For years, I’ve been loyal to D’Addario Kaplan medium gauge strings on my double bass. I’m a firm believer in the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” philosophy when it comes to gear. But recently, curiosity got the better of me. What would heavy-gauge strings feel like? Would they make a difference on my instrument?
My String History
Like many bassists, my string journey has been quite the adventure. I started with Jargar strings back when I was a student, moved to D’Addario Helicore Orchestral in college (they were the hot new thing in the late ’90s), and eventually settled on Kaplan medium gauge strings. I’ve also experimented with Thomastik Peter Infeld strings, Pirastro Perpetuals, and various other brands over the years.
What keeps bringing me back to Kaplans? They strike a nice balance between pizzicato and arco needs, they speak quickly under the bow, the price is right, and they just seem to complement my bass beautifully.
The Great String Tension Experiment
After a colleague suggested I try heavy gauge strings on my fairly large 7/8 orchestral bass, I decided it was time to make the switch. I ordered a set of Kaplan heavy-gauge strings (buying them separately since I need the long C for my extension) and am preparing for a comprehensive before-and-after comparison!
These are the heavy-gauge Kaplans that I've been enjoying on my bass.
First Impressions
Right out of the gate, several things stood out:
Settling Time: Kaplans are known for settling quickly, and the heavy gauge was no exception. A few quick tuning adjustments and they were locked in—much faster than many other string brands I’ve used.
String Tension: Yes, they feel tighter, but not dramatically so. The diameter is about the same as the medium gauge, which I appreciate. There’s just a touch more tension, but it doesn’t require any extra energy to get the strings speaking.
Tonal Qualities: These heavy-gauge strings seem to have more brightness in the upper frequencies right from the start. Even after just five minutes of playing, I noticed they had more high-end than my medium gauge Kaplans.
Pizzicato Sound: There’s a bit more of that wiry, articulate quality to the pizzicato—though again, this could partially be due to string freshness.
Day Two Insights
After a full practice session, my perspective deepened:
The Bow Response
This is perhaps my biggest takeaway: the heavy gauge strings feel easier under the bow. The added stiffness means the strings speak immediately. For orchestral playing with lots of articulate, strokey bowing, these strings really shine. The notes jump right out of the bass!
The Left Hand Challenge
Here’s the tradeoff: they’re more demanding on the left hand. It’s like going from 20-pound dumbbells to 25-pound dumbbells—not a huge jump, but definitely noticeable. After practicing passages in thumb position, I felt genuine fatigue in my left arm.
As a left-handed player, I’ve always favored what works better for my right side (the bow hand), so this compromise makes sense for me. But it’s worth noting that these might not be ideal for beginners who are already dealing with enough physical challenges.
Pizzicato Considerations
While I like the tone for pizzicato, I’m not as crazy about how they feel compared to the medium-gauge Kaplans. The higher tension makes them less forgiving for pizzicato playing. If I were primarily a jazz player, I’d probably stick with medium gauge—or even consider Helicore Jazz or Zyex strings.
I've been using Kaplans on and off for years, and they work great on my Jakstadt double bass.
Changing to Fresh Strings
Here’s a public service announcement: we often don’t realize it’s time to change strings until we actually change them. Those few months-old medium gauge Kaplans I removed? They might have been on for six months or more.
As a professional, changing strings every six months is pretty standard practice, but I’ll admit—I’ve stretched it to a year, two years, even beyond. The Kaplans don’t degrade dramatically over time, which is both a blessing and a curse. These fresh heavy-gauge strings felt immediate and clean, like taking my car in for a tune-up.
Behind the Scenes: String Manufacturing
A fascinating side note: I recently toured the D’Addario factory on Long Island and learned just how complex string manufacturing really is. Each string in a set—G, D, A, and E—has different winding materials, core specifications, and dampening materials. And across light, medium, and heavy-gauge options, the materials can vary dramatically. It’s far more sophisticated than just making strings “bigger.” This experience gave me a whole new respect for string makers.
Final Verdict
After this experiment, my gut says the heavy-gauge Kaplans might be a better fit for my bass. They’re staying brighter longer than medium gauge usually does, they speak beautifully under the bow, and while they’re more demanding on the left hand, I know I’ll adapt.
These strings won’t be for everyone. The added tension and physical demands make them potentially challenging for beginners. But for orchestral players who prioritize bow response and articulation, they’re absolutely worth trying.
The Bottom Line
As bassists, we’re always balancing pizzicato needs versus arco needs. Some strings bow beautifully but sound dead for pizzicato. Others have great pizzicato growl but won’t speak well with the bow. The Kaplan heavy gauge strings lean decidedly toward the orchestral/arco side of that spectrum, and for my playing needs, that’s precisely where I want to be.
I can’t wait to take these to the symphony and really put them through their paces. If you’re an orchestral player curious about heavy gauge strings, I’d say give them a shot. Just be prepared for a little extra workout in your left hand!
Note: While I’m now a D’Addario artist and receive strings as part of my artist allotment, this review reflects my honest experience and is not sponsored content.
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