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Post subject: Heavy Gauge String Considerations
Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2016 10:55 am
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I'm considering going to a heavy gauge string -- 0.12 - 0.52 GHS Boomers. (I think technically that's still considered medium gauge!)

What do I need to consider in terms of stress on the guitar and setup? For example, should certain neck radii be avoided? Should vintage necks and/or truss rods be avoided? Humidity/temperature considerations? Nut issues? Neck issues? Cracking or stress issues?

I'm intentionally asking it as a very vague question in order to find out what, if any, considerations are needed before I start restringing my collection. I've tried 0.12's and I like them. I'm looking for things I may not have considered on my own.

(edit) I did a search of this forum and the internet, but didn't find anything really applicable other than "tone" discussions.

Thanks.


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Post subject: Re: Heavy Gauge String Considerations
Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2016 12:20 pm
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In general, all you need to worry about is giving the guitar a full setup (including a nut slot check/adjust, although most nuts accept the thicker gauge without problems) when switching from one gauge to another.

There have been some models where the .009 is the factory recommendation (I seem to recall some game or computer connection targeted model's manual...), and I'd think twice before putting heavy gauge strings on a super thin Squier neck, but on "normal" Fenders the .012" set is OK - if you prefer it.


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Post subject: Re: Heavy Gauge String Considerations
Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2016 3:20 pm
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What jmattis said, a new set-up required...
I find anything over about .005 difference string to string replacement may require some nut refinement, but everybody's nut ain't the same.
edit- I would recommend full Flatwounds vs ovals try a few different brands.
I like DR and Chromes but Thomastik is probably the best.


Last edited by sfceric64 on Tue Aug 30, 2016 11:00 am, edited 1 time in total.

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Post subject: Re: Heavy Gauge String Considerations
Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2016 4:05 pm
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Yes you'll need a set up and maybe some nut work. But you might want to ask yourself "Why" first. Doing it for percieved tone? 12's will be much harder to bend, but if you are going for some Dick Dale type stuff, then the 12's will serve you well.

FWIW

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Post subject: Re: Heavy Gauge String Considerations
Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2016 7:54 pm
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T2Stratman wrote:
Yes you'll need a set up and maybe some nut work. But you might want to ask yourself "Why" first

T2


Ditto

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Post subject: Re: Heavy Gauge String Considerations
Posted: Wed Aug 24, 2016 4:23 am
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Once upon a time in my life I used to immediately switch any new guitar that came with 9's straight to 10's and THEN did my set-up. And never once had an issue (even with the nut).

In 2014, I switched over to 11's on my Standards, and still had no problems after a fresh set-up.

My 2015 Standard I switched from 9's to 11's immediately out-of-box, set it up, and have had no problems what so ever.

Use the strings you like. I keep 10's on the Roadhouse and Squire Bullet (partscaster) for easier bends...otherwise I've gone to 11's on everything without any modifications.


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Post subject: Re: Heavy Gauge String Considerations
Posted: Wed Aug 24, 2016 6:02 am
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T2Stratman wrote:
But you might want to ask yourself "Why" first


I'm experimenting to see what works best for me and my playing style. First impressions are positive. 12's seem like a good fit and feel. Bends don't seem to be an issue ATM, I tuned down 1/2 step.

Don't like 9's. 10's were better. 12's seem the natural progression.


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Post subject: Re: Heavy Gauge String Considerations
Posted: Wed Aug 24, 2016 5:57 pm
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dpe94 wrote:
T2Stratman wrote:
But you might want to ask yourself "Why" first


I'm experimenting to see what works best for me and my playing style. First impressions are positive. 12's seem like a good fit and feel. Bends don't seem to be an issue ATM, I tuned down 1/2 step.

Don't like 9's. 10's were better. 12's seem the natural progression.


+1 Nothing like trying to find your tone, experimenting to get there can be fun or frustrating. May find the 12's too much and end up back to the 10's but the journey is half the fun either way.

Enjoy!

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Post subject: Re: Heavy Gauge String Considerations
Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2016 8:30 am
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.012" sets were what they came with from the factory. In the 50's.

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Post subject: Re: Heavy Gauge String Considerations
Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2016 8:37 am
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nikininja wrote:
.012" sets were what they came with from the factory. In the 50's.

With a wound 3rd string too.

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Post subject: Re: Heavy Gauge String Considerations
Posted: Tue Aug 30, 2016 2:22 am
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1- Nut job ; strings slots
2- Neck 'truss rod adjustment.
3- Tremolo spring adjustment.

And maybe more the other things of a complete set up


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Post subject: Re: Heavy Gauge String Considerations
Posted: Tue Aug 30, 2016 8:48 am
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Guy you love torturing yourself don't you? :o That is just so much like hard work. Everyone went a bit crazy when SRV came around and was using .13's so decided they would do it too. I just think for most folks that is a way too heavy set of strings. However try it out and see how it go's. Most people try it, find out they can hardly play and quickly realise the error of their ways and switch back. I use .10's and even they feel pretty tight on a strat for me. I might go to .9's or i might start tuning down to Eb. The tonal differences i believe are imaginary as look at guys like Tony Iommi, Jimmy Page, Eddie Van Halen, Billy Gibbons, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton....


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Post subject: Re: Heavy Gauge String Considerations
Posted: Wed Aug 31, 2016 5:06 am
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GorgonIsBack wrote:
Guy you love torturing yourself don't you? :o That is just so much like hard work.

Speak for yourself, please. Some of us have strong fingers and no problems with heavier strings. For me, heavier strings give me more control over bends, and also are easier on my right hand when fingerpicking.

GorgonIsBack wrote:
The tonal differences i believe are imaginary as look at guys like Tony Iommi, Jimmy Page, Eddie Van Halen, Billy Gibbons, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton...

That's a fallacy. That someone famous does (or did) something does not mean that there is no difference. It means that for them and the sound they want, it works great.

But there's no cheating physics.
Heavier gauge (and heavier metal) strings have more mass, and more sustain and volume. You can crank the volume up and compress to compensate, and that's fine if you don't mind losing finer detail. Take Billy Gibbons as an example. The sound is so post-processed and boosted that there's next to no dynamics left, and you won't ever hear his fingers. That's fine, because that's his sound! Toni Iommi had to make changes because he lost his fingertips, so both lighter strings and drop tuning.

Others use(d) thicker gauges, like Steve Howe, Pete Townshend, SRV, Dick Dale, Malcolm Young and Robin Trower. That doesn't mean that thick strings are "better", but that this works for them, for playability and sound. Would you argue the virtue of thinner stings with the above esteemed gentlemen?

Claiming that thin strings are as good as thick strings is missing the point completely, and like saying that violins are as good as violas. Sure, but so? There are differences in playing and sound, and there's room for both.


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Post subject: Re: Heavy Gauge String Considerations
Posted: Wed Aug 31, 2016 11:33 am
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arth1 wrote:
GorgonIsBack wrote:
Guy you love torturing yourself don't you? :o That is just so much like hard work.

Speak for yourself, please. Some of us have strong fingers and no problems with heavier strings. For me, heavier strings give me more control over bends, and also are easier on my right hand when fingerpicking.

Well you must be about the only person i've heard saying that! Usually it's just the opposite.

arth1 wrote:
GorgonIsBack wrote:
The tonal differences i believe are imaginary as look at guys like Tony Iommi, Jimmy Page, Eddie Van Halen, Billy Gibbons, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton...

That's a fallacy. That someone famous does (or did) something does not mean that there is no difference. It means that for them and the sound they want, it works great.

No it means that the opinion that, in order to get a heavy meaty sound that you need to use heavy guage strings, is a fallacy. As the guys i mention all use lighter guages. If you like using heavy guage strings go for it. It doesn't mean they're any better than lighter strings.


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Post subject: Re: Heavy Gauge String Considerations
Posted: Wed Aug 31, 2016 12:09 pm
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All that stuff about thicker sound is nonsense. Gibbons uses 7's. BB King used .008's. I've heard a supposition that Hendrix used a .008" for his high E and a .038" for his low E.

I can understand the comfort thing though. I've recently swapped my Explorer strings to a 10-52 set. Simply because I thrash the hell out of that guitar and don't have time to worry about being gentle. The extra resistance/tension in the strings makes up for it, just enough.
I used to use .011"s in my mid 30's. I was working very hard in my day job at the time and suffering my hand slowly becoming a claw.

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