Switching gauge...

[ausf]

Taking off the Fender Super Bass 7250MLs that came on my P (45-65-80-100) and putting on Rotosound FM66s at 30-50-70-90.

Any nut issues I need to be aware of?

 

[fretlessguy]

Since you are going from a larger to smaller gauge, I doubt it. However, you will need to adjust the neck tension, adjust the height of the strings, and re-intonate the bass.

 

[ausf]

Yikes.

I figured I might need to adjust the height a bit, but neck tension adjustment gives me the willies. I guess the formative years via my '78 Ric screwed with my head regarding the neck. Straight through with double torsion rods made me a suspicious man. I still get chills when I see an un-stringed instrument.

I may be re-thinking the gauge switch now.

 

[Solarmist]

He's right - you may have to re-adjust the relief. If you switch the strings - just give it the credit card test. Don't fear the trussrod - just use common sense. When you loosen it - No more than 1/4 turn max at a time (I only go 1/8 to 1/6 turn at a time), and let settle. Here's some valuable info:

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[fretlessguy]

Doing a bass set-up is not all that difficult, but it is very easy to screw-up your neck as well. Try this:

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Good luck,
Doug

 

[Mastermold]

He's right - you may have to re-adjust the relief. If you switch the strings - just give it the credit card test. Don't fear the trussrod - just use common sense. When you loosen it - No more than 1/4 turn max at a time (I only go 1/8 to 1/6 turn at a time), and let settle. Here's some valuable info:

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Yeah I used to fear adjusting my truss rod, but if you go in small increments like this (don't crank away at it!) you can't hurt anything. Just a quarter turn, come back to it the next day and see how it looks. If it needs more, try another quarter turn, etc. The key is don't think you're going to do it all in a day. It may take a week to get the bass where you want it with the new guage strings.

 

[ausf]

Thanks guys, I've read through all the links in the set up forum as well as some other stuff online and feel comfortable doing it. I checked everything according to all the info and it's spot on right now.

The only slight problem is the Highway One P has the hex truss nut at the base of the neck, even though the Fender online info and even the owners manual claims a Phillips.
The indentation is way too small to accommodate any normal allen key, even a cut off one. I found a ball end hex the right size (thanks to IKEA) so I think I'll be alright.

I'm seriously questioning the worth of changing the gauge though. I was going with the Funk Masters just out of curiosity. Since the bass is only about a month old and what attracted me to it was how well it played and felt, I'm hesitant to mess around until I need to.

 

[Davo-London]

It's also a big step in terms of tension. Why not try the 40-60-80-100 set first off and see if this is to your liking. I prefer the 40-60-80-100 gauge myself as I consider you get more feel and nuances from the lighter gauge, somehow more musical.

That's me I know. Most folk love their tension.

Davo