Changing String Gauges

[blues_bassist]

Can you change string gauges without damaging a bass? I don't want to crack the nut or mess up the neck by putting heavier gauge strings on. Also, can you go from a heavier gauge to lighter gauge string? I've heard that if you use a heavier gauge string it widens the groves on the nut so it's not possible to go to lighter gauge.

Thanks!

[backup]

don't worry about it
i've been switching string gauges a lot.
just went from lightest fender flat gauge to heaviest. not even a slight tuss rod adjustment nessecary.
there are some know it all "bassists" that want to make it all sound so difficult and dangerous. don't listen to them

[ProgRocker]

Sometimes you may have to alter the groves on the nut when changing to a larger gauge string, or replace the nut when going from larger to smaller, but not always.

[Epitaph04]

Originally Posted by backup

don't worry about it
i've been switching string gauges a lot.
just went from lightest fender flat gauge to heaviest. not even a slight tuss rod adjustment nessecary.
there are some know it all "bassists" that want to make it all sound so difficult and dangerous. don't listen to them

I find it hard to believe that you didn't need at the very least a truss rod tweak (which is nothing difficult at all) after moving up to higher gauges.

I'm guessing your string action may be high enough that you didn't even notice.

[blues_bassist]

Thanks for the advice everybody. I just wanted to get some insight on this.

[backup]

Originally Posted by Epitaph04

I find it hard to believe that you didn't need at the very least a truss rod tweak (which is nothing difficult at all) after moving up to higher gauges.

I'm guessing your string action may be high enough that you didn't even notice.

yes, you are right. my action is very high. but as I said, I didn't need to adjust the tuss rod for it to fit my preferences YMMV.
I just wanted to emphasize that moving up string gauges is not such a big deal.

[blues_bassist]

I've yet to figure out the intricacies of adjusting a truss rod so changing gauges is probably a bigger deal for me.

[seang15]

Originally Posted by Epitaph04

I find it hard to believe that you didn't need at the very least a truss rod tweak (which is nothing difficult at all) after moving up to higher gauges.

I'm guessing your string action may be high enough that you didn't even notice.

I would normally agree with you 100%! I have to do this with 8 basses of mine, of all different ilk.

But the 9th bass, A 1987 Ibanez 4-string of which I am the original owner, NEVER needs adjusting. I have gone from heavy to light to flats to, get this, PICCOLO, without a single adjustment. It's SuperBass lol. Can't explain it.

[Joe Louvar]

Well, a .105 gage E string will not sit properly in a nut made for a .100 gage E string.

Originally Posted by blues_bassist

Can you change string gauges without damaging a bass? I don't want to crack the nut or mess up the neck by putting heavier gauge strings on. Also, can you go from a heavier gauge to lighter gauge string? I've heard that if you use a heavier gauge string it widens the groves on the nut so it's not possible to go to lighter gauge.

Thanks!