Need advice on string gauge change.

[Roddie]

Hi out there,
I currently have 9s on my silhouette special but would like to go to 10s. Is there anything I need to do or can I just install 10s.

Thanks, Roddie

 

[fogman]

slap em on and you're good to go!

 

[Roddie]

Will there be any issues with the nut

 

[Roubster]

None to worry about at all. I've had 10s on my silo special for 3 years and it sounds and plays awesome. If you were to go to 11s you would need to widen the nut slots a bit.

 

[Roddie]

thanks for the help

 

[the24thfret]

Roddie, if you have a hardtail bridge you'll be fine. With a vintage tremolo bridge, you may have to make some adjustments. Also, you may have to do a truss rod adjustment after the neck gets used to the new string gauge.

 

[Roddie]

I have a vintage trem. What adjustments might I have to make?

 

[the24thfret]

I have a vintage trem. What adjustments might I have to make?

It would be hard to say exactly, because it varies based on how your guitar is currently set up.

But, generally, the string tension will be greater, thus pulling on the tremolo, which may bring it slightly up and out of the cavity. If this happens, and you want to set it up stock (with the tremolo resting on the body of the guitar, for dives in pitch only), you'll have to tighten the two claw screws in the back cavity of the guitar until the trem rests. In extreme circumstances (I can't imagine for you with such a small change in string gauges) you may need to add another spring to the tremolo system.

But it is possible that with your current set up that things will remain the same and you won't need to adjust the tremolo.

Either way, just take a look at the guitar and try to notice if anything changes.

 

[Roddie]

Great thanks 24th fret and every one else

Thanks, Roddie