Changing String gauge without professional setup

**zorner** · 05-04-2016, 05:59 AM

Hi guys another question,
If I file the nut and make thicker slots, won't it be a problem if I'll want to came back to thinner ones?

**jakeyboy1216** · 05-04-2016, 09:16 AM

Possibly, yes. Depends on how much you have to file the nut to accommodate the heavier strings and how thin you want to back to.

**medblues** · 05-04-2016, 04:07 PM

Originally Posted by zorner

Hi guys another question,
If I file the nut and make thicker slots, won't it be a problem if I'll want to came back to thinner ones?

You can easily find a clip/recipe with crazy glue and bone dust or crazy glue and baking soda to refill the nut slot.

**Longways to Go** · 05-04-2016, 04:17 PM

Originally Posted by zorner

Hi guys another question,
If I file the nut and make thicker slots, won't it be a problem if I'll want to came back to thinner ones?

So have you changed up to the thicker strings yet?

I'm betting you can just put on the strings without any of this other adjustment necessary.
But you won't really know if your action needs tweaked until you actually do it !!

**nopedals** · 05-04-2016, 04:25 PM

Put on TI flat 12s, which are low tension strings. They will likely be about the same tension of other brands that are 10s, so the neck won't move.

**MaxTwang** · 05-04-2016, 05:32 PM

Here's Dan Erlewine showing the safest way to do it. At a minimum loosen the strings so tightening the truss rod is only countering the bow in the wood, and not fighting string tension. If you get to 1/8 turn or the nut feels tight stop and check out these videos. Taking the nut off to clean and lubricate the threads can really help if the nut isn't moving smoothly.

If you're not careful, and you're lucky, you'll need this video (if you're not lucky then you'll be paying someone to remove the fingerboard and replace the truss rod).

**zorner** · 05-05-2016, 12:09 PM

Originally Posted by Longways to Go

So have you changed up to the thicker strings yet?

I'm betting you can just put on the strings without any of this other adjustment necessary.
But you won't really know if your action needs tweaked until you actually do it !!

I finally changed strings. I didn't even had to file the nut or stretch the truss rod, just lowered the action and set up intonation.

Thank you all for all your help and for calming my fear of setting up the truss rod and so on..

BTW I'm really happy with the new sound