• Registered: 2009-10-27
  • Posts: 250

Re: Do I Need a Setup from Going from .09 strings to .10's?

Yes, it's TR Guitars in Tustin - tell Tommy (owner) that Tom in Tustin, the NY Jet fan sent you - he does great work and is very fair with pricing.  I've know of Guitar Doc, but never had a reason to stray from Tommy at TR Guitars and either will you.

RamiLP wrote:
t92780 wrote:

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!!

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.

  • RamiLP
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  • Registered: 2009-11-15
  • Posts: 63

Re: Do I Need a Setup from Going from .09 strings to .10's?

t92780 wrote:

Yes, it's TR Guitars in Tustin - tell Tommy (owner) that Tom in Tustin, the NY Jet fan sent you - he does great work and is very fair with pricing.  I've know of Guitar Doc, but never had a reason to stray from Tommy at TR Guitars and either will you.

would u happen to know how much he would charge for a full setup?? including fret leveling and crowning. i payed 175$ at Guitar Doctor. because i just remembered i have been thinking of getting my acoustic setup as well. maybe ill take both in at the same time.

its all a matter of principle...
  • Registered: 2009-10-27
  • Posts: 250

Re: Do I Need a Setup from Going from .09 strings to .10's?

I don't, sorry, I would call TR Guitars (Tommy), tell him I referred you and what ballpark cost, best if you bring guitar to him, many times after he checks guitar with you, not as much is needed or it's so minor, that he doesn't really charge you - he's really good and very fair, been going to him for 20-years.  Also, a really good guy if that matters to you.

RamiLP wrote:
t92780 wrote:

Yes, it's TR Guitars in Tustin - tell Tommy (owner) that Tom in Tustin, the NY Jet fan sent you - he does great work and is very fair with pricing.  I've know of Guitar Doc, but never had a reason to stray from Tommy at TR Guitars and either will you.

would u happen to know how much he would charge for a full setup?? including fret leveling and crowning. i payed 175$ at Guitar Doctor. because i just remembered i have been thinking of getting my acoustic setup as well. maybe ill take both in at the same time.

  • RamiLP
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  • Registered: 2009-11-15
  • Posts: 63

Re: Do I Need a Setup from Going from .09 strings to .10's?

t92780 wrote:

I don't, sorry, I would call TR Guitars (Tommy), tell him I referred you and what ballpark cost, best if you bring guitar to him, many times after he checks guitar with you, not as much is needed or it's so minor, that he doesn't really charge you - he's really good and very fair, been going to him for 20-years.  Also, a really good guy if that matters to you.

RamiLP wrote:
t92780 wrote:

Yes, it's TR Guitars in Tustin - tell Tommy (owner) that Tom in Tustin, the NY Jet fan sent you - he does great work and is very fair with pricing.  I've know of Guitar Doc, but never had a reason to stray from Tommy at TR Guitars and either will you.

would u happen to know how much he would charge for a full setup?? including fret leveling and crowning. i payed 175$ at Guitar Doctor. because i just remembered i have been thinking of getting my acoustic setup as well. maybe ill take both in at the same time.

cool, ill probably just take my guitars and stop by his shop, i know the best way to do get an estimate is to actually visually inspect the instrument.

its all a matter of principle...
  • Registered: 2010-01-13
  • Posts: 21

Re: Do I Need a Setup from Going from .09 strings to .10's?

I am super picky, so I always have my guitar setup after gauge changes, its just a personal preference. I like my strings slinky feeling, because I feel it makes me play better, I dont want to fight with my guitar, I want it to be transparent, so that I can speak through it. My guitar tech has told me in the past that different gauges HAVE to be adjusted for intonation, and he also said that even different brand of strings require a tweek. I dont know if I buy THAT, but when I'm on stage, I dont want to here that voice in the back of my head saying "is that note slightly off?".

  • RamiLP
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Re: Do I Need a Setup from Going from .09 strings to .10's?

brandonmacey wrote:

I am super picky, so I always have my guitar setup after gauge changes, its just a personal preference. I like my strings slinky feeling, because I feel it makes me play better, I don't want to fight with my guitar, I want it to be transparent, so that I can speak through it. My guitar tech has told me in the past that different gauges HAVE to be adjusted for intonation, and he also said that even different brand of strings require a tweak. I don't know if I buy THAT, but when I'm on stage, I don't want to here that voice in the back of my head saying "is that note slightly off?".

on the different brand of strings is also true, but its not as much as going from different gauges, but i once changes strings from a ernie ball pure nickle set, to a DR pure nickle, the EB's had a hex core that was thicker and the DR has a round core that was thinner, and i needed slight adjustment on the 3 wound strings. both sets were gauge 9. i did the adjustment myself by ear. but your tech was honest and wasn't BSing you smile

its all a matter of principle...
  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: Do I Need a Setup from Going from .09 strings to .10's?

ken wrote:
RusScagell wrote:

And the higher the gauge, and I've noticed too, it's true, the better the tone!

R

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! wink

Ritchie Blackmore (deep purple)

- 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. cool
  • Registered: 2010-01-13
  • Posts: 21

Re: Do I Need a Setup from Going from .09 strings to .10's?

RamiLP wrote:
brandonmacey wrote:

I am super picky, so I always have my guitar setup after gauge changes, its just a personal preference. I like my strings slinky feeling, because I feel it makes me play better, I don't want to fight with my guitar, I want it to be transparent, so that I can speak through it. My guitar tech has told me in the past that different gauges HAVE to be adjusted for intonation, and he also said that even different brand of strings require a tweak. I don't know if I buy THAT, but when I'm on stage, I don't want to here that voice in the back of my head saying "is that note slightly off?".

on the different brand of strings is also true, but its not as much as going from different gauges, but i once changes strings from a ernie ball pure nickle set, to a DR pure nickle, the EB's had a hex core that was thicker and the DR has a round core that was thinner, and i needed slight adjustment on the 3 wound strings. both sets were gauge 9. i did the adjustment myself by ear. but your tech was honest and wasn't BSing you smile

Well that makes sense, good to know he's no bsing me.

27 Reply by DAN (edited by DAN 2010-01-15 21:30:40)

  • DAN
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  • From: Lima, Ohio
  • Registered: 2010-01-14
  • Posts: 94

Re: Do I Need a Setup from Going from .09 strings to .10's?

Original string height ...high or low... will determine if you need to adjust the guitar going from 9's to 10's. Be patient & change the strings today, play the guitar alot with the new 10's on it, then a day or so from now see if the neck corrected it's self. I'm sure humidity & temperature may play a roll.?

Make adjustments in one area at a time or else you've given yourself a puzzle to solve. Make a radius gage out of a piece of cardboard to check you bridge curvature to match the neck's radius/curvature.
Or use a dime layed on the 12th fret as a spacer to lower the strings down to. That way you are setting the curve/radius of your bridge, giving you even string height, to match your neck radius/curve.
Kinda fun to do yourself, but go slow. If you tighten the truss rod, be sure to loosen it a little first to make it a smooth tightening process. This way you can see & feel how much you have tightened the neck. Do just a little twist and wait over night to see if the neck continues to travel beyond what you like, thus giving you reverse warpage. I guess do this when the guitar is warm as well.?? Thanks >> DAN

79' Epiphone Genesis Custom, 89' pre-reissue Les Paul Standard, 90'Strat Plus,
02' Tele (ash), 91' Martin HD-28, Epi A-12 acoustic, Fender Hot Rod Deville 2x12