Super Low Gauge Strings + Fender Squire. Opinions?

[BongoPeg]

So... Just for curiosities sake I was thinking about buying a set of Darklord strings from Warwick (Or the Drop Zone set from Roto) for my 4 string fender... The gauges would be:

A - .085
E - .105
B - .135
F# - .175

Think a '94 Mexican made Fender Squire could handle the tension? Or am I just gunna snap that neck in a jiffy?

Opinions please.

[Mikhail1]

No your neck should be fine but you might have to have the nut slots widend a bit.

[BongoPeg]

Ok, is it easy/cheap to get the nut replaced if I switch back? Because Going back to EADG from F#BEA will be like throwing a hotdog down a hallway, where the bass strings are the hotdog and the nut is a hallway.

That sexual analogy was the only analogy I could think of to accurately describe what it would be like to switch back. Sorry if I offended anyone.

[ThrashMaster]

swappin nuts around is no problem, getting the new one made should be about 50 bucks. Explain to your luthier that you dont want them glued in so you can trade them around.

[BongoPeg]

Thanks a lot, 50 bucks isn't too much to ask, especially if I'll be able to swap them out. Will they not be loose, if not glued in?

[ixlramp]

There's a good chance thinner strings will work in wider slots, as long as you have downforce at the nut and the slot floors retain their valley-curve, i've used .045 in a .165 slot, .007 in a .032 slot no problem.
More choice of F# tension balanced sets here (and probably better strings) so you can choose a lighter set if you want Circle K Strings - Standard Balanced 4 Strings

[Pilgrim]

A Squier would handle it OK...Fender doesn't make a Squire.

[BongoPeg]

Originally Posted by Pilgrim

A Squier would handle it OK...Fender doesn't make a Squire.

Oh, sorry I didn't realize realize we were posting corrections that had no relative importance. If you aren't being useful please shut it. Troll.

Thanks very much to everyone who gave useful contributions. Strings are on order!

[ixlramp]

Originally Posted by BongoPeg

A - .085
E - .105
B - .135
F# - .175

Think a '94 Mexican made Fender Squire could handle the tension? Or am I just gunna snap that neck in a jiffy?

Opinions please.

Oh and ... those gauges at F#BEA actually have less total tension than a standard EADG set such as 105 85 65 45. See http://circlekstrings.com/CKSIMAGES/...nsionChart.pdf

[BongoPeg]

Wow, thanks for that... very good to know... I was thinking I was going to have to crank my neck back a bit to compensate for more tension. But this helps out a lot.

[bassteban]

Originally Posted by BongoPeg

Oh, sorry I didn't realize realize we were posting corrections that had no relative importance. If you aren't being useful please shut it. Troll.

Point that finger

[FunkMetalBass]

You will definitely need a setup and a new nut. You can buy a couple of cheap pre-slotted nuts for Fender basses and try your hand at widening the slots yourself. It's really not a tough task.

Where are you located? If in the US, I might suggest giving the Circle K Balanced 182 or 190 set a chance. I've heard mixed reviews about that .175 used at F#.

[WhiteNinja]

You need to be careful not to chip the end of the nut with that .175 string, especially on a Squier with a (probably) cheap nut. I'm also worried that the string will sit awkwardly on the bridge, unless it's tapered at the end, like the Circle K strings.

I'm was also eyeing the Dark Lord Strings. My other Black/Doom Metal band plays in G, a half step higher than F#. I will probably go with the Circle K .174 balanced set, though. I got two basses tuned to C with Circle K .124 Balanced, and they are absolutely great.

[BongoPeg]

Funny thing you mention that because I was planning on tuning up to G anyway.

And as far as setting up goes... I might as well just do it all myself. Im not gunna pay someone else to do it... I'm not particularly worried... If something does go wrong, I replace the part because I wouldn't mind modding the bass anyway.

Thanks for the pointers and tips.

[FunkMetalBass]

Originally Posted by WhiteNinja

You need to be careful not to chip the end of the nut with that .175 string, especially on a Squier with a (probably) cheap nut. I'm also worried that the string will sit awkwardly on the bridge, unless it's tapered at the end, like the Circle K strings.

I'm was also eyeing the Dark Lord Strings. My other Black/Doom Metal band plays in G, a half step higher than F#. I will probably go with the Circle K .174 balanced set, though. I got two basses tuned to C with Circle K .124 Balanced, and they are absolutely great.

I'm almost positive it's tapered because the Warwick bridge would require it as well.

[SLaPiNFuNK]

On the Rotosound Drop Zone Plus set...

The .175 is tapered, although will it pull through the standard bridge?

The .135 is not tapered, but the silk wrapped area is considerably thinner than the full winding of the string.