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I want to change from .09's to .10's on my PRS Soapbar II and I read that this would necessitate a complete setup on the gtr b/c the neck will bow. True or False? And if it means quot;setup timequot; what is a good resource to learn how to do this on my own? Sam Ash is charging $70 and a 1 week turnaround.

I always heard that if you go a gauge down you don't have setup the guitar again but if you go a gauge up you should do a new setup.

I've heard that, too, but I've gone both directions and I haven't found a difference of a few thousands of an inch to be a real big dea.

It all depends...to be honest 9's to 10's is not a huge jump...My Telecaster came with 9's and I put 10-52's on it and didn't touch the neck...same in fact goes for all my guitars exceppt one! Put the 10's on it and give it a day or 2 to settle and then decide if it needs to be adjusted.

Sam Ash is ripping you off, bro. If it ends up needing a tweak, try it yourself.


Originally Posted by JB_From_HellSam Ash is ripping you off, bro. If it ends up needing a tweak, try it yourself.

I figured that much...can you point me to any web sites that instruct on how to do a setup?


Originally Posted by jonnymangiaI figured that much...can you point me to any web sites that instruct on how to do a setup?

Try Project Guitar. It's not hard to learn. Just read and re-read the instructions to make sure you understand before you do the work, and it's a snap.

My only advice is to be careful when adjusting the truss rod. Make minor adjustments and then let them 'settle'. This means even if you don't see an improvement or change right away, wait about a day or two.

When adjusting the neck make small adjustments --about a 1/4 turn -- then retune and check. The Soapbar ll is a non-tremolo guitar so I doubt going from 9 to 10 would have much effect anyway. I did the 9 to 10 thing on my Strat that has a blocked tremelo and didnt have to do a thing.

if its a tremolo guitar yes, if it's a fixed bridge, it's not that sensitive to change of gauge


Originally Posted by Closed EyeI always heard that if you go a gauge down you don't have setup the guitar again but if you go a gauge up you should do a new setup.

Just as false as it would be the other way around...

It depends for the most part on the guitar.... if the neck is softer, it will change in relief more significantly than a harder neck, and this is actully what causes most guitars to need to be tweaked... conversely it´s a Restring and Play issue on others.

On a floating trem, regardless of V-trem or OFR, you WILL have to do a new setup because the entire bridge will now sit at a different angle.