What steps can I take to facilitate easier string bends on my strat? I've thought about the strings (I use medium super bullets), but I don't want to change gauges because I like the sound of heavier strings. Any suggestions? (Note that I'm not asking for string suggestions!) Thanks!

Oh, I forgot to mention that I keep my strings tuned down a half-step!
eb Bb Gb Db Ab Eb

Practice bending in 1st position. Closer to the headstock.
The strings feel tighter, and you build up strength.
Practice bending further than a half step.
Whole steps or even a step.5 if the melody calls for it.

Hope that helps, friend.

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-Kc
"Payin' dues."

My suggestion is to bend down around the 12th fret on the high e. Fret using your ring finger, then put your middle and first finger right beside it and use all three. When bending in this manner becomes easy, switch to fretting with the ring finger and put your middle finger right beside it and use both to bend. As soon as this manner is easy, try just the ring finger. You can of course use other finger combinations until you can bend with any finger.

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Chet Feathers

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I didn't Lose my mind, I traded it for this guitar.

Tune your guitar down a half step so you have less tension on the strings.

Like chet says, reinforced bending ( the technical term for what he is describing,) is the way to go. Also remember to bend by rotating, not by movingthe joints of your fingers, though classical guitarists do this, but then they have gut, or nylon strings.

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I'm not an expert, but I play one on the internet.

You just need to play more. You're tuned down a half step, so you've already got the tension lowered. If you play regularly, you should be able to handle .010's with no problem even at standard tuning. It's when you slack off for awhile that you notice difficulty in bending.

Reinforced bending as chet and twelvebar said. Also try and start your bend at the wrist ala clapton rather than simply using finger/hand strength.

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No no and no

practice. if you don't concentrate on it and play whatever it is you play, it happens on its own. When I moved up to 12's I had a difficult time bending and within a couple weeks I'd noticed it was significantly easier.

I thought I was pretty good at bending until I got into a band that covers "Take It Easy" by the Eagles. As you go into the first verse you have to do a full step bend at the second fret on the G string. It isn't any easier on the fourth string and it doesn't sound right there anyway.

When I changed to the string gages used by James Burton the problem went away. He strings his guitars:

9, 10, 12, 24, 32, 38 So on this song I'm not trying to bend a 16. It's a 12. Big difference.

It's not a standard set so you have to buy single strings. It's not for everybody though.

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James Burton Upgrade Telecaster
Hot Rodded Am Fat Strat Texas Special (now featuring Kinman Traditional II pickups)
Fender Blues Jr.
SWR California Blonde
Pedals Pedals Pedals

Well, get lights, or get used to mediums. Pretty simple.

Better yet, practice your leads on an acoustic. That will strengthen your hands up.

It's not that I can't bend 11's. I can bend them 1 1/2 steps and even 2 steps at times. I guess what I really had in mind was guitar setup as opposed to guitar technique. I still really appreciate the comments. Very helpful! I definitely can't achieve those 2 step bends without reinforcement. Also, I never really thought about how I bend by rotating my hand instead of using finger and hand strength alone. Thanks for the comments! Are there any suggestions about guitar setup that possibly could make bending easier? I don't know if lower action facilitates easier bending.

The radius of your neck is a factor, though that is a bigger project to change than it is usually worth.

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I'm not an expert, but I play one on the internet.

Hi project, take a look at this.
Claude.

http://www.musicradar.com/tuition/guita ... ato-172127

Very true. I tend to like a small radius (rounder neck) for feel and bending, but bends can fret out on wider bends at times.