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So I got this bass ... its got 40-100 roundwound strings on it... I got 45-105 flatwounds for it.

Am I sposta get this thing set up or should I just pay attention to the neck and all that? I don't know these things. Bass scares me.

It probably won't be a problem, I did that to my bass and it was all ok.

Ummm....just do it?

Yeah I think you'll notice if it starts doing anything to the neck. just keep an eye on that and you can adjust your truest rod if needed. Maybe check your intonation? Not sure if it would mess that up too much or not.

Thicker strings = more tension = more pull on the neck = more relief.

Put the strings on, tune it up, and fret the first and last fret on the E. Look at the gap between the top of the 8th fret and the bottom of the string.

Depending on the neck radius and your playing style, the gap should be a minimum of 0.010" and more likely closer to 0.014" or more if you like. If you don't have feeler gauges, a piece of an old guitar string will work.

If it is way out of that range, then yes, you need some setup work. Truss rod adjustments are actually really easy when done with knowledge and caution. Loosen strings, insert Allen wrench, turn a very small amount (1/8 - 1/4 turn) in the appropriate direction, tune, recheck relief. Repeat as necessary. Don't do it until you research and understand what you are doing.


And yeah, changing string gauges will change the intonation, as well as how the string sits in the nut.

Mike

None of this will work. If you do any of this your bass will actually catch on fire.

Mudfuzz wrote:None of this will work. If you do any of this your bass will actually catch on fire.

The guy at guitar center told me the same thing.

If it felt good enough with the rounds on it, I really doubt the small difference in gauge will change much of anything.
Check the intonation, if it's okay then I'd just play it. It is a good thing to know how to setup your instrument and I do like to keep it maintained, but I'm also not anal about the measurements or anything. I just eyeball it and make sure it's intonated.

Mike wrote:Thicker strings = more tension = more pull on the neck = more relief.

Put the strings on, tune it up, and fret the first and last fret on the E. Look at the gap between the top of the 8th fret and the bottom of the string.

Depending on the neck radius and your playing style, the gap should be a minimum of 0.010" and more likely closer to 0.014" or more if you like. If you don't have feeler gauges, a piece of an old guitar string will work.

If it is way out of that range, then yes, you need some setup work. Truss rod adjustments are actually really easy when done with knowledge and caution. Loosen strings, insert Allen wrench, turn a very small amount (1/8 - 1/4 turn) in the appropriate direction, tune, recheck relief. Repeat as necessary. Don't do it until you research and understand what you are doing.


And yeah, changing string gauges will change the intonation, as well as how the string sits in the nut.

Mike

Mudfuzz wrote:None of this will work. If you do any of this your bass will actually catch on fire.

Ha Ha! At the very least putting on massive strings won't break the bass. Have fun!

I've never had any problems with trying different string gauges and adding freak strings in the set for changing the tuning. When You have changed the strings, You can adjust the setup if must after some testing and then fine tune after that.

40's into 45's should be not an issue with any good neck. Just do it outside the house, because Mudz is right, unless You're planning an insurance fraud and want to set the house on fire.

I wouldnt worry about the change in gauge too much. Switching from
rounds to flats is bigger issue.

What brand of flats?

If u say labella a cute young couple from ohio's newborn baby will
likely explode