My first setup

[jdrum10j]

So, I'm about to put some heavy gauge strings on my bass and figure I'll need to set it up afterwards. Any suggestions or precautions I should take? I've tried searching around the forums, but just haven't found much to tell me where to start first.

[God of Rapture]

http://www.garywillis.com/pages/bass...tupmanual.html

[jdrum10j]

Thanks!

[pkr2]

The only caution that I would urge is to make sure that what you are doing is what you are going to be satisfied with because you will have to open up the nut slots and if you decide to change back, you'll have to repair or replace the nut.

May I ask why you are going to heavier strings?

[Fong249]

Wind slowly, make sure the strings are seated on the saddle before you start crankin the tuners. More than once I have overlooked this and had to rewind the string, which i feel is not good for the string. Once your strings are on, play scales up and down the neck, retune, repeat. you'll probably need to adjust your action with the addition of heavier gauge strings.

[jdrum10j]

pkr2, I'm going to heavier gauge because I'm after some fat, deep tones with good sustain and everyone has pointed me towards heavier strings for that sound. I am considering some mediums though... I'm just after that tone, regardless of the gauge... I'd prefer medium, but everyone's pointing me the other way, haha.

[BurningSkies]

I always found that the change in feel and action from larger strings didn't make the switch worth it. I prefer to tweak my amp setting rather than changing strings and re-setting up my bass.

[jdrum10j]

Yeah, I think I'm going to do that probably and just stick w/ mediums... I'm really considering the EB Hybrid Slinky's... anyone know of any other strings for deeper tone? Not really looking to spend over $25.

[pkr2]

Originally Posted by jdrum10j

pkr2, I'm going to heavier gauge because I'm after some fat, deep tones with good sustain and everyone has pointed me towards heavier strings for that sound. I am considering some mediums though... I'm just after that tone, regardless of the gauge... I'd prefer medium, but everyone's pointing me the other way, haha.

I thought that might be what you were trying to accomplish.

I suggest that you consider what Burning Sky says in his response. As he says, the results may very well not be worth the trouble.

If your mind is made up to try the heavier strings, I would suggest that you try it first by only channging one string. Remove the original E string and put a heavier guage A string in it's place. The heavier guage A string will fit well enough in the E string slot that you will be able to tell if the change is worthwhile.

A big plus is that you can compare the sound of the different A strings with a side by side comparison.

If it doesn't give the results that you're looking for, at least you havent hurt the nut and can return to the original setup.

It is very unlikely that a slightly heavier string is going to do anything that you can't do with the tone control or EQ. You may see a little bit of change but probably not enough to warrant the modification.

Good for you! You'll be glad that you learned to do your own setups but the learning curve is not nearly as steep if your first few setups are on an instrument that you aren't modifying. Sort of like learning to walk before trying to learn to run.

Good luck.

[jdrum10j]

Thanks, I didn't want to do any modding anyway...I'll just stick with the medium's.

Thanks again!

[Fong249]

I went through the same thing, and found out, there is nothing like the proper fit and feel to a string. With the big strings ( i tried 110s) i felt like i was forcing the strings down, and the tension was naughty. I moved back to 100's on my jazz and 105's on my sr, and i feel completely at home.

[memphisthumper]

Try you a set of Ernie Ball nickel flatwounds. Flatwounds usually give a fatter and mellower tone. Be sure and get the nickel strings as the stainless steel strings will be brighter sounding. You might even begin to like flats as they don't eat up frets nor the fingers as much. On my p basses I use ghs or fender stainless flats but on the basses with a jazz bridge pickup added I use the eb nickel flats.