Upping the String Gauge?

Man with an Axe · #1 07-02-2008, 12:26 AM

I hope this hasn't already been asked, but I have a 5-stringer and I'm planning to change the gauge of my roundwounds from .45-.120 to .50-.130. Anything I should do in particular to keep the bass in good shape to handle the gauge increase?

JimmyM · #2 07-02-2008, 12:28 AM

You will probably need to readjust your truss rod and your string height. Other than that, it should be fine.

fretlessman71 · #3 07-02-2008, 12:34 AM

.050 might be a tad stout for the G string nut slot (it also might not be; just a thought). Be sure your strings sit properly in the nut slots when you string it up.

Man with an Axe · #4 07-02-2008, 12:38 AM

oh shnikes... i didn't think of the nut issue. can i fix it myself with a file? or just rubbing the string thru it to grind the nut down?

JimmyM · #5 07-02-2008, 12:40 AM

If you're good with a file, sure you can do it. It's slightly tricky, but it's not brain surgery. Using a string to do it would take forever. But it's possible you may not need to do any filing, either.

PilbaraBass · #6 07-02-2008, 01:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

If you're good with a file, sure you can do it. It's slightly tricky, but it's not brain surgery. Using a string to do it would take forever. But it's possible you may not need to do any filing, either.

actually, a plastic nut & a roundwound string...will take 5-10 minutes max.

JimmyM · #7 07-02-2008, 01:10 AM

What about bone or brass?

IMHO...5-10 minutes with a string compared to a minute with a file = forever

PilbaraBass · #8 07-02-2008, 05:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

What about bone or brass?

IMHO...5-10 minutes with a string compared to a minute with a file = forever

yes, true...brass would take about a YEAR

I use a rat-tail file ($2 investment), but have used a string in a pinch

Man with an Axe · #9 07-04-2008, 10:01 AM

So the truss rod... do I turn it before or after I put them on, and I want it to be just a quarter of a turn or so clockwise, right?

MysticMichael · #10 07-04-2008, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Man with an Axe

So the truss rod... do I turn it before or after I put them on, and I want it to be just a quarter of a turn or so clockwise, right?

This isn't hard. Simply install the strings as usual - assuming the nut slots have been filed, if necessary. Then see how much the additional tension affects the neck. Yes, it might require about a quarter-turn clock-wise. But let the neck settle a bit first and see how it feels before you touch that.

Depending on the particular make/model of strings, you might also need to tweak your intonation a bit. Once the string saddles, nut and truss rod are where they need to be, test the intonation with your tuner (playing overtones at the 7th & 12th frets against the open strings). Then, move the string saddles slightly down or up (toward the bridge or toward the neck), accordingly...

MM

Man with an Axe · #11 08-17-2008, 05:21 AM

Hey all, sorry for bumping a 6-week old thread, but before I put on the new, heavier strings, am I risking heavy damage to the bass? I'm in the middle of the countryside in Japan, so if I mess this up it's a 4 hour drive to Tokyo to find a repair shop!