Can i put a 12 gauge string on my Fender Stratocaster E circa 1990 ?

You can, but you must have it set up for that gauge.

You can do it with a proper setup. When I use to use 12's all I did was damage my left hand. IMHO the difference in tone wasn't worth it.

Thanks for the feedback but what do you guys mean by "proper setup" ?

I have another Strat 1953 with 12 Gauge & have been using it for awhile now. I beg to differ but there is a difference in sound & keeps the guitar in tune better than a 10: for example.

Wow someone else with a 53. Can we see a picture or two of it?

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No no and no

Yeah man, she's my babe.

Would be happy to send you a picture as soon as i get back from my business trip sometime in March 2010.

Thanks for your help.

LOL



I really can't wait for this.

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Some Guitars played through an amp...

Never said there wasn't a difference in tone, just not big enough to justify damaging my fretting hand. I don't need or want tendentious or arthritis. I'm 54 and have been playing 43 years, and hope to be playing the rest of my life. I depends on your playing style. I play mostly blues and do some pretty big bends. Don't worry, I won't get into a pissing contest over tone. YMMV

I used 12's for years tuned to standard pitch, then switched to light top heavy bottom. Proper setup is neck, saddles, trem float if you have it or want it, intonation. You may even need to file the nut, it just depends. I never had a problem keeping my Strat in tune regardless of what gauge I was using or how much I use the trem. Mine floats. The setup and properly stretching new strings is the key.

Got it. Thanks again.

I am no pro. I play just for the love of playing the guitar. I have been playing on & off pretty much same number of years as you. I am 55 years old. Yup getting there

I ALSO play the blues (what else is there to play) & jam with friends who, like me, do other things & music is the main hobby. I record for my own & friends benefit.

As you can tell i have never had any formal musical background except for a short Jazz guitar lesson w/c got me back into playing again a couple of years or so ago. Otherwise i listen & teach myself.

Mahalo

I've used 12s on my E series 88-89 strat. Love the tone! added two more springs to the floating trem and brought it down flush to the body. Haven't looked back yet. It's funny when I pick up someone else's axe with lighter guage strings and go to bend, usually go two steps instead of one. Love the 12s, thinking about 13s...

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I'm the best guitarist in my bedroom.

I'll trade you a unicorn for that 1953 Stratocaster.

[quote="pardude"]Thanks for the feedback but what do you guys mean by "proper setup" ?

String heights, intonation, and cutting of the nut to carry the heavier strings w/o fracturing, for three.

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"Another day in paradise!"

bah everyone knows unicorns were hunted to extinction in order to harvest their horns to do the inlays on the '63 Les Paul

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

......seem to have run out of maidens as well.

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"Another day in paradise!"

Ah were all being a bit sceptical aren't we? Remember 53strats guitar. A fair few doubted that and were proved wrong. What about LonelyBoy? Thats the one all others have to measure up to. Forget Blackie if it stands up to lonelyboy its gonna whip anything.

As always, pic's or it doesnt exist.

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No no and no