Hi everyone,

I have just purchased a new MIM strat 2012 and it has come with 9-42. These are a bit light for me and I would like to change to 10-52. All I need to know is:-

Will the standard nut slots accept 10's ?

As I like my bridge to be decked (non trem user) will the standard three springs be sufficient to keep the trem decked or would i need and extra couple of springs?

Many thanks and Im very happy to finally be on the fender bandwagon.

Jason

You can use a standard set of 10's, but i'm not sure about that bigger 52. Usually it's a 46. I like having my trem decked as well. I just use five springs. Have fun making it yours.

Sorry guys I meant standard 10-46's....my mistake

ive had up to .12's on my mexican std strat (2002). i put .13's on my MIJ '62 custom tele (1985), and the nut broke at the low E. i would assume fender cut most of their 'standard' nuts to the same size, especially as they still fit the same size strings as standard. i would be confident in fitting '12's again with no problems.

Thanks guys, going to buy some 10-46 tomorrow. Am I right in assuming that the three springs that are on the trem as standard should be fine to enable me to "deck the trem" and keep it against the body with 10's?

Hi InTheGroove and congrats on your new Strat!

I use 10-46s on both my Strats and there's no issue with the nut. Since you don't use the tremolo may I suggest blocking it off.

Cheers!
BM

_________________
This is the Blues. Are you listening?

I use .10's and have my bridge decked. No problem with the nut, but I did go to 5 springs instead of just 3, so I wouldn't have to crank down the claw springs so much.

Thanks for the info. I just bought a blacktop HH strat and want to replace the 9s with 10s too. This is my first electric guitar and some of the terminology is new to me. This is why pictures are so important to me. Does anyone have a picture of the springs?

_________________
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Thank you. I understand now. Just love this forum!

Added two more springs, total five, when I changed the bridge block and decked the bridge.

_________________
---> "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've changed back and forth between 9's & 10's without issue, I'm sure you want have any problem, posters.

Okay, I bought 10's and had no problem putting them on my Blacktop. The E just barely fit in the nut though. I also added two more springs (five total), adjusted the tremolo (or is it the springs?) and tuned the guitar--still learning the terminology. I could not have done this without fender forum members--so, thank you!

My first two strings keep popping out of the nut when I bend
a string (.09s). Has anyone had that problem on a MIM, and if
so, did going to 10s stop it or make it worse?

They pop right back in, but I'm not hip on having them wrapped
around my knuckles and then making a clinking sound for everyone's
listening and dining pleasure.

I will probably have to take baby steps and go with 9.5s first,
then to 10s. My hands aren't as strong as they used to be,
and I get a lot of aches in the finger muscles from overuse.

_________________
Bobby
Coming again soon to a club near you
... or at least one near me. Hopefully.

bivie,

Sounds like those two strings are not under the tree. If you don't use the tree, this can happen.

_________________
---> "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.