It is currently Tue Mar 17, 2020 8:21 am

All times are UTC - 7 hours



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 13 posts ] 
Author Message
Post subject: Heavy Strings on Strat?
Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2009 5:20 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist
User avatar

Joined: Sun Apr 05, 2009 4:13 pm
Posts: 64
Location: Iowa
Hello gang! I am a wanna be surf rocker... I read constantly aout who puts which heavier strings on their strat... But as anovice I hesitate to do so without some anecdotes first.

1) What exactly do you gain from heavier gauge strings? Other than bloody stumps wher fingers used to be?

2) Will I need to hae my set up/action changed ot alter my hardware?

3) will it jack up my neck?

Thanks and thanks again! Always love to hear tips on surf aesthetic.

_________________
Proud Fender addict! Still looking for perfect amp!
Classic Player 60's, Standard Strat, Highway One Texas Tele, '57 Twin-Amp, '63 Reverb, Blues Deluxe w/ ext cab, Champion 600


Top
Profile
Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject:
Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2009 5:46 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Wed Jun 13, 2007 7:02 am
Posts: 8609
Location: Vacaville, CA USA
1) Heavier strings change the tone to a fuller, bassier one.

2) You will need to do a complete setup.

3) Your neck will be fine as long as you do a complete setup.

_________________
Chet Feathers

Authorized TonePros Dealer
Authorized WD Music Products Dealer
F/A Official Southpaw Compliance Certification Tester http://faamps.com/

http://www.facebook.com/cafeathers


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


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2009 6:56 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jul 24, 2007 7:33 am
Posts: 8461
Location: Mars, the angry red planet.
Many players radically up their string gauge to increase the strings' depth and response. Usually, it is for the purpose of emulating a certain player and/or style of music. They do not like doing this but they feel that this is the only way they can truly achieve their goal(s). Granted, increasing the string gauge will give more depth and response but it being the only solution for the sake of emulation is a myth.

There is absolutely no reason to go outside of your comfort zone.

To prove my point, I once did an A/B test with a friend of mine who is yet another, "dyed-in-the-wool", "StevieRayVaughnabee". We both used our own Strats and his Marshall. He used a .013 gauge pure nickel string set and I used a nickel wrap .009 set. He got his desired sound with his guitar, I then got the same sound with my guitar. How? after I readjusted the settings on his amp to my guitar. My friend even agreed the sound was identical and immediately switched back to his favored .010 gauge nickel wrap set.

Once again, more, "Infallible Web Dogma" blown out of the water!

_________________
You dig?


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2009 6:59 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist
User avatar

Joined: Sun Apr 05, 2009 4:13 pm
Posts: 64
Location: Iowa
Nice to see a fellow skeptic using scientific method, even when it comes to guitars! I'm sold, no heavy gauges needed.

_________________
Proud Fender addict! Still looking for perfect amp!
Classic Player 60's, Standard Strat, Highway One Texas Tele, '57 Twin-Amp, '63 Reverb, Blues Deluxe w/ ext cab, Champion 600


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2009 8:33 pm
Offline
Roadie
Roadie

Joined: Mon Feb 09, 2009 4:26 pm
Posts: 272
Location: iowa
i like to use 12s to practice on it makes playing 10s a breeze and i do believe that there is a difference in tone from different gauge strings more metal for the pup magnets to pick up

_________________
Stratohawk Guitar Works Custom Handwound Pickups-
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Stratoha ... page_panel
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCc72Re ... qfXXXkVTqA


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2009 10:34 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Sun Jan 04, 2009 10:27 pm
Posts: 3355
Location: Houston, Texas
I use .12s on one Strat and .11s on all the rest. I always wanted to try really heavy strings. I like the .12s because they make you play harder. You have to actually work for it, I've noticed on guitars that have lighter strings I tend to play sort of lazy. It's too easy. I can bend the strings right off the neck of a guitar with .8s or .9s and it drives me crazy. And I broke strings more often on my guitars when I used .9s and .10s than I do now. And there is a slight difference in tone. It's not like if you use heavy strings your tone will completely change and you'll automatically get the sought after SRV tone, because you won't. Even SRV sometimes dropped his string gauge to .12s or even .11s when he needed to, so that's not the secret to his tone. Try it sometime, and if you like it keep it. If you don't at least you'll know you don't and you can post your experience for someone with the same question to read later.

_________________
Website: http://www.rebeccalaird.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rebeccalairdmusic
Twitter: https://twitter.com/beckslaird
Instagram: http://instagram.com/beckslaird


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2009 10:24 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist
User avatar

Joined: Sat Mar 22, 2008 9:07 pm
Posts: 99
I usually use 12's simply for getting the right tone for playing clean jazz. After a month or two I didn't really notice the heaviness anymore. Though it did seem to me that the ernie ball strings felt "harder" than the D'addario. It also raised my action and bridge quiet a bit, but again after a month I got used to it. I actually kind of like being able to pull up on the whammy bar to raise the pitch, and having a high action helps me bend easier. The strings also seem to stay in tune reasonably well over long periods of time, but I have no idea if it's because of the gauge having more stability.


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Fri Apr 10, 2009 11:42 am
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Sun May 18, 2008 1:35 pm
Posts: 2303
Location: DC
I like heavy gauge's sound... although I mainly use 9's but I like 10's I cant imagine how good 12's sound but I am sure my left hand wouldnt be happy with 12's so I am happy with 9's and 10's for now :)


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Fri Apr 10, 2009 11:51 am
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician
User avatar

Joined: Fri Mar 13, 2009 12:06 pm
Posts: 479
Location: Devon,England
My old Guitar when i had it was set up for 9's and i had a pair of 13's and never understood why it sucked so much...

Now i understand :D

_________________
Image

A painter paints pictures on canvas. But musicians paint their pictures on silence. ~Leopold Stokowski~


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Fri Apr 10, 2009 9:32 pm
Offline
Amateur
Amateur
User avatar

Joined: Sat Apr 04, 2009 11:05 pm
Posts: 129
Location: Good old Texas
most likely to make your hands hurt

_________________
Squire Strat
Jasmine Takamine
Cherry Red American Standard Strat


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Fri Apr 10, 2009 10:37 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Tue Apr 08, 2008 12:58 pm
Posts: 7714
Location: Planet Earth
When it comes to the use of 12's or 13's I like the Flatwound strings they are easier to play though I do think they sound a little different the standard roundwound strings.

_________________
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


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Sat Apr 11, 2009 3:04 am
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician
User avatar

Joined: Mon Oct 06, 2008 10:57 am
Posts: 602
I once read that Dick Dale uses a .016 for his high E. The rest of his strings are correspondingly heavy. But he doesn't really bend and he plays very hard. Just listen to "Miserlou." He's really beating the heck out of those strings so he doesn't want anything that is flimsy.

_________________
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


Top
Profile
Post subject: 14s
Posted: Sat Apr 11, 2009 8:06 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Wed Apr 01, 2009 8:25 am
Posts: 12
I use 12-52s as standard on most of my acoustic guitars. I don't find I notice the difference TBH. I often use 14's on my Hofner Jazzica. George Benson Flats. They have a nice bounce. Provided your not string bending too much, or using full 6 string chord shames once to get used to 12's going up or down a few gauges becomes almost effortless I think. I don't have huge hands either.

THe highest gauge i've strung a Strat up with is 12's (ran out of strings one weekend) and it seemed fine with these. the truss rod needed a slight tweek was all. It made a massive diff. to the sound.


Top
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 13 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 7 hours

Fender Play Winter Sale 2020

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users 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: