do minor changes in string gauge affect the setup?

[Isaac_James]

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)

Whether you notice the difference will depend on how picky your ear is. However I join the chorus of folks agreeing with everything @michael_t has to say about strings (here specifically but also just in general, there are few users here more knowledgeable than him here on the topic). String change = check setup. Most of the time, putting on a new set of the same strings the bass had before will require only a minor tweak, or nothing at all. But I always check to make sure anyway.

I am firmly of the belief that every instrument player should maintain the tools and knowledge to make minor adjustments to their instruments as needed.

 

[40Hz]

Sometimes, not always. Depends on several different factors. But most times some minor adjustments will be needed

 

[Tom Bomb]

Sonny Landreth uses a heavier tension for slide, on a strat, but chooses not to mess with the setup. This way, he says, the string-height shifts in his favor. I think that explains it. Stuff happens which may or may not be beneficial. The latter, for most of us.
​

 

[Ostie]

Maybe.