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Post subject: Effect of string brand on Strat setup?
Posted: Wed Dec 08, 2010 8:45 am
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I posted this on a general guitar website, and then it occurred to me to ask it here as well. Any advice would be appreciated!

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I had my strat set up and the tech used SIT strings, which I don't normally use, but the same gauge I had been using. It sounded great. I replaced the strings when they got dirty a couple of months ago, with D'addario XL's, and it seems like the bridge (which was almost flat to begin with) is lower now, and I get some fret buzz near the body when I'm fretting around frets 10 - 15. I loosened the bridge claw screw some to bring the bridge up a a little, but I still get a buzz.

Is it possible that the different string brands alone could account for this change, or should I double check the string gauge the guy used originally? I hate to go in for a set up again so soon.

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Posted: Wed Dec 08, 2010 9:45 am
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According to my luthier -- a gifted craftsman with some 30 years of experience building, repairing, modifying, and restoring fretted instruments -- his set-ups are optimized for a specific brand and gauge of string, to be determined by the customer. If either parameter is changed, the guitar may require a tweak or two (especially so if the instrument is trem-equipped) to correct for minor manufacturing tolerance variations between brands.

HTH

Arjay

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Posted: Wed Dec 08, 2010 10:38 am
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Strings in the same gauge by different companies may have different tension. Re-Check your entire setup.

I make it a habit to re-check my setups after each string change whether I change brands/gauges or not.

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Posted: Wed Dec 08, 2010 10:40 am
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I have found that different brands of the same gauges can have different tension although the string sizes are identical.I think that this is due to the ratio of alloys that differ from one brand to another and as Arjay said they may require some further tweaking.

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Posted: Wed Dec 08, 2010 11:20 am
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Thanks for the responses! It's nice to know that I'm not imagining things, and can go ahead and tweak. My one worry is that even the bridge height seems different (lower) now, and there's not much tweaking to do with that, other than taking out a spring. I'll manage.


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Posted: Wed Dec 08, 2010 11:23 am
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You can make an adjustment to the bridge height using the 2 trem claw screws.

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Posted: Wed Dec 08, 2010 9:17 pm
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I agree, I always check the set up after any restring.

Be aware that if you adjust the trem claw and it changes your angle up or angle down (i.e., tilted up or back), it will change your intonation. Because the salldes will sit closer or farther from the ideal tuned spot that it was set up at.

But, if you have fret buzz and the action is too slinky or low it could be that the change in humidity and temperature has caused your neck to bow back or convex. This is not a problem and common in the winter months. Thus, a truss rod adjustment to loosen the nut/screw is needed, as well as raising the hight on your saddles. If you use low action on your nut like I do, perhaps a shim under the nut can help.


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