Changing String Thickness - Unintended Consequences?

[BassDad17]

I have purchased a new set of GHS strings to increase from 45-100 to 50-115
Will I have to change the nut or simply file to fit?

This will be for my main bass, a 2002 MIM P-bass with "upgraded" vintage '63 pups.

I prefer to have little to no tone added to my playing, so I'm thinking the thicker strings will add to this feature.


Appreciate any insight.

 

[michael_t]

I have purchased a new set of GHS strings to increase from 45-100 to 50-115
Will I have to change the nut or simply file to fit?

Possibly for the 115E. Why not 45-105? They're the Boomers, aren't they?

I prefer to have little to no tone added to my playing, so I'm thinking the thicker strings will add to this feature.

Can you elaborate on this? Because it's not making any sense.

 

[HelpImaRock]

You might not have to do anything. You might have to tweak a bit. Get the strings and see what happens.

 

[BassDad17]

Possibly for the 115E. Why not 45-105? They're the Boomers, aren't they?

Can you elaborate on this? Because it's not making any sense.

I mean that I prefer my tone knob to be at 1 or 2.
So I was thinking (!) that thicker strings will increase the muted tone knob effect.
I've played 45-105 as my regular, so that's why I was looking at different thickness.

 

[iiipopes]

I prefer to have little to no tone added to my playing, so I'm thinking the thicker strings will add to this feature.

Roll off the tone knob a little bit? I do this for new strings to tame new-string-zing, then gradually roll it back up as the strings seat in.

 

[michael_t]

I mean that I prefer my tone knob to be at 1 or 2.
So I was thinking (!) that thicker strings will increase the muted tone knob effect.

Based on my experience, increasing the thickness of the string would affect the playing feel more than the tone.

Assuming you're talking about the regular hex-core Boomers, I would suggest trying the Round Core Boomers if you want the "muted tone knob effect" as they're warmer with smoother mids and muted top end than the regular Boomers.

 

[Pyrrho Epoche]

I use:
SIT SR545125L Power Steel Roundwound 5-String Bass, Light 45-125 and just throw out the 45. I had to file a little on the nut. When I stepped up to 115''s, I think I had to file the nut a little too.

 

[winston]

I mean that I prefer my tone knob to be at 1 or 2.
So I was thinking (!) that thicker strings will increase the muted tone knob effect.
I've played 45-105 as my regular, so that's why I was looking at different thickness.

That's not always the case if you're moving up gauges in the same string model...
You'd think increased mass = bigger bottom end, which may be the case - but you also get more (not necessarily harmonic) overtones.

I often find lighter flats have a more noticeable fundamental and a woodier sound, that's what I hear with Ernie Ball Group IV 40-95 steel flats vs. the Group III 45-100 set, and LaBella 760FX (super light) vs. 760FL (light).

 

[BassDad17]

I use:
SIT SR545125L Power Steel Roundwound 5-String Bass, Light 45-125 and just throw out the 45. I had to file a little on the nut. When I stepped up to 115''s, I think I had to file the nut a little too.

ohh, there's an idea.

 

[BassDad17]

Based on my experience, increasing the thickness of the string would affect the playing feel more than the tone.

Assuming you're talking about the regular hex-core Boomers, I would suggest trying the Round Core Boomers if you want the "muted tone knob effect" as they're warmer with smoother mids and muted top end than the regular Boomers.

appreciate the suggestions. I am finding I really like the feel of the thicker strings, combined with the new Big Muff 2 pedal, it's getting real crunchy real quick like in a hurry.

 

[BassDad17]

That's not always the case if you're moving up gauges in the same string model...
You'd think increased mass = bigger bottom end, which may be the case - but you also get more (not necessarily harmonic) overtones.

I often find lighter flats have a more noticeable fundamental and a woodier sound, that's what I hear with Ernie Ball Group IV 40-95 steel flats vs. the Group III 45-100 set, and LaBella 760FX (super light) vs. 760FL (light).

thanks for the suggestions. It may be more of a tactile thing than anything else, but I am really digging the feel of the thicker strings. Maybe all in my head, but I like the deeper sounding E string. I've got flats on another Squier p-bass, which is it's own tone and feel