Jump to content
Why become a member? ×

Changing gauge without adjusting the nut


Hutton
 Share

Recommended Posts

I have just purchased a Jazz bass which is strung with 50-105 gauge strings. I want to fit my preferred strings (TI flats) which are 43 - 100. Is it going to be likely that I will need a new nut? 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I wouldn’t have thought a few thousandths of an inch would be a particularly big issue. I restrung my Rob Allen 5 string E-C once and it didn’t need any adjustment and there was about a 0.025 difference there (changed it back as I didn’t like it particularly). Try it and see.

  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

6 minutes ago, ezbass said:

I wouldn’t have thought a few thousandths of an inch would be a particularly big issue. I restrung my Rob Allen 5 string E-C once and it didn’t need any adjustment and there was about a 0.025 difference there (changed it back as I didn’t like it particularly). Try it and see.

Thanks man!👍

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Let's be honest - 0.025" is just over half of a millimetre - assuming that the string sits in the middle of the groove then it's just over a quarter of a millimetre per side.

Personally I wouldn't worry too much.

  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

No!

 

And even if you swapped to a set with a gauge .095, or even .090, low E string it would still not be an issue.

 

I am speaking out of experience here.

 

The way the nut slots are cut they form an U, almost V, shape, meaning that thinner gauge strings will just sit a bit lower in the slots, but exactly just as well.

 

And say you wanted to change to tenor bass tuning, that is A standard tuning, and use a gauge .080 or similar string in the nut slot otherwise intended for a low E string, fitting a small cut to size strip of a layer or two of adhesive shielding copper tape down in the nut slots would make that perfectly viable as well.

 

Edited by Baloney Balderdash
  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Great replies for which I am very grateful. This has to be the best forum on the internet. No question is ever treated as irrelevant and no member is made to feel

stupid. I love this community.

Edited by Hutton
  • Like 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I bought a precision a while back which came with the labella jamerson flats 52-110 fitted, they are way too heavy for me so I put my usual LTF’s on 42-100 , no problems whatsoever, I’d say you’ll be fine 

  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

 Share

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...