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Post subject: String gauges...
Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2008 9:19 am
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A current post on "fretting out" raises another matter.

MIM's seemed to always be fitted with 9's while the MIA's with 10's. Now the new American Standard has 9's.

The MIM trem blocks traditionally appeared thinner and lighter and I have always speculated that this may be the reason for the difference in gauges, but now the new Standard has a totally reconfigured block.
I can't attribute it to the neck or body woods in these guitars. Certainly not the electronics. Perhaps ease of bending.

We know there's been lots of talk about string gauges and tone. So that leaves the question as to whether the new Standard could handle 13's with a D tuning, a la SRV, with a proper nut and setup, if a player so desired it.

Anyone have any authoritative info on this?


Last edited by ZZDoc on Wed Apr 02, 2008 9:31 am, edited 1 time in total.

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Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2008 9:30 am
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i wouldnt agree with you, MIA strat sound great with 09 or with 10 string gauges, I would say the same for the MIM strats. [/i]


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Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2008 9:37 am
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uros55 wrote:
i wouldnt agree with you, MIA strat sound great with 09 or with 10 string gauges, I would say the same for the MIM strats. [/i]


Thanks for you input. Naturally, I don't challenge your opinion on this.

My inquiry addresses the rationale for engineering design. Fender gave us all this 'stuff' about what went into the 'redesign' of the American Standard. Thus, looking back over my shoulder across the decades, one does see significant changes in the shape and mass of the trem block within models, thus my question regarding factory equipped string gauges.


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Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2008 10:04 am
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I am not an authority on this matter, but I do have my own personal opinion.

9's or 10's come stock on most electric guitars made because the majority of electric guitar players could not handle a guitar with 12's, 13's or higher on them.
Guitars are designed to be able to handle the tension of higher gauge strings with a proper setup. SRV at one time used 15's, but then changed to 13's, his guitars were tuned 1/2 step down to Eb.
I believe that some guitars feel or sound better with higher gauge strings even if it is only the heavier strings. For example I have used 9-42's, 9-46's, and 9-48's. It is up to the individual player to decide what feel or tone he likes, that is why we have so many choices.
Currently I have guitars using 9's, 10', and 11's, with 1 using an alternate tuning (1/2 step down).

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Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2008 11:21 am
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Listen to CAFeathers! :D


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Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2008 11:37 am
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My '06 (upgraded) made in Corona Highway One came with 9s. I put 10s on because when bending the 9s sometimes squeal like "what the hell are you doin' to me" but the 10s always sound good. Guitar's great with 10s.


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Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2008 12:34 pm
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I've always thought all Fender electric guitars came with 9 gauge strings. I just bought a new American Deluxe Strat (I haven't changed strings yet), and they feel like 9's to me. I could be wrong, I guess.

Does anyone know the straight scoop on what gauge strings are put on an American Deluxe at the factory? I have a perfect setup, and I'd hate to mess it up by putting on the wrong gauge strings when it's time to change.


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Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2008 12:46 pm
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Syeklops wrote:
I've always thought all Fender electric guitars came with 9 gauge strings. I just bought a new American Deluxe Strat (I haven't changed strings yet), and they feel like 9's to me. I could be wrong, I guess.

Does anyone know the straight scoop on what gauge strings are put on an American Deluxe at the factory? I have a perfect setup, and I'd hate to mess it up by putting on the wrong gauge strings when it's time to change.

They ship from the factory with 3250L's which are "9" gauge strings.


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Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2008 12:59 pm
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Thanks, Murdochart.


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Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2008 3:35 pm
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I play My MIM Strat with 12-48 and 6100 Jumbo Frets. No fretting-out occurs. It just has to be set up right.


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Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2008 3:44 pm
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hey fender510 did you do the refret yourself or did you have it done by a luthier? if you had it done by a luthier, how much did it cost?

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Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2008 3:53 pm
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I think any guitar should be able to use any gauge string, they just proper set up.
I don't go lighter than .011 gauge strings because I don't like the feel of light strings, but I set up '57 reissue strat with 13-56's and when I got the guitar it had 9s I just needed to adjust the truss rod, bridge, and nut and now it plays beautifully. I also tune to Eb and sometimes open E.


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Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2008 4:33 pm
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zzdoc wrote:
uros55 wrote:
i wouldnt agree with you, MIA strat sound great with 09 or with 10 string gauges, I would say the same for the MIM strats. [/i]


Thanks for you input. Naturally, I don't challenge your opinion on this.

My inquiry addresses the rationale for engineering design. Fender gave us all this 'stuff' about what went into the 'redesign' of the American Standard. Thus, looking back over my shoulder across the decades, one does see significant changes in the shape and mass of the trem block within models, thus my question regarding factory equipped string gauges.


So far we are receiving many interesting points of view but nothing addressing the question put. Point of information to one of the responders: the factory equipped string gauge for any particular guitar in the online products can be found in the specs section.


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Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2008 4:38 pm
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What was the actual question you wanted an answer too?

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Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2008 4:44 pm
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CAFeathers wrote:
What was the actual question you wanted an answer too?


Simply put: What design determinants does the factory use when choosing the stock string gauge for a guitar?


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