Any change in string gauge will cause a neck to move over time, unless you adjust the truss rod to compensate. Movement would be expected to have stopped & settled to its newly-balanced position within two weeks, with no other influencing factors.
- What causes a guitar neck to bend?
- Does changing string gauge affect the neck?
- Can the neck of a guitar bend?
- Can my guitar handle 12 gauge strings?
What causes a guitar neck to bend?
The tension in the strings exerts a huge bending force on the guitar neck, and combined with environmental conditions like temperature and humidity can cause bowing of the neck.
Does changing string gauge affect the neck?
String tension tries to pull the neck into a bow. ... Increasing string gauge probably means more tension which can translate to a more bowed neck. Decreasing gauge, means less tension and the rod can compensate too much, maybe even back-bowing the neck. It's worth mentioning that some necks are more 'stable' than others.
Can the neck of a guitar bend?
In a perfect world, you want your neck to be as straight as possible, though it will always have a slight bend in it thanks to natural tension. Straightening the neck will get rid of excessive bend and relieve the tension. If you have too much back bow, you will have a nasty, buzzy sound.
Can my guitar handle 12 gauge strings?
Any modern guitar should be able to handle 12-56 strings without any problem at all. Jazz players use those gauges regularly; all it takes is a bit of setup work. Naturally, the tension will be pretty high and you won't be able to do major bending.