Do I Need a Setup from Going from .09 strings to .10's? (Page 1 of 2)

Hi!
I don't know about the Strat.
But I think from 09's to 10's on the Les Paul there won't be any problems.
On my Les Paul I changed my string gauge over 1 year from 10-46 to 12-56 (standard e tuning). I guess as time went on the nut and bridge got wider.

Awesome dude! I started last year on my 25'' scale PRS SE on 9 - 42's. Then 10 - 49's, and by June I was happily, on 11 - 52's. Didnt do much damage But I've been REALLY wanting to go to 12 - 56's, but not sure if I could handle it. I mean, at home, I practise on an acoustic, but when I then go back to an amp,, I become 'unaware' of gain
But I would recommend the increase in gauge man a strat has a longer neck scale, so should be able to handle it. Mine did And the higher the gauge, and I've noticed too, it's true, the better the tone!

R

I switch back and forth between 9's and 10's on my Strat all the time. It doesn't affect it, at least not to me.

Thanks!! I have all my Strats set-up with .10's, but have a Hendrix Voodoo Strat in particular thats been left with .09's on it, don't play it much:/.  I want to get that Strat back into the rotation, pretty cool strat - forgot how much I enjoyed that baby and others that have been in lock down/storage - like new guitars all over again:).

I agree, guage difference provides better tone IMO, can't believe looking back, that I ever used .09's...was a little baby. Sounds like I'll be visting my tech soon for some set-up's. If anyone in the Orange County, CA area ever needs a GREAT Tech, let me know, my tech is awesome!!

Thanks for the reply/feedback.

TF

id like to know who's the tech that you are talking about, i have been using Guitar Doctor in Fountain valley off the 405fwy and Euclid exit, they do awesome work, but it doesn't hurt to know more people that do guitar setups, my les paul is due for a setup but im also trying to not spend the money atm, but im getting pretty close in needing some fret crowning and polishing but i have been thinking of upgrading my string gauge to 11's, i currently use 9's, so i know for sure that i will need some nut work and neck/intonation adjustments, because my nut is cut to fit 9's and the slots aren't big enough to accept thicker strings

i sometimes wonder if i should take the gauge to 10's and leave it there, wonder if 11's might be too much for me atm. but i have a Taylor T5 custom that is strung with 11's that i seem to play with out issues, although high bends aren't that easy one it as they are on my les paul.

Good tip is if you have the tune-o-matic style bridges with a stop tail piece you can wrap the strings over the top. It'll take some of the tension out of the string and make it easier to play. So 11's will feel like 10's

Also unless you have an extremely low action on 9's generally you won't need to set your guitar up for 10's.

Where on EARTH did you hear this? Please post a link if you can find this info.
I remember hearing that he was known for using .13's but he used everything/anything that was available.

I never noticed a REAL tone difference between 12's and 11's. Plus the difference between 11's and 10's aren't really enough for me to bother. I like 10's because I can be confident I can go to the store and find the brand I like. With 11's, sometimes they'd have them - other places not.

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping.

List of players known to have recorded some of the most sought after guitar tones in history with 008s:
BB King
Jimmy Page
Billy Gibbons
Angus Young
Eric Clapton

Just go with whatever guage you're comfortable playing with...and try not to screw up the tendons in your hands and fingers trying to bend 12s or 13s!