Majesty 7 String Gauge Change

[SeamusAM]

Hi all,

I was wondering, would it be possible to install higher gauge strings in my Majesty 7? I'm not sure whether the nut is fixed to just one gauge or whether or not I could put in different gauge strings. I'm currently using the standard 0.010-0.056 regular slinky, but am looking to change to skinny top, heavy bottom 0.010-0.062. Before I buy one or the other, I thought I'd ask here first to see if anyone has had any first hand experience.

I find that when properly intonated, the lower few strings buzz far too much for my liking, even getting muted at some parts. I've tried messing around with the action and truss rod, but can't find any solution. I figured changing the string gauge for the problem strings would be a good fix.

Thanks

 

[DrKev]

Where do the strings buzz? My rule of thumb is simple - if buzzes are closer to the nut, add neck relief. If closer to the body raise the bridge or saddles and check that neck relief is not too much.

Going heavier gauge may help your situation(it will certainly as dd a little neck relief due to the additional string tension, and of course the trem will need levelling).

My question is whether the nut slots would need widening to accommodate the larger string gauges. Will the locking tuners take the larger string gauge? These questions have been asked here before but I'm so tired tonight I can't remember my own name. I;m sure our resident JP experts will help out?

 

[SeamusAM]

Mostly lower down the neck. I have tried adding neck relief, and have gone so far as to loosen the little tightener until it spins freely, which I'm not so sure is a great idea. I'll try messing around with the saddles a little bit more when I change strings later this week. Now that I think about it, the locking tuner was very hesitant to even accept the 0.056 string, so I'm not sure how well it'd take a larger string. Perhaps after putting on some fresh strings, they'll be a bit tighter and less likely to buzz. I haven't changed strings since I got the guitar back in late June for the same buzzing issue, which they attributed to the 7th string bridge screw not being completely threaded. They fixed the issue, and it was all good back then, but after some time it has returned. This is probably do to the strings deteriorating and whatnot over time.

 

[DrKev]

In the absence of other responses from forum members, get in touch with MM customer service (you can call toll free from the US and Canada) and see what they say.

 

[Mordimer]

I use 0.010-0.062 Cobalt strings - there's no problem with locking tuners, but 0.062 was a bit to wide for the nut. However, the difference was so little that I hadn't have to use a file. I just slide the string few times through the nut slot and it was ok.

 

[JamieCrain]

Interesting problem but changing string gauge won't solve the root problem other than increase bridge/spring tension and therefore neck relief, ie you'll solve one problem then create another, unless the neck is already out of kilter . The guitar should handle the default gauge with a little tweaking. Raising the bridge on the top side seems the most likely solution to assist. Also, you should try looking along the neck from the bridge: too much/little relief is usually visible to the eye.

 

[DrKev]

Interesting problem but changing string gauge won't solve the root problem other than increase bridge/spring tension and therefore neck relief

Small correction here - no "therefore" required, neck relief will change irrespective of bridge/spring tension, string tension alone does that job (think of a fixed bridge guitar with higher tension strings). Also, higher gauge strings might help a little - higher tension strings are less floppy, and do tend to produce a little less fret buzz.