Switching string guages and how to avoid a Trod adjustment.

[lumgimfong]

I have a 4003 with Ric stock strings (45-55-75-105)

Want to get flats. I love Labella's.

So I can use either the :
FL set (43-60-82-104)
or the
FS set (45-65-85-105)

Wondering which set will be least likey to cause neck movement requiring a Trod adjustment, as I don't want to fool with the bass yet as it came from the factory in tip top playing shape, and I'd just as soon leave it alone if poss. But I do need flats.

[radapaw]

are you widening the nut slots yourself? If not, bring it to a decent tech and get him to set it up with your new strings of choice. nut/bridge/truss may all need some minor adjustment

[lumgimfong]

For the lighter set I won't need to file anything. So that will be nice. But the neck might bow back from the lighter gauges.For the heavier set, which I think I will prefer, I will only need to slot the two slots in the middle for the A and D strings. I don't know if I really have to file those bridges. I will just have to try it and see. Might get bowing though from the higher gauges. For now I'm just enjoying my first Rickenbacker bass and I think I'll just play it as is for a while and then switch to Flats whenever I have to replace the strings. Or when I am brave enough to venture into double Trod territory..

[lumgimfong]

But yes, I will try to do the work on my own. I am comfortable and have learned on my fender how to do those types of adjustments and also my guild StarFire base. But I have never worked with a double truss rod neck before and I'm reading conflicting anecdotes about how hard or easy it is to use.

[bosco64]

Our esteemed moderator Joey Vasco has a wonderful and very informative website that you should check out: http://www.joeysbassnotes.com
Good luck!

[jdogric12]

If this is new under warranty, save the factory strings. RIC has been known to invalidate warranties for things as simple as switching to non-factory strings, even when you're careful about tension.

To maintain the same tension, you really need tension numbers, which do not always directly correspond to gauge, and vary from one manufacturer to another.

[8mileshigher]

Our esteemed moderator Joey Vasco has a wonderful and very informative website that you should check out: http://www.joeysbassnotes.com
Good luck!

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