spongebob Posted July 20, 2013 Share Posted July 20, 2013 (edited) I've just grabbed a gorgeous used Precision from Bass Direct. Bass has been fully set up, and Mark restrung it with Smith strings (these are new to me) Nickels, 40-100. I usually use D'addario Nickels, 45-105. Question is, will changing over throw the set up out? Also, I haven't cranked it up yet - but I was thinking that the current gauge is a bit low for P bass thump? Also, if a slight tweak is needed, would it be a 'lefty loosey' to reduce tension? Bit reluctant as it plays brilliantly right now. Edited July 20, 2013 by spongebob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
voxpop Posted July 20, 2013 Share Posted July 20, 2013 I've used smith strings and found them to be really good sounding and will last. You coud just keep them on or change them, this may mean a slight adjustment to the truss rod. If you like what you have now, do nothing and enjoy your new toy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spongebob Posted July 20, 2013 Author Share Posted July 20, 2013 Do I assume that if a tweak was required, it would be left loosen? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoffbyrne Posted July 20, 2013 Share Posted July 20, 2013 Correct - as the Septics say 'Righty tighty, lefty loosy)'. G. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spongebob Posted July 20, 2013 Author Share Posted July 20, 2013 Thanks guys. I might be lucky, it might be fine......hopefully! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted July 20, 2013 Share Posted July 20, 2013 [quote name='spongebob' timestamp='1374300681' post='2147286'] Bass has been fully set up, and Mark restrung it with Smith strings (these are new to me) Nickels, 40-100. Also, I haven't cranked it up yet - but I was thinking that the current gauge is a bit low for P bass thump? [/quote] Congrats on the new bass. I`ve always used heavy gauge Roto Steel strings (50 - 110) but have recently switched to regular, as Roto Nickels don`t come in heavy. But, I bought a bass from our producer who had it strung with Roto Steel light gauge strings, and it was the best recorded sound I`ve ever had. He said he picked this up from the late Trevor Boulder. So give them a go, may work well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spongebob Posted July 20, 2013 Author Share Posted July 20, 2013 (edited) Thanks Lozz - it's a great bass (will post pics once all ready). Not my first P, but I should have never have got rid of the others...... I've just stuck a set of my usual 45-105's on there, and although the strings seem nicely playable (maybe a tad floppy), the action seems to have raised at the 12th by a fair bit. Suppose best thing is to leave it overnight, play it a bit, and the tighten the truss rod a fraction tomorrow? I thought the heavier gauge meant loosening the TR? Edited July 20, 2013 by spongebob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted July 20, 2013 Share Posted July 20, 2013 Yes, leave the new strings to settle overnight, then tighten the truss by about a quarter of a turn, again, leave to settle overnight. It may not seem as though a quarter-turn has done much when you do it, but the next day, once settled, you should see the result. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spongebob Posted July 20, 2013 Author Share Posted July 20, 2013 (edited) Excellent - will do - thanks. I did give the TR a very small tweak earlier as the bow was quite excessive at the 12th. Very stiff, but a small turn back to loosen, then forward (as my old luthier always suggested) to tighten a fraction seems good so far. Will leave overnight - play it a bit too - and report the results tomorrow! Edited July 20, 2013 by spongebob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spongebob Posted July 21, 2013 Author Share Posted July 21, 2013 Today it's playing brilliantly! The tweak did the trick - little move back, then a bit of push forward.....strings are perfectly positioned for me - very nice low action. Even better, not a hint of string buzz at all. I've had luthier set-ups that I've been unhappy with, but this I like! [size=4] [/size] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted July 21, 2013 Share Posted July 21, 2013 Nice one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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