Will heavier guage A & E harm neck of Schecter Hellcat VI??

eateachother · #1 05-14-2009, 09:00 PM

I just got a Scecter Hellcat VI yesterday, and I love this thing. But the tow lowest strings are floppy, especially the E. I'd also like to put lighter guage strings on the high B & E, so I can bend easier. They seem way tight compared to the low ones. Is this because it needs to be balanced this way, or would it be OK to by singles and make a custom set?

The D'Addarios that came on it are guages 24-34-44-56-72-84.

I'd like to make a D'Addario set like this ~ 20-30-45-60-75-95; or even a 20-32-45-60-75-95 set of Ken Burns singles. But if it's likely to harm the neck or something else I'd like to know before I purchase these singles and try this.

Any knowledge would be appreciated.

Thanks

fretlessguy · #2 05-16-2009, 07:41 AM

I'd e-mail Shector on that one just to check and make sure. Off the top of my head I'd say no, but don't take chances.

BadB · #3 05-16-2009, 07:53 AM

It should not be a problem at all. The truss rod might require an adjustment and the nut slots might have to be widened a bit.

eboe · #4 05-18-2009, 11:03 AM

the set that schecter sells for it on their website is as follows : .025 - .035 - .045 - .055 - .075 - .095 - which is, BTW, the exact same as the Fender Bass VI set.

hellboy · #5 05-19-2009, 03:09 PM

Those are also the gauges that come on it from the factory (so your nut should be fine unless it's been recut).

The D'Addario strings are too light at the bottom, which is why they're floppy. I don't understand why they do it that way.

eateachother · #6 05-19-2009, 06:41 PM

Thanks for all the responses. I had no idea Scecter sold them, never even looked, and they never told me in all the conversations I've had with them. I got a call from one of their techs who said D'Addario makes them special for Schecter, not rolled up in packs but in large straight boxes, which he claimed had 95's. But then I took out an 84 E from the D'Addarrio pack I just ordered and it looks to be the same guage as what's on it. I've decided to try 20-32-45-60-75-90, which will cost extra as singles. But if I like it that way it'll be worth it. I hardly ever break strings anymore. I will, as some of you advise have it set up for the new guages after I determine the best source. I worry that these strings will not always be able to come up with, and I don't want to change the set once I get what I like. Man, I love this thing, it's pretty much just what I expected, and I can use the e-bow on it... But when I want to bend the skinny two it's just more tension than I'd prefer. The bottom shouldn't be that hard to bend if I just go a little thicker, but I'll get used to it if it serves as a better bass this way. I appreciate the help, guys.