Members companyman Posted January 23, 2011 Members Share Posted January 23, 2011 ...so far I am really digging the extra tension on the strings, and the tone is considerably fuller! maybe I'll jump to 12's.... csb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Poltergeist Posted January 23, 2011 Members Share Posted January 23, 2011 what tuning are you using? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members companyman Posted January 23, 2011 Author Members Share Posted January 23, 2011 standard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Poltergeist Posted January 23, 2011 Members Share Posted January 23, 2011 12's to tune standard? i wouldnt recommend it, must be like taking your neck for a walk in Hell. i use 12's, but i tune to Open B. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members companyman Posted January 23, 2011 Author Members Share Posted January 23, 2011 I am going to give it a day, giving the neck some time to get used to the added tension, and check the intonation and truss rod. I have read that usually one gauge up is ok, but 2 up and you have to start making adjustments. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Zappa74 Posted January 23, 2011 Members Share Posted January 23, 2011 I made that change for a while. I was tuned down a full step and everything was good- great sound and feel. But, I went back to 10s. 10s were fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members companyman Posted January 23, 2011 Author Members Share Posted January 23, 2011 my firebird's pickups are really low output, so I think that the extra metal moving around above them is making my tone fuller, especially with the bridge pickup by itself....it is pretty weak sounding with 10's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members JRBain Posted January 23, 2011 Members Share Posted January 23, 2011 I love 11s. Been using them for a couple of years now. I put a 9-46 set on my squier strat (first guitar) the other day because I had them lying around and couldn't justify using my 11s on a guitar that I don't use regularly. I can't stand them. They just feel so awkward to play now, and there's no substance to the feel or sound. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members frenchji Posted January 23, 2011 Members Share Posted January 23, 2011 I've used 13's in regular tuning since I've been playing guitar. About 10 years now. I still have a guitar from back when I started as well with 13's on it. No problem with the neck what so ever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members companyman Posted January 23, 2011 Author Members Share Posted January 23, 2011 good to know! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members *PiP* Posted January 23, 2011 Members Share Posted January 23, 2011 SRV used 13s in Eb tuning back in the day I'm sure his fingers were shredded to death after some of his live shows. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members frenchji Posted January 23, 2011 Members Share Posted January 23, 2011 Yea.. I would believe it does more damage to your fingers than guitar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members CicadaSilence Posted January 23, 2011 Members Share Posted January 23, 2011 my firebird's pickups are really low output, so I think that the extra metal moving around above them is making my tone fuller, especially with the bridge pickup by itself....it is pretty weak sounding with 10's. I've been using 12s on my standard tuned Firebird for two years. I dig it. I'm never afraid of breaking a string, and everything is nice and full sounding. I only have problems if I slack off on practicing and let my hands get out of shape. Then it gets a little rough, but after a few days, I'm right back up to speed. I've never understood the "it's gonna damage your guitar" argument. Acoustics routinely use strings in that guage range, and are inherently a more fragile instrument. They seem to handle the string tension just fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members companyman Posted January 23, 2011 Author Members Share Posted January 23, 2011 it can't be any worse than acoustic strings, I have been playing a ton of acoustic lately...so the 10's on my electric felt so tiny! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Crxsh Posted January 23, 2011 Members Share Posted January 23, 2011 I have a set of 11's (with a wound 3rd) waiting to go on my tele right now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BHz_econo Posted January 23, 2011 Members Share Posted January 23, 2011 I use 12s on my strat in standard and the same on the hagstrom but it's tuned up to an f# tuning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Carlos&Cambria Posted January 23, 2011 Members Share Posted January 23, 2011 I am going to give it a day, giving the neck some time to get used to the added tension, and check the intonation and truss rod. I have read that usually one gauge up is ok, but 2 up and you have to start making adjustments. How true is this? I've been thinking of switching my tele from 10 to 11's but I'm worried I have to make some adjustments if I decide to do so...any more info? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members mister natural Posted January 23, 2011 Members Share Posted January 23, 2011 agree - never going back to 10s Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members companyman Posted January 23, 2011 Author Members Share Posted January 23, 2011 How true is this? I've been thinking of switching my tele from 10 to 11's but I'm worried I have to make some adjustments if I decide to do so...any more info? well, I am sure that it is guitar dependent, but I have read that a tweak of the truss rod is often needed, and some adjustments to the saddles for intonation...but can't say for sure yet, it takes a while for the neck to settle in to different tensions I suspect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members CicadaSilence Posted January 23, 2011 Members Share Posted January 23, 2011 How true is this? I've been thinking of switching my tele from 10 to 11's but I'm worried I have to make some adjustments if I decide to do so...any more info? I find that the sort of blanket statement approach to something with as many different variables as a guitar is usually incorrect. I always double check my own gear if I make any changes, and usually once a month 'just because.' Weather fluctuation, wear and tear, general playing... all of this tends to knock my guitars around a little, so I find it best just to check and make sure they're in good working order. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Carlos&Cambria Posted January 23, 2011 Members Share Posted January 23, 2011 I find that the sort of blanket statement approach to something with as many different variables as a guitar is usually incorrect. I always double check my own gear if I make any changes, and usually once a month 'just because.' Weather fluctuation, wear and tear, general playing... all of this tends to knock my guitars around a little, so I find it best just to check and make sure they're in good working order. I don't mind messing with the saddles if I hear a slight intonation problem but the truss rod...well, I'm not that confident hehe thanks for the info Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members TritoneTerror Posted January 23, 2011 Members Share Posted January 23, 2011 12's to tune standard? i wouldnt recommend it, must be like taking your neck for a walk in Hell. i use 12's, but i tune to Open B. I use 12s in standard on my Jazzmaster, never had a problem. I had it set up by a professional luthier and he never mentioned to me that it would be a problem. Also, I was under the impression that in the 50s and early 60s they didn't have anything lighter than 12s anyway. Oh and IIRC Sheryl Bailey uses 13s on her guitar in standard tuning. I'm sure a lot of jazz cats do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members bennintexas Posted January 23, 2011 Members Share Posted January 23, 2011 welcome. it's sweet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Strat87 Posted January 23, 2011 Members Share Posted January 23, 2011 I rock 11's on all my guitars, but do tune to Eb. I'm with you though, the switch from 10's to 11's is a very happy one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members dkerwood Posted January 23, 2011 Members Share Posted January 23, 2011 I played a buddy's guitar with 11's back when I first started playing guitar. I had 9's on mine at the time (this was back when I could count songs I knew on one hand), and those 11's felt stiff as all get out. I couldn't bend at all. Now I have flatwound 11's on my hollow body, but 10's on everything else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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