Bill15
First Lieutenant  Posts: 15 Registered: 6/29/2007 Status: Offline
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posted on 6/29/2007 at 16:05 |
Hey, I'm just seeking some advice in string gauges. I have a Mexican
Stratocaster strung with .010s currently. I'm contemplating whether or not
to move up to .011s for a few reasons: 1) to improve my tone (warmer) and
2) for better tuning stability (by the way, my temolo is floating with
three springs installed). I'm just not sure how much different the feel
would be as opposed to .010s. I don't want to struggle to much to bend up a
whole step, yet I want to keep my tuning. I was also wondering if these
two things must been done in order to switch from 10s to 11s:
1) Filing out the nut slots to accommodate the larger strings
2) Adding two more springs to the tremolo (5 in total) to accommodate the
extra tension while still keeping the bridge floating.
I believe doing these 2 things are necessary and will improve my overall
tuning stability. Am I wrong? What do you guys think?
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brian
Moderator   Posts: 1075 Registered: 12/22/2003 Status: Offline |
posted on 6/29/2007 at 17:27, Reply 1 |
changing from 10's to 11's will require you to adjust the springs,possibly
a truss rod adjustment. In other words a complete setup. I moved from 10's
to 11's but decided to change back since there not much difference in tone
and 10's are easier to play especially at a 4 hour show.
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tony549
First Lieutenant  Posts: 10 Registered: 6/15/2007 Status: Offline |
posted on 7/2/2007 at 19:30, Reply 2 |
after 4 hours of playin with 11s,your fingers will thank when you go back
to 10s or 9s but it really counts on what your playin. I use 9s thats what
Ive always used but I do have other guitars with 10s..
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Bill15
First Lieutenant Posts: 15 Registered: 6/29/2007 Status: Offline |
posted on 7/3/2007 at 09:53, Reply 3 |
I'm into the blues, and I wanted a nice, deep bluesy strat tone. Listening
to SRV really started me on thinking about thicker strings (of course I
wouldn't even think of going to the extent that he went to). I know that
going after wild bends with them is going to take some time, but I think I
could get used to them. Is it that hard to go up .001?
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GuitarMuscle
Captain   Posts: 161 Registered: 5/4/2004 Status: Offline |
posted on 7/3/2007 at 10:58, Reply 4 |
You can try moving up to the next gauge but it won't a big difference just
a pain to setup your guitar with the added tension.
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Bill15
First Lieutenant Posts: 15 Registered: 6/29/2007 Status: Offline |
posted on 7/3/2007 at 17:00, Reply 5 |
I'm assuming to give the neck as much relief as possible while keeping it
healthy. Would you recommend a slightly higher action even though I do like
mine relatively low? Anyone?
[Edited on 7/9/2007 by Bill15]
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Telefreak
Moderator  Posts: 468 Registered: 1/12/2004 Status: Offline |
posted on 8/23/2007 at 17:54, Reply 6 |
To change up to 11's, you will need to adjust the truss rod.
An 8th of a turn clockwise should do it, but don't attempt it unless you
are confident you know what you are doing. ____________________
Technology, not technique
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brian
Moderator Posts: 1075 Registered: 12/22/2003 Status: Offline |
posted on 8/24/2007 at 09:00, Reply 7 |
Bill15 any luck or did you change your mind?
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Bill15
First Lieutenant Posts: 15 Registered: 6/29/2007 Status: Offline |
posted on 8/24/2007 at 11:08, Reply 8 |
Well I switched a few weeks ago and my neck was a little to straight when I
had the 10's on so when I strung on the 11's, there was the right amount of
relief. However, I had some trouble dealing with the added tension and my
fingertips began to get sore (as if I was learning to play again!) Bending
up a whole step on the high e was difficult as well. So I switched back to
10s and as of now I'm still using them. But I'm missing the 11's tone right
now and I'm thinking of switching back and just sticking it out so that
maybe I'll get used to them and not notice the tension anymore.
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Telefreak
Moderator Posts: 468 Registered: 1/12/2004 Status: Offline |
posted on 8/24/2007 at 12:11, Reply 9 |
How about getting some hybrid or beefy ernie balls.
You get a bit more beef without having to go up a string guage.
I use Beefy 11's on my Jaguar, they're great ____________________
Technology, not technique
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