I recently acquired a Vintage 62 (btw, thanks to those who gave me advice on this forum a couple of days ago).

The guitar is in great shape but the strings need replacing. I typically play with 9s, but this guitar seems a bit stiffer, so it might be that it's fitted with 10s. The owner did not know. I kind of like the stiffer feel, so I am keen to preserve that with the fresh strings. But may be the stiffness is all in my head.

I know that the Vintage 62 is fitted with 10s from the factory, but the previous owner left a fresh set of 9s in the case... So I'm confused.

Is there a way to know what gauge was fitted? The guitar is tuned to standard tuning....

Aside from going and getting a micrometer that your only going to use once, i cant think of any other way to do it accurately.

I notice my 57hotrod seems to feel a lot stiffer than my deluxe or customshop guitars. Dunno why that is but its very apparent.

_________________
No no and no

Hi tremolo arm! At the risk of sounding flippant, why not just do a complete set-up from scratch and put on the strings you like? That renders your question completely moot.

_________________
I really like all them "Aster" guitars. You know, like the Stratoc, Telec and Jazzm.

I used a micrometer. I think my strat came with 10s or 11s.

Hi tremolo arm: If the guitar is fitted with D'Addarios then of course the color of the ball end will tell you the gauge of the string.

Otherwise: I have digital calipers but I'm not sure I'd trust them to measure to an accuracy of one thou. And if you don't already have the calipers then buying some would be a very expensive way of ascertaining what gauge strings you have - these are the one's I got:

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tools/Calip ... liper.html

Much easier just to follow Russianracehorse's suggestion. Then you'll know for certain!

Cheers - C

I prefer a set of 10's myself. You will get better tone for your chording. You might want to start out with a set of "regular" 10's. This would be a set with a small e-string at 10 and a large e @ 46. If you like that feel, many string manufacturers make sets in that size so you will have an easier time finding strings. I use that set made by Dean Markley (Blue Steel).

On another strat, I use DR "Tite-Fit" strings with a heavy bottom, which is heavier wound strings that the Blue Steel. The set is the same e, b, g, with wound strings going up to 52.

I would get the intonation adjusted for a particular set of strings. Remember that when you change string size, you throw off you intonation.

And if you do change string gauges and have a floating tremolo, you'll probably have to adjust the tremolo spring tension with the claw screws. If you have the tremolo seated hard against the body, chances are you won't have to deal with this particular problem.

_________________
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, I replaced the strings, fitting a set of 10s and it turns out the old set had also been 10s because the bridge lifts exactly the same height and the tension feels the same.

Having been used to Strats stringed with 9s, this feels so different! It just takes that extra effort to play it, especially when bending strings. My fingers are also feeling the pain, and the tips have that numb feeling to them. But I am determined to persevere, because the tone is awesome!

Even though it is no great jump I have had many friends take a while to get adjusted going from 9s to 10s but a solid month of playing you wont even remember. The thing is if you ever go back to 9s it will feel like toy strings.

That's it! You will feel the extra effort, but you won't believe how light a set of 9's feel like after a short while.

[quote="tremolo arm"]

Do not concern yourself, Officer Calahan

In the matter of string gauges the company advised on a thread back around the time the Titanic sank (it seems that long ago already), that the generic string gauge being supplied these days are 9's, in that they seem to be the most easily played.

Where the more vintage instruments are concerned, like RI's, and my amigo's '57Hotrod, por ejemplo....they string 'em as they were originally supplied...generally 10's.

This however, does not limit your choice. You can go heavy, light, or mix and match 'em, as long as your setup satisfies your requirements for playability.

Doc

_________________
"Another day in paradise!"

FYI - you can get the same digital calipers at Home Depot for $40 and no shipping.

"child's play" I use 10`s to floss my teeth!

And for around £12 ($19)at the local sunday morning carboot. I think Ceri's point was that you can buy a sledgehammer to put a picture hook up.

_________________
No no and no