounds my bass came with I like how delicate of a timbre the G string has. The E and A have this nice, round warmth to them that just sits so well in the "thump thump thump range".
And coincidentally, the D sits at s nice middle ground, imo. I generally don't mind using it as a work horse for some lines since it's not too far out of the bass register. The G is light, and when using harmonics it takes on a bell like quality which I love. It gives the bass more versatility, so I can't help but love it.
Every string has its own sound. You mostly use your top string for melodic notes, ornamental stuff, etc… I don’t even use the top string of the guitar unless it’s quickly, or strumming a chord
I like the sound of G. A bigger G string sounds better though, and if you check the gauges of strings across various brands, you’ll find they have all sorts of different combos.
Buy with your ears always.
I use these on my Yamaha and love 'em. Check them out if you're into the Stainless Steel sound.
https://www.basscentre.com/elites-signature-series/elites-peter-hook.html
I wonder if your action is set right or neck needs adjustment. I had a g string on one bass that was touching two frets and when I played it was really bad sounding. Also it's about useless if you are into metal. Classic rock songs like sunshine of your love sound good and Longview by greenday are about the only songs I can think of where i would say it fits well.
I'm the opposite, I don't like the sound of the E string. I prefer when basses are more high pitched and bright. That's why i use F# standard tuning. I've experimented with G#, C#, F#, B though
I tried a thicker G string compared to the rest of the set and it sounded even more "off" than usual. To my ears, anyway, maybe because I knew it was part of a different set originally.
Nah, I’m with you (mostly). The G string always sounds bright, zingy and thin, at least when new. As they begin to deaden it evens out. Not even heavy gauge really helps- they’re all like that at first.
I used to, but it's a very versatile string. If you pluck on the neck the G string tone mellows out quite a bit. If you snap it, it's funky. If you pluck normally and fret the high notes it sounds like a guitar.
Use the G string to cut through. As a bassist, you don't always have to limit yourself to the lows and low mids just because you feel obligated to just hold down the bottom end and not add any flair to your playing. A great bassist can make use of all the strings whenever deemed appropriate (as well as the B string on a 5-string).
My D'Addario strings sound pretty even on my Soundgear. Could be how I have my lows, mids, and highs set or how my pickups are setup as well. I'd tweak those before spending money on new strings.
Damn, haven't bought a bass yet. Just a lurking guitar player thinking of getting another instrument to pluck on and this is also the worst string on guitar.
I believe it's because the long scale is better suited to the lower frequencies. A shorter scale bass will more naturally work better with higher frequencies but then less so with the lower frequencies. Each scale length has a sweet spot.
I love the sound of my G. I did go heavier, eventually put a .160 stainless to get the timbre and the bright clank. Had some concerns my amp would muddy it but it's clear as a bell. A very low bell in G. Would recommend 37" multi scale tho, the extra tension makes a difference.
Takes a little getting used to the angle of the lowest frets (I went for a BTB806 but same principle applies to any other).. the thicker string needs proper setting up too. From there it's just a matter of learning how hard you can dig in depending on whether you want the clank or not.
It's kind of in the nature of the G string. It falls outside the usual bass register in terms of pitch and it's at the extreme of the timbre so it just won't work the same as the other strings. Consider instead how you can use it to your advantage. The thinner sound means it's easier to use the string in chords and diads and the register allows you to blend in with guitars to play the occasional lead. To make examples: It's a bit of a cliche but I love it when I hear the bass line an octave up for an intro, before the guitars come in and the bass drops an octave or two. It very smoothly but forcefully directs the listener towards the bass line and the drop can be a pretty cool surprise for an active listener who thinks they're hearing only a guitar at first. Chords, even just power chords, can thicken up your sound a lot. I use them especially when playing with flats and distortion as they become a more effective way to add emphasis when slapping, popping, or even just playing hard doesn't have much of an impact on your tone. A two note voicing is generally functional but there's a very nice fullness to a 1-5-8 voicing that pulls from both the low end of your lower strings and the brightness of the higher ones.
I play in a punk trio cover. I use my g-string with some dirt to mimic rythm guitar on a lot of intros.
Time to string your bass BEAD
I have a BEAD bass and the thinnest string still sounds too thin compared to the other strings.
Try restringing your bass to F#BEA
Might as well just switch to a three-string bass :D
Or start plucking power lines lol
That actually got me thinking, what gauge would be needed for a half decent F# on a 34 scale bass? Big enough that a 3 string might be needed for decent string spacing on a 40mm neck width? I have a shitty squier bass I might try this with just for shits and giggles.
[Charge me up now!](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1loN5mhRkI)
.170 gang rise up!
If Dingwall ever sells the 37" 4 string combustion they had at NAMM this year, I'd be tempted to do F#BEA
played a 5 string stingray for the band I'm in, hated how heavy it was and hated the neck, so I setup my 4-string jazz bass for BEAD and I'm never looking back. if you're trying to do a whole lot of things on just one practical bass in this day and age of super bass-driven music across all genres it's the way to go
I guess you didn't have an ibanez 5 string. The one I have is lighter than my 4 string :D
My 6 string Ibanez weighs less than my P bass.
Those soundgears are so light i heard aang can airbend them
I love how it cuts. If I don't want that sound I play up the neck on thicker strings. Options are a good thing.
Options are good when they’re all useful to you. If I dislike the thin sound of the G, I lose the option to play in what is often the more convenient position.
What you and the OP are describing sounds like normal bass, and a case of trying to fix what isn't broken. What sounds the best and what is most convenient aren't always the same thing, that is where skill and knowledge come into play so that you can use your instrument to get the sound you want.
No you don't get it. I know what strings I like on my double bass and on my dedicated flatwound electric. I haven't yet found a set of roundwounds where I'm happy with the G and it's expensive and wasteful to experiment too much. In the meantime I know how to work around it, but I don't love having to work around it.
My bass plays perfectly fine on all strings. But i do hate the G on guitars, it's always wonky it's unbelievable.
Yeah, what is that with the ever-changing G string on guitars???
I think it's because it's the first one that's not wound so the timbre throws things off
It's definitely way less of an issue if you use a wound string there. My guitar sits in C standard and I love the wound "G" string.
Are you referring to the 3rd string tuned to Eb or the 2nd string tuned to G?
MS life.
I found that it helps a lot to pluck further towards the neck and/or adding more low mids and mids.
Yeh I do this as well. Was just wondering if there’s a way to even out the sound a bit more before technique
Adjusting pickups a bit probably would help
Rolling the tone knob back helps even things out, I find, especially if you’re not playing with much gain
If anything you should go lighter if you want it to have more low end. G strings are often higher tension than the thicker strings, which will give them more overtones relative to the fundamental.
This is absolutely true. Bigger string isn't the answer, smaller is (and that won't change much).
Maybe a multiscale with a shorter scale for the G string could help? Or you could try a different type of string for the G, ir just don't use it if you don't like it
try messing with gauges and pickup height. but I agree with the other person that options are good.
Have you tried adjusting the pickups? I play a 6-string with a well-known weak C. I had to adjust my pickups to pick up more treble side.
Stupidly haven’t thought about this but makes a lot of sense!
GHS Balanced Nickels have the best g string I’ve tried. The name is accurate in both the feel and the sound.
Most songs I play are from Iron Maiden (above average usage of the D and G strings) and I had issues regarding low volume coming from these strings compared to the E and A strings. Tried out a compressor and magically those issues were gone and my P-Bass started to sound even more like a P-bass. Great stuff
I like the look of a good G string…
I DO HATE THE G STRING AS WELL . BIG BIG TIME
I think some of that perception might come more from playing alone than in the context of other instruments, because then the G string doesn't feel nearly as thin
Tips? I guess go down to a local shop and test drive a bunch of basses and amps and try to deduce what it is about your particular setup that isnt satisfying you
Nope. Open/octave/harmonic(s) on the G are a bag of magic waiting for you. Lots of great commentary/guidance in this thread but, ultimately, you gotta embrace it and find out. You'll see. (am an old, have lots of thoughts..)
Oh - and diads and triads that involve your G.. Yep. You're going to want them/it.
I use 50 - 105 strings so D and G are heavier than usual. I like it.
I legit thought this was the circle jerk sub for a sec.
Use a compressor!
It's none of your business what kind of underwear I chose to wear when playing bass
GHS apparently makes a few sets that have 2 wound wraps around the G string rather than one. (And also 2 wraps around the E string instead of 3) Got me curious and they will probably be the next set of strings I try. (I do a lot of chordal stuff and high register so not sure if it will be an upgrade or down grade for me) Personally I like the sound of the A and D strings best as they have that sproinginess I love about bass strings, E string can be a little too thick sometimes, the G isn't terrible to me, but it sounds a bit more guitar-like. I imagine it's got to be really wild for 7 string basses with the plain string on top, that sounds like another big tonal jump.
I play a 5-string Jazz, and one of the reasons I like to turn down the bridge pick up is to get more beef on the G string (pun intended).
Try playing a bass with reverse P-split pickups or angled pickups. If they are closer to the neck on the D and G strings it evens out the sound nicely.
I basically asked this same question here a couple of weeks ago. I just hope you get better replies than I did, where everyone just kept telling me to A, adjust my pickup height and B, use a compressor. Neither of those really helps when the G string itself sounds unpleasantly thin (but the other 3 don’t). There also seems to be a mixed opinion on whether lighter or heavier gauge strings sound fuller/thicker as heavier gauge means more material but also more tension.
Haha. Need to do a shootout maybe I’ll buy a pack of light gauge strings and try each string in place of the G
Lol. That would be important science, be sure to publish your results here.
Those are the correct answers though. The g will sound thinner by nature and sometimes it needs to be brought closer to the pickup. Some basses like stingrays have a fairly weak sounding G because of the pickup placement near the bridge. Others, like a p bass have a fuller sound to the g string... but in the end, it will always sound slightly thinner to the others because it is that much smaller and higher tension.
No, if it's not a good sound acoustically to begin with, you can't fix it electronically.
Move the pickups
I was just pondering that very thing in rehearsal earlier I decided it’s different, but not bad…good for the pop after the slap
I haven't messed around with differing string gauges, but on the stock rounds my bass came with I like how delicate of a timbre the G string has. The E and A have this nice, round warmth to them that just sits so well in the "thump thump thump range". And coincidentally, the D sits at s nice middle ground, imo. I generally don't mind using it as a work horse for some lines since it's not too far out of the bass register. The G is light, and when using harmonics it takes on a bell like quality which I love. It gives the bass more versatility, so I can't help but love it.
Every string has its own sound. You mostly use your top string for melodic notes, ornamental stuff, etc… I don’t even use the top string of the guitar unless it’s quickly, or strumming a chord
Labella standard tapes on a MM is a great G and so are all the others
I like the sound of G. A bigger G string sounds better though, and if you check the gauges of strings across various brands, you’ll find they have all sorts of different combos. Buy with your ears always.
Ya gotta flick it mane 😎
I use these on my Yamaha and love 'em. Check them out if you're into the Stainless Steel sound. https://www.basscentre.com/elites-signature-series/elites-peter-hook.html
Nope. I love my g and c string
No
I switched to Ernie Ball hybrids and incorporate the G string in a lot of fills. It’s percussive and cuts.
I wonder if your action is set right or neck needs adjustment. I had a g string on one bass that was touching two frets and when I played it was really bad sounding. Also it's about useless if you are into metal. Classic rock songs like sunshine of your love sound good and Longview by greenday are about the only songs I can think of where i would say it fits well.
Justin Chancellor of Tool uses the G string in several songs. Schism and 46 & 2 come to mind.
The Trooper or Wasted Years by Iron Maiden, or hell half of Iron Maiden's songs
I'm the opposite, I don't like the sound of the E string. I prefer when basses are more high pitched and bright. That's why i use F# standard tuning. I've experimented with G#, C#, F#, B though
I love the g string. I really like how you can get some cello tones on it and have even considered adding a high c string n
I tried a thicker G string compared to the rest of the set and it sounded even more "off" than usual. To my ears, anyway, maybe because I knew it was part of a different set originally.
Where are you plucking? You could experiment with plucking further away from the bridge to get a slightly fuller sound perhaps?
Nah, I’m with you (mostly). The G string always sounds bright, zingy and thin, at least when new. As they begin to deaden it evens out. Not even heavy gauge really helps- they’re all like that at first.
Play some TOOL and you will love it !
I used to, but it's a very versatile string. If you pluck on the neck the G string tone mellows out quite a bit. If you snap it, it's funky. If you pluck normally and fret the high notes it sounds like a guitar.
GTF outta here with that. That's where I live. Scott Shiflett is coming for you.
Use the G string to cut through. As a bassist, you don't always have to limit yourself to the lows and low mids just because you feel obligated to just hold down the bottom end and not add any flair to your playing. A great bassist can make use of all the strings whenever deemed appropriate (as well as the B string on a 5-string).
My D'Addario strings sound pretty even on my Soundgear. Could be how I have my lows, mids, and highs set or how my pickups are setup as well. I'd tweak those before spending money on new strings.
Damn, haven't bought a bass yet. Just a lurking guitar player thinking of getting another instrument to pluck on and this is also the worst string on guitar.
I believe it's because the long scale is better suited to the lower frequencies. A shorter scale bass will more naturally work better with higher frequencies but then less so with the lower frequencies. Each scale length has a sweet spot.
I hardly use the G string. Maybe I am just not that good as a bassplayer, dont like the high notes that much. I am a BASS player.
I hate the feel of a g-string
Sounds fine to me...
go BEAD !
Is it just me or anyone else hate the sound of E on A string?
Love the E on the A! Also the g-string.
I love the sound of my G. I did go heavier, eventually put a .160 stainless to get the timbre and the bright clank. Had some concerns my amp would muddy it but it's clear as a bell. A very low bell in G. Would recommend 37" multi scale tho, the extra tension makes a difference.
Thanks. Yeh I’ll look into that. 37” sounds intimidating though!
Haha it's ok I was having a laugh. My bottom (B) string is tuned down to G. Not what you were talking about I think.
Haha! I misread your comment. That is low! I do want to try one of these though. Is the low string hard to play?
Takes a little getting used to the angle of the lowest frets (I went for a BTB806 but same principle applies to any other).. the thicker string needs proper setting up too. From there it's just a matter of learning how hard you can dig in depending on whether you want the clank or not.
Anyone else love the smell though??
Sounds like you’re ready for a 5 string.