Do I need to get my bass set up for a change in string gauge?

[guroove]

OK, This is my first post, and I've been playing bass for about 20 years. Seems like a silly question for someone who's been playing for so long, but I settled on round wound strings with gauges of .045 - .105 about 15 years ago, but it took me about 10 years longer to settle on a brand of string. My bass is a very bright sounding fender jazz based custom job built by Jimmy Coppolo. AFAIK, it was the prototype for his line of basses. This instrument was set up perfectly when I bought it, and I have had the same set of strings on it for over 3 years. Sometimes my G string buzzes a very tiny amount, and the G string feels like it could be heavier. My question to the forum is, will I need to adjust my bridge if I go from my current set of strings (.045, .065, .085, .105) to a set with D and G strings that are .005 heavier (.050, .070, .085, .105)?

I like to slap a lot, and I like to slap softly at times. I'm also wondering if the change in tension is going to mess with my style. Would I be better off keeping my current string gauges and just addressing the buzzing on the G string by adjusting the bridge higher?

[Meatrus]

It may do, it depends on the bass. If it does, it will probably be the neck, (it may bow more) it will = more tension for sure, but its hard to tell how much affect it will cause.

My advise would be to change gauges if you want to, and then learn how to set up a bass (if I can manage it anyone can). The idea that a bass is set up perfectly if done a long time ago may not actually be true in most cases. As the neck will have probably moved in that time, due to temp and humidity. So there isnt much to lose, and being reluctant to change can hold you back.

Edit, wait I re read, if the G string is the only problem just higher it!

[Jaco who?]

Try measuring the distance from the bottom of each string to the fretboard at around the 17th fret - you can use anything, the edge of a coin, a car Key, anything that will give a decent reference point. It doesn't have to be exact, but if the G is lower, you'll notice it. If it is, then, yes, you should adjust the G saddle.

It's likely that the additional tension of the heavier gauge strings will pull the neck down enough to eliminate your buzz, if the saddles have nothing to do with it. It's also possible you'll need to go back and loosen all of the strings and then tighten the truss rod a 1/4 turn or so to get the bow in the neck similar to the lighter gauge strings you used before.

[darkstorm]

Change the strings first. Then see if it needs a minor truss rod adjustment. If so, do that. See's no reason bridge adjustment would be needed.

[bass12]

You will probably need to adjust the harmonics.

[groove pump]

Not sure which issue you're wanting to deal with.

If the string gauge feels wrong, try that other set with the heavier G and D strings. No biggie... I agree that you'll probably see next to zero difference in your neck relief.

If you want to only deal with that occasional buzz, just raise that saddle a hair (by "a hair", I mean even less than "a tiny bit"). You certainly don't need to consider a different set of strings just to try and defeat that buzz.

[guroove]

The buzz is very minor. It's a combination of things. The gauge does feel a tiny bit off. I'm gonna go ahead and get the .050 set. The G string also sounds a little "thin" and I get the clangy sound a little too easily at times. Also all my strings buzz a bit when I really dig in hard, but that has become part of my sound now. Yeah this thread was a little bit pointless, but I figured I'd want to get some opinions on changing gauges. I settled on .045s years ago because they were the only gauge that I was guaranteed to find back in the day. Now that we can buy strings online, I can get the same strings when I need to. Thanks everyone for all the replies!