Just bought a JPXI seven string, which supposedly comes with 10-56 strings. The plain strings were black, so I immediately went to out my usual slinkys on in the above gauge but the bridge immediately tilted forward a great deal. I took out the calipers and found these are 8's. I figured I would go ahead and set it up for 10's, but I am almost all the way in on the screws on the trem claw and the bridge is still out of whack. Do I add springs?
- Thread starter Exodus5
- Start date
decreebass
Well-known member
Definitely 
decreebass
Well-known member
I did the opposite. I had 10s on my Maj and 3 springs and switched to 9s and 2 springs. Had to crank the spring claw almost to the side of the cavity to achieve the right tension. The scar on my knuckles is testament to that since the only angle to get at the screws with any good pressure causes the tops of your fingers to get destroyed on the battery cover lol. Same thing with my JPXI. It's totally worth it though, once you get the setup/gauge that suits you. Good luck!
Definitely
Thanks. I haven't had to add springs in a long long time. Anyway, I added one of the springs included in the case and moved the tremclaw screws out a little and it appears to be good to go.
Astrofreq
Well-known member
hmm....
tbonesullivan
Well-known member
Yep, definitely add springs. You'll find a lot of differing opinions on whether it's better to have more springs with less stretch, or less strings with more stretch. MOst important though is getting the guitar to play well.
.08s... dang. I played a guitar with those on it and damn near bent the strings right off the board.
.08s... dang. I played a guitar with those on it and damn near bent the strings right off the board.
Yep, it played VERY easy in the store, which is why I am now having issues with the wide 7 string neck with heavy strings and flat neck contour. I think I may have been better off with the JPX. I may have to return and see if I can get the JPX instead.
I didn't quite bond with my JPXI at first either with 10s even though the action was absolutely perfect. Switched to 9s, kept all 3 springs in factory position, set it up, and now couldn't be happier. If you went from 8s to 10s, it's definitely worth trying 9s before looking to replace the guitar with another JP model.
