Happy Sunday to you!

I have Am Std Strat, 2011, less than a year old. I'm finding that I'm tuning down when playing with band more and more often to make the vocals a little easier.

I haven't done anything to the original setup and when I tune down I find the string action too sloppy for my taste.

I think I'm going to to try going from 9's to 10's on the strings to see if I get a little help there. Should I expect any issues with that and does anyone have any other recommendations? I'm assuming the nut can handle 10's without any alterations.

Thanks
Chris

Before swapping string gauges try tuning to Eb (1/2 step down) then doing a complete setup.
I have 1 Strat using 9's tuned and setup for Eb and it doesn't seem sloppy to me.

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

Like Chet said setup is everything with 9s 1/2 step down. If you have the luxury of more than one guitar setting one up a half step down with 10's will feel very similar to your guitar with 9s in standard tuning provided the scale is the same. The nut on your Strat should handle 10s with no problem. I have one of mine set up with 10s a half step down for the same reason as you. You could probably go to 11s with no problem. It might be more of a problem for the nut if you use a wound G string.

This may sound like it's directed specifically at the OP but it's not. It's just an expression of the confusion that happens in me every time I see something like this. I have always held the opinion that detuning by a half step cannot possibly be for the sake of vocals. That's just a handy excuse to tune down, IMO. I understand that detuning is considered "cool" by some people. I don't get that myself but hey, if it turns your crank, go for it. Just try not to lie to others and especially to yourself that it's all about the vocals. I mean it's one half step, one semitone. How much difference is that really going to make?

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Just think of how awesome a guitar player you could have been by now if you had only spent the last 10 years practicing instead of obsessing over pickups and roasted maple necks.

I tune down a whole step. I use Fender .009 - .042s. I run the tremolo bridge solid on the body to return to zero everytime. The bridge is a locking deluxe.
I have an LSR and locking tuners its very heavy metal Sabbathian type.
The main thing i find is raise your action as a whole about 1/64 to 1/32 to let pulls and harmonics ring good and clear.

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"This may sound like it's directed specifically at the OP but it's not. It's just an expression of the confusion that happens in me every time I see something like this. I have always held the opinion that detuning by a half step cannot possibly be for the sake of vocals. That's just a handy excuse to tune down, IMO. I understand that detuning is considered "cool" by some people. I don't get that myself but hey, if it turns your crank, go for it. Just try not to lie to others and especially to yourself that it's all about the vocals. I mean it's one half step, one semitone. How much difference is that really going to make?"

I agree with your assessment of the 1/2 step difference. Can't possibly be for the vocals. I have however noticed that my strat ('88 $@!) "prefers" the 1/2 step down. Stays in tune better than any guitar I've owned or played, and I'm running 13s on it with fabulous tone. Plus, I originally tuned down (20 years ago) because Stevie did it, but learned over time that my guitar stays in tune better with the heavier guage strings and 1/2 step down. Also, isn't the guitar technically tuned to A, thus making the 1/2 step down tuning Ab? Thought I picked that up in my undergrad...

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I'm the best guitarist in my bedroom.

Tried to abreviate American Standard Strat with the obvious letters and got edited by the program. I'll try again: '88 A.S.S.

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I'm the best guitarist in my bedroom.

I personally tune down a half step for playability reasons.I have 11s on my strat and bends are too tough with std tuning.
For that sloopy feel you dont like you should try heavier string gauges to fix it!Although you ll need to set up the intonation,action and trussroad properly!You ll have to experement with setup and string gauge to find the perfect combination for you..
After all its how YOU like to play YOUR guitar...

I personally like the sound of tuning down 1/2 step. I don't care what everybody else says, it is a little easier to sing to also. I also use 11's on my Strat, but have kept standard tuning. It helps build the strength in your fingers. With my new blues band, I do tune down though.

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2000 American Deluxe Stratocaster
2011 Gibson Les Paul Trad Pro 50's
2007 Epi Les Paul Custom
90's ESP Eclipse
JH-1B Jimi Hendrix Crybaby
Analogman KOT
Korg Pitchblack
Boss NS-2 PH-2
Blues Deluxe Reissue
1999 & 2007 Marshall TSL 100 w/1960BV cab

Appreciate all the feedback for a tuned down setup.

The only reason we tune down a 1/2 step is to make it easier to sing. I find my voice is in much better condition the day after we play and its a little easier to sing some of our songs.

Again, thanks for the help

Chris

With vocals, one semitone can make a huge difference. A lot of vocalists don't have a huge range especially if they don't use thier falsetto. This also doesn't relate to how "good" a vocalist may be. Although, I don't think it's nessesary to change the tuning of one's guitar to facilitate this. But, still again, I can understand if someone wants to tune down for the vocalist. Ex.-In my old cover band we played "You Shook Me All Night Long". I've played the song for years and know the solo note for note like the original. The singer decides he can sing it better/easier if we go down 1/2 step, so... I tune one guitar down and use it for the song. I could have transposed it with standard tuning, but I like to keep using the open chords and the solo the same. Just my opinion. I know some will have a different opnion and that's cool too

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2010 American Deluxe Strat Sunset Metallic - Lindy Fralin Blues Specials in the neck and middle, Dimarzio AT-1 humbucker in the bridge.
PRS Custom 22 with solid rosewood neck
Mesa/Boogie Electra Dyne 1x12 combo
DRRI

Hey y'all! Many times when I'm playing in a three piece format we'll tune down a a half just because the guitars sound so much cooler. It is definitely a darker and more bottom heavy sound, the guitar plays easier- esp. with heavier gauges- and it is easier to sing. I believe SRV was tuned down a half on virtually all of his music. I can't speak for him but it seems that it would have to do with tone and playability. Give it a try and see what you think!

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