Strat - Heavy strings and tremelo issues

[JohnnyBe]

Hi all,

I have always played a Les Paul and have recently aquired a cheap Strat with a (cheap)tremelo (my first). I want to put heavier strings on it (13's) but I find that it pulls the tremelo away from the body when I tune it. Is there some kind of trick to prevent this? I have adjusted the screws in the back all the way and I still have this issue.

Thanks in advance.

[Lordathestrings]

The tremolo was originally made to use up to 5 springs. These days, very few players use heavy stringsets (13's! :eek: ), that need that much counterforce, so usually only 3 strings are supplied. Installing two more springs should put it right.

[Branislav]

Before adding more springs check big screws in tremolo cavity.
Try tuning them to set bridge height.
Also check truss rod, neck should be little "weird" becouse of more tension caused by '13.

[trendkillah]

013s, hmm, that'll require 4 or 5 springs probably.

And please, adjust your truss rod, heavy strings like that will definitely do evil things to your neck, hehe.

[Branislav]

what kind of music do you want to play with 13's?
I don't think bending strings will be possible at all :)
Better try 10's
They have good sound, and still you don't have to add more springs to your tremolo.

[lalimacefolle]

With 13s, your sound is huge, even without any distortion. SRV used this trick, but he had hands that could crush a tennis ball...

[Branislav]

yeah, but he can't do much with 13's.
it's very hard to play like that

[lalimacefolle]

nope, your hands get used to it, that's what is use. When someone gives me a guitar with 10 or 11, I usually break the strings doing 3 tone bends!!

[Branislav]

I still play with 9's :)
But I think about buying 10's next time.

[lalimacefolle]

well, it has good things, but I think there are more drawkbacks. Because when you'll pick up 10s or 11s, you won't be in tune when bending a note.
I've heard that Joe PERRY from aerosmith plays 11 for the first part of the show, then goes to 10 and finishes with 9s...

[Raskolnikov]

I just play .012s on my guitars-
I like the tone better and I break fewer strings that way.

[Branislav]

And you don't have problems with banding strings for 3 frets (for example)?

[trendkillah]

Originally posted by Branislav
And you don't have problems with banding strings for 3 frets (for example)?

There's more to playing guitar than just string bends. ;)
I do think a 3 step bend is possible with 012's, it just takes practice to get used to it.
I've gone from 009's to 011's over the years, and now I feel the 011's are just too thin, so, it's all about how you play and what you're used to I think.


Greetz, TK

[Lordathestrings]

I use .011-.049's on all of my 6-string guitars. (D'Addario EXL115). But I don't do 3-fret bends. A set of .009s is like a collection of spider webs. If you want to hear the tone of your guitar, and not just the effects and the amp, you need heavier strings.

[Branislav]

Of course bending isn't the whole playing, just I was wandering how's playng with that heavy strings.
I will take 10's, because I'm still the "begginer", I don't play longer than 20 months I guess.

[JohnnyBe]

Thanks to all for the feedback. I usually play 10's on all of my other axes, but lately I have been after that low-down ballsy sound of SRV and KWS. Thanks lord.. the extra springs and the truss rod adjustments seemed to do the trick. And, yes it does take some getting used to playing these fat dads but it seems a lot easier with the drop d tuning. Now I can wake the neighbors with the sound of thunder. :cool: