So, I switched my low E(Eb) from a 105 to 110

[DaveParker39]

On my Spector Euro 4, I tune to Eb with 45-65-85-105.

I find the 105 to be a little loose, so I went up to a 110 on the low E (Eb).

Here’s what’s weird:

The intonation is still spot on. 5th fret. 12th fret. Maybe a cent or two on the 17th but still “in tune” according to all of my tuners.

Did I do something right? Wrong? Shouldn’t my bass require massive adjustments to compensate for my reckless abandon?

(seriously, if there is something I am overlooking let me know)

 

[Gsnorgathon]

5/1000s of an inch doesn't seem like all that much of a change to me. The overall change in tension (including the other strings) is probably <2%. I suppose the truss rod could be so stiff the neck just didn't budge. Give it a few days and check again. In the meantime, enjoy being properly intonated!

 

[michael_t]

Here’s what’s weird:

The intonation is still spot on. 5th fret. 12th fret. Maybe a cent or two on the 17th but still “in tune” according to all of my tuners.

Did I do something right? Wrong? Shouldn’t my bass require massive adjustments to compensate for my reckless abandon?

Going up or down in gauges may or may not require intonation adjustment depending on how the string is constructed. Based on my experience, the thickness of the core wire has more bearing on intonation. Two strings of different gauges but the same core wire thickness may not need as much adjustment as two strings of the same gauges but different core-to-wrap ratio. Also, the type of the core wire, as in hex vs. round, might have something to do with the amount of compensation required.

 

[HaphAsSard]

Based on my experience, the thickness of the core wire has more bearing on intonation. Two strings of different gauges but the same core wire thickness may not need as much adjustment as two strings of the same gauges but different core-to-wrap ratio.

^ This. Core diameter probably happens to be the same as the older string, which must have maintained things in the ballpark in terms of the overall stiffness of the string (which is the main component in the need for compensation for a real-world string, with the other - the increase in tension when fretting, due to lateral deflection - probably not having presented a significant change either, what with the relatively small increase - two to five pounds, I wanna say? - in overall pull on the neck).