Is a setup needed going from .10s to .11s ?

SongsForTheDeaf

SongsForTheDeaf

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I am using my Ibanez Artist and want to go to .11 gauge strings as I hit pretty hard but am worried about warping the neck. I love this guitar and don't want to damage it so I figured I would ask you gurus what to do.

Is a setup needed ? The scale length is the same as a Les Paul I'd say. Thanks
 
Re: Is a setup needed going from .10s to .11s ?

The neck should be able to take the extra stress. Lots of players play 11's. If you do want the same neck angle as with 10's though, you'll have to adjust the truss rod slightly. Just try it and see if you need adjusting.
 
Re: Is a setup needed going from .10s to .11s ?

unless u are real lucky u will also require a intonation adjustment too. u should not be worried about the neck, putting 11s on it. artist are short scale guitars and 11s would exert lower string pull than they would on a 25.5" scale neck

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Re: Is a setup needed going from .10s to .11s ?

if you are keeping the same tuning but just changing to a heavier string gauge, then yes, you need a setup.

Sometimes you can get away without a setup when you're changing to a heavier gauge string set at the same time as you are changing tuning to something proportionally lower.
eg if you're set up for 9-42 in E standard, you might be able to get away with a 10-46 in D standard without a setup. or perhaps an 11-49 in C standard.

Ideally though, you should get a setup every time you change tuning and/or string gauge.
 
Re: Is a setup needed going from .10s to .11s ?

koshikas said:
unless u are real lucky u will also require a intonation adjustment too. u should not be worried about the neck, putting 11s on it. artist are short scale guitars and 11s would exert lower string pull than they would on a 25.5" scale neck

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Click to expand...

How do you adjust intonation ? is there a guideline or ?? I know it has to do with the bridge but the bridge on my Artist is one of those Gibralter bridges. Here is a pic of the same model I have

Gibraltar_III.jpg
 
Re: Is a setup needed going from .10s to .11s ?

CTN said:
if you are keeping the same tuning but just changing to a heavier string gauge, then yes, you need a setup.

Sometimes you can get away without a setup when you're changing to a heavier gauge string set at the same time as you are changing tuning to something proportionally lower.
eg if you're set up for 9-42 in E standard, you might be able to get away with a 10-46 in D standard without a setup. or perhaps an 11-49 in C standard.

Ideally though, you should get a setup every time you change tuning and/or string gauge.
Click to expand...

Yeah I use my Whammy V to downtune to baritone or C standard so my guitar will be in E standard still. So I do need a setup??
 
Re: Is a setup needed going from .10s to .11s ?

I'd take this opportunity to learn what a "setup" entails, and learn to do it yourself. Since it is a fairly small change and assuming you like the setup currently, a few minor tweaks should get you right where you want to be. The most important thing to understand about setting up a guitar is that it is an extremely personal preference. There is a wide range of "acceptable" setups and your preference will be somewhere in that area.

Assuming your nut is cut correctly and doesn't need any modification for the larger gauge, it should be a minor truss rod adjustment, saddle height adjustment and finally saddle intonation adjustment to get it dialed in. Knowing how to do this will get your guitar perfect for you AND allow you to do the minor seasonal tweaks that come with the winter/summer cycles.
 
Re: Is a setup needed going from .10s to .11s ?

I set up and tweak the intonation when ever I change strings.
Which reminds me...
PC
 
Re: Is a setup needed going from .10s to .11s ?

I've got an old Gibraltar bridge in a IBBY musician. there is nothing to worry. saddle height adjustment is done for the entire bridge by bridge mounting screws on either side of the bridge. individual saddles could be adjusted for intonation only. those recesses under each saddle should have some form of screws for that.

there is an order of things to be done for a setup. if u are a newbie In this sort of thing and if this is ur prize guitar I wouldn't go messing the with the nut. I'll first make sure the neck is straight with some relief (a little bow, for strings to vibrate), and then adjust the bridge height so that there are no fret buzzes, and then move onto intonation. like said here there are countless instruction videos, forum posts and what not on how to do this. if u are lucky u might able to catch something on how to do a setup on the artist itself.

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Re: Is a setup needed going from .10s to .11s ?

little caution: on some Gibraltar bridges I've noticed locking screws for the bridge mounting posts. these are usually somewhere on the bridge block around the posts, most probably within another recess with a hex screw. if there are any, make sure u undo the locking screw before height adjusting the bridge

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Re: Is a setup needed going from .10s to .11s ?

Thanks for the tips Koshikas I will look for some videos now on these bridges and possible an Ibanez artist. Hopefully I can learn how to do a setup properly so I have that skill for the future.

Much appreciated guys...I wound up buying EB Cobalt .11s today
 
Re: Is a setup needed going from .10s to .11s ?

I believe Cobalts have higher tension than average.
So you'll definitely need to adjust the truss rod, etc.
 
Re: Is a setup needed going from .10s to .11s ?

The neck will handle 11's just fine

Practically speaking - SOMETHING will need adjusted; Maybe intonation, possibly truss, perhaps action, maybe all of it.

My suggestion: Just put the 11's on, and see how it is. It MIGHT be fine/acceptible.

Then…learn how to adjust intonation (easy!), the true (simple but scary) and action yourself. The ONLY person whop will set it up how YOU like it and take the time to do that is YOU. NO tech will do what that takes.
 
Re: Is a setup needed going from .10s to .11s ?

What I meant is, changing gauge with no setup won't be horrific or something,
But if you want your guitar to be really dialed in... You have to work it up a bit.
If the OP isn't that demanding, it should be OK.

Personally I take it as norm that changing gauge means getting the toolbox out.
 
Re: Is a setup needed going from .10s to .11s ?

A setup is needed any time you go from anything to anything, including summer to winter. Get Dan Erlewine's book "How to Make Your Electric Guitar Sound Great" and a "setup gauge" from Stewmac and you'll be set for life.
 
Re: Is a setup needed going from .10s to .11s ?

SongsForTheDeaf, some extra advice : it is not the neck that handles the extra force but the truss rod, so make sure, that you comletely detune the guitar before tightening the truss rod. You are basically going from a 46 Kgr tension to 53 Kgr, which means 15% more tension. Its not a huge percentage. With the strings tetuned try turning the truss rod by 45 DEG clockwise. Tune up to pitch, measure relief and shred away!
 
Re: Is a setup needed going from .10s to .11s ?

greekdude said:
SongsForTheDeaf, some extra advice : it is not the neck that handles the extra force but the truss rod, so make sure, that you comletely detune the guitar before tightening the truss rod. You are basically going from a 46 Kgr tension to 53 Kgr, which means 15% more tension. Its not a huge percentage. With the strings tetuned try turning the truss rod by 45 DEG clockwise. Tune up to pitch, measure relief and shred away!
Click to expand...

Damn. And I always adjust with only the D and G strings detuned.
 
Re: Is a setup needed going from .10s to .11s ?

There really is no way to predict whether the neck is stiff enough to absorb one increase without having to have the truss rod adjusted. And if there is more bow it is also possible you like it that way, especially if you hit the strings hard.
 
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