Double Bass Changing cut strings for metal?

[Vinton]

I'm going to look at an upright Shen today to possibly buy.
He said in the listing that he put gut strings on it. I don't have any experience with gut strings and this will be my first upright.
A friend of mine told me that it's not easy to switch from gut to steel strings, that I may need it done by a professional.

Is this true? Any advice?

 

[KUNGfuSHERIFF]

No. Your friend doesn't know what he's talking about. I've used a dizzying array of strings, including steel and gut, for years without issue.

 

[Rocktometrist]

Might need a set-up after the switch. Guys going for the traditional gut sound often have high action, so you might want to lower the bridge when you switch to steel (if the bridge has adjusters, no problem to do it yourself--but if not, you probably will want to have a pro do it).

 

[Michael Karn]

and make sure the bridge and nut slots are large enough to accommodate the larger guts

 

[KUNGfuSHERIFF]

The OP would be switching from plain gut. And if I recall correctly that bass has an adjustable bridge.

 

[Michael Karn]

The OP would be switching from plain gut

Reading comprehension is a wonderful thing, i'll try it the next time

 

[Jay Corwin]

Try the guts first.

 

[El Thumpo]

I have a sneaking suspicion this belongs in the Strings forum.