So much I don't know about guitars

[rosemary]

Today we took my Mexican Strat to the guitar shop to get the trem bar looked at as it was so low it was touching the selector switch. The wonderful guitar tech immediately diagnosed the problem as the strings I'd put on were .010 - .052 and it had been set up for .010 - .046 so he set it up for me (and didn't charge either as I'd bought the guitar from them last year.) The only think I'm missing now is a proper Fender spring but we have a compromise. It's made a big difference and I can now hold the trem bar like I do on the American Strat so I'm very happy.

Anyway getting to the subject of this message. I'd never known until today that 10s varied like that. Everyone in other shops previously only spoke of 9s or 10s or 12s etc. As a result I have a packet of .010 - .046. strings I'll probably never use as I like the thicker ones and have the .010 - .052 strings on my American Strat too. Interestingly the trem bar was ok on that guitar but perhaps that's because previously they were the same gauge strings.

I'm just wondering now how much other basic information I don't know.

Best wishes
Rosemary

[neil2726]

The heavier the strings the more tension there is on the trem unit. You often have to take the back plate off the strat and adjust the screws that secure the trem spings in place. Ive also found on various strats the trem arms are much to high to hold in the hand - they werent designed to be held continuously! I have always had to bend the arm to get a suitable height. This is where the Burns system is much better - you can adjust it to any height.

[rosemary]

Hi Neil
That's interesting because while the guitar tech was adjusting the springs I was playing another Strat and the staff member who was an excellent guitarist like the guitar tech also said its trem arm was too high for comfort. An adjustable arm is a very good idea. I love the sound and look of Burns guitars but have never seen one close up.
Best wishes
Rosemary

[26rednef]

Hi Rosemary.

The way to look at this is to adjust the springs to give a maximal up bend that you like to have
when bend up wards with the tremolo bar.

This is often a personally thing, I adjust my guitars to be able to bend up one 1/2 note, when the bridge is flat to the top. Some like a full note up bend. Find your favorite and then it is just to adjust the springs so you reach that, and normally it needs a bit more tension on the springs at the low E side to make the bridge work smooth and good.

When you change strings you check if the up bend is OK after it, if not you adjust the springs to
correct up bend and you always have full control.

Kind Regards,
26rednef

[rogercook]

And not all sets of "10s" are the same either! If you compare 3 or 4 manufacturers sets with comparable gauges you'll find the tension will be different so the trem will position itself differently unless you adjust it.

Fender trem arms are only adjustable if you bend them!!

Roger

[Fender Bender]

Hi Rosemary,

Very well said by 26redneff and it is very much a personal thing.The set up of spring tension and trem height will differ from one strat to another although using the same brand and gauge of strings, due to other factor's like nut,wood,thrussrod settings, tailpiece styles ect.

I find that if a strat is set up well,including the bridge and trem arm,you don't need lock nuts,and locking tailpieces like floyd rose (just excample)to keep the guitar in tune,no matter if it is MIM,MIJ or USA strat.As long as the strat is made out of good quality wood,there is nothing that a little lubrication can't fix in a decent guitar set up.

[kipper]

Rosemary you know more than you think, you went to an expert to have it set up. someone who done it right someone who knows what they are doing, admitting you dont know is something women understand more than men who think they now it all (mostly) then muck it up then take it to an expert and pay double . oh that sounds just like me peter

[ade]

Hi Rosemary

Glad to see that you got it sorted. We all learn from experience, or the experience of others, one of the things that this site is great for.

How are you finding the lighter bass strings?

By coincidence, I have just replaced my strings with 10 -52s as I wanted to see if I get a stronger bass sound. As I like tinkering and from past experience I knew I would have to adjust the springs.

When you purchased the guitars did they come with the Fender manuals? These detail the majority of adjustments. Alternatively, the Fender web site has details on adjustments.

Another option. In the UK there is a manual by Haynes all about the Stratocaster. Is this available in Australia?

Finally, I think you do well to have your strings last for a year. Apart from Elixers, I only get about 6-8 weeks from a set of strings before they sound dull, or won't stay in tune. Did you notice how bright your new strings sounded?

Kind Regards

Ade

[iferrier]

Careful when bending strat trem arms...they snap easily! (sounds like the voice of experience).

[rosemary]

Hi 26rednef, Roger, Fender Bender, Peter, Ade and iferrier

Thanks for all your replies which I'm noting for a time I might feel confident to adjust springs myself. At the moment just the thought that I didn't even know 10s were sold with different gauge bass strings is a shock as I thought I had that part worked out.

Ade: I love the 10 - 52s and think they might have a lot to do with my perceived improved tone since I changed to them. I still have 10 - 52s on both guitars and they adjusted the springs on the Mexican Strat as it made the trem arm too low when I changed them a couple of months ago. They left the same strings on as I prefer them. Strangely the 10 - 52s didn't seem to have any effect on the American Strat's trem arm so I'm assuming the old strings on that guitar were the same.

I swap the guitars a lot and play the acoustic most of all in front of the TV at night so it goes through strings a lot faster than the Strats. By the way the acoustic has 12 - 53s and stays in tune very well. I changed them a couple of weeks ago and am getting a bit better at that.

I ordered the Stratocaster book and the Fender came with a manual but most of it is a bit too advanced and I'm very nervous about doing anything too adventurous to the Strats in case I break something. In time hopefully my confidence here will also improve.

Best wishes
Rosemary

[que]

Hello Rosemary,
I'm also from Brisbane (Cashmere) and have the Haynes Book (a present from my son).

I can say that it is an excellent resource for adjusting and setting up a strat and a host of other things you might want to try.

I have also fitted a wilkinsonbridge with a drop in arm to my Fernandes strat copy. I find the lack of free play versus a threaded arm much better for Shadows music. The bridge and tremelo are available from all usual Brisbane music stores - I ordered mine from Artie's music at Aspley.

Cheers

Quentin

[Tone]

Hi Rosemary

Leo Fender designed the Strat for working musicians and features like the floating bridge, individual adjustable bridge saddles, adjustable pickup height, truss rod etc, etc were incorporated to allow players to set up the guitar to their own requirements.

It's a pretty tough instrument so don't be afraid to play around with it. You won't break anything and if you're not happy with something you do it can always be undone. When I got my first Strat I was frightened to death of adjusting anything but now I'll happily mess around with it without a second thought. Of course, it helps if you kinow what you want to do and have some idea of how to do it but the Fender guide that came with your Strats is pretty good and, as Quentin says, the Haynes manual is excellent.

Cheers.

Tony

[Deleted]

Rosemary.
10-46 strings are the usual standard for 10's.
10-52 are usually labelled as heavy bottom / light top.
9's are usually 9-42, however 9-46 are available and are called hybrid as they represent the top 3 strings from a set of 9's and the bottom 3 strings from a set of 10's
11's tend to be 11-48 or 11-49 sometimes 11-50
Slight variation with different makes but it helps to know the basics so you get what you are after. Worth being armed with this info when you go to a shop !! They can get it wrong so it helps if you know the ropes.
Good luck
George.

[rosemary]

Hi Quentin, Tony and George
Thanks for the tips. I have bought the Haynes manual now. It's a great book but I'm still a bit apprehensive about doing too much to the guitars as yet.

The American Strat is due for a string change and this time I could only buy the uncoated strings so that's another variable. I like the heavier bass strings and the Mexican Strat is now set up for them. It's still a mystery as to why the heavier bass strings didn't have an effect on the American Strat. I was beginning to wonder if they had the 10 - 46 strings but the packets that are open (with the spare 1st string) are 10 - 52. It was after I changed the strings that the American Strat's tone improved too so I think I'll stick with 10 - 52.

Quentin: I now know of 5 Shadows players in the Brisbane/ SEQ region (including just north and west of Brisbane). Almost enough for a club?

Best wishes
Rosemary

[que]

Hi Rosemary,

Yes, there are so many variables to setting up a strat. I sometimes liken it to a seesaw - there's a point of balance where a set of forces (tension on strings) equals another set of forces (tremelo springs). Once you change something one side, you have to make adjustments the other side until you get to the point of equilibrium. As has been said by others, you can't really break anything, but it can take a while until everything settles after adjustments are made.

Yes, I probably know of a few players around the Brisbane area who play Shadows. My son, who plays mostly rockabilly / western swing also does nice versions of Shads numbers.

I would think there are sufficient numbers to do something about a club in the SE Qld Region.

Cheers

Quentin

[rosemary]

Hi Quentin
Thanks. I even discovered that an hour ago when I couldn't reproduce the sound from my amp from only 2 days ago when I had a really good practice session with what I thought were the same settings.
Would you know of any halls or venues for hire in Brisbane where a Shadows Club could meet?
Best wishes
Rosemary

[que]

Hi Rosemary,

I know of some venues for hire in my area (Pine Rivers, Petrie) but they have sizeable bonds to be paid up front in addition to usage hire (around $25 per hour).

Perhaps initially someone's home might be an option. We have no close neighbours, so our place might be a (no cost) option.

Cheers

Quentin

[rosemary]

Hi Quentin
That sounds wonderful. Thanks very much. Maybe we can send out an expression of interest on the boards and see what response we get and organise a Brisbane Shadows Club in the new year.
Best wishes
Rosemary

[Deleted]

Hi Rosemary, I think you would find this book a great help,.... They do one for a Telecaster as well....

www.amazon.co.uk/Fender-Stratocaster-Manual-Maintain-Electric/dp/184425321X

Jimbo

[rosemary]

Hi Jimbo
Thanks very much for the link. I've recently bought a copy and agree it's a fantastic book so I just need to build my confidence now. I keep forgetting that Strats are designed for rock'n'roll so they have to be tough.
Best wishes
Rosemary

[DaveC]

Hi Rosemary,

Anybody who plans to "tinker" with a guitar would benefit from this book:

www.amazon.co.uk/Make-Electric-Guitar-Great-Player/dp/0879306017

also

www.amazon.co.uk/Guitar-Player-Repair-Dan-Erlewine/dp/0879309210

The latest edition (3) includes some useful DVDs.

Dan Erlewine has his own website:

www.danerlewine.com/

Regards
DaveC

[que]

Hello Rosemary,

Thanks - yes, that sounds like a good idea. We should seek expressions of interest in forming a Brisbane Shadows Club in 2012.

[rosemary]

Hi Quentin
Great, thanks! Let's do it! I'll post messages if you like and am happy to give my email address out as a contact unless you would prefer to. Even if we just got together a couple of times a year that would be a start. I'm not sure how these clubs run but am sure I'd be able to find out.
Best wishes
Rosemary

[que]

Hi Rosemary,

Thanks - I am happy if you send out messages, and happy to be an email contact also if you like. It will be interesting to see the response - I'm sure there are some interested parties lurking out there somewhere.

Cheers

Quentin

[peterk]

Rosemary

The Browning Street Studios in West End where I go for lessons has practice rooms which I believe can be hired. Don't know the size or cost.

There is relative cheap parking over the road also or on the street if you are lucky.

Peter

[rosemary]

Hi Peter and Quentin
Thanks! It's great that we have some possible venues already. I've posted a message on Shadow Music and will start a new thread here too. I'll also post to the Perth board. I think there's a Sydney one too.
Best wishes
Rosemary