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Post subject: UPDATE: Swtiched from 10s to 11s - REVIEW
Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2013 8:47 am
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Conventional wisdom and general consensus tells us that a setup is usually required when switching string gauges but like the OP in this thread I switched from 10s to 11s on my ADStrat and it doesn't appear that a setup is necessary.

The thicker strings fit nicely in the original nut slots and since the trem is blocked there is no need to offset the added pull with more springs or by tightening the claws. As for the neck relief, I checked yesterday after changing strings and it was .012" at the 8th fret. I checked again today and it's still at .012" which is 0.002" more then suggested in the Stratocaster® Setup Guide but the guitar feels and plays great so I'm thinking there's really no need to mess with the truss rod ... is there?

I switched from Fender Original Bullets 3150R (.010 - .046) to Ernie Ball Power Slinky (.011-.048) and although I like the meatiness of the thicker strings, I miss the tone and feel of the Original Bullets. Maybe it's all in my head because both are nickel - but I find the Original Bullets sound clearer and feel smoother. The only gauges I've seen in stores for the Original Bullets are 9s and 10s but 11s are also available.

I did a forum search on strings and after about 5 pages of posts I got the impression that not many here are using Fender Original Bullets and even fewer use Fender Original Bullets 3150M (011 - 049). ... Am I alone? :cry:

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BM

Edit: Thread title Update

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Last edited by Bluer Monkey on Thu Feb 14, 2013 11:36 am, edited 1 time in total.

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Post subject: Re: Swtiched from 10s to 11s
Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2013 9:52 am
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You got lucky my friend. Often the switch means more tension on the neck, causing a little more bowing and may throw of the action and intonation. But there are some guitars who's neck is stiff enough to handle it and no adjustments necessary. My prayers to your finger tips while you adjust to the thicker strings....

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Post subject: Re: Swtiched from 10s to 11s
Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2013 10:07 am
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Mate, going 11's was the right move you've just chosen the wrong strings, for some reason slinkys sound terrible on strats, if you search here you'll fing that to be more than just my opinion, they are the wrong tension for the strat scale so I've been led to believe. I hated them on my strats they sounded clearly awful. Try didarios 11's you'll get that loud shimmering tone that 10's just cannot give you and they won't sound all out of tune like slinkys....

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Post subject: Re: Swtiched from 10s to 11s
Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2013 10:10 am
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Bluer Monkey wrote:
...I switched from 10s to 11s on my ADStrat and it doesn't appear that a setup is necessary...the guitar feels and plays great...


That says it all!

Bullet strings suck! (because of the "bullet") If you have a real bridge block, such as the Callaham or the "new and improved" CS block, the bullets will stick out the end of the block, and that's why I don't use them.

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Post subject: Re: Swtiched from 10s to 11s
Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2013 10:34 am
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ozrv wrote:
Mate, going 11's was the right move you've just chosen the wrong strings, for some reason slinkys sound terrible on strats, if you search here you'll fing that to be more than just my opinion, they are the wrong tension for the strat scale so I've been led to believe. I hated them on my strats they sounded clearly awful. Try didarios 11's you'll get that loud shimmering tone that 10's just cannot give you and they won't sound all out of tune like slinkys....


I disagree on D'addario being better than Ernie Ball... Just because D'addario gives away their strings to just about every artist out there, doesn't mean they are better, just free. I'd take them if I had someone restringing my guitars every night. I found D'Addario to break more often and go flat much sooner than any other brand. My favorites are Dean Markley's, but they cost a bit more than Ernie Ball. I've tried GHS, I like them on a Les Paul, but not a Stratocaster.

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Post subject: Re: Swtiched from 10s to 11s
Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2013 11:00 am
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DetroitBlues wrote:
ozrv wrote:
Mate, going 11's was the right move you've just chosen the wrong strings, for some reason slinkys sound terrible on strats, if you search here you'll fing that to be more than just my opinion, they are the wrong tension for the strat scale so I've been led to believe. I hated them on my strats they sounded clearly awful. Try didarios 11's you'll get that loud shimmering tone that 10's just cannot give you and they won't sound all out of tune like slinkys....


I disagree on D'addario being better than Ernie Ball... Just because D'addario gives away their strings to just about every artist out there, doesn't mean they are better, just free. I'd take them if I had someone restringing my guitars every night. I found D'Addario to break more often and go flat much sooner than any other brand. My favorites are Dean Markley's, but they cost a bit more than Ernie Ball. I've tried GHS, I like them on a Les Paul, but not a Stratocaster.


Your welcome to disagree.....But this certainly tells me you dont play 11's EB on a strat.....Because if you did you'd know what i'm talking about, They sound like sheit......Lighter EB's clearly work even though light strings are not my thing. But 11's EB's on a strat......No mate Diddaro's sound miles better....

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Post subject: Re: Swtiched from 10s to 11s
Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2013 11:25 am
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ozrv wrote:
DetroitBlues wrote:
ozrv wrote:
Mate, going 11's was the right move you've just chosen the wrong strings, for some reason slinkys sound terrible on strats, if you search here you'll fing that to be more than just my opinion, they are the wrong tension for the strat scale so I've been led to believe. I hated them on my strats they sounded clearly awful. Try didarios 11's you'll get that loud shimmering tone that 10's just cannot give you and they won't sound all out of tune like slinkys....


I disagree on D'addario being better than Ernie Ball... Just because D'addario gives away their strings to just about every artist out there, doesn't mean they are better, just free. I'd take them if I had someone restringing my guitars every night. I found D'Addario to break more often and go flat much sooner than any other brand. My favorites are Dean Markley's, but they cost a bit more than Ernie Ball. I've tried GHS, I like them on a Les Paul, but not a Stratocaster.


Your welcome to disagree.....But this certainly tells me you dont play 11's EB on a strat.....Because if you did you'd know what i'm talking about, They sound like sheit......Lighter EB's clearly work even though light strings are not my thing. But 11's EB's on a strat......No mate Diddaro's sound miles better....


As a Big SRV fan, yep, I use 11's when tuned down 1/2 step. I'll GHS when they are on sale. I have a set of Di'addarios on my Bluescaster... Can't say I care for them.

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Post subject: Re: Swtiched from 10s to 11s
Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2013 11:38 am
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:roll: :lol: That's great.........EB 11's was what i was commenting on and they sound terrible on a strat.... I was trying to help the OP, If you want to do so tell him to use GHS boomers that you have experience with they sound good and it will be helpful, because making him think "11-48" EB's are going to sound better than 11-49 Didarro's which as i said i have experience in is leading him down the garden path...... Please search for other peoples "experience with 11-48 EB's on strats" not "opinion on a different gauge EB's on strats and applying that to this conversation because that's a mistake i and others have made and learnt from..... dont just take my word for it..... :wink:

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Post subject: Re: Swtiched from 10s to 11s
Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2013 11:52 am
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We may not agree on the brand... Realistically, I like pure nickel strings. I've found my consistency in EB's which is why I chose them. However I don't like the Cobalts or any of the other odd setup they use. Good thing about strings wearing out quickly in most cases, we can try out different brands to see what works best. I said much earlier in the thread, my favorites on a Strat have been Dean Markley Vintage Electrics Reissue Strings, particularly the 1974 and 1975 (unwound 3rd). Just my preference, they just are a little pricey at times.

1974 LTHB .010 .013 .017 .030 .042 .052
1975 MED .011 .013 .18P/.020W .030 .042 .052

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Post subject: Re: Swtiched from 10s to 11s
Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2013 1:09 pm
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Hey guys, thanks for the feedback. As always, very much appreciated.


Once in a while it's always fun to experiment and try something different so I'll give your suggestions a go and post back with my impressions.

shimmilou wrote:
... Bullet strings suck! (because of the "bullet") If you have a real bridge block, such as the Callaham or the "new and improved" CS block, the bullets will stick out the end of the block, and that's why I don't use them.
Sorry, shimmilou, but I don't quite understand how the Callaham or CS block applies. The trem on my ADStrat is stock which I'ved "blocked" off with a piece of walnut.

Cheers & Thanks!
BM

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Post subject: Re: Swtiched from 10s to 11s
Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2013 4:29 pm
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Awesome, looking forward to your assessment.

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Post subject: Re: Swtiched from 10s to 11s
Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2013 6:58 pm
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DetroitBlues wrote:
Awesome, looking forward to your assessment.
Sure thing. In fact if more people care to chime in with their suggestions I'd be happy to add to the list, do more experimenting and post back. As long as it doesn't get out of hand - $$$ - of course. :lol:

Cheers!
BM

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Post subject: Re: Swtiched from 10s to 11s
Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2013 10:34 pm
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Bluer Monkey wrote:
shimmilou wrote:
... Bullet strings suck! (because of the "bullet") If you have a real bridge block, such as the Callaham or the "new and improved" CS block, the bullets will stick out the end of the block, and that's why I don't use them.
Sorry, shimmilou, but I don't quite understand how the Callaham or CS block applies. The trem on my ADStrat is stock which I'ved "blocked" off with a piece of walnut.

Cheers & Thanks!
BM


With an original Fender block, or a Callaham, or the "new and improved" CS block, the holes for the string ends (ball, or bullet) aren't drilled as deep as in the cast block of the Am Dlx, or Am Std, therefore the bullet ends stick out of the end of the block and you can't replace the cover, and the bullet ends can poke you. That's what I was referring to, but if you like the cast block, and/or bullets, cool. 8)

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Post subject: Re: Swtiched from 10s to 11s
Posted: Sat Jan 26, 2013 12:57 am
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Bluer Monkey wrote:
I switched from Fender Original Bullets 3150R (.010 - .046) to Ernie Ball Power Slinky (.011-.048) and although I like the meatiness of the thicker strings, I miss the tone and feel of the Original Bullets. Maybe it's all in my head because both are nickel - but I find the Original Bullets sound clearer and feel smoother. The only gauges I've seen in stores for the Original Bullets are 9s and 10s but 11s are also available.

I did a forum search on strings and after about 5 pages of posts I got the impression that not many here are using Fender Original Bullets and even fewer use Fender Original Bullets 3150M (011 - 049). ... Am I alone? :cry:


After many years of using EB 9s and 10s, I went back to the Fender Pure Nickel OB 10s. The EBs in those gauges sounded fine and wore well for me, but I think the pure nickel strings have a nice, clear sound that works great with my guitar.

Not saying other brands don't also sound good...just adding a good word where I can...

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Post subject: Re: Swtiched from 10s to 11s
Posted: Sat Jan 26, 2013 9:09 am
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shimmilou wrote:
With an original Fender block, or a Callaham, or the "new and improved" CS block, the holes for the string ends (ball, or bullet) aren't drilled as deep as in the cast block of the Am Dlx, or Am Std, therefore the bullet ends stick out of the end of the block and you can't replace the cover, and the bullet ends can poke you. That's what I was referring to, but if you like the cast block, and/or bullets, cool. 8)
    Ah, I see. Thanks for the clarification, shimmilou. I have Original Bullets on my 2012 MIM Standard so we can add this model to the list of Original Bullet friendly trem blocks.


HeyJoe42 wrote:
After many years of using EB 9s and 10s, I went back to the Fender Pure Nickel OB 10s. The EBs in those gauges sounded fine and wore well for me, but I think the pure nickel strings have a nice, clear sound that works great with my guitar. Not saying other brands don't also sound good...just adding a good word where I can...
    HeyJoe, thanks for that! I am NOT alone. There IS love for the Original Bullets here. :lol:

    Cheers!
    BM

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