Took the 11's plunge

[SpiderVenom]

Well, I did it. Removed my 10-46s and strung it up with 11-49s (d'addarios, 25.5 neck).

Still stretching them properly, and balancing the floyd, but my initial impressions are good.

Runs are no harder than before, although picking is perhaps a little "firmer", which I like. Legato stuff, indentical to before.

Now, bending and vibrato - I thought this might be a bit of a challenge, but I was surprised here. No trouble at all. I've found 10's effortless, and these aren't much harder. That said, I usually never bend further than a whole step, but I can still do a step and a half; can't do two steps though, but I guess that's not surprising

I would have thought they'd give my skinny fingers a bit of grief, but it's turned out quite well. Thanks to everyone in the "string guage = speed" thread for the feedback. I think I'm going to quite enjoy 11s :fing2:

 

[D-EJ915]

Re: Took the 11's plunge

I think using thicker strings on floyds is easier to handle because when doing bends the floyd gives a bit whereas on tunomatics/fixeds they don't.

 

[SpiderVenom]

Re: Took the 11's plunge

I think using thicker strings on floyds is easier to handle because when doing bends the floyd gives a bit whereas on tunomatics/fixeds they don't.

Yeah, that thought occured to me after I posted. I guess that's why strings last longer in general on a floyd, too - that inherent give and take in the system.

My legato runs are just a touch muddier on the strings - it seems that the lower tension compensates a little for sloppy finger work - I find I have to hit the strings quite precisely to make them ring clearly. But that in itself is a good thing, realy.

 

[Erlend_G]

Re: Took the 11's plunge

I think using thicker strings on floyds is easier to handle because when doing bends the floyd gives a bit whereas on tunomatics/fixeds they don't.

Funny that you'd say that.

I've used everything possible on my FR-equipped axe, from 009's to 011's. My trem is set up with five springs, but STILL the floyd tends to move while the string pitch stays unchanged.

IMO, bending on a FR axe is MUCH, MUCH HARDER than to bend on a hardtail axe. This is because you have to make extremely large bends on a floyd rose, to compensate for the brigde movement. It was so bad that it made my FR equipped guitar useless for me, and i had the brigde set up with FIVE springs.

Anyway, i'm a bit tired.
Just giving you my 2c.

 

[Colma]

Re: Took the 11's plunge

the floyd rose has to be my favorite bridge not only because i can feel that nice solid piece of metal under my hand when i palm mute but also because i've always been able to sort of " feel the bridge in the strings " i recently went to 11's also ( DR 11-50's in E ) they're a little tough for me ( ive been a person going from 8's to 9's and back again ) but i've never had a better feeling string.

 

[D-EJ915]

Re: Took the 11's plunge

Funny that you'd say that.

I've used everything possible on my FR-equipped axe, from 009's to 011's. My trem is set up with five springs, but STILL the floyd tends to move while the string pitch stays unchanged.

IMO, bending on a FR axe is MUCH, MUCH HARDER than to bend on a hardtail axe. This is because you have to make extremely large bends on a floyd rose, to compensate for the brigde movement. It was so bad that it made my FR equipped guitar useless for me, and i had the brigde set up with FIVE springs.

Anyway, i'm a bit tired.
Just giving you my 2c.

I've got 13-58s on my floyd, lol. Of course I do have an 11-58 tuned up a step on my 7 string ... rofl.

 

[daemon barbeque]

Re: Took the 11's plunge

i don't think that strings lasts longer with a floyd!!!i played always with string-thru tunamatics and i have to change them rarely.since the bridge do not move ,the blades under the strings are not moving too ,wich cuts the string in time.But hey ,i was in 10/60 ,now i try 11/60 or even 70 for the dropped c...i just want to play tighter and the loudness difference between highs and lows are not so much anymore

 

[SpiderVenom]

Re: Took the 11's plunge

i don't think that strings lasts longer with a floyd!!!i played always with string-thru tunamatics and i have to change them rarely.since the bridge do not move ,the blades under the strings are not moving too ,wich cuts the string in time.But hey ,i was in 10/60 ,now i try 11/60 or even 70 for the dropped c...i just want to play tighter and the loudness difference between highs and lows are not so much anymore

Should ask Zerb - I'm sure he said somewhere that strings last longer on a floyd. On my licensed floyd, anyway, the saddles are quite rounded - there's no sharp edges contacting with the strings.

11-60... whee. Although Drop C isn't as bad as standard tuning

 

[daemon barbeque]

Re: Took the 11's plunge

Should ask Zerb - I'm sure he said somewhere that strings last longer on a floyd. On my licensed floyd, anyway, the saddles are quite rounded - there's no sharp edges contacting with the strings.

11-60... whee. Although Drop C isn't as bad as standard tuning

hehe!!!
I just said what i've been experiencing.I am a heavy "picker" ,very strong down stroke and extreme power chord alternate picking.and i am still happy with my hard tail.i just use some "teflon" spray ath the blades surface..twice a year.And change my strings every 4/5 months.i play every day more than 3 hours.And i change them because they get old.
and dropped c....welll.i love it.more possibilities ,very deep nice growl.But as i said i am a fast/hard picker.i need "tight" strings

 

[BigDreamer]

Re: Took the 11's plunge

i'm an 11-50 GHS user. i can't play anything less than a set of 11s well, my fingers slip off the strings. it might be a tiny bit harder for bends but super fast licks are much easier to play because of the added tension and the extra metal to grasp.