So. I just put some new strings on my Strat. Usually I use 3250L Super Bullets .009's. After all if Fender puts them on the guitars, it just makes sense. Anyway, I decided to try some D'Addario .009's that I had in my gig bag. After getting them on and tuning up, the bridge is way higher than it was before. And I'm having trouble keeping it tune. I'll tune from Low E down and by the time I get to High E I'm half a step down on the Low E.

Should I just crank up the bridge springs? Why would there be such a difference between brands of the same gauge string?

I've done setups and feel comfortable doing it, just didn't think I'd have to this time.

Thanks in advance.

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"Who says I can't get stoned..." - John Mayer

- "Honey" 09 HWY 1 Tele (Honey Blonde w/Maple)
- 08 MIM Standard Strat (Burst w/Rosewood,SCN,DeltaTone)
- Super Champ XD
- Marshall Class 5 Head
- Norman Acoustic (MICan)

Aside from the reasons that your new strings are pulling your bridge higher, you will need to screw down the spring screws in order to pull the bridge back down closer to the body. Fender specs are 1/8" but many players like them flat on the body if you aren't worried about pulling UP on the trem bar. Laying the trem flat allows the bridge to stay in tune better even when breaking a string.

You will probably need to tighten the spring screws then re tune the guitar and make adjustments until the guitar is in tune and the bridge is where you want it. You then should intonate again in order to make sure that you are in tune all the way up the neck.

As far as what caused it, could be lots of reasons. Check to see that all of the strings are the same gauge. Sometimes a set of 9's can have 'heavy bottom" strings. (the wound strings could be larger). If your old strings were very old then they could have lengthened out if you are a heavy trem user. Or you could have a mis marked set of strings. It's not unusual for those high E strings to be, uh, replaced, because those are the ones that break first.

I always check inside a pack of strings to see if they contain everything. You obviously can't measure them to see if they are accurate, but at the very least you can make sure that nothing looks tampered with. I'm seeing more strings in blister packs now and that may be the reason. You will find that even Best Buy now carries strings in their non instrument stores. (Ernie Ball's) and they have gone to a blister pack. (I've had tampered with strings from there before...gotta use those rewards points for something I really need)

So I don't think you did anything wrong. But if you are unsure about changing that trem again, replace those new strings and see what happens, or take a micrometer, if you have one and measure the strings to see if they all match the ones you used to have.

Also, make sure that you have the same amount of springs that you had when you started. You never know if maybe one came off when the trem loosened. Strats normally have three but many players use all 5.

Thanks for the info ChicagoBlue,

I measured everything up and I am around 1/16" gap. So I am within spec. But I was flat against the body with the old strings, that weren't that old. But who knows.

I am used to not pulling up on the trem, as it had nowhere to go before. I've noticed a buzz in a couple strings now, so I'm going to do my intonation next and leave the trem where it is. I figure what the hell lets play it this way for a while and see if I like it better.

I can say that the hour I've just played with the new strings. I like them better so far than the Super Bullets. Time will tell.

Just realized this reply took me 10 minutes to type because I keep pausing to listen to Jimi.

I can't believe his version of Sunshine of your Love. Brilliant.

Sorry Off topic. Thanks again for the help.

_________________
"Who says I can't get stoned..." - John Mayer

- "Honey" 09 HWY 1 Tele (Honey Blonde w/Maple)
- 08 MIM Standard Strat (Burst w/Rosewood,SCN,DeltaTone)
- Super Champ XD
- Marshall Class 5 Head
- Norman Acoustic (MICan)

Sounds to me like the tension is different. There are strings in the same gauge that are light tension and heavy tension. The new strings probably changed your neck relief too. My personal advice is to do a complete setup.

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Chet Feathers

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

You are correct Chet many think same gauge means same tension which it does not.

_________________
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

Thanks Chet,

That's my plan. I'm looking forward to getting out the tools. I never thought of light or heavy gauge. As I said they feel great, and sound good too. They'll be even better with a fresh setup.

_________________
"Who says I can't get stoned..." - John Mayer

- "Honey" 09 HWY 1 Tele (Honey Blonde w/Maple)
- 08 MIM Standard Strat (Burst w/Rosewood,SCN,DeltaTone)
- Super Champ XD
- Marshall Class 5 Head
- Norman Acoustic (MICan)

i didn't like the twang the bullets were sputtering out so i installed the d'addario's .11 blues/jazz strings...i adjusted the height of the bridge saddles and action went down and the bridge block also relaxed.

You didn't by chance remove all the strings from your old set rather than replace them one at a time,I'm asking that because just last week when I bought a new Strat I immediately swapped out the Fender 9s for D'Addario 8s one at a time and had no problem with the bridge which I prefer flat to the body.

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'65 Strat,65 Mustang,65 Jaguar,4 more Strats,3 vintage Vox guitars,5 Vox amps,'69 Bassman with a '68 2-15 Bassman cab,36 guitars total-15asst'd amps total,2 vintage '60s Hammond organs & a myriad of effects-with a few rare vintage ones.

I did remove all the strings at once so I could clean the fretboard with lemon oil. I was messing with it last night. Playing, tuning up, playing, tuning up, and so forth. It's holding tune now and the bridge gap is just over 1/16"

As I said, I'm getting a buzz when playing around the 7th fret so I am going to do a whole setup. I'll check the truss rod and adjust the saddles. It's very satisfying setting up your own guitar, it just strengthens and already strong bond.

I use The Fender Stratocaster Handbook. Great book.

http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/Fen ... dbook%2527

Thanks again for all your help. I'm chalking it up to heavier tension strings as Chet said.

_________________
"Who says I can't get stoned..." - John Mayer

- "Honey" 09 HWY 1 Tele (Honey Blonde w/Maple)
- 08 MIM Standard Strat (Burst w/Rosewood,SCN,DeltaTone)
- Super Champ XD
- Marshall Class 5 Head
- Norman Acoustic (MICan)

Welcome to the D'Adarrio string club. Fender makes the quality guitars, that's what they do. I believe in letting a string company supply my strings because it's what they do!

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60th Anniversary AD Strat, Deluxe Nashville Tele, Player's P Bass. Mesa/Boogie Mk IV combo, Marshall JCM800, 1960A cab, Genz Benz El Diablo 60, Genz 2x12" cab, too many neat little practice amps and kit projects!