Changing Gages

[ebick]

Do I really have to have a setup done to change from Light to Medium gauge on my 814?  What would they be doing?  Not changing the nut.....Changing the bridge?

[DennisG]

I put medium-gauge strings on my 114, but I tune it down D-D to compensate for the added string tension.  Works perfectly, and no setup needed.  If I ever need to play it in concert pitch, I just put a capo on the second fret to get E-E tuning.

[Edward]

Do I really have to have a setup done to change from Light to Medium gauge on my 814?  What would they be doing?  Not changing the nut.....Changing the bridge?

You "may" want to tighten the Truss Rod, but may find it feels just fine to you.  Your call, really.  And if you turn the TR, start at around 1/8 a turn and see how that affects your relief.  Check the relief before you change strings; a small change here is all that is needed, if anything at all.

Edward

[SDTaylorman]

Do I really have to have a setup done to change from Light to Medium gauge on my 814?  What would they be doing?  Not changing the nut.....Changing the bridge?

The real question is do you feel or hear anything after the change that would indicate you needed a setup. Any buzzing? Do they sit too high? Too low?

If everything seems OK then it is.

[Earl]

FWIW, I swap almost freely between light and medium gauge strings on most guitars, and the most I've ever had to do was a quarter turn of a truss rod.  I also play in six different tunings (part of the reason for using mediums) and have no issues. 

Just try it.  In the worst case is you might have to make a small truss rod adjustment or use the cut off length of the larger string as an impromptu file to open up a tight nut slot.  Presuming that you don't already have nut slot files and the skills to use them.

[ebick]

Thanks to everyone who replied.  I appreciate the input.

[Edward]

^^^ Let us know what you changed to and how it feels! 

Edward