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Post subject: changing string gauge 9 to 10
Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2008 6:13 pm
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im changing the strings on my strat for the first time and i want to put heavier strings on them. i can do the intonation and string height adjusment if need be but i dont know anything about truss road adjusments. will i need to do any adjusting to it when i switch my strings? how will i know if i do need to adjust it?


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Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2008 7:52 pm
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Click on support, then setup guide, and follow directions. It's a lot easier than you might imagine.


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Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2008 11:48 am
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Just remember to give the neck a little time to settle. It usually takes a couple tries when you're trying it for the first time.


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Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2008 1:12 pm
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Don't forget that you will need to adjust your trem block


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Post subject: Re: changing string gauge 9 to 10
Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2008 6:46 pm
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guitardudemd wrote:
im changing the strings on my strat for the first time and i want to put heavier strings on them. i can do the intonation and string height adjusment if need be but i dont know anything about truss road adjusments. will i need to do any adjusting to it when i switch my strings? how will i know if i do need to adjust it?


I switched over to Ernie Ball Regular Slinkys (.010-.046) from the stock .09 Bullets that came with the Strat. The difference in tone fantastic! I didn't need to install additional springs but I did change the springs from lll to /l\ configuration which many players prefer. I also tightened the spring claw down a bit but not much. I love the vibrato so I did maintain the recommended 1/8" bridge clearance. My truss rod didn't need any adjusting. Pay particular attention the the factory recommended string and pickup heights. You should probably be able to lower your string's action as well as raise your pickup heights from the factory setup. The factory always seems to set the pickups too low... I mean way too low.

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Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2008 6:56 pm
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If you stop and think about it for a moment, changing a three spring configuration from ||| to /|\ will increase the tension a tad due to the extra distance that the two outside springs travel in their connection.

This is indeed a very clever way to add or remove small tweaks to your springs' tension. I use it too.


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Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2008 7:54 pm
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hi all,

i've recently changed my strings from 9s to 10s as well. The tone sounds better to me.... However, my initial setup for 9s to play low (close to the fretboard) is gone. Although the action is higher now, it is still playable. I had also noticed that my bridge seem to be protruding out after the string change, it was used to be level with my strat body when view sideways.

Just to check with you guys, is this normal? Do i have to send it for another setup in this case? Hope it wouldn;t cause any major damage to my strat.........

Btw, i had also read that higher action actually brings out a better tone from your guitar when compared to playing with a really low action although it is easier to play. Is this true?

Many thanks in advance.......


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Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2008 9:39 pm
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ctho wrote:
hi all,

i've recently changed my strings from 9s to 10s as well. The tone sounds better to me.... However, my initial setup for 9s to play low (close to the fretboard) is gone. Although the action is higher now, it is still playable. I had also noticed that my bridge seem to be protruding out after the string change, it was used to be level with my strat body when view sideways.

Just to check with you guys, is this normal? Do i have to send it for another setup in this case? Hope it wouldn;t cause any major damage to my strat.........

Btw, i had also read that higher action actually brings out a better tone from your guitar when compared to playing with a really low action although it is easier to play. Is this true?

Many thanks in advance.......


Your 10s are exerting more force on the bridge than you 9s used to. Loosen your strings a little then remove your back cover and tighten the two screws that holds the sping claws clockwise. Try maybe a 1/4 to 1/2 trun of both screws at a time then retune your guitar. Keep doing this until your guitar stays in tune with a 1/8 inch gap from the back of the tremolo to the body of the guitar. You could also re-arrange your springs to look like /l\ instead of lll. The top is the claw and the bottom is the tremolo block. After you have the bridge height set you can fine tune your bridge saddles for action and intonation.

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Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2008 6:49 pm
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Thanks manabu108........

I don't think i will attempt to do it myself.... But with the way it is now, if i were to just leave it as it is and play as per normal..... it wouldn't damage the guitar or the bridge right? Btw, i dun use the whammy bar at all.... I might send it it for a setup later...

thanks again. :)


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Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2008 9:02 pm
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ctho wrote:
Thanks manabu108........

I don't think i will attempt to do it myself.... But with the way it is now, if i were to just leave it as it is and play as per normal..... it wouldn't damage the guitar or the bridge right? Btw, i dun use the whammy bar at all.... I might send it it for a setup later...

thanks again. :)


If you are going to give it to a tech to work on it you can have him "Block the tremolo". Literally put a block of wood inside the tremolo cavity to stablize your bridge like Clapton does. He prefers that over a hardtail.

If you're not experiencing too much difficulty the way it's set then you're ok for now.

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Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2008 6:54 am
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I just did the same thing changing from 9's to 10's. Yes the truss rod will most likely have to be adjusted with the 3/16 allen wrench a little tighter (clockwise)1/8th of a turn at a time & keep checking neck. In addition, the back plate on the guitar has to come off to tighten the spring screws (2) with a phillips head screw driver to maintain the 1/8th in rear bridge height for the tremelo bar.Most of this is in the manual. Pretty easy actually.


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Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2008 9:29 pm
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understood. thanks a lot guys....... :)


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Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2008 9:05 am
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ctho wrote:
hi all,

i've recently changed my strings from 9s to 10s as well. The tone sounds better to me.... However, my initial setup for 9s to play low (close to the fretboard) is gone. Although the action is higher now, it is still playable. I had also noticed that my bridge seem to be protruding out after the string change, it was used to be level with my strat body when view sideways.

Just to check with you guys, is this normal? Do i have to send it for another setup in this case? Hope it wouldn;t cause any major damage to my strat.........

Btw, i had also read that higher action actually brings out a better tone from your guitar when compared to playing with a really low action although it is easier to play. Is this true?

Many thanks in advance.......


I would tune down to remove the string tension and give the truss rod a 1/8 turn. Then tune back to the pitch you use and retest.


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Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2008 9:22 am
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I am about to change out the 9's for either 10's or possibly 11's, one question I have on changing is regarding the nut. Will this need to be changed or adjusted to accomodate the heavier guage?

Thanks


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Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2008 4:43 pm
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CJL wrote:
I am about to change out the 9's for either 10's or possibly 11's, one question I have on changing is regarding the nut. Will this need to be changed or adjusted to accomodate the heavier guage?

Thanks


First indication of a problem can be tested by tuning your guitar to pitch then hold down each string at the first fret and check the tuning. This actually works best with a chromatic tuner. If the pitch at the first fret is sharp then it means your strings are sitting too high on the nut. It might just need have the grooves filed wider which is not too tricky but if it needs to go lower you really need to be careful and patient. If you don't have precise measuring and filing tool and a little finesse with crafts then I'd let someone equipped for the job to do it.

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