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Post subject: Help
Posted: Wed Nov 05, 2008 10:00 am
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Hello people. I need some help. I bought a fender Stratocaster standard Mexican made. For some reason I used 12 gauge in it because of that the action got higher and my guitar feels a lot more tensed . What I would like to know is weather 12 gauge strings could harm my guitar in any way like bending the neck or damaging the bridge in any way. Further more, how can I bring my action back down to its original place because I some how love the 12 gauge tone.thanks


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Posted: Wed Nov 05, 2008 10:14 am
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Joined: Thu Jul 26, 2007 4:57 am
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Location: Peckham: where the snow leopards roam
Hi Mulana, welcome to the Forum.

12 gauge strings are fine on a Strat, but it will need setting up again because the heavier strings change all sorts of things, including the action. They exert more tension on the neck, pulling it forward and so raising the string action higher above the frets.

Either take it to a tech and get a proper professional setup. If he's a nice guy he might let you watch and show you some useful things.

Or learn to setup your guitar yourself. You could look at the setup pages of this website:

http://www.fender.com/support/stratocaster.php

You can also find a lot more detail and handy tips in the Guitar Player Repair Guide by Dan Erlewine. His step-by-step guide to setup is excellent.

Cheers - C


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Posted: Wed Nov 05, 2008 10:18 am
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You need to adjust the tension on the springs that run between the claw and the tremolo block. Take the back plate off. Count the springs. It's either two or three - probably two. Since your new strings are significantly heavier than the stock 9-42s it probably came with, you probably need another spring. You may be able to crank down on the claw screws, but more likely you'll need another spring. Springs are available online and at music stores that carry Fender parts.

Read the owners' manual, which is on the Fender website. You'll find that Fender recommends balancing the tension such that the rear of the bridge plate is floating 1/8" above the finished surface of the guitar body. My guess is that it's a lot higher now.

So, to summarize, you need to increase the tension on the rear springs to match the increased tension of the heavier strings. That will bring the bridge plate down to where it should be.

You'll probably also have to adjust the truss rod. And intonate.


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Posted: Wed Nov 05, 2008 10:28 am
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Location: Peckham: where the snow leopards roam
Supplimentary: Yes, as Soggycrow mentioned, the heavier strings will be pulling the bridge plate higher too, as well as dragging the neck fowards. Both together will result in higher action.

Wake up, Ceri! Thank you, Soggycrow...

Cheers - C


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Posted: Wed Nov 05, 2008 10:33 am
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thankyou for the reply
i have an other guitar jackson js-20(its a replica) but the thing is the bridge is exatly the same . can i take off the spring for it and put it in the fender? would it be allright.?


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