going 30-50-70-90 on Sr4 - need advice on any issues that could arise

[stingray_guy]

Hi all,

I've always fitted 30-50-70-90 gauge strings on my basses, I got lucky with my SBMM SUB that the factory strings were quite light and the nut was never quite filed properly so even though it didn't play great with factory strings, the light gauge went on pretty much perfect and played a dream with minimal setup. I like as low an action as I can get with no buzz or dead spots.

I know how to set a bass up, so once the stings are on I'll have it playing perfect. However, the only issue I think I may come across is at the nut. As you all know the Stingrays are set up perfect at the factory for 45-105 strings, by fitting 30-90s does that mean I need a whole new nut and file it? Or will it be okay?

I'd rather not mess about with the nut etc if I can, but I thought I'd check with you guys on here first. I tried to get along with the strings the shop fitted for me (standard gauge Cobalts) the best I could, but I just cant do with the tension, I much prefer low tension and light gauge. Despite having huge hands I much prefer a light gauge set.

Cheers all

 

[five7]

You could build up the slots with super glue if they are too big. It worked on the g slot on my bongo.

 

[sanderhermans]

Lighter gauge may give you a bit more fret buzz but thats up to you. As said above, if it is needed you can fill the nut up bit by bit with super glue. And isnt the factory gauge 40-100?

 

[Golem]

Whenever I use soopergloo I also use newspaper
or similar trash paper soaked in glue to add some
fibre content to the build up. I spoze everyone will
say they have no problem NOT doing that, and I
had no problems before I took to adding fibre, but
hey ... fibre reinforced resin, can't hurt, no extra
cost, and about 5% extra work

 

[drTStingray]

I had this gauge of string on my SR4HH LE 2007 for several years, using it as my main gigging bass, until I broke the G and D in a slapping/popping incident!! I had no problems and the bass sounded quite hi fi with them.

The standard gauge for an E string on a new Ray is 100.

 

[MrMusashi]

hehe.. mark king bends.. all across the whole fretboard

if you dont make the nut fit you might have some issues with the string moving in the groove. it might give you a buzz on open strings.
but these are all mights. you will know when you try them on. if it works for you, dont mess with anything

MrM

 

[Rick Auricchio]

Have you considered TI Flats? They're very flexible and run in standard gauges. I've got the Jazz Flats on my SR4 and Big Al 4. I've never used their rounds.

They provide a download link for the catalog--it lists the tensions.

Since they're made in Austria, hopefully they are cheaper in the UK than in the US.

Fretted instruments | Bass Guitar | Thomastik-Infeld Vienna

 

[stingray_guy]

Just an update for you all - its all good!

The strings went in okay, and I did not need to do any work to the nut at all. Didn't need to pack it out or file it out. The strings are low on the board (too low at first), and before I done any work on the setup, the bass buzzed like a mofo. But then after tweaking the truss rod, saddle heights and intonation the bass is absolutely perfect. No buzz at all. It also gave me a good chance to give the neck a nice treatment and make sure that maple fb stays poifect. The truss rod was rock solid to move, did not wanna budge at first, hence why it's taken me a few days to post an update as I've been following the quarter-turn-a-day rule to avoid any neck issues later on. It was worth the wait. I even still used the truss rod tool which I got with my SBMM SUB (as I didnt get one with the EBMM) which I suppose was pretty cool.

The action feels incredibly low because the strings are so thin, but I am really digging it. Feels a bit like the bass is playing itself, I've finally got a bass that is of such a high quality that it makes me sound better as a player just in the way it plays. I didn't even know it could do that! I've always preferred light gauge strings and now I've got them on my proper EBMM stingray I can see why.

Oh yeah, also, thanks Ernie Ball - had a random parcel turn up this morning with a rather nice little EBMM toolkit in it with everything I'll need for my stingray - thanks!