New Strat owner here. I've been playing on 10's forever, and I've really gotten used to their "feel" and tone on my other guitars. I just picked up this Strat which came with the factory-standard 9's on it, and it also has a tremolo system/bridge.

Because of the vast differences in string tension between 9's and 10's, what kind of adjustment work am I looking at if I make the switch?

I'm not sure I want to change yet, as I think Strat's can really scream with 9's, and bends-galore with ease (not that they don't scream with 10's, but...). To me Fender's have that nice, bright, cut-through sound, so I'm also wondering how much the 10's will affect the tone also????

Thanks!

P.S. - What are you thoughts on "hybrid" strings? 9's on the high strings, but heavier gauge on the low? Would adjustments still be necessary? I'm not comfortable making adjustments myself, so this would require me to take it somewhere and pay for it, FYI...

Hi EvanPC,

I always change the 9s that come on mine for 10s also, seems to last longer and sound a little better. All that you need to do it tighten the two screws on the trem claw in the back a little to compensate for the extra pull of the 10s, to get your trem back to the same position as it was with the 9s. A little adjustment of the screws, retune and check position of the bridge, repeat as needed.

Edit:
Just noticed your PS. I know a few players who like the "Heavy Bottom" with their string sets, and will use the bigger strings from another set to get what they want. I prefer the lighter guage for the low strings myself. The adjustment would be the same whichever size strings that you use. I forgot to mention, just remove the back trem cover for access to the two trem claw screws, it is very simply just adjusting the two screws to set your bridge where you like it with new strings. Sometimes you will have to adjust them even with the same gauge of new strings if they are a different brand.

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Going from 10s to 9s or vice versa won't affect your tone enough to notice. I use 8-38s and have for decades and get a really heavy sound even on these strings.The only difference you'll find is as you said on string tension as one gauge step shouldn't affect intonation any.You may have to diddle with the trem springs if the bridge is floating but it shouldn't be much of a problem going from a heavier gauge to a lighter one if the bridge is decked.

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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.

Really? You don't think you would notice? I swear I do, but maybe it's in my head...I guess it could depend on what you're playing too.

Well, according the what I've read on Fender's site about the "vintage 2-point synchronizing" trem, the bridge should be up off of the body by about 1/8", which is approximately the ballpark my setup is in now. However, I'm sure if I put the heavier gauge on, it would pull the bridge up further, thus requiring adjustment.

So you're saying, though I may need to tighten the screws (claw?) in the backside of the body to tighten the springs, I shouldn't need to worry about intonation?

It is always best to check the intonation, I like mine as close as possible. If it was right to begin with, and you just go up one string size it will still be close. But, yes always a good idea to check it with any string change, that's standard procedure.

_________________
---> "The amp should be SWITCHED OFF AND UNPLUGGED before you do this!" <---

Por favor, disculpe mi español, no se llega a la práctica con mucha frecuencia.

i notice a huge difference when strings are too small. i use 11s on my strat and tens on my agile but any lighter than tens and you get that floppy tension also the bigger the string the more each pickup can well... pickup

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I like my tone like my women. Full round bottom, sweet and clean but can get as dirty as I desire.

The neck bow will change. If it was set properly for 9s it will be too much forward bow for 10s.

That translates into intonation problems in the center of the neck as the strings will be farther away from the neck than they were with the 9s. That means the strings will be slightly sharp in the center due to pulling them a greater distance to meet the fretboard in the center. That is one of the reasons why proper forward neck bow is step one when setting up a neck. Another is fret buzz. Too much forward bow generally will not cause fret buzz but too little surely will.

Too much forward bow will really be true if a even heavier low E. Due to the pull of the heavy string on the neck as compared to a light low E that does not apply as much pull.

Best to set up your guitar with the string size you want starting with the proper forward neck bow for that set of strings.

Thomas

If you have the 6 point vintage synchronized, you could also loosen the 2 screws on the trem claw and add one more spring to make it 4 springs. This will stiffen up the play in the trem. I also agree with adjusting the intonation if your trem will float/angle higher or lower than original. I usually keep mine flush with the top; easier to tune.

+1 for going to .10s

.10s feel better to me, and you can squeez a little more mojo out of them.

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+3

Arjay

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY

If you set the trem to float at the same height that it previously sat at the intonation would most like remain the same also as like I said going up or down one string gauge wouldn't have enough affect on the intonation to notice,.

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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.