Heavy strings and frets?

[BluesShredder]

What strings do you use?
i use .010
i was thinking to use .011 but i read this (written by Kenny Wayne Shepherd)

"Another big issue with me is frets. I use Dunlop 6100's (the biggest frets made) on all of my guitars. They are real tall and wide. I need frets this big in order to support the heavy strings I use, which are, from high to low, .012, .014, .018, .028, .038, .058.
There is no way you can play on strings this heavy if you've got vintage Fender frets in your guitar neck. Vintage frets are way too skinny and small, and you'll break your fingers trying to get a sound!"

So any of you that use heavy strings, did you change the frets?

[Raskolnikov]

well, that's half bogus:

You don't need the jumbo frets, but they do help. I have .012's on my Strat, and it has largish frets. On the other hand, my Dean Rhapsody doesn't have frets at all. But it's a bass.

[fendermonkey77]

I use 11's on my Tele....Vintage 69 tele with skinny frets...no complaints here.

[Lordathestrings]

Originally posted by BluesShredder
"There is no way you can play on strings this heavy if you've got vintage Fender frets in your guitar neck. Vintage frets are way too skinny and small, and you'll break your fingers trying to get a sound!"

... A classic example of individual preference. Don't take it to mean there's only one right way.

You will immediately find two things:

1) The heavier strings have a stronger sound, with more presence.

2) Bending takes a little more effort.

I think you'll like the difference, but its something you have to decide for yourself.

[MajinMojo]

GHS Boomers Heavy Custom 10 guage starting with 10, 13, 17 something, something, 48

[skee1]

Originally posted by BluesShredder
What strings do you use?
i use .010
i was thinking to use .011 but i read this (written by Kenny Wayne Shepherd)

"Another big issue with me is frets. I use Dunlop 6100's (the biggest frets made) on all of my guitars. They are real tall and wide. I need frets this big in order to support the heavy strings I use, which are, from high to low, .012, .014, .018, .028, .038, .058.
There is no way you can play on strings this heavy if you've got vintage Fender frets in your guitar neck. Vintage frets are way too skinny and small, and you'll break your fingers trying to get a sound!"

So any of you that use heavy strings, did you change the frets?
What K-W-S failed to mention if this,
was his Quote, is when you change to heavier gauge strings,
you should use a higher action at the bridge by raiseing,
the bridge a little every time you go up to a heaver string,
gauge.If you leave your action set low for lighter gauge,
strings ,then use the the heavier gauge string yes you,
could slap the hell out of those thin frets then you ,
would have to have your frets dressed all the time ,
plus after a while you would need new frets.
Dressing the frets is a workshop term=fileing the frets,
down useing a file.Here's somthing i found out thro the,
years i can execute the the sweep picking tec alot easer,
useing a higher action set-up.
Really if a guitar player use's common sense the heavy gauge, strings used on a low action guitar are going to be,
closer to your frets........................
I do use 11s on my strat,9s on my tele.

Mark
I forgot to mention the frets on my tele are filed down,
as far as they can go for fast action playing plus,so is,
the nut.I had this done in 1984 and the frets are just,
now starting to show some wear on them .

[Edited by skee1 on 09-05-2001 at 12:55 PM]

[BluesShredder]

Yeah this is written by KWS

http://www.guitarworld.com/lessons/artists/1997/9706.shepherd.html

in matter of fact he mentioned that he has high action,

so if i want to move from a 0.010-... to a 0.011-... i have
to change the frets, or the ones i already have are fine?

[Raskolnikov]

They're probably fine.

But you know, years down the road when it's time for new frets, maybe you should think about jubmo frets then. I'de try it just the way it is for now though.