Hey guys!

I bought my Fender Mexican Strat in December 2011 and they came with gauge 9 strings. Well, I thought they were too thin, so I went to 10's. Not happy, changed to 11's and found my soul mate. The thing is, I did all that without any set-ups, and this worries me a little bit.

I can bend and do vibratos very, very easily and to be honest, my neck stayed the same way it was when it had 9's on. Didn't change much. On the other hand, I said farewell to my whammy bar, because my bridge is petrified. It won't move at all.

I started asking around and people told me about the springs on the back to change the bridge and they also told me that a Mexican Fender Strat isn't made to be played with 11's and my neck will bend.

I wanted to ask you guys about this. Can I keep playing 11's on my girl? Will my guitar break? Is it really necessary for me to do a set-up?

Thanks a lot!

No, your guitar will not break. A Mexican Strat can handle 11s with absolutely no problem. Of course, with the heavier pulling tension of 11s vs. 9s, it is normal and expected that the additional pulling tension will bend the neck. Not to worry though, this is why your neck has a truss rod in it so that the neck can be adjusted accordingly back to straight.

As far as your tremolo being virtually immobile, this is a completely different issue. No, you don't need a new bridge and yes, there is some involvement with the springs in the back. For a basic starting point for both your neck and your tremolo and how to overall setup your guitar, go here:

http://www.fender.com/support/articles/ ... etup-guide

Read the whole thing first before you start fiddling around with anything.

Ignore the plug they make for their, "Super Bullet Strings". The brand of your choice will give you equally good results.

The type of tremolo you have is 'vintage'.

This guide is not a 'set in stone' thing either. For example, if you like your overall action higher or lower than what is in the guide, that's fine too. The important thing is to familiarize yourself with the overall process. This in turn, will help you optimize the guitar to your personal tastes. If you are sheepish about attempting any or all of this yourself (and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that I may add), bring it to a competent tech for a full setup.

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You dig?

I'm surprised your trem bridge is "petrified", by which I assume you cant move it. I would certainly expect those heavy strings to be pulling the bridge up, but by tightening the springs (and maybe adding another) you can bring the bridge back down and into balance again with the tension of the strings. Tighten the 2 Phillips screws to move the spring claw towards the neck. Martian has provided you with a great link if you're unclear about this.

Sounds like the nut string slots are cut big enough to accommodate that 11 string set you've fitted, but you might find the strings bind in the nut once you get the trem working again. If so the slots will need to be filed out a little. Unless you know what you're doing and have a decent set of nut files, I'd leave that job to a tech. I've ruined a few nuts in my time messing with a nail file..

The extra tension will probably bow your neck a little - but as the man says, a trussrod tweak will bring it back into line. Another job for a pro though if it does need doing, or umless you're feeling very brave. Small movements only and keep checking!

As for those comments about a Mexican Strat collapsing under the weight of heavy strings, take absolutely no notice whatsoever. It's rubbish, or at best a sales ploy. I have a modified Squier Standard Strat with a set of 11s on it which I use for just one song. After 4 years it's going on just fine. Tell the guy to find some sucker who might actually fall for his nonsense..

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Fender Highway & Classic 60s Strats, Fender Toronado, Telecaster, Gretsch Projet, Charvel 3, PRS SE Soapbar II & Custom 24, Burns Batwing and many others!

I'll probably search for a luthier or store that makes setups around here, I don't have much knowledge on how to do it, so might as well have pro do it.

As for the strings, I knew there was something wrong with that! Thank God I can keep on using my Ernie Ball 11's, I just love the way they play with my hands!