It is currently Tue Mar 17, 2020 4:16 am

All times are UTC - 7 hours



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 10 posts ] 
Author Message
Post subject: 12s or 11s on a strat...
Posted: Sat Nov 15, 2008 6:52 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jun 03, 2008 4:02 pm
Posts: 50
Just asking how much trouble would I have to go through putting heavier strings on my strat by myself, or should I have a luthier do it and watch him?

BTW, do you reccomend 11s or 12s

_________________
Gibson Standard Les Paul-$2,500 Sounds good
Fender Standard Stratocaster-$999 Sounds better


Top
Profile
Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject:
Posted: Sat Nov 15, 2008 7:00 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jul 17, 2007 9:44 am
Posts: 7282
Location: Washington
You would probably have to adjust the truss rod (tighten it because the pull of those heavier strings needs to counteracted).

You certainly would have to readjust the bridge via the trem spring claw (do you float the bridge?).

_________________
Member #26797
My other guitar is a Strat.

Image


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Sat Nov 15, 2008 7:03 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jun 03, 2008 4:02 pm
Posts: 50
orvilleowner wrote:
You would probably have to adjust the truss rod (tighten it because the pull of those heavier strings needs to counteracted).

You certainly would have to readjust the bridge via the trem spring claw (do you float the bridge?).
Yes, I do.

_________________
Gibson Standard Les Paul-$2,500 Sounds good
Fender Standard Stratocaster-$999 Sounds better


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Sat Nov 15, 2008 7:14 pm
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jul 17, 2007 6:11 pm
Posts: 2621
Location: Sunny So Cal
If you know how to intonate your guitar go for it.
You might have to get some files and increase the size of the string slots in your nut though.

I think .012's are a bit excessive but hey whatever melts your butter bro.

_________________
"Life is like eating jalapenos. What you do today may burn your arse tomorrow"
Image


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Sun Nov 16, 2008 11:49 am
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jul 17, 2007 9:44 am
Posts: 7282
Location: Washington
mthorn00 wrote:
You might have to get some files and increase the size of the string slots in your nut though.


Exactly! I forgot that issue. With 12's, you'll probably have to widen the nut's string slots.

_________________
Member #26797
My other guitar is a Strat.

Image


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Sun Nov 16, 2008 4:59 pm
Offline
Roadie
Roadie
User avatar

Joined: Thu Sep 25, 2008 6:58 pm
Posts: 262
Location: New York City
What did Stevie Ray Vaughn use? 13's?

Love,
Todd

PS I use 10's but...I could see going bigger. I'm happily a rhythm player and I like the tone of thicker strings.

_________________
Up is louder!


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Sun Nov 16, 2008 5:14 pm
Offline
Roadie
Roadie
User avatar

Joined: Mon Jul 30, 2007 9:30 pm
Posts: 252
Location: Blue Ridge area in SC
I've been using 11s and 12s for years. If I use anything lighter I feel I'm going to break a string when I bend. Plus my Strats feel and sound better with heavier strings.

I did have to readjust the truss rod and the string saddles for the heavier strings but the nut grooves were wide enough so I didn't have to cut the grooves any bigger.

_________________
Today is only yesterday's tomorrow


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Sun Nov 16, 2008 5:19 pm
Offline
Roadie
Roadie
User avatar

Joined: Thu Sep 25, 2008 6:58 pm
Posts: 262
Location: New York City
waya wrote:
I've been using 11s and 12s for years. If I use anything lighter I feel I'm going to break a string when I bend. Plus my Strats feel and sound better with heavier strings.

I did have to readjust the truss rod and the string saddles for the heavier strings but the nut grooves were wide enough so I didn't have to cut the grooves any bigger.


How about the strings and screws attached to the bottom of the guitar and the floating bridge?
(Again, I currently use 10's) I use 4 springs and I tightened down the screws until the bridge bottom rests against the cutout in the guitar.
(I can only use my whammy bar to flatten strings but it doesn't go out of tune when I break a string.)

Love,
Todd

_________________
Up is louder!


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Sun Nov 16, 2008 5:31 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Tue Apr 08, 2008 12:58 pm
Posts: 7714
Location: Planet Earth
Like others said you may have a problem with the nut slot also you can go up one size without a problem but two will most likely cause you to have to adjust the truss also because of the added tension which will become more noticable as time goes on and the neck settles in.

_________________
The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.

Thomas Jefferson


Last edited by cvilleira on Sun Nov 16, 2008 5:36 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Sun Nov 16, 2008 5:32 pm
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Wed Jul 25, 2007 3:30 pm
Posts: 2278
Location: Canada
Hi Rock*Star, when I bought my first electric in june 2007, I immediatily upgraded to 10s. A few months later a asked my luthier to set up the guitar with 11s. My goal is to go to 12s but I wont do it at the expense of my health. As a car mechanic I need my hands to stay in good shape. I like to torture my Strat and to make all the bends possible but if I can't do it safely with 12s, I'll come back to 11s. Right now I am pretty happy with the 11s. Huge positive improvement in the sound going from 9s to 11s. Good luck.

Claude


Top
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 10 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 7 hours

Fender Play Winter Sale 2020

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: stratmangler and 2 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
Jump to: