setup required when changing to higher tension strings?

[ray_yo]

if you change you brand of string to one with higher tension, will your bass need to be setup again? specifically, going from thomstik-infeld flats to labella flats (roughly the same gauge) on a P bass.

[cnltb]

I check the set up on my bass, whenever I change the strings and do adjustments/corrections as needed.
Even when I put on a new set of the same that has been on.

[trowaclown]

I had to tighten my truss rod when moving from DR Hi Beams to Sadowsky Blue Labels. Action was lowered as well, although interestingly intonation wasn't affected.

But, like what cnltb said, you should do a check even when putting on an identical set, just in case little differences between the sets require minor corrections to the setup.

[Slowgypsy]

Originally Posted by ray_yo

if you change you brand of string to one with higher tension, will your bass need to be setup again? specifically, going from thomstik-infeld flats to labella flats (roughly the same gauge) on a P bass.

Generally speaking, I wouldn't think you'd need a whole set up... but most likely a tweak on the truss rod. However... if the string gauges are larger than what you already have, there's a chance the slots in the nut might not accommodate the larger gauge. So enlarging the nut slots might be required. Just giving you the "head up"...

[anonymous02282011]

LaBella string rant

[Slowgypsy]

Originally Posted by adbass

LaBella string rant

Yeah, but the OP has already stated that the gauge of the Labella's he's thinking of using are roughly the same as the TI Jazz Flats he already has on. The Jamerson set discussed in your link is a very different gauge from the TI Flats.

[Floridabwoy]

I would check the intonation as well

[anonymous02282011]

Originally Posted by Slowgypsy

Yeah, but the OP has already stated that the gauge of the Labella's he's thinking of using are roughly the same as the TI Jazz Flats he already has on. The Jamerson set discussed in your link is a very different gauge from the TI Flats.

Granted, and that would in fact make a difference.

It's worthwhile to check intonation when changing strings, even if they're close to the same gauge that's currently on the bass.

Minor adjustments are well worth playing in tune.

[cnltb]

Originally Posted by Slowgypsy

Generally speaking, I wouldn't think you'd need a whole set up... but most likely a tweak on the truss rod. However... if the string gauges are larger than what you already have, there's a chance the slots in the nut might not accommodate the larger gauge. So enlarging the nut slots might be required. Just giving you the "head up"...

What I do whenever I change strings,
I check/correct
-intonation,
-action
and
-neck relief
as well as
-pickup hight.
Minor changes can have quite noticeable effects and investing a little time is very much worth it I think.

Also, and as far as I am concerned VERY useful is to come to kn ow your bass and really know what really works.
On my current bass I know how far the Pickup should be away from the strings, the amount of relief I want in the neck and the action I want on the last fret for it to sound and feel best.
All I need to do now, is to compare the values I find after re stringing, to those I know work and make corrections as needed.
Intonation is obviously not a thing one can just compare...

[Slowgypsy]

Originally Posted by cnltb

What I do whenever I change strings,
I check/correct
-intonation,
-action
and
-neck relief
as well as
-pickup hight.
Minor changes can have quite noticeable effects and investing a little time is very much worth it I think.

Also, and as far as I am concerned VERY useful is to come to kn ow your bass and really know what really works.
On my current bass I know how far the Pickup should be away from the strings, the amount of relief I want in the neck and the action I want on the last fret for it to sound and feel best.
All I need to do now, is to compare the values I find after re stringing, to those I know work and make corrections as needed.
Intonation is obviously not a thing one can just compare...

I'm with you. "bout once a month, whether I change strings or not, I tend to spend the few minutes it takes to check neck relief, action, intonation, etc, etc. But that's just me (and you). And when somethings not quite right, I know it, and know what it is. But the OP just wanted to know if he'd need a whole setup by changing from one set of strings to another similar (but not identical) set. And the reality is (I think) that a truss rod tweak will be a probability, but he could probably get away with not having to do a whole set up.

[Chrisk-K]

I check the setup of my basses even when restringing with the same brand, same gauge strings.

[cnltb]

Originally Posted by Slowgypsy

I'm with you. "bout once a month, whether I change strings or not, I tend to spend the few minutes it takes to check neck relief, action, intonation, etc, etc. But that's just me (and you). And when somethings not quite right, I know it, and know what it is. But the OP just wanted to know if he'd need a whole setup by changing from one set of strings to another similar (but not identical) set. And the reality is (I think) that a truss rod tweak will be a probability, but he could probably get away with not having to do a whole set up.

Agreed.
A "whole set up" does however include fret dressing etc as well in my world and that does not happen all too often here as I do not play hard and fretwear is not an issue.
If I feel that there may be an issue I do go to a luthier and have that checked as it is a thing I would not do myself.

[ray_yo]

thanks guys. i'm expecting the intonation to go off a bit which i can take care of, but the trussrod adjustment is more what i was wondering about, which is something i have less experience with.

[seanm]

The Labella's will be higher tension than the TIs. You will need to tweak the truss rod, or put up with much higher action

[Turnaround]

Originally Posted by ray_yo

thanks guys. i'm expecting the intonation to go off a bit which i can take care of, but the trussrod adjustment is more what i was wondering about, which is something i have less experience with.

Here's a simple answer for you. Yes you need a setup going from TI's to LaBella flats.

The TI's are low tension strings. The LaBella's much higher. The additional tension of the LB's will pull your neck forward and result in too much relief. Intonation will be different as well - the stiffer strings will require further saddle set-back than the TI's. And you may be able to lower the saddles a bit after the neck is set.

Setup time for sure if you want optimum playablility.