Setup Question ( string tension )

[Zaphoid]

Hi All,
Ive noticed that my JP6 has very tight string tension. Its very hard to bend notes with it. Ive done some adjusting on my own and I have the action set pretty low with hardly any buzz at all. But upon doing soo my strings are just way too tight. Im thinking about going to get it professionaly setup but thought I would check here for any advice that you'll could give before I do so.
THANKS!!

 

[pauldogx]

you'll have to supply a little more info for folks to respond to.... is the guitar new with a factory setup? what gauge strings are on the guitar? how many springs are on the trem? is the trem claw cranked close to the cavity wall?

 

[strummer]

Hi All,
Ive noticed that my JP6 has very tight string tension. Its very hard to bend notes with it. Ive done some adjusting on my own and I have the action set pretty low with hardly any buzz at all. But upon doing soo my strings are just way too tight. Im thinking about going to get it professionaly setup but thought I would check here for any advice that you'll could give before I do so.
THANKS!!

Lighter strings will do the trick. Set up does not (can not) change the string tension.

Ok, so you guys have spring loaded thingies that anchor the strings, which makes my answer totally inadequate and probably misleading too...

 

[lock-ny]

sometimes if you loosen the truss rod a bit it lessens the tension on the strings, but it will also raise your action a bit, if you want super low action then change gauges on the strings -

 

[puppyonacid]

When i got my JP6 (that's all I ever say thesedays!) a few weeks ago the strings did seem a little tight. Our fabby drummer reckoned that "there's no way John Petrucci has his strings that tight!" However, after a couple of weeks the tension went. How long have you had your guitar for? I remember reading that JP used 9's. But that interview was many moons ago. I'd like to know why he switched to 10's. I like the feel of 10's. Better tone and a little resistance has improved my picking a quite a bit.

I did post a vid on here of my playing my JP6 and the strings don't look tight at all. They're very responsive. When I found that it gets set up with 10's i just figured I'd get it set up with 9's when i got it cos thats what I'm used to. but, I love it the way it is. It's just, well, right. Maybe yours just needs playing in.

 

[Norrin Radd]

Hmmm....

I do think string gauge has a lot to do with it, and I think "tight" is a relative term. I have my JP strung with Skinny Top/Heavy Bottoms - it sounds great!

And after a week - it didn't seem tight at all anymore. But it sure has a low-end growl it didn't previously!

 

[SteveB]

Zaph,

Switch to lighter strings.. either Super Slinky or Skinny Top/Heavy Bottom.

The JP comes from the factory with Regular Slinky strings (.010's) and they felt a bit tight to my hands, too. I bought a few packs of .010's and used them but when I switched my JP to .009's it felt MUCH easier to bend strings etc.

Physics rule though, and you may have to do something to compensate for the lesser tension of lighter strings. Speifically, you may have to adjust the tremolo claw a little to re-level your bridge after changing string gauges, and you may also need a slight turn of the truss rod.

They're easy tweaks and will get your guitar in top playing form!

 

[Zaphoid]

Ive had the guitar for almost a year now. Ive kind of neglected playing it and it has mostly just sat around the past few months ( Y2D baby! ). However I do prefer the tone of the petrucci over the Y2D its just not as playable. The Y2D has the same gauge strings and feels much looser. The string gauge is the same as the default which are 10's. There are 3 springs on the tremelo I believe.. this wasnt touched from factory setup.

 

[Norrin Radd]

Zaph,

Switch to lighter strings.. either Super Slinky or Skinny Top/Heavy Bottom.

The JP comes from the factory with Regular Slinky strings (.010's) and they felt a bit tight to my hands, too. I bought a few packs of .010's and used them but when I switched my JP to .009's it felt MUCH easier to bend strings etc.

Physics rule though, and you may have to do something to compensate for the lesser tension of lighter strings. Speifically, you may have to adjust the tremolo claw a little to re-level your bridge after changing string gauges, and you may also need a slight turn of the truss rod.

They're easy tweaks and will get your guitar in top playing form!

I think you mean the Hybrids (9-46), the ST/HB are 10-52s.

 

[SteveB]

I think you mean the Hybrids (9-46), the ST/HB are 10-52s.

You're right, Norrin! Thanks.

 

[Norrin Radd]

You're right, Norrin! Thanks.

Hey Steve -

Have you tried the 10-52s? For me they are a completely different animal tonewise than even the 10s. Just adding that little bit of girth on the bottom really fattened my bottom end AND overall tone. I would suggest anyone who has a guitar strung with 10s to try them out. Afterall, the bottom 3 are the same gauge as 10s. Am I preaching now?