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Post subject: String Gauges
Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2008 8:40 am
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I'm just starting out playing bass, ( have been playing guitar for over 40 years ) and just bought a Standard Jazz Bass. My question is this: I know that if you change the string gauges on a 6 string guitar, say from a 9-42 set to say 10-46 set it changes the pounds per square inch (PSI) on the neck and it has to be adjusted to keep the neck bow the same. If I change the original string set that Fender ships the Jazz with, (45-100's) to say 45-105's or maybe a little heavier, will I need to have the neck re-adjusted. I don't think a few thousand's in one or two strings will change the neck but I'd like to head off any problems but would like a little more "meat" on the E string. I have a guitar tech in my area that's exceptional on line ups but always tries to get you to "bring it in"for a reline at 50-100 bucks a pop. What's everyone's opinion. Thanks


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Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2008 10:13 am
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Heavier strings generally put more tension on the neck, and even the same guage strings can vary in string tension. Rotosounds, for example, have more tension than, say, D'Addarios.

So yeah you may need to adjust the truss rod after changing the strings to a heavier guage. I say "may" because sometimes the neck just handles it. But you should probably plan on having to tweak it a bit.


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Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2008 11:05 am
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Mastermold wrote:
Heavier strings generally put more tension on the neck, and even the same guage strings can vary in string tension. Rotosounds, for example, have more tension than, say, D'Addarios.

So yeah you may need to adjust the truss rod after changing the strings to a heavier guage. I say "may" because sometimes the neck just handles it. But you should probably plan on having to tweak it a bit.

I agree with what Mastermold said. Get a set-up done.


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Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2008 11:08 am
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Any time you change gauges on a guitar/bass it is a good thing to have a setup done.
Learn to do it yourself to save yourself some money. It's fun too!

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Post subject: String Gauges
Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2008 4:34 pm
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Thanks for the info. If I change the sizes, I'll settle on one and get a set up or do it myself.


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Post subject: Re: String Gauges
Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2008 4:36 pm
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steveoh54 wrote:
Thanks for the info. If I change the sizes, I'll settle on one and get a set up or do it myself.


If you don't know how to do a setup have it done and ask the tech if you can watch.
Doing your own setups is fun and will save you money in the long run.

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Post subject: Re: String Gauges
Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2008 6:25 pm
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CAFeathers wrote:
If you don't know how to do a setup have it done and ask the tech if you can watch.
Doing your own setups is fun and will save you money in the long run.


Agreed. Some good info can be found here: http://www.tunemybass.com/bass_setup/
and here: http://www.garywillis.com/pages/bass/ba ... anual.html
and here: http://www.fender.com/support/basses.php


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Post subject: Re: String Gauges
Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2008 10:08 am
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zod wrote:
CAFeathers wrote:
If you don't know how to do a setup have it done and ask the tech if you can watch.
Doing your own setups is fun and will save you money in the long run.


Agreed. Some good info can be found here: http://www.tunemybass.com/bass_setup/
and here: http://www.garywillis.com/pages/bass/ba ... anual.html
and here: http://www.fender.com/support/basses.php


Great info! I should bookmark these!


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Post subject: Re: String Gauges
Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2008 10:20 am
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steveoh54 wrote:
Thanks for the info. If I change the sizes, I'll settle on one and get a set up or do it myself.


FYI -- I picked up a Custom Shop P-Bass earlier this year, changed out the stock roundwounds for a set of Rotosound flats -- didn't like them (too bright for my taste). The next day I put on some D'Addario flats, which I liked much better but decided a few days I wanted to try some Fender flats in a lighter guage. So last night I swapped out the D'Addario mediums (105-85-70-50) for a set of Fender medium lights (100-85-65-50).

I'm expecting the neck will move a bit and am waiting and watching before adjusting anything. I'm hoping they just settle in **fingers crossed** but I may have to adjust the neck this weekend if they don't.


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Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2008 10:25 am
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Mastermold wrote:
Heavier strings generally put more tension on the neck, and even the same guage strings can vary in string tension. Rotosounds, for example, have more tension than, say, D'Addarios.

So yeah you may need to adjust the truss rod after changing the strings to a heavier guage. I say "may" because sometimes the neck just handles it. But you should probably plan on having to tweak it a bit.


You know, I've swithed gauges all the time and never have I ever do any of this. Granted I've gotten the neck adjusted and intonation done every so often I think the bass sounds "off". I should do this I guess.

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Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2008 10:30 am
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PowerJazzBass wrote:
Mastermold wrote:
Heavier strings generally put more tension on the neck, and even the same guage strings can vary in string tension. Rotosounds, for example, have more tension than, say, D'Addarios.

So yeah you may need to adjust the truss rod after changing the strings to a heavier guage. I say "may" because sometimes the neck just handles it. But you should probably plan on having to tweak it a bit.


You know, I've swithed gauges all the time and never have I ever do any of this. Granted I've gotten the neck adjusted and intonation done every so often I think the bass sounds "off". I should do this I guess.


Eh, only if it needs it. If it ain't broke . . . :wink:


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