Switching string gauges, will it cause any problems?

Leftybass12 · #1 01-05-2010, 01:15 PM

I'm about to change strings on a bass of my. It's a 6 string and right now I have D'Addarios on it. The string gauges are .032, .045, .065, .085, .105, .135.

I feel that the string gauge is too heavy for me. So I am going to buy a 5 string set of Ernie Ball Regular Slinky strings. The gauge is .045, .065, .080, .100, .130. The high C string I will buy separate and will be a .032. With all this being said will there be any problems when I switch gauges. Meaning will there be a drastic change in the neck (the bowing of it), or will the small strings not fit into the nut the proper way (meaning will they get loose), ect.

Also my 6 string is an Ibanez SR506 with a 5 piece neck and the D'Addarios that I have on it are long scale. Will the EB Regular Slinkys also be long scale also? Basically, in a nut shell, will I end up not wasting money with me changing string gauges?

gumtownbassman · #2 01-05-2010, 01:22 PM

might need to check the intonation with the new strings, especially the B.
Otherwise things should be O.K. so lond as the strings don't have a taper, and need the saddle height changed.

Leftybass12 · #3 01-05-2010, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gumtownbassman

might need to check the intonation with the new strings, especially the B.
Otherwise things should be O.K. so lond as the strings don't have a taper, and need the saddle height changed.

What is a taper? I've never heard of that before.

Hugh Jass · #4 01-05-2010, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leftybass12

What is a taper? I've never heard of that before.

THis is taperwound: Looking for Taperwound Bass Strings

Just a warning, I had slinky's on my SR700 (same electronics as yours) and they sounded pretty lousy. I would recommend D'addario XL's out of the strings I have tried. They can be ordered as a six string set in the gauges you want.

If you switch to lighter gauge you may find your action is too low due to the lower tension. if this is the case you may need to add some relief to the neck or raise the saddles or both.

Leftybass12 · #5 01-05-2010, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hugh Jass

THis is taperwound: Looking for Taperwound Bass Strings

Just a warning, I had slinky's on my SR700 (same electronics as yours) and they sounded pretty lousy. I would recommend D'addario XL's out of the strings I have tried. They can be ordered as a six string set in the gauges you want.

If you switch to lighter gauge you may find your action is too low due to the lower tension. if this is the case you may need to add some relief to the neck or raise the saddles or both.

Thanks for the link. I have seen that actually. Also, the 6 string has D'Addario XL's on it right now, but they need to be changed.

Hugh Jass · #6 01-05-2010, 01:42 PM

Maybe with your 506 being mahogany it will be fine but my maple/mahogany SR700 sounded really lousy with slinky's. Boomy lows, harsh highs and a nonexistent midrange. Rolling in mids just made it clanky. D'addarios are much better than slinky's or elixers.

I would like to try Dunlops as I love them on my L2000 but since I got a Spector the ibby is getting no play time at all

Leftybass12 · #7 01-05-2010, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hugh Jass

Maybe with your 506 being mahogany it will be fine but my maple/mahogany SR700 sounded really lousy with slinky's. Boomy lows, harsh highs and a nonexistent midrange. Rolling in mids just made it clanky. D'addarios are much better than slinky's or elixers.

I would like to try Dunlops as I love them on my L2000 but since I got a Spector the ibby is getting no play time at all

haha, nice. I've always wanted a spector. I'm using a GC giftcard to buy it anway so I won't feel too much like it is a waste of money. I'll look at it as a learning experience. I also think that it is all personal preference. You are actually the only person that I have spoken to who has not really preferred the slinkys. That fact that your bass is very similar to mine makes me wonder though. Also we have to consider the other things that I am using, meaning the bass rig, pedalboard, ect. Thanks for the input though! If I don't like them, then you can be the one who said "I told you so" lol.

Hugh Jass · #8 01-05-2010, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leftybass12

haha, nice. I've always wanted a spector. I'm using a GC giftcard to buy it anway so I won't feel too much like it is a waste of money. I'll look at it as a learning experience. I also think that it is all personal preference. You are actually the only person that I have spoken to who has not really preferred the slinkys. That fact that your bass is very similar to mine makes me wonder though. Also we have to consider the other things that I am using, meaning the bass rig, pedalboard, ect. Thanks for the input though! If I don't like them, then you can be the one who said "I told you so" lol.

Yeah, for sure. Despite the electronics being the same-ish the basses are a bit different and alot of people swear by the slinky's. At least if you don't like them they are cheap as opposed to a 50$ set of TI's or something.

I find my SR pretty easy to do a setup or adjustment on so if it does come to that you shouldn't have too much trouble.

Hope they work for ya!

Leftybass12 · #9 01-05-2010, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hugh Jass

Yeah, for sure. Despite the electronics being the same-ish the basses are a bit different and alot of people swear by the slinky's. At least if you don't like them they are cheap as opposed to a 50$ set of TI's or something.

I find my SR pretty easy to do a setup or adjustment on so if it does come to that you shouldn't have too much trouble.

Hope they work for ya!

Yeah, they are cheap, I'm only buying them for $20 at GC. I did buy last summer 2 sets of D'Addario XL's for $50, really dumb move on my part. Worst is that the deal was buy one set get another free. Thank god they lasted until now.