I put heavy gauge strings on my new American Standard Strat, .12 -.52. I notice the bridge was on angle after i started tuning it up(and it wouldnt stay in tune). Someone told me this was because of the heavy strings. What are the heaviset gauge strings I can put on without the bridge going on an angle and the guitar going out of tune?(without tightning screws inside the guitar)

After changing to those string the guitar needs a complete setup. You will never get it to tune right changing sizes like that and not redoing the complete setup.

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To keep the factory setup exactly as it is and make no further adjustment your limited to a .009-.042 gauge set of strings. As that is what the guitar is set to in the factory.

You cant vary off that gauge without making some adjustments to your setup.

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No no and no

thanks for the help! ive already brought it in to get complete setup.

Most strats are setup for .9's or .10's. Even going to 11's require a setup. And if yours has a standard nut, not the roller/locking nut, the strings won't fit properly either. The nut slots will be narrow and cause friction and binding when you go to tune. Setting up the guitar is easy, but adjust the nut? Bring in the pro's...

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I replaced the strings on my strat with .9gauge and the same happened to me but I guessed it was because they were a different company (weird?) so I ended up just placing a new spring in the back to level out the bridge.

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I went to 12s about 20 years ago and I remember buying a set of files. I filed the nut grooves and the saddles. I also added two more springs and laid the bridge down flat. Was never good at manipulating the tremelo, so I haven't missed it. I also used a pencil within the nut grooves to provide a little bit of lubrication. Haven't looked back since!

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