Going to a heavier gague string.

crack-boom · #1 09-17-2009, 12:41 AM

Hey all I usually uses Ernie Ball Regular Slinkys (.105 .085 .070 .050), but needed new strings so decided to try out some D'Addario XL ProSteels (.110 .090 .075 .055).

Just wondering if I will need to adjust the truss rod or anything to deal with the heavier strings?

Cheers in advance

crack-boom · #2 09-17-2009, 01:39 AM

1 hr bump

Meatrus · #3 09-17-2009, 06:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crack-boom

).

Just wondering if I will need to adjust the truss rod or anything to deal with the heavier strings?

Yes probably

. Check what it looks like now (tuned standard with old strings), then look again when you are tuned standard with the new strings. If it doesn't feel or look any different, don't bother changing it, but I think it will so you may need to tighten the truss rod.

JimmyM · #4 09-17-2009, 11:11 AM

+1. Heavier strings = heavier tension = more pull on the neck.

Roadkill · #5 09-17-2009, 12:26 PM

Probably will change the intonation also. Learn how to adjust your instrument (it ain't that hard

) or stay with the same brand/gauge/type of strings always

. If the bass manufacturer didn't expect you to adjust your own they wouldn't all come with those allen wrenches

.

crack-boom · #6 09-17-2009, 02:37 PM

Thanks guys, yea it feels / looks like my action has gone up a bit, and chances are its the neck cause I didn't adjust the saddles or anything.

I can confidently adjust the saddle height and the intonation but its just messing with the neck that has me a little worried.

Looking at the neck now. There appears to be a very very small bow in it. Slightly more pronounced on the E string side.

Any suggestions?

Roadkill · #7 09-17-2009, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crack-boom

Any suggestions?

1) Put wrench on (in ?) truss rod adjuster.
2) Turn wrench.

crack-boom · #8 09-17-2009, 02:41 PM

Haha yes yes ok.

Squier VM P = in truss rod... Which way pulls against the strings?

Meatrus · #9 09-17-2009, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crack-boom

Haha yes yes ok.

Squier VM P = in truss rod... Which way pulls against the strings?

Think of it as a screw viewed from the headstock, tighten = right turn (which you need), loosen as you would a screw = left. Most truss rods will be like this.

crack-boom · #10 09-17-2009, 03:05 PM

Thanks heaps meatrus! As soon as I find some allen keys I'll attempt a 1/4 turn or something like that.

Meatrus · #11 09-17-2009, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crack-boom

Thanks heaps meatrus! As soon as I find some allen keys I'll attempt a 1/4 turn or something like that.

No problem

. One other thing that may help, is after you have tried a quater turn, give it a couple of hours (some even say a day or so) before altering again. As the neck can move a bit more after adjustment. If there is still a bow a couple of hours (or longer) after adjustment go for another quater turn.

IMO you want a straight neck with an almost invisible amount of relief, but it differs from person to person depending on how hard you play and such. You probably knew all that already

, but thought it may be useful.

Good luck

crack-boom · #12 09-17-2009, 09:27 PM

thanks again so much. yea i gathered a few things from reading around this forum but it's always great to have some affirmation haha.

yea i do like quite a flat neck, just gotta find some allen keys. hope i can get it set up properly before exams in a couple weeks eek hahaha. should be fine.