compensated nut - change in strnig gauge

[pbass2go]

Sorry if this has been covered, I did not see it when I searched.

My Bongo came with Super Slinky's 45-65-80-100

Every other bass I play has a 105 and although the difference is small, I realy notice it when switching basses. I am heavy handed and during a gig, the Bongo strings do not seem to work for me.

If I go to change the string gauge to my standard (comfy) gauge, will I need to change out or adjust the nut somehow?

Thanks in advance,

Rick

 

[mynan]

You shouldn't have to do anything for a change that small. I've even heard of guys putting a B-string (130) in there and having no problems.

 

[Ostinato]

The E and A slots were cut for the factory gauge. You'll need to get the nut recut to accept the larger string other wise the string might not seat properly in the slot. If you can see a gap under your E and A then you can do it.

 

[mynan]

The E and A slots were cut for the factory gauge. You'll need to get the nut recut to accept the larger string other wise the string might not seat properly in the slot. If you can see a gap under your E and A then you can do it.

You don't need to recut the nut to go from a 100 to 105 E and a 80 to 85 A...

 

[strummer]

The E and A slots were cut for the factory gauge. You'll need to get the nut recut to accept the larger string other wise the string might not seat properly in the slot. If you can see a gap under your E and A then you can do it.

No way you'll need to recut the slot for a 0.05 change in gauge!

Just change the string, done!

 

[bovinehost]

Yeah, I don't think the change is big enough to have to worry about filing the nut. I bet you'll be just fine.

 

[Ostinato]

You don't need to recut the nut to go from a 100 to 105 E and a 80 to 85 A...

Some people do need to do it. No two instruments are alike, no two instruments are machined or glued or assembled together exactly the same way.

Ernie Ball makes some fine basses but there are bound to be a few ones that need tweaking. How can you be so sure?

 

[strummer]

Dear moderator, please check all your inboxes

 

[maddog]

So I think everyone is of the consensus that the change is small enough that you should try the strings and then see if the nut needs altering.

 

[oli@bass]

In 25 years of playing bass, I've never even thought about tweaking the nut for a change in string gauge between 95 and 105. IMO, pretty much all production basses can handle these variations without any problems, because it is what players will usually put on.

Regarding "no two basses are exactly made the same", I think I've already owned enough EBMM's to accept that as a fact (hey, I wonder how many different types of dome speed knobs are used in the assembly line, as of now I own basses with 3 different types). As long as the whole instruments plays and sounds well, the differences don't really matter, do they?

However, AFAIK the nut is cast from synthetic material and will be one of the parts with the least variation in measurements.

Stop worrying, and put those strings on!

 

[bob atherton]

I'm awaiting my first Musicman, a Stingray 4, it will be with me in a few days. I too use DR Sunbeams 45 - 105 on my other basses. I also don't think the difference between 100 and 105 is great enough to recut the nut, but.... I have yet to buy any bass, and I'm talking many, many here that I have not cut the nut from stock standard. I have always found the all stock nuts are very much cut on the safe side.

To me the perect height of a nut should be about 125% the height at the first fret compared to the diference between first and second fret. If that made any sense at all...!

When my Stingray arrives if this is not the case files will be drawn!

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

In 25 years of playing bass, I've never even thought about tweaking the nut for a change in string gauge between 95 and 105. IMO, pretty much all production basses can handle these variations without any problems, because it is what players will usually put on....

Zactly

 

[bradfordws]

I just strung up both Sterling 5's with 45-65-85-105-128 and they dropped right in. Then, I had to adjust the action (3/32 at last fret), adjust intonation and a 1/4 turn of the truss rod and they play like butta.

 

[pbass2go]

Thanks much for the reply's. I am going to get a new set of string for the bongo soon.... now flats or rounds????

Happy Memorial day to all. Thanks to all who put their time in and served the couontry like my brother, and every other male in my family (in-laws too).

I do like this holiday.

 

[Spectre]

I have been moving all my basses to Hybrid Slinkeys 45-65-85-105
add 130 for 5 stringer

No cutting of nut, no problem, no issues... though slight tweaking intonation and possibly truss rod. NO Biggie

Hybrids are your friend... by them, install them, play them

 

[bob atherton]

Used to use EB strings on most of my basses for years but now use DR Sunbeams 45 -105. No going back for me now...

 

[Bass Control]

I have been moving all my basses to Hybrid Slinkeys 45-65-85-105
add 130 for 5 stringer

No cutting of nut, no problem, no issues... though slight tweaking intonation and possibly truss rod. NO Biggie

Hybrids are your friend... by them, install them, play them

I've was doing the same thing, only with a 125 B (I like a slightly thinner B). I'm back to the factory string gauges for now. Doing the Hybrid/125 deal got tedious and required having to order from EB, which I don't mind, but it got old after a while and my local dealer started giving me a small cut on multiple packs with them...

That, and stainless steel started killing my fingers after a while and I couldn't justify ordering them just to in slight pain after 4 hours of straight playing with no break.

 

[pbass2go]

Well, I strung it up with some roundwound off-brand strings of my regular gauge that were laying about and I am much happier with the bass now.
The slightly heavier gauge feels more like what I am used to and fresh strings are always a happy feeling.(I am sure the fact they were the origional strings that were on the bass from the factory did not help)

Thanks for all the input. This place rocks...