my new bass has come strung (and perfectly setup) with 40-60-80-100 roundwounds. i want to try halfrounds but the D'Addario XLs come as 45-65-80-100 halfrounds. will i need to redo my setup over time or are the differences tiny enough that i won't notice much difference? (i realize they also sell a 40-60-75-95 set but then i would have to buy two sets for just one stringing which is a complete waste of money)
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do minor changes in string gauge affect the setup?
- Thread starter jcpharm
- Start date
You will have to re-eval and tweak your set-up accordingly. OTOH, there may be no change whatsoever.
Riis
You should learn to do a complete setup with every string change, especially when changing brand/type/gauges.
A simple 3-step process:
- After the new strings are installed and tuned up to pitch, check the amount of neck relief. Tweak the truss rod as needed.
- Check the action and see if you might want to raise or lower it according to the tension/stiffness of the new strings. Adjust the saddle heights as needed.
- Check the intonation. Adjust the saddle positioning as needed.
Here is a comparison in the actual tension figures...
D'A Half Rounds 40-95 = 139.45 lbs.
D'A XL Nickel 40-100 = 148.05 lbs.
D'A Half Rounds 45-100 = 178.3 lbs.
You can also try putting together a custom set (40-60-80-100) of the Half Rounds out of singles, which work out to be 155.75 lbs. in total tension.
By the way, while you're thinking of half-rounds, you might want to consider trying the GHS Bite Flats (Alloy 52 half-rounds/groundwound) in the light set (45-56-77-98), which is a lot better balanced in tension than the D'A HR 45-100.
GHS Brite Flats 45-98:
G 045 - 38.3 lbs.
D 056 - 35.9
A 077 - 39.3
E 098 - 38.8 ( Total 152.3)
D'A Half Rounds 45-100:
G 045 - 49.6 lbs.
D 065 - 48.9
A 080 - 41.1
E 100 - 38.7 ( Total 178.3)
buldog5151bass
Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
Surprise, surprise: I’m with @michael_t here
I will add that even if you replace a set of strings with an exact copy (same brand, construction, materials, gauges) it’s still worth at least checking your setup on a wooden instrument as seasonal changes may have affected neck relief since your last setup.
I went from 45s to 35s without needing to do anything to the setup, but that doesn’t mean you wouldn't need to.
It depends on your bass' neck and the strings you are putting on. But, super easy to check once you've swapped strings. And you may need to adjust the bridge height if the string construction differs much at the bridge contact points.
I double check set up and intonation every time I change strings. Even with the same strings I often need to make minor tweaks to the saddle position(s) to get intonation accurate. It does change.
I'll have to agree with this. Even if you just change out 40-100 X-brand strings for a new set of 40-100 X-brand strings, you should at least check your setup. After you take this opportunity to clean/oil/polish/whatever the neck, and check around for anything that might need attention - like, say, loose tuners, or saddle grub nuts that are gunked up. A string change is a most excellent maintenance opportunity; don't waste it. Even though, as a rounds player, you'll have another chance at this in a month or so...
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Depending on your action preference, you might.
I like my action around 3/64. If you prefer this or lower, you can likely bet on having to readjust a setup. A feeler gauge can really make your life easier with respect to this.
I like my action around 3/64. If you prefer this or lower, you can likely bet on having to readjust a setup. A feeler gauge can really make your life easier with respect to this.
IMO not knowing how to set up your bass is like not knowing how to move the seat or mirrors on your car.
If it's set up perfectly now, measure your relief BEFORE you change them.
The real answer is 'it depends'. Some necks are very hard and stiff and tolerate string gages with tiny or no changes in relief, while others are simply more flexible and may show a measurable change with new/different strings.
Change them, tune up, and see if your measurements are appreciably different, and/or a noticeable difference in feel. Then you'll know what to do.
And . . . it depends on the player. Some guys, any where in the ballpark is good enough, whereas others feel incremental changes.
So it's really down to what works for you and the particular bass in question.
Best of Luck,
JW
The real answer is 'it depends'. Some necks are very hard and stiff and tolerate string gages with tiny or no changes in relief, while others are simply more flexible and may show a measurable change with new/different strings.
Change them, tune up, and see if your measurements are appreciably different, and/or a noticeable difference in feel. Then you'll know what to do.
And . . . it depends on the player. Some guys, any where in the ballpark is good enough, whereas others feel incremental changes.
So it's really down to what works for you and the particular bass in question.
Best of Luck,
JW
A capo can make checking neck relief a breeze. I find it much easier than stretching my right hand across the fretboard while fretting at the first fret.
