quick guitar help

[hockey_player_11 0]

Hi guys,

I've been thinking about going up to a thicker string for quite a while now, after a few strings popped, I figured what the hell. So I bought a pack of ernie ball 11's and put em in. I love the feel, but noticed that the bridge (not hardtail) is really raised. It seems to be holding up alright, but are the strings dangering the bridge? Should I not be using such a high gauge? And also, should I change the intonation? Its buzzing a bit, but I kind of like the feel. Anyways, what should I do?

[Chadd 916]

Put another spring in the back, most shops have them.

[hockey_player_11 0]

Awesome, Thanks.

[hockey_player_11 0]

Wait, but if i do that, then do you think I will have to change the intonation?

[Chadd 916]

Wait, but if i do that, then do you think I will have to change the intonation?

Any time you make a major change you should have the intonation set properly.

[jay 1]

Changing string guages is more then just fixing the intonation. You'll need to adjust the bridge height as well as the truss rod since the higher tension will pull the neck towards the bridge causing it to bow too much. It's really an excercise in re-balancing the instrument. If you're not familiar with performing the above mentioned adjustments it would be well worth it to take the guitar to a qualified tech. Good choice on string guadges btw... heavier strings will always sound better. I HIGHLY reccomend (unless your really only a super heavy metal player) trying out DR Pure Nickel 11's (blue box). They are without question the best sounding string on the market for under $10 a pack. The difference will astonish you before you even plug into an amp. They also last a good bit longer then the typical Ernie Ball, Dean Markley, etc... making the slightly higher intitial cost even out in the long run.

[Chadd 916]

Changing string guages is more then just fixing the intonation. You'll need to adjust the bridge height as well as the truss rod since the higher tension will pull the neck towards the bridge causing it to bow too much. It's really an excercise in re-balancing the instrument. If you're not familiar with performing the above mentioned adjustments it would be well worth it to take the guitar to a qualified tech. Good choice on string guadges btw... heavier strings will always sound better. I HIGHLY reccomend (unless your really only a super heavy metal player) trying out DR Pure Nickel 11's (blue box). They are without question the best sounding string on the market for under $10 a pack. The difference will astonish you before you even plug into an amp. They also last a good bit longer then the typical Ernie Ball, Dean Markley, etc... making the slightly higher intitial cost even out in the long run.

I used to use Dean Markley Blue Steel and then switched to DR. I used a strange setup of 10-49 or 10-52.

[hockey_player_11 0]

Thanks for the advice Jay. Do you think I should loosen up the strings until I get the time to take it to a technician?

[UMWhockey 0]

I second the DR strings... I love them

[Dan_The_Man_16 0]

Hockey Player 11, if you don't feel comfortable changing everything it's best you take it into your local music shop and get them to do it. I second the DR strings if you like heavy strings, I'm more of an Ernie Ball Super Slinky guy myself. I like the sound of heavy strings like jay mentioned, but I hate soloing with them, and I tend to do alot of heavy bending and bluesy solos so they aren't the greatest for my kind of music. I would tell you to reconsider you choice if you do alot of dirty solos with lots of bends and such, but hey, guitars are like sticks, all PP.

[dix0r 0]

hah, another +1 for DR pure blues. i usually use 10's though on my les paul. i work at a guitar store and they're definitely my favorite...

[sherwood21 0]

I'm an Ernie Ball Regular Slinky guy, I find that they mesh well with most of the combinations of chords/solos that I like to play, but they are not IMO, as good as Super Slinky for finger picking. Just like that deeper, more mellow sound you get when playing with them.

[dix0r 0]

I'm an Ernie Ball Regular Slinky guy, I find that they mesh well with most of the combinations of chords/solos that I like to play, but they are not IMO, as good as Super Slinky for finger picking. Just like that deeper, more mellow sound you get when playing with them.

have you tried DRs?

i only ask cause i used to use ernie ball but hate them now that i use DR.

i started out using EB's, then d'addario, then went to GHS, tried a few that i wasnt' impressed with, like elixir, pyramid, can't remember what else...DR are my favorite ;]

i admit i've never tried blue steels though.

[Chadd 916]

Those Elixir strings sucked. I used GHS the d'addario for a while because a friend of mine had an endorsement with them. Not both at the same time obviously. Getting strings for $2 a set was nice. I couldn't afford to restring all of my guitars with decent strings all the time. Once i could, I moved on to other the blue steel and DR.

[sherwood21 0]

I'm an Ernie Ball Regular Slinky guy, I find that they mesh well with most of the combinations of chords/solos that I like to play, but they are not IMO, as good as Super Slinky for finger picking. Just like that deeper, more mellow sound you get when playing with them.

have you tried DRs?

i only ask cause i used to use ernie ball but hate them now that i use DR.

i started out using EB's, then d'addario, then went to GHS, tried a few that i wasnt' impressed with, like elixir, pyramid, can't remember what else...DR are my favorite ;]

i admit i've never tried blue steels though.

I have not tried DR's, but if you think they are woth the shot I will give them a try out.

[Dan_The_Man_16 0]

Just came to the top of my head, but didn't Dimebag Darrel have a signature set of DR's?

[dix0r 0]

Just came to the top of my head, but didn't Dimebag Darrel have a signature set of DR's?

yep.