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Changing String Gauges

B

blues_bassist

Mar 14, 2009
364
15
Phoenix, AZ
#1
Can you change string gauges without damaging a bass? I don't want to crack the nut or mess up the neck by putting heavier gauge strings on. Also, can you go from a heavier gauge to lighter gauge string? I've heard that if you use a heavier gauge string it widens the groves on the nut so it's not possible to go to lighter gauge.

Thanks!
 
#2
don't worry about it
i've been switching string gauges a lot.
just went from lightest fender flat gauge to heaviest. not even a slight tuss rod adjustment nessecary.
there are some know it all "bassists" that want to make it all sound so difficult and dangerous. don't listen to them
 
#4
backup said:
don't worry about it
i've been switching string gauges a lot.
just went from lightest fender flat gauge to heaviest. not even a slight tuss rod adjustment nessecary.
there are some know it all "bassists" that want to make it all sound so difficult and dangerous. don't listen to them
Click to expand...

I find it hard to believe that you didn't need at the very least a truss rod tweak (which is nothing difficult at all) after moving up to higher gauges.

I'm guessing your string action may be high enough that you didn't even notice.
 
#6
Epitaph04 said:
I find it hard to believe that you didn't need at the very least a truss rod tweak (which is nothing difficult at all) after moving up to higher gauges.

I'm guessing your string action may be high enough that you didn't even notice.
Click to expand...

yes, you are right. my action is very high. but as I said, I didn't need to adjust the tuss rod for it to fit my preferences YMMV.
I just wanted to emphasize that moving up string gauges is not such a big deal.
 
#8
Epitaph04 said:
I find it hard to believe that you didn't need at the very least a truss rod tweak (which is nothing difficult at all) after moving up to higher gauges.

I'm guessing your string action may be high enough that you didn't even notice.
Click to expand...

I would normally agree with you 100%! I have to do this with 8 basses of mine, of all different ilk.

But the 9th bass, A 1987 Ibanez 4-string of which I am the original owner, NEVER needs adjusting. I have gone from heavy to light to flats to, get this, PICCOLO, without a single adjustment. It's SuperBass lol. Can't explain it.
 
#9
Well, a .105 gage E string will not sit properly in a nut made for a .100 gage E string.

blues_bassist said:
Can you change string gauges without damaging a bass? I don't want to crack the nut or mess up the neck by putting heavier gauge strings on. Also, can you go from a heavier gauge to lighter gauge string? I've heard that if you use a heavier gauge string it widens the groves on the nut so it's not possible to go to lighter gauge.

Thanks!
Click to expand...
 
#11
Depending what the nut was made for originally maybe .130 or .132? You may get lucky. All the tapes are usually just a little larger, so you may need some nut slot filing- the thinner slots usually have less tolerance as well.
 
#12
blues_bassist said:
Can you change string gauges without damaging a bass? I don't want to crack the nut or mess up the neck by putting heavier gauge strings on. Also, can you go from a heavier gauge to lighter gauge string? I've heard that if you use a heavier gauge string it widens the groves on the nut so it's not possible to go to lighter gauge.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

I came back from heavier to lighter gauges with no problems. I never broken a nut going of this way. But at the opposite you´d must care with the groves on the nut for avoid damage´em or even breake it.

If you have a low action You´d think that with a lighter gauge surely you´ll need adjust the truss rod or you´ll get a harder fret buzzing.
 
#14
I find that filing the Nut groove in a "V" shape allows you to go back to lower gauge strings. The heavier strings may sit just a tiny bit higher. If you're sure you want to stick with the higher gauge then you can file the nut to perfectly fit the string.
 

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