Sunbeam to Nickel Lo Rider - set up needed?

[srslots81]

Hi, quick question. I currently have DR Sunbeams on my 2012 American P-Bass. I just ordered a set of Nickel Lo-Riders (same gauge)...I know that no answer can be definitive without actually doing the switch and seeing what happens, but should I be OK going to the higher tension string without a set up/truss rod adjustment?

Ideally I want to just swap and play and have that be that. I play 95% with a pick and the action is nice and low right now.

Thanks!

Saul

 

[Gorn]

Wrong forum, but you should be fine. Loriders make it really easy to have low action without buzzing. Do the swap and if you want lower action, lower the saddles and/or gently tighten the truss rod and you're good to go.

 

[Bryan R. Tyler]

I've done the same switch myself, and didn't need to adjust the setup at all. The only difference might be that you may be able to lower the action a bit with the Lo Riders if you want to.

 

[Lorenzini]

You're going to need to re-intonate the bass. By the way, the tension between those 2 strings are very different. You're going to find that Lo Riders are tons stiffer.

 

[srslots81]

Thanks for the feedback everyone. 2 votes for "should be fine" and 1 vote for "wont be fine"

As far as them being stiffer, that is why I am making the switch. I play pretty heavy with a pick and would like the extra tension.

 

[Gorn]

You're going to need to re-intonate the bass.

Not necessarily. I've done this exact swap back and forth a few times and the intonation was just fine.

 

[Lorenzini]

Not necessarily. I've done this exact swap back and forth a few times and the intonation was just fine.

Good to hear!

 

[scubaduba]

Not necessarily. I've done this exact swap back and forth a few times and the intonation was just fine.

+1 Doubtful any intonation adjustment will be needed.

 

[joelb79]

Ive done this swap recently. I needed to tighten the truss ever so slightly with the Loriders. Lower action was possible as well. 45-105 on both if that matters.

 

[srslots81]

Made the swap and the action is great. It's nice and low still and the guitar is staying in tune and is tune everywhere on the neck. So far things seem good to go except one thing (that might not be a problem once I plug into a cab).

I haven't had practice yet in the studio where I can really play loud through my Aguilar, but when I am unplugged and hammer on the low E string from open E to the 12th fret and higher, there is a very tin like buzzing going on. Meaning I am not hammering from the 10th fret to the 12th (that sounds fine), but open E hammering. It doesn't seem to be coming though the amp though, however I'm in NY so apartment playing volume is very low with a fender rumble so far.

I just wish I checked to see if that was happening before I swapped the strings. If its not coming through the amp, its fine right?