New strings, setup needed?

[flakeh]

Hey all.
I just bought new, thicker strings (i used 45-105, now use 50-125) And I'm a bit concerned about the truss rod and the action.

What changes if any do i need to do? There isn't any major fret buzz, the neck doesn't seem bent but i'm still a bit concerned.

Also, The bass is an Epiphone Thunderbird. And the bridge (which is a floating one, its about 1-2 cm above the body, held up by three screws) seems to be leaning forward if that makes sense. the screws that hold it in are angled forward. this bad?

[Foamy]

With new strings - even the same gauge, it is a good idea to re-check your relief. You should know how much relief you prefer. Also, some strings may "require" more relief, and some sets may allow you to have less. Much of this is subjective, but I personally subscribe to the business card method of checking relief. I slide 2 business cards under the strings, and fret the string at the first and 20th frets, then rotate the bass and see if the cards drop out. If they do, it is too much relief. I make very small adjustments (like in the 1/16th of a turn since it should already be very close) until this method holds 2 cards. Then, I use 1 card, and it should slide out. If it does not, then (for me) there is not enough relief, and I again very slightly tweak until it holds 2 cards, but lets one fall.

EDIT: Don't shim the neck pocket

[avid]

&

Originally Posted by Enchanter_Tim

With new strings - even the same gauge, it is a good idea to re-check your relief. You should know how much relief you prefer. Also, some strings may ;require" more relief, and some sets may allow you to have less. Much of this is subjective, but I personally subscribe to the business card method of checking relief. I slide 2 business cards under the strings, and fret the string at the first and 20th frets, then rotate the bass and see if the cards drop out. If they do, it is too much relief. I make very small adjustments (like in the 1/16th of a turn since it should already be very close) until this method holds 2 cards. Then, I use 1 card, and it should slide out. If it does not, then (for me) there is not enough relief, and I again very slightly tweak until it holds 2 cards, but lets one fall.

EDIT: Don't shim the neck pocket

Thanks for sharing that with us. I like the simplicity of your approach.

[flakeh]

Originally Posted by Enchanter_Tim

With new strings - even the same gauge, it is a good idea to re-check your relief. You should know how much relief you prefer. Also, some strings may "require" more relief, and some sets may allow you to have less. Much of this is subjective, but I personally subscribe to the business card method of checking relief. I slide 2 business cards under the strings, and fret the string at the first and 20th frets, then rotate the bass and see if the cards drop out. If they do, it is too much relief. I make very small adjustments (like in the 1/16th of a turn since it should already be very close) until this method holds 2 cards. Then, I use 1 card, and it should slide out. If it does not, then (for me) there is not enough relief, and I again very slightly tweak until it holds 2 cards, but lets one fall.

EDIT: Don't shim the neck pocket

Thank you very very much Tim. I was thinking about having to adjust the relief but i honestly had no idea how to know if i had done enough or not enough etc.

Also, did you edit it becuase you were flaming me 'cause i's a noob for not knowing this?

[Foamy]

Originally Posted by flakeh

Thank you very very much Tim. I was thinking about having to adjust the relief but i honestly had no idea how to know if i had done enough or not enough etc.

Also, did you edit it becuase you were flaming me 'cause i's a noob for not knowing this?

No, I edited it to add the part about shimming. It's an inside joke that's probably run its course. :-)

[SGT. Pepper]

Originally Posted by flakeh

Hey all.
I just bought new, thicker strings (i used 45-105, now use 50-125) And I'm a bit concerned about the truss rod and the action.

What changes if any do i need to do? There isn't any major fret buzz, the neck doesn't seem bent but i'm still a bit concerned.

Also, The bass is an Epiphone Thunderbird. And the bridge (which is a floating one, its about 1-2 cm above the body, held up by three screws) seems to be leaning forward if that makes sense. the screws that hold it in are angled forward. this bad?

Are you drop tuning or using standard?
A 125 tuned to 440 E is going to have lots of tension in Lbs, plus the other strings. Exactly what string guages are you using?

[SGT. Pepper]

Shim shimmeny, Shim shimmeny, Shim Shim Sheroo.....

[SGT. Pepper]

[Foamy]

Originally Posted by SGT. Pepper