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Post subject: Changing String Guages
Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2014 3:15 pm
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I have a 2014 american standard strat that came withFender USA Super Bullets 3250L, (.009-.042), I like them but I have for years played acoustic with Elixir med gauge .013 - .056 gauge.

I am leaning toward the med/heavy strings .010 - .052 but should also consider the med .011 - .049 strings. I know I need to try them out but would like opinions. I am more of a rhythm player with complimentary lead playing to chording and I do finger picking also.

My concern is do I need to change the intonation of the guitar and adjust the bridge. I have never done this being an acoustic guy. I last owned and played a ’71 strat 30 years ago and I used to use super slinks then. Any input would be welcomed.

Joe in Mobile


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Post subject: Re: Changing String Guages
Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2014 4:07 pm
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Hi there Joe yes you will need to make changes. These could be minor if you are just going up a gauge.
Also make sure that when you are going to a really heavy gauge that they will fit in the nut comfortably with no binding. :D


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Post subject: Re: Changing String Guages
Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2014 4:09 pm
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Hey Joe, welcome to the Forum.

Not sure how long you've had the new Strat, but you should give it a while to get accustomed to the 9s.

You will probably have to file the Nut slots if your strings get too heavy/large. The 10s should be OK, depends on how it plays and tunes. Tricky if you don't have Nut files.

On Electric guitars it all depends on your bend, if you don't bend much now you may later and lighter strings, such as 9s, are easier to bend. A good bend is the hallmark of an accomplished Blues/Rock player. Not just any note will do.

That's what Clapton is purported to practice the most before any serious tour.

The heavier strings on a Steel String Acoustic is pretty normal. Even on my Taylor I use 11-52 and those are Lights.

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Post subject: Re: Changing String Guages
Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2014 6:45 pm
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While lighter strings are easier to bend, it's mostly technique. These days, I can bend heavy strings a lot easier than I could bend light strings when younger, and my hands are not stronger - rather the opposite.

Also, because a lighter string is easier to bend, it's also harder to control the exact amount of bending. If you're really good (Billy Gibbons comes to mind), you can have full control even with light strings, but I have heard many bends that were an eighth or more sharp without the player appearing to notice or care.

Right beside me now, I have my two goto-guitars. One has .007 strings, and the other .012. It's what each guitar likes best.


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Post subject: Re: Changing String Guages
Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2014 7:59 pm
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If your used to heavier string gauge... think you would be happier going up to 10's...
You'll have more control... lighter gauge doesn't necessarily mean "Easier" to play :wink:

Lighter gauge may actually be harder for you to play the guitar... and you'll find yourself pressing down more... which gives rattle and intonation probs on the fretted string(s).

Personally, I like some resistance... too light is a PITA...

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Post subject: Re: Changing String Guages
Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2014 12:26 am
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Usually I promote that every player should choose the string gauge that feels the best. Here, I tend to agree with danagos - give those .009's some time.
You probably will need to learn a new style of playing (lighter fretting hand touch, more controlled pick hand etc.), and that's not a bad thing at all.

On the setup side, if you decide to switch to thicker: the nutwork is a bit tricky, but check Ceri's instructions
Truss rod, intonation, bridge height, tremolo - every player should know how to adjust these. Stratocaster Setup Guide

On that bending & control: Roy Buchanan was The Master at this, with light strings. BTW, bending up to a certain note is easy, compared to starting the note from '3 frets up' bend...


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Post subject: Re: Changing String Gauges
Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2014 3:07 am
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As already mentioned, be careful if you go higher than 10 to 52. I fitted 11's on my Telecaster once and the G wouldn't sit in the nut slot.

Personally I don't see any need for any string gauge other than 10 to 46.

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Post subject: Re: Changing String Guages
Posted: Sun Aug 24, 2014 9:31 am
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Thanks, I will probably go with .010’s and try those out.

Joe in Mobile


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Post subject: Re: Changing String Guages
Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2014 5:20 pm
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I saw Roy in Miami and the warm-up act was John McGlaughlin. Quite a night. They did two shows that night and I saw the last show show.

Joe in Mobile

On that bending & control: Roy Buchanan was The Master at this, with light strings. BTW, bending up to a certain note is easy, compared to starting the note from '3 frets up' bend...
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Post subject: Re: Changing String Guages
Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2014 9:50 am
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Hey ! I am not as experienced as other players here, and I am not a rock star.
But I have used a few 9s sets and recently i've tried 2 sets on 10s in a row to see the difference...then back to 09s.

I don't find the sound difference is night and day and you might at least tweak the amp settings to compensate. The big difference to me is the feeling, the 09s are really easy to play, to bend etc...it feels right on a strat.
I also have a LP with 10s, had it before the strat. So I would also recommend to spend more time with 9s.

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Post subject: Re: Changing String Guages
Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2014 11:11 am
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I find for rhythm playing light strings offer more jangle than heavy strings. I think this is important for strumming chords and triads.
I find for lead playing heavier strings offer more of that bell-like tone and a touch more note definition. I think this is important for higher gain sounds typically used for lead lines.
I know those statements fly in the face of conventional wisdom since I'm basically saying lead players should use heavier strings than rhythm players but if it's only tone you take into consideration I believe there is merit in the idea. If your concern is feel only then you may possibly choose to reverse it.

I use 10-46. They give me the optimal compromise. I sometimes fit a 49 in the 6th position if I intend to use the guitar for drop D tuning.

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Post subject: Re: Changing String Guages
Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2014 3:32 pm
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I agree with biker guy here. Thicker strings do give more sustain, which can be important for lead.
But it all boils down to what feels and works best for the individual, the guitar, and the songs.


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Post subject: Re: Changing String Guages
Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2014 4:21 pm
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I am going to try the 010 -046’s and see. It is interesting that Jimi, Robin Trower and Jeff Beck used heavier gauge strings. Jeff I believe has 056’s in the E position. I may be wrong on that though.

Joe in Mobile


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Post subject: Re: Changing String Guages
Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2014 6:35 pm
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Joe in Mobile wrote:
I am going to try the 010 -046’s and see. It is interesting that Jimi, Robin Trower and Jeff Beck used heavier gauge strings.

SRV mostly used .013-.052s (and even thicker - he played with .018 -.072s at one point), and Billy Gibbons mostly uses .007-.038s and sometimes .008s. Both were right.


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Post subject: Re: Changing String Guages
Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2014 7:13 pm
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Joe in Mobile wrote:
I am going to try the 010 -046’s and see. It is interesting that Jimi, Robin Trower and Jeff Beck used heavier gauge strings. Jeff I believe has 056’s in the E position. I may be wrong on that though.

Joe in Mobile

Hey Joe, FWIW, I liked the feel of 10's early on, 9's were too light for my (acoustic steel) fingers.

After experimenting with quite a few brands I settled for StringRUs plain steel.

Eventually buying generic individual 10's in packs of 12 ea...And I always have fresh strings...

Since then all my Strats have had 10's put on and I never had to file a Nut for that reason.

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