string gauge

Nem

Nem

New member
Im just going back to electric these days after a few years strictly on acoustic. having played 12 gauge strings on my acoustic for years now I cant get used to 9 gauge on electric, it just feels too thin

so is it possible to go from 9 to 10, or maybe even 11, on my electric without an alterations to the truss rod?
 
Re: string gauge

as soon as you move up in string size the extra tension on the neck will cause more relief which would need a truss rod adjustment to fix. if you dont mind the action being high then you can do without the adjustment but it would be better to slap some 11's on and adjust the truss rod
 
Re: string gauge

It's definitely possible, but it all depends on the particular guitar, the present state of its setup, and your tolerance/preferences. You can't hurt anything by trying out a heavier gauge and seeing if the setup is OK without a truss rod tweak.
 
Re: string gauge

Fikealox said:
It's definitely possible, but it all depends on the particular guitar, the present state of its setup, and your tolerance/preferences. You can't hurt anything by trying out a heavier gauge and seeing if the setup is OK without a truss rod tweak.
Click to expand...

This.

I move up and down between 10s and 11s pretty regularly and there are small movements in the action height but I like a relatively high setup anyway so it generally doesn't bother me. I just give it a quick intonation adjustment and I'm ready to go. It may be something that drives you mad though, it all depends. I reckon you should slap those 11s on and give it a try.
 
Re: string gauge

+1 Try it. There's no harm.

Here's what I do:

Install strings, tune to pitch & play. Find the gauge most comfortable for you. Once you've found the strings you like, leave 'em on the guitar for at least a day or 2.

After a day or 2 check your action at the bridge and the relief in the neck. Make adjustments if necessary. When making adjustments to the truss rod, release the tension on the strings & make only small adjustments to the truss rod. Allow the truss rod to settle overnight before tuning to pitch. Repeat if necessary. Then re-set intonation and you should be ready to rock.
 
Re: string gauge

Nem said:
Im just going back to electric these days after a few years strictly on acoustic. having played 12 gauge strings on my acoustic for years now I cant get used to 9 gauge on electric, it just feels too thin

so is it possible to go from 9 to 10, or maybe even 11, on my electric without an alterations to the truss rod?
Click to expand...

I would go to 11's. I use 13's on all my acoustics, and was having difficulty going to electrics that were strung with 10's. I couldn't keep the guitars in tune & was squeezing everything out of pitch.

I restrung one guitar with 11's and after about a day I went and bought a bunch of 11 sets and restrung all of them. Good choice in my case. Better tone. my guitars seem to play better and I think I get more life with the 11's as well.
 
Re: string gauge

I would try the 10s first they are the regulars Electrics as 12s are the regulars on Acoustics.
 
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