Good string gauge for "stiff" guitars..

[SPONGEBOB]

I have a really great feeling and sounding 90's MIJ 62 reissue strat that I recently picked up up at a local store for $300.. Needed a set up badly..

After adjusting the neck, bridge, cutting the nut slots, etc, I got the guitar in nice playing shape.. VERY nice.. However, like some strats and teles, it had a "stiff" feel when bending.. Not horrible, but noticeable compared to my other strats and teles.. It had .010-046 strings.

I decided to try something I had known about for years but had never tried.. A set of .095- 044..

It was perfect. Not as flimsy and thin feeling and sounding as a set of 009, but easier to bend than a .010 set, and just softer enough to make playing a joy..

Real noticeable improvement in playability, and very little difference in sound.

They are gauged just exactly halfway between a 009 set and a 010 set all the way top to bottom.. This is the only guitar I will use this gauge on as its the only one that needs it.

Seriously, if you are using 10's and they feel a tad stiff, but don't like going any lighter, try this gauge set.. Most of the big companies make this set, and I feel its the way to go for certain guitars..

Big stores will have them , not all mom and pop shops will.

Don't expect to see this gauge set in any " 10 sets of strings for $20" specials.. Really worth a try for a "stiff feeling" strat or tele. bob

[mrbrown49]

Good advice. Thanks Bob.

[Ancient Mariner]

It's a good tip. I have one 25 1/2" scale guitar that I wanted a bit more flexibility on too, and a 9.5 set is just about perfect.

[SPONGEBOB]

 

It's a good tip. I have one 25 1/2" scale guitar that I wanted a bit more flexibility on too, and a 9.5 set is just about perfect.

 

 

You will be pleasantly surprised... They are quite a bit easier to bend, but not flimsy feeling and sounding like 009 sets.

 

I only need this set on one guitar that is a bit stiffer and has smaller frets, and vintage radius..

It makes it a sweet player, that I no longer fight, and any difference in tone or tunability is undetectable. I was about to sell the guitar, as I was annoyed that I could not get the "soft feel" my other strats had.. Simply switching to a 9.5 set has turned this strat into my #1...

Same would go for a tele of course, or any 25.5 scale guitar for that matter. bob

[danhan1113]

I usually take the opposite route and set the guitar up with 10-46 a half step down. Whatever works.....

[Darkstorm]

Yup, little bit lighter helps stiffer feeling guitars. Can even apply sometimes to going from gibson to fender scale guitar.

[AndrewGG]

Much of that stiffness in feel is due to the 7.25" neck radius and skinny, vintage-style frets.

I'm at a bit of a loss as to why Fender persist in building vintage-correct instruments which are uncomfortable to play for many, when a couple of minor changes with minimal cosmetic impact can make a major difference. For example my Baja Telecaster is, on the face of it, near identical to the 52AVRI but the 9.5" radius and bigger frets make it a very different proposition in terms of playing comfort-particulary if your playing style involves a lot of string bending.

[Hipster]

I'm at a bit of a loss as to why Fender persist in building vintage-correct instruments which are uncomfortable to play for many, when a couple of minor changes with minimal cosmetic impact can make a major difference.

 

Maybe because a lot of players actually prefer those necks?

 

I got a 50s Classic Tele with a vintage spec neck (slightly chunky with 7.25" radius, skinny frets) about a year ago. I struggled with it at first but then fell in love with it. I just got another Tele with the same neck configuration. Bending is a breeze once you get used to those necks.

 

I used to love "modern" necks but now they feel funny to me.

 

So... Fender is just following the lead of Baskin-Robbins and offering many "flavors" of Teles and Strats. No matter your preference, there's one that you'll like.