Strat Strings

[jimmyjames]

They're probably forbidden to even stare at their necks for too long

 

[rem22]

I went back and forth bewteen 10s and 9s and no problem

 

[VicodinDream]

Well the results are in. The 9.5's were nice, but I found myself at times still annoyed. The 10's won.

The funny part is, they screwed up the setup completely, bridge height, everything on one of my stratocasters. The bridge actually feels loose. I think it started with issues and the 10's brought it to my attention. I'll probably take it to the local store and see what he can do with it. I'd almost just upgrade the bridge. I actually am seriously considering that option.

That is the part that has always stopped me from learning about stratocasters. The bridge. I hate that floating........ I can do valves on a 302. I can do heads with the torque angle specs. But I have never been able to get past the frustration of the stratocaster floating bridge. I think it's I need to sit down and learn it from someone who is not an idiot.

 

[Benjammin]

if you don't like the bridge to be floating, you can adjust that. Heavier strings will pull on the bridge more, so screwing the spring claw in closer to the body will increase the pull going in the other direction (I have mine decked with 4 springs and the claw flush with the wood)

 

[Steel City Psycho]

I have 3 Fender Strats one with 10's, 2 with 11's. I don't play 9's. The lowest I go is 9.5-44 and they have yet to mess up one of my guitars.

 

[VicodinDream]

It's definitely more than a float. A 3/32 gap would be one thing. It's a bit more than that. I think the former owner was tremolo heavy. I am going to replace the springs, and see if that helps, if not, I will take it apart and clean it. Then go from there. I am lucky, I have a coworker who is pretty smart with strats and showed me how he does it. It actually makes sense now. It's time I learned about the stratocaster. Other than wiring it.

 

[tzd]

But I have never been able to get past the frustration of the stratocaster floating bridge. I think it's I need to sit down and learn it from someone who is not an idiot.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7luUzgDwwcs[/ame]

 

[VicodinDream]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7luUzgDwwcs

That is pretty much how I did it a few minutes ago. I did take the bridge off, cleaned, and inspected it real close. I learned the top plate has some warping where the bar screws in. I can tell she had a rough past life before me. I put it all back together, and it still felt the same. So I replaced the springs. Only put in 3. Since I'm using 10's I may go for more if I ditch the floating. The bar does not screw in very well, I suspect it needs a new bar. Easy fix.

Instead of using inches, my buddy said "eye ball it, call it 3mm" We use metric at work and I admit, I find it easier to think in metric.

 

[InkedLester]

Most USA and all Custom models come with 10s. Might need a setup but it won't hurt the guitar. I know guys that play 11s.

 

[auriemma]

I switched from Slinky 9s to Hybrid 10s. Still easy to play.