Morning,

I just decided to 'go to eleven' with my string gauge and need to tweak the action. I'm a DIY kind of guy and since this is a Frankenstrat, don't mind learning on this guitar.

My question is do I start with the Truss Rod or do i adjust the height of the saddles? I have a 64th ruler and will likely shoot for a 5/64 height.

thanks all.

While adjusting the truss rod will affect action, that's not the main purpose of adjusting it. If your guitar was set up well before your string gauge change, then your adjustments will likely be small. It's probably best to adjust your saddles first. The combination of heavier strings and raising the saddles will both contribute to neck relief (strings more, action raise less).

Once you've done that, then check relief by fretting on both the lowest and highest fret and depressing the string at its midpoint. Any truss rod adjustments should be done in small increments - no more than a quarter turn per adjustment (I generally go no more than 1/8th of a turn). Let it acclimate for a few hours or overnight and check again.

You may need to iterate this a bit, as tightening the rods may remove a bit of the height you added by raising the saddles. At the end, you'll want to check intonation and adjust as needed.

Everyone has their way. Without meaning to contradict Fretless, I start at the headstock and work back on a setup.

String change (to pitch)
Truss rod
lower pickups
Trem float
Saddle/string height
Intonation
Pickup height to suit

That way I avoid having to do things twice (aside from getting the pickups out the way, then setting their height at the end). Example; trem float and string height will affect intonation far more than intonation will affect saddle/string height.
Ofcourse you need to make sure your at concert pitch or whatever you tune to at each stage. You don't have to be bang on with that in all except intonation.

As I said previously you'll find your way that suits you. If it's the exact opposite of my way, that doesn't make it wrong. As long as you get the results you want.

BTW the extra tension going from 9/10's to 11's has probably given you enough neck bow to accomodate the thicker strings wider vibration arc. The .010" fender spec is more a suit all guide than a set in stone rule. You can get away with a lot less with .008"s and will need more with .013's. Unless your making a drastic change in thickness you're probably already there with neck bow. Still best to check it's nothing too wild.

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No no and no

Excellent.

Thanks guys.

Here is what Fender suggests: http://www.fender.com/support/stratocas ... _guide.php

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Obligatory gear list: Fender, Rickenbacker, Gibson, Gretsch, Vox, Martin, and more Fender.

I'm getting fret buzz accross all strings starting around the 12th fret. Looking at the fender spec sheet above it mentions shimming the neck. I have the strings set to 5\64th so i'm thinking since the buzz is consistent accross all strings i need to shim. Does this seem like an appropriate action to take or am i barking up the wrong tree?

thanks

If the neck relief is at proper specs then try raising the saddles before you go and put a shim in there.

Check the nut too to make sure the 11's fit properly and not hang up.

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Life...... It's sexually transmitted and always fatal

jeez that was a close one. I almost thought i effed my strat up. Great moments in "take it to a professional" I added a couple of shims and it seemed to make the problem a little worse so decided to bag that idea and just deal with the higher action. Well when i removed the shims, it went from a franken strat to a paper plate and rubber band sounding guitar... you know that sound... where the strings are just sitting comfortably on top of the fretboard?

I was about to throw in the towel and after a few laughs between me and the coworkers decided to give it one more go. I added just one shim this time and got it back to playing condition... phew.

I even got lucky and was able to improve the action. Some slight buzz but i can live with it until i can take it to a pro or just raise the action a bit.

Anyone want a set up done?....

just kidding.