Heavier gauge strings=bowed neck ??

kidvett · Post by **kidvett** » Thu Nov 02, 2006 5:05 am

Hello all,

About a month ago I changed the strings on my P bass for a heavier set of flats, DD Chromes 50-105. Action felt a little different in the last week or so and I checked the neck with the boys yesterday...only to find out a slightly bowed neck...I dont want this to happen on the 4003 so I need opinions on this...

Changing the strings for a heavier gauge, does it usually affect the neck ?? Are the DD Chromes high or low tension ?? Is is better to stick to the factory rating ?? What is the standard RIC gauge ?? 45-95 ??

Lastly, on the DD Chromes set....2 strings fell ``dead flat`` after about 2 weeks...

Marc

rickfan60 · Post by **rickfan60** » Thu Nov 02, 2006 5:19 am

I don't know what RIC uses these days but the bass set used to be 40-100. Each neck is different but newer Ricks can take quite a bit of string pull. You don't have to stick with the factory set but you may have to experiment to find what works best for your bass and your playing style. In any event, a change in string gauge usually requires a truss adjustment. Check the RIC site for truss adjustment instructions if you don't have a manual on hand.

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Thu Nov 02, 2006 5:22 am

When winter comes the humidity level drops in our homes. When the wood dries it shrinks. Then you need to tighten the truss rods. Also heavier strings will usually mean a truss rod adjustment.

On my basses I use a 105 or 100 E string ...

Keep the humidity level above 25% in your house for good health of your maple necks.

sabbath_of_bass · Post by **sabbath_of_bass** » Thu Nov 02, 2006 12:52 pm

I rarely ever play anything other then lights. On my ric its always lights for sure. Iv been told it can screw up your neck if you get to heavy a string on there. Why risk it i guess. Plus I just really like lights lol.

cheyenne · Post by **cheyenne** » Thu Nov 02, 2006 1:56 pm

I like D'Addario XL-170's

.45 .65 .80 .100

Nice tension, not to tight, not to floppy, never had a neck problem.

I have DR Stainless Steel Highbeams (same guage) on my CII,I like them alot.

edski · Post by **edski** » Thu Nov 02, 2006 4:48 pm

Fender 9050 ML's (aka bridge cables) caused a pretty significant bow on my 4001. Nothing damaging, but the action was a bit higher than it should have been. Those strings I *think* are 50-65-85-100.

rickfan63 · Post by **rickfan63** » Fri Nov 03, 2006 1:31 pm

I've used D'Addario Chromes (45-65-80-100) on my C64 and V63 for quite a while now with no problems. Fender flats are known for being pretty high tension strings. TI's are the lowest tension flats available now and the Chromes are in the middle. But the higher the guage the higher the tension in general.

green_us90 · Post by **green_us90** » Sat Nov 04, 2006 6:29 am

I used to have Fender 9050's flats on my 75 4001, they were pretty tight but for some reason the neck held up well. Lucky I guess

I now have Thomastil-Infeld Powerbass rounds on it- which have similar or lighter tension feel-wise than comparable Fender Rounds.

ram · Post by **ram** » Sat Nov 04, 2006 9:57 am

I too have been running the XL-170s on my 4001 for more years than I'd like to think about. No problems - just did a little truss adjustment (twice) early on. And have never fooled with it since. I agree totally with Scott's assessment.

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Sun Nov 05, 2006 5:17 pm

Quote ... "I rarely ever play anything other then lights. On my ric its always lights for sure. Iv been told it can screw up your neck if you get to heavy a string on there. Why risk it i guess. Plus I just really like lights lol."

The 70s 4001 has a neck that can handle a 100 E string easily in most cases ... the 4003 neck can take any string out there and still have strength left over ... That neck even handles 5 strings easily ...

berth · Post by **berth** » Mon Nov 06, 2006 10:17 am

Quote: "The 70s 4001 has a neck that can handle a 100 E string easily in most cases"

I recently bought Snowdogs '73 4001. It had (105) rotosound rounds on them for more than 20 years. Can I put 105 Rickenbacker strings on her? As far as I know these are less tension than the rotos.

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Mon Nov 06, 2006 11:19 am

the 70s 4001 neck should handle a 105 E string easily

berth · Post by **berth** » Mon Nov 06, 2006 12:47 pm

quote: "the 70s 4001 neck should handle a 105 E string easily"

/me breathes a sigh of relief.

Thanx for answering! I was afraid I had to use flats, which I do like on my 4000 for having something different. But not on my main bass.

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Mon Nov 06, 2006 1:13 pm

some flats are actually very high tension ... and some aren't ... my 73 and 74 4001 basses had strong necks that did well with pretty much any string I put on them ... even my 1968 4001 held its own with various brands of round wound strings ...