535 string gauge change

[Guest HRB853370]

Time for a string change on my trans red 535. When I bought it, the previous owner had 9-45 on it. I want to string it with 10-46. I will most likely have to adjust intonation, correct?

[H]

Yes.

[schundog]

You might think so, but you might be surprised that you don't have to; same with truss rod adjustment; I would go up to the 10s and see how it "settles" in. I have 10s on my 535, and 11s on my G***n 335. The 11s take some getting used to, but I dig them. That jump up DID require a truss rod tweak.

[koula901]

I went from 10s to a mixed set of 9-46, and there was no intonation problem at all.

[Guest HRB853370]

I went from 10s to a mixed set of 9-46, and there was no intonation problem at all.

 

Thanks! I'll give it a whirl and see what happens.

[Kuz]

Going to a heavier string will almost certainly result in: neck relief adjustment, intonation adjustment, and possibly a nut widening (although since Heritage ships their guitar set up for 10s, this may not be necessary unless the nut was changed when the 9s were put on).

 

These are just minor tweaks, but I wouldn't put them on hours before a gig and expect the guitar to be ready to go.

 

Go for it, you be using 10s anyhow!!! (ha, ha,)

[mark555]

I recently found out that Dick Dale used 16's.

[tbonesullivan]

maybe, maybe not. put them on and see what happens.

[LK155]

Slammer,

My H535 (trans cherry, even) has 10's and I have no complaints. Very briefly tried 11's but disliked them so much that a new set of 10's went on after about two days.

You might also consider screwing the tailpiece down tight to the body and then stringing up and over it (reverse-wrapping?)

I did this at the last string change and it works great. Strings are a bit looser in feel, making bends easier. There was a whole topic about this a while ago.

[Gitfiddler]

I use 11's on my fat neck 535 and love the huge tones.

 

 

Scofield uses 13's on his similarly built, '81 Ibanez AS200 to get his uber-phat tones.

[MartyGrass]

I recently found out that Dick Dale used 16's.

 

 

Whew! That even outdoes Martino.

 

I am nervously considering going up to Benson 14's. But 16's? That's crazy talk.

[Joey]

I've used 11's with a wound G string on my H555 since I bought it in 1995. I once tried a set of 10s for a couple of weeks, but went right back to the 11's which produces much fatter,richer tone.

[Guest HRB853370]

The low E, and the G, B and high E strings were all sharp at the 12th fret. What surprised me is the number of clockwise turns I had to give the little screws to get it right on. I was expecting a half turn might get it, but most of the strings required 2+ full turns! In any case, the guitar plays great with the Slinky 10's versus the 9's, much fatter tone. I can't imagine trying 11's and not going to bother with that. I may put them on my 575 however, next string change! Thanks for all the input, especially from Dan G (Spectrum13) who let me know my strings were dirty in the first place!

[MartyGrass]

I can't imagine trying 11's and not going to bother with that. I may put them on my 575 however, next string change! Thanks for all the input, especially from Dan G (Spectrum13) who let me know my strings were dirty in the first place!

 

Man up and get some 12's!

 

I recall using 8's. About 2 years ago I moved up to 10's then 10.5's.

 

Now I won't go lower than 10.5's. I can bend the strings a whole step easily with these. All but one of my guitars have 11's-13's.

 

A local guy pushed me into higher gauges. He sold me an archtop with 13's and had me commit to trying those strings for two weeks. His point was that not only is there more output from the strings but that the action is lower.

 

It is true that the action can be lower with heavier strings. I don't think they are easier to play though. But you get used to them.

 

To each his own.

[Guest HRB853370]

 

Man up and get some 12's!

 

I recall using 8's. About 2 years ago I moved up to 10's then 10.5's.

 

Now I won't go lower than 10.5's. I can bend the strings a whole step easily with these. All but one of my guitars have 11's-13's.

 

A local guy pushed me into higher gauges. He sold me an archtop with 13's and had me commit to trying those strings for two weeks. His point was that not only is there more output from the strings but that the action is lower.

 

It is true that the action can be lower with heavier strings. I don't think they are easier to play though. But you get used to them.

 

To each his own.

 

But if I move up to 11's or higher, I have to have the nut reworked. I like my nut just the way it is now.

[MartyGrass]

You and your precious nuts!

 

Truthfully, some of the sweetest sounds come from 10's.

 

Don't worry about it. No one will cut your nuts.

[Guest HRB853370]

You and your precious nuts!

 

Truthfully, some of the sweetest sounds come from 10's.

 

Don't worry about it. No one will cut your nuts.

 

Well, thank you sir, I can sleep well now!

[Teeky]

I reckon it's always a good idea to check your action at the 12th fret before and after you change gauges. I just changed up from 12s to 13s on my 575. Just needed a tweek on the truss rod.

I use a Stewmac action guage and you can read to 5 thou so pretty accurate.

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tools/Straightedges/String_Action_Gauge.html?actn=100101&xst=3&xsr=143937

 

Have fun

[mtpatty]

I am staying with .08's

[bolero]

I don't think Dick Dale bends any strings....come to think of it I can't think of any of his songs where he bends a note?

 

I have settled on .11's for the Heritages & 10's for the G&L's