arcoddath wrote: Exactly as it says - I've just bought a grand stick and it's in MR but I want to change it to standard tuning. The only change seems to be raising the melody side by a tone but, as I have no spare strings, I don't know if MR uses lighter strings and standard would snap them.
As a brand new stickist, I'd appreciate some advice. Expect lots of moron questions over the next few weeks.
Cheers
You would definitely want to get new strings, the 1st string will probably break and the rest will feel way too tight if you tune them up a whole step. Check for wear on the underside of the bass strings to see if you nee to replace them, too, or you can just order a set of melody strings.
If you don't know what general gauge is on there, write to Cambria (cambria@stick.com) and let he know which instrument you bought. She can tell you if it had light, medium or heavy strings on it. I think she' not in until Monday, so give her some time to get back to you.
Changes you will have to make
1. Minor intonation change
Depending on which gauge you have on there now, the break between the thinnest wound string and the thickest melody string might change. The thinnest wound melody string should be longer than the thickest plain string.
You can see that in this image, which is the Classic medium tuning, strings 3 and 4 (from right to left) are the ones in consideration.
On the Classic light, string 4 is not wound, so the break happens between 4 and 5.
You may need to shorter all the sting just a hair, as they are all thinner and will need shoter vibrating lengths to have correct intonation.
You may also need to raise the lowest two bridge screws just a little (5 and 6) as these strings will sit lower in the V slot since they are thinner and also raise the nut slightly under those string as well (you didn't say if you have Flaps of nut screws...)
AND
If you have a Stickup, on the instrument, you will also need to compensate for the change in plain-wound string positioning if that happens, by adjusting the poles under the string to match. If you don't have a Stickup, then the lower end of the pickups might need to come up a little for more volume under those thinner strings.
I hope that helps...
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