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Post subject: Name my Strat!
Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2007 9:37 am
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Hey guys, i'm new to guitar and I borrowed my friends "old" strat (hes busy with his new Les Paul) to learn on until I get into it enough to fork over the dough for my own guitar. meanwhile, i'm changing the strings (saw a vid on youtube) and the strings i bought are a lot thinner than what was on the strat when i got it. My friends out of town so i can't ask him. I don't know what model my strat is. i know is 03-04a and mexican made by the serial number but beyond that im clueless. What strat do i have and what size stings should i get?
Thanks

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb18 ... 1184776534

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb18 ... 1184776575

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb18 ... 1184776602


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Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2007 9:57 am
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It's probably just a standard mexican, which is a great guitar, you can't go wrong with one of those.

It really doesn't matter what size you put on. A good all-around size would be 10's. But since your just starting out you might want to go with a light gauge set, something like .9's or maybe even some 8's. Those light strings will be alot easier to bend and they'll also be easier on your fingers.

Right now, the thing you want to be concentrating on is alot of playing time and building some calluses on your fingers. You can't have alot of playing time if your fingers are killing you after about an hour due to heavy gauge strings.

My advice is to keep'em fairly light so they'll be good to your fingers while calluses are forming.

Or you could just keep putting different gauge strings on untill you find some that you like. String size is really a preference.


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Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2007 10:26 am
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Looks like an HSS with no S-1 Switching.


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Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2007 10:46 am
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9's are about standard. if you go changing string gauges a lot you may need to have the guitar setup... 8's might break strings a bit too much...

but i agree, it's probably a standard fat strat. good guitars overall.


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Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2007 11:32 am
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That guitar came stock with 9's. Your friend probably went up a gauge or three. String her up and if the action is unbearable and intonation totally shot then give it a nice setup, little truss rod tweek and your set. If you are not comfortable doing that, heck it is your buddies guitar, gotta learn somehow? :lol: j/k take it to a local shop, they will have you set in short order.


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Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2007 1:07 pm
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Thanks for the help guys. You're talking about 8s,9s, and 10s. Is that defined by the size of the smallest string? if so, i put on new strings which are 8's (.008 for the smallest string) and it is just way higher pitched than before. im probably gonna try some 10s


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Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2007 1:46 pm
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I suggest taking it with you to the local guitar shop when you buy the strings . Ask them to string it with 9's. Most shops will do it with a smile.


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Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2007 2:26 pm
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If I bought the strings they'd string it for free? How long do you think that'd take


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Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2007 2:59 pm
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Well I know the local mom and pop store would and do it with a smile. It takes all of 5 minutes. Now if it needs extra attention like the action adjusted, truss rod tweek, etc. it should be no more then 25 dollars. But strings are easy.


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Post subject: Re: Name my Strat!
Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2007 8:58 am
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Commandersven218 wrote:
Hey guys, i'm new to guitar and I borrowed my friends "old" strat (hes busy with his new Les Paul) to learn on until I get into it enough to fork over the dough for my own guitar. meanwhile, i'm changing the strings (saw a vid on youtube) and the strings i bought are a lot thinner than what was on the strat when i got it. My friends out of town so i can't ask him. I don't know what model my strat is. i know is 03-04a and mexican made by the serial number but beyond that im clueless. What strat do i have and what size stings should i get?
Thanks

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb18 ... 1184776534

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb18 ... 1184776575

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb18 ... 1184776602


2003 (or 04) Mexican Fat Strat most likely was stock strung with Fender Super Bullets (P/N 005-6298-000).

Not knowing how long it's been sitting around with only one string on it I'd suggest you have a shop string her up with the stock strings and check setup and intonation. I say do the setup because if it's been unstrung long enough the truss rod may need a tweak to get the neck right again.

It's hard enough to get used to playing a guitar without having to fight action and intonation issues that will keep it from sounding right even when you do get all your fingers in the right place at the right time. :lol:


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Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2007 9:04 am
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Excellent advice here.

I agree have a set of 9's put on and have it set up.

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Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2007 10:16 am
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Well I went out to guitar center, and they suggested putting on tens so i bought some of those. comparing new and old strings they're exactly the same width so i guess it had 10s on before. I tuned it manually and started playing. It sounds way different then before. Is that normal?


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Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2007 10:22 am
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New strings usually sound much better.

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Chet Feathers

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


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Post subject:
Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2007 10:30 am
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Commandersven218 wrote:
Well I went out to guitar center, and they suggested putting on tens so i bought some of those. comparing new and old strings they're exactly the same width so i guess it had 10s on before. I tuned it manually and started playing. It sounds way different then before. Is that normal?



String gauges are often determined by the construction design of the guitar. If you look closely you will note that the mass of the tremolo block and materials use in the bridge assembly is different for guitars of different vintage (year) and country of manufacture. I find that MIM's are generally supplied with 9's whereas the U.S. built production and CS guitars are supplied with 10's.

I look for strats whose design employs the use of a heavy block.

When you surf the products section, pay close attention to this area of the specs and inspect the guitars off the wall.

Another aspect of string changing lies in the nut. A nut cut for 9's may not accept a change to 11's without being recut. There's a danger that the nut will fracture. Going the other way, there is the possibility that 8's will not do well on a nut cut for 11's.

If you like variations in string gauge for tone, have more than one axe!


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