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georgie_boy
Intermediate Member
Username: georgie_boy

Post Number: 108
Registered: 8-2005
Posted on Sunday, September 24, 2006 - 4:00 am:   Edit Post

Hi
I've just re strung my 1976 Series 1 bass with new strings. I normally used 30,50,70, 90, but thought I'd like to just go "up one" gauge-35,55,75.95.
So far nothing needs adjusted,(I only did it this morning), but I'm letting her settle for a couple of days to see what happens. Should I expect any major changes? Is truss rod adjustment on Alembics "clockwise" to tighten as is usually the case? How do I lower the action if necessary-can I just turn the 2 phillips type screws, or is it more involved. Thought I'd best ask incase I do a Homer Simpson.
ALL help appreciated
Thanks
george
bigredbass
Senior Member
Username: bigredbass

Post Number: 1033
Registered: 9-2002
Posted on Sunday, September 24, 2006 - 4:08 pm:   Edit Post

IF they're the same brand as your previous ones, I wouldn't look for much change. If it's from a different manufacturer you may see some change.

If I had to bet, I don't think it's going to move much if any. If the bass felt just fine, I'd leave the action alone. Especially if this bass is feeling good to you and not buzzing with these way smaller than usual strings, leave it alone. It would not take you long to research posts here to find folks really having to work hard to get the bass to settle in to these sizes.

The truss rod: Clockwise to tighten/flatten the fingerboard, the reverse to loosen/add more relief.

Adjusting the bridge height is only one part of adjusting the action, and I use it alone ONLY to fine tune out a very small remaining buzz IF it only takes a small fraction of a turn to do it. It's seldom a wholesale cure unless it was way off to begin with.

J o e y
georgie_boy
Intermediate Member
Username: georgie_boy

Post Number: 109
Registered: 8-2005
Posted on Tuesday, September 26, 2006 - 3:39 am:   Edit Post

Hi Joey
Thanks for the advice. Strings were from the same manufacturer.
So far, she is perfect-neck still straight and action just fine, no buzzes or rattles--thats been 3 or 4 days now, so I assume that all is well.
If I did want to lower the action a fraction, is it just a case of turning the screws on top of the bridge, or do I need to loosen other screws on the bridge before doing this (like my old EB3, where you had to loosen 2 hex nuts before adjusting the height)?

Thanks again
George
jacko
Senior Member
Username: jacko

Post Number: 829
Registered: 10-2002
Posted on Tuesday, September 26, 2006 - 4:25 am:   Edit Post

George.
Yes it's the two Allen key nuts on top of the bridge. Chances are though, if you change the action you'll have to reset the intonation. I've been faffing for a couple of weeks trying to get an action I'm happy with on my fretless and I can tell you, a good tuner is vital.

graeme
georgie_boy
Intermediate Member
Username: georgie_boy

Post Number: 110
Registered: 8-2005
Posted on Tuesday, September 26, 2006 - 5:52 am:   Edit Post

Hi Graeme
The "Allen Keys" on the Series are actually Phillips screws, but I get the message. At the moment she is great-such a BIG sound. So far I've adjusted absolutely nothing and she is sitting-----probably even better now than when I used the 30-90 gauges.
I'll check the intonation shortly, and I do have a great tuner that I bought about 25 years ago. It's a Korg GT 60X-never let me down ever.
I also re strung my Curbow bass with STATUS premium round core stainless strings in the 30-90 gauge. Tried them live yesterday and they are killers although the Series has the Elites Nickel on her which I find give more harmonics than the stainless (I may be talking crap here).
Will be trying other brands of 35-95 in the future, as I think that may be the ideal gauge for me and let you know what I think.
What make and gauge are you using, and why are you changing the action on the Rogue. I liked it when I played it, although I like a good low action, but not too low or it seems to me that the strings don't "sing" as they should.
Remember and look after that Epic for me now!!LOL

George
jacko
Senior Member
Username: jacko

Post Number: 831
Registered: 10-2002
Posted on Tuesday, September 26, 2006 - 6:01 am:   Edit Post

I've put DR Red Devils 45 - 125 on the rogue after a couple of sets of Alembic own brand. The action felt a little high so I started tweaking. Think I've got them just where I want them after last nights workshop session.
I really like the red devils against the coco bolo and they hardly show up against the purpleheart neck laminates.

Graeme
bigredbass
Senior Member
Username: bigredbass

Post Number: 1037
Registered: 9-2002
Posted on Tuesday, September 26, 2006 - 6:04 pm:   Edit Post

georgie, sure, if you only need just a little lowering, turn those bridge height screws about a 1/4 or 1/2 turn, if you're just ALMOST there.

J o e y
georgie_boy
Intermediate Member
Username: georgie_boy

Post Number: 111
Registered: 8-2005
Posted on Wednesday, September 27, 2006 - 2:43 am:   Edit Post

Thanks Joey.
Just letting her settle for a bit before I think about anything. She is still fine today and seems to have settled in great. I MIGHT want to lower the action by about 1mm at the 17th fret on the E string, but that's about all. Any idea how much of a turn that would be-1/2 maybe??

Graeme-tell me about these Red Devlils!
Do they do a 35-95 gauge.
Why are you using them as opposed to the Alembic strings

Thanks guys
George
jacko
Senior Member
Username: jacko

Post Number: 833
Registered: 10-2002
Posted on Wednesday, September 27, 2006 - 2:48 am:   Edit Post

Sorry george, I think they only come in '45s'. I changed because they're easier to get and cheaper than Alembics. Also, I like the colours. I have the peacock blue set on the epic - the turquoise really sets off the maple nicely.

Graeme
lbpesq
Senior Member
Username: lbpesq

Post Number: 1653
Registered: 7-2004
Posted on Wednesday, September 27, 2006 - 7:03 am:   Edit Post

Watch out, you guys are starting to sound like my wife picking out shoes! LOL

Bill, tgo
jacko
Senior Member
Username: jacko

Post Number: 839
Registered: 10-2002
Posted on Wednesday, September 27, 2006 - 7:13 am:   Edit Post

Yeah. Except we only buy new strings every 6 months, not every 6 days ;-)

Graeme
adriaan
Senior Member
Username: adriaan

Post Number: 1065
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Wednesday, September 27, 2006 - 7:34 am:   Edit Post

You guys all married the wrong one :-D
bigredbass
Senior Member
Username: bigredbass

Post Number: 1038
Registered: 9-2002
Posted on Wednesday, September 27, 2006 - 11:13 am:   Edit Post

georgie, THAT's why you want a little ruler: I can't see a ONE millimeter difference without using one.

J o e y
georgie_boy
Intermediate Member
Username: georgie_boy

Post Number: 114
Registered: 8-2005
Posted on Friday, September 29, 2006 - 3:36 am:   Edit Post

new strings every 6 months???
I wish I could afford to change mine that often!
Sheer extravagence--that's what I say!
G
georgie_boy
Intermediate Member
Username: georgie_boy

Post Number: 115
Registered: 8-2005
Posted on Saturday, September 30, 2006 - 2:38 am:   Edit Post

oops!
Sorry about the spelling. I'm sure it's a fault with this keyboard. LOL
georgie_boy
Intermediate Member
Username: georgie_boy

Post Number: 121
Registered: 8-2005
Posted on Friday, October 06, 2006 - 5:36 am:   Edit Post

Joey
That's been at least 2 weks now and she is sitting pretty!! Never needed to adjust a thing-all rock solid-but as I asked before, to adjust the action on the bridge, which way do I turn the screws------clockwise to lower??
G
bigredbass
Senior Member
Username: bigredbass

Post Number: 1050
Registered: 9-2002
Posted on Friday, October 06, 2006 - 1:54 pm:   Edit Post

GBoy, IF you're Series bridge from the 70s is using the same hardware as my 90s Spoiler, remember it this way: Turn it clockwise to screw the bridge into the body (downwards). Unscrew it (anti-clockwise in the Queen's English) to raise it.

I really felt this was too small an increase in relatively small guages to awaken the action elves, glad I was right.

I just love the Internet . . . I'm sitting in Tennessee talking basses with a friend in SCOTLAND! What a rush . . .

J o e y
georgie_boy
Intermediate Member
Username: georgie_boy

Post Number: 125
Registered: 8-2005
Posted on Saturday, October 07, 2006 - 1:55 am:   Edit Post

Hi Joey!
Sounds like the same bridge set up.
I thought it wiuld be that. I don't need to adjust the action at all-it was a "just in case" kinda thing, but I'll fing out tonight when I take her out. I don't take her out very often incase she gets damaged, but It's just the singer and myself doing a duo at this bar where we normally use the 4 piece. That means I'll have enough room to move about a bit without bumping into anything. Normally for most gigs I use my CORT Curbow bass--------It's a really good and underestimated instrument-Try one!.
Yeah the Internet is just wicked LOL--------Talking to a friend in the U S of A while I'm siiting here in good old (and wet) Scotland!
Take care my friend-----and THANKS for all your help
George

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