Strat De-tuning - Help Please

[Kac]

I would love to own a Fender Jaguar Baritone guitar. but for now, I can't afford it.

So, what I want to do it set up my Fender Delux Fat Strat to be tuned lower than standard.
I will be picking up some heavier guaged strings tomorrow, What adjustments do I need to make to the guitar, for set up and what not?

I assume I'll hafta raise the brigde somewhat for the thicker strings.. Maybe adjust the truss rod.....
I will possibly be tuning as low as B E A D F# B
Thanks, Kac

 

[Jag513]

Re: Strat De-tuning - Help Please

You'll have to adjust the truss rod, you might have to tighten the trem springs or add another one, and you'll probably have to adjust the intonation (especially if you're going with a wound G).

 

[Kac]

Re: Strat De-tuning - Help Please

Gee, I love intonation work, oh well, I'm just not gonna pay somebody to do it, thanks for the help.
I've got 5 springs on it now, I'll tighten up the screws to make sure the bridge don't move.
Anything else I need to keep in mind?

 

[Jag513]

Re: Strat De-tuning - Help Please

Oh, forgot to mention, you might have to file the nut a little if the strings don't fit.

 

[Kac]

Re: Strat De-tuning - Help Please

hmm.. thats not kool, but I will do what I must.
Thanks again for the help.

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Strat De-tuning - Help Please

String it up, tune it down, and see what needs done. A good "starter" B tuning string set is 13-56 (take a .010 set, remove the .010, and add a .056).

 

[Kac]

Re: Strat De-tuning - Help Please

JB, you rock, thanks man

 

[Kac]

Re: Strat De-tuning - Help Please

Ok, I've got my fat strat tuned to Drop B, and damn, it sounds good.
I plan on buying a Duncan Distortion to throw in, but for now I need to do some intonation work.
I can tell the pitches are slightly off when I go up the frets, my uncle helped me set up some intonation before, but I can't remember exactly how to do it.
Something about playing the note at the 12th fret and jsut touching the string and getting them in tune. and I know I have to adjust it on the bridge, but can someone please give me some more help on what way to screw the saddle,
I know this question has been asked before and I could sit here for a while and search, but I have to go play, so if someone could offer me some advice for setting up this intonation it would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you, Kac

 

[Mkf411]

Re: Strat De-tuning - Help Please

You're on the right track, match the fretted note at the 12th fret with the harmonic (barely touch the string and let the harmonic ring out) at the 12th fret. Do this for each string. It really helps if you have a tuner. Not sure which way to turn the screw at the brigde but you'll figure it out quickly. One way raises pitch, the other lowers it. If you search the internet with words like "guitar set up" or "guitar intonaton" you can find some free instructions. Here's a link I found: http://www.pendragonart.net/intonation.htm

 

[Kac]

Re: Strat De-tuning - Help Please

Mkf411 is awesome, thanks a ton, I will be rocking out now... untill I have to be at work.
Rock On :smoker: