Noob string gauge advice please

[Kesmi]

I've been using 010" standard sets for years, with a band that detunes to Eb for vocal reasons. When my new trem silo came out of the box strung with 009's, it was the best playing and set up guitar I've ever owned bar none. It felt similiar to the detuned 010's. However, tuned down a step makes it feel really rubbery, and the trem is as stiff as the gear shift was on my old S-10. I'm ready to throw 010's on and detune, but I'm scared to mess up the great factory setup. Would 10's in Eb feel the same, and more importantly, not need trem claw, truss, nut slot size and intonation adjustments, as 009's in 440? Should I just dive in?

 

[paranoid70]

Truss rod adjustments are easy on MM guitars. I think making the switch from 9s to 10s are pretty minor. If you had to tweak the truss rod, it wouldn't need much. Go for it.

 

[beej]

I agree. You're talking minimal setup work. Perhaps minor adjustments to the claw, truss rod, etc.

 

[Roubster]

If you tune down, the tension of strings will be less against the tension of the springs...therefore the force of the springs on the trem will be greater in this case. Also if you dont adjust the tnesion of the trem claw, and you put 10s on there, the trem will feel easier to use and might actually even float a bit since the tension of the strings is larger than the 9s.
You dont really have to change anything else other than check intonation and adjust the trem claw as desired. I actually have mine floating on buth Silo Special and 20th Silo like on the LUKE guitars.

 

[agt]

I'm scared to mess up the great factory setup.

Take measurements of your existing setup (relief, action, etc.) with a precision rule or calipers capable of 64s of an inch or better yet 1/1000s of an inch. This is important for the objectivity factor.

Then change strings and re-set up to match. Or take it to a competent luthier if unsure of how to set it up yourself.

 

[gtrman66]

I'm in a similar band situation.When I got the luke it was strung with 9's in standard.I got it home,put 10's on it and tuned to Eb.the intonation was dead on,and all i did was tweak the truss rod a bit and it was ready to go.In my experience 10's in Eb feel just like 9's in standard as far as tension,playability etc.I've done this to multiple guitars and had the same results.Worst case if it's not quite there you can take it and have a pro setup done.No worries just do it!

 

[TNT]

dive in!!! You gotta learn anyway!!

 

[Colin]

if you're detuning try 10's anything smaller may feel rubber band like. careful you don't over bend when playing

 

[Kesmi]

Hi everyone, thanks for the advice. It seems the presiding sentiment was to just get over the honeymoon period and dive in, so I did. I put a set of Regular Slinky 010"s on after work today, and worked on re-setting up my Silo. The intonation was fine, and a slight clockwise bend on the truss rod was all it needed to restore the action. However, setting the trem claw up, which I'm new at, took a bit of time, to get all the strings to come back in tune- I tightened it too much at first, then had to keep backing down. I think I got, and it was a good bonding experience with my Silhouette- it feels now like my personal working guitar, not just a very pretty case queen.

 

[BobMac]

I was in the same boat, I never liked nines so switched to tens straight away when I got my silo. The set up was perfect, stable trem low action, just great.

Then I had to tune to Eb for my Band and the tens were a bit loose for my taste went (onrecomendation) with 11's (elixer ) and wasnt too happy. so went back to ernie ball 10's bit floppy for me but i lived with it

recently tried the 11's again (EB's) and I am much happier. just the slightest of tweeks of the truss rod and it was there.

The guitar resonates like a mo fo now aswell.

 

[colinboy]

I was in the same boat, I never liked nines so switched to tens straight away when I got my silo. The set up was perfect, stable trem low action, just great.

Then I had to tune to Eb for my Band and the tens were a bit loose for my taste went (onrecomendation) with 11's (elixer ) and wasnt too happy. so went back to ernie ball 10's bit floppy for me but i lived with it

recently tried the 11's again (EB's) and I am much happier. just the slightest of tweeks of the truss rod and it was there.

The guitar resonates like a mo fo now aswell.

Resonates like a Mofo....... Hows it hanging mate,didnt realise you moved to the Bronx?

I changed my 9,s on my JP last year as i thought they were a bit too much like rubber bands for my liking.

 

[B2D]

I use .010-.052's on my Silo Special and I'm in Eb or Drop C# most of the time, I tend to like thicker strings on the bottom... more tension and a meatier sound. Anything lighter than .010s in that tuning just feels too loose. If I was still playing in standard I'd probably go with a .009-.046 set. I can play .010-.046 just fine in standard, but the lighter top strings are easier on my hands, especially after longer gigs or rehearsals.