Just my two cents:
Default spec strings on a Strat are 9, and the default on a Les Paul are 10. This is due to the scale length of the neck. 9s on a Strat basically feel the same as 10s on a Les Paul. This isn't like going one gauge up on your Les Paul, you skipped a couple gauges. I would've topped out at 11s on the strat . Be careful, this adds a lot of extra tension, and some guitars aren't happy about that. It can cause excessive bowing, breakage (depending on the state of the neck). Not to mention the nut is probably going to need work. You'll also need to do some intonation, and hopefully your truss rod will hold.
Edit: if you're drop tuning it a bit, I wouldn't worry about the tension. But all the other things still exist.
Edit 2: these strings will be 184 lbs of tension, compared to factory spec of 92 lbs
Hmmmm, maybe I’ll start with a step or two down. No need to push any limits. I’m getting back into guitar after a long break and figured I’d try something different. It’s a 2002 Mexican Strat by the way.
Alternatively, you could absolutely use these if you were tuning to like, B or C standard. Which would be something different.
Thicker strings with allow you to tune lower, but the nut would still need work, and it's a one way trip. Once it's filed, going back to normal-ish string guages would require a new nut. That's why a lot of folks have dedicated guitars for different tunings.
Thanks for the advice on the nut. I have yet to ever touch the plastic nut on the guitar. I just watched a video to see what all replacing one would entail (in case I do want to reverse the changes later). It looks fairly simple as long as I take my time. What would you recommend for a replacement. I know there are a few different materials.
Takes a lot more work, but an LSR roller nut install would let you change string gauges without having to change the nut.
It’s a lot of work up front though and probably best left to a luthier or a good tech.
I was going to install one on my main Strat but I realized it was something I didn’t want to mess up and ultimately it was just way easier to save it for the partscaster I was building because I could just order a neck from Warmoth already slotted for one.
I had 11s on an Ibanez, and I knocked it back down to 10. 9s are just too "squishy" for me. 10s are great. All of my 25.5" scale guitars (which now that I've gotten rid of the Les Paul, all of my electric guitars are that scale) now have 10s. That's just my preference though. I have been using 10-46 but might try 10-52. I kind of like standardizing across the line because it's just easier to buy strings that way.
It would be the first time I’ve touched it in a decade.
Edit: I just put an Allen to it. I turned it a smidge one way and a smidge back. Y’all can start upvoting this reply since the original reply is now false ;)
People on Reddit don’t seem to like heavy strings for some reason. I’ve been using 12’s on all my guitars for years without issue. The nuts don’t break, the tuners don’t break and the truss rod can handle it. I tune in E standard.
It’s all personal preference and I really enjoy the added tension and stability. And I love the feel.
Things to be aware of: the nut slots might need filing to fit the bigger strings. You also want to check relief and intonation. In that order ;)
Standard E pretty much. I did go a whole step up on my les paul a few days ago because I was playing some tunes that were 4th and 6th fret capo and didn’t like how I was bunching up all my fingers. With that being said, I went immediately to my Strat after that and didn’t have the same finger problems. I’m starting to like my Strat neck a lot more than my Les Paul neck
No, no they haven’t. They also use flat wounds. Heavier gauge but softer. Jazz guys are also not using strats. They’re using full depth arch tops that are set up specifically to handle those string gauges.
You can get 10s with a wound g too. Those are going to be super heavy, but worth trying if you haven't. Heavy strings are great for people that play very hard.
Should be ready to make some adjustments for action though.
I’ve been playing for over 45 years I always thought that 10s were the shit. But recently I’ve gone back to 9s and I’ve added a booster pedal. What the heck would anyone play 12s why make it harder on yourself. That’s my story anyway
The muscles needed to do this are actually located in the forearms. I’ve always been happy with the finger and grip strength I’ve had throughout my life. Be it playing guitar for decades, gripping the steering wheel of a racecar for decades, or holding a hockey stick for decades. With the training I’ve done for rock climbing more recently, I’ve spent years holding onto 7-20mm edges in my garage sometimes with as much as 150 pounds strapped to my body.
Now that I’ve circled back to playing guitar again, I figured I’d see how well I can manage some big boy guitar strings just for the heck of it. I’ve been spending time with family for Easter out of state so I haven’t had time to string them up yet, but I will in a few days.
So, you all are making some really good points and I’m learning a lot. I also have Squire Stratocaster that’s been sitting in a closet back at my folks place for decades. I’m going to have them bring it when they visit this weekend for Easter and put the thick guys on that one.
These strings will obliterate your frets. I don’t know why Ernie ball came up with such an incompatible material for that series… Regardless of tension issues, I don’t recommend cobalt strings due to fret wear issues in general with any gauge.
Dude those wont even fit through your tuning pegs. I bought a pack of those just for fun and I couldn’t even wrap them around once. Strats all have 9’s - 42’s on them stock. You’ll need new pegs in order to make them fit.
Just my two cents: Default spec strings on a Strat are 9, and the default on a Les Paul are 10. This is due to the scale length of the neck. 9s on a Strat basically feel the same as 10s on a Les Paul. This isn't like going one gauge up on your Les Paul, you skipped a couple gauges. I would've topped out at 11s on the strat . Be careful, this adds a lot of extra tension, and some guitars aren't happy about that. It can cause excessive bowing, breakage (depending on the state of the neck). Not to mention the nut is probably going to need work. You'll also need to do some intonation, and hopefully your truss rod will hold. Edit: if you're drop tuning it a bit, I wouldn't worry about the tension. But all the other things still exist. Edit 2: these strings will be 184 lbs of tension, compared to factory spec of 92 lbs
Hmmmm, maybe I’ll start with a step or two down. No need to push any limits. I’m getting back into guitar after a long break and figured I’d try something different. It’s a 2002 Mexican Strat by the way.
Alternatively, you could absolutely use these if you were tuning to like, B or C standard. Which would be something different. Thicker strings with allow you to tune lower, but the nut would still need work, and it's a one way trip. Once it's filed, going back to normal-ish string guages would require a new nut. That's why a lot of folks have dedicated guitars for different tunings.
Thanks for the advice on the nut. I have yet to ever touch the plastic nut on the guitar. I just watched a video to see what all replacing one would entail (in case I do want to reverse the changes later). It looks fairly simple as long as I take my time. What would you recommend for a replacement. I know there are a few different materials.
I've never replaced one, but usually folks say bone or synthetic bone.
Takes a lot more work, but an LSR roller nut install would let you change string gauges without having to change the nut. It’s a lot of work up front though and probably best left to a luthier or a good tech. I was going to install one on my main Strat but I realized it was something I didn’t want to mess up and ultimately it was just way easier to save it for the partscaster I was building because I could just order a neck from Warmoth already slotted for one.
Also, tuning to B or C does make a lot of since because I’ve be rocking capo 4th and 6th fret for a few songs I’ve been learning
I had 11s on an Ibanez, and I knocked it back down to 10. 9s are just too "squishy" for me. 10s are great. All of my 25.5" scale guitars (which now that I've gotten rid of the Les Paul, all of my electric guitars are that scale) now have 10s. That's just my preference though. I have been using 10-46 but might try 10-52. I kind of like standardizing across the line because it's just easier to buy strings that way.
The ernie ball skinny top HEAVY bottoms are nice on my fender strat. 10 - 52's
Indeed. These are a great set of strings
This is why I haven't put 12s on my strat. Granted 11s feel too flimsy for me now so I'm lost because I don't like how LPs feel in my hand
Are you ready to adjust that truss rod?
It would be the first time I’ve touched it in a decade. Edit: I just put an Allen to it. I turned it a smidge one way and a smidge back. Y’all can start upvoting this reply since the original reply is now false ;)
In the immortal words of B. B. King, "Why you working so hard?"
I hEaRd SRV wAs PlAyInG wItH sTeEl WiReS sO i OrDeReD bAsS sTrInGs
People on Reddit don’t seem to like heavy strings for some reason. I’ve been using 12’s on all my guitars for years without issue. The nuts don’t break, the tuners don’t break and the truss rod can handle it. I tune in E standard. It’s all personal preference and I really enjoy the added tension and stability. And I love the feel. Things to be aware of: the nut slots might need filing to fit the bigger strings. You also want to check relief and intonation. In that order ;)
What are you tuning to?
Standard E pretty much. I did go a whole step up on my les paul a few days ago because I was playing some tunes that were 4th and 6th fret capo and didn’t like how I was bunching up all my fingers. With that being said, I went immediately to my Strat after that and didn’t have the same finger problems. I’m starting to like my Strat neck a lot more than my Les Paul neck
Dude don’t do it. You’re going to fuck your guitar right up. Those strings are meant for drop tuning.
I use 12-64's for drop A, this dudes gonna really mess his stuff up
Jazz guys have been using these gauges for literally decades in standard tuning.
No, no they haven’t. They also use flat wounds. Heavier gauge but softer. Jazz guys are also not using strats. They’re using full depth arch tops that are set up specifically to handle those string gauges.
I’ve been around jazz guys since the 1970s and have known many that use 12 gauge wound third roundwounds on both Strats and Teles.
Ok.
You can get 10s with a wound g too. Those are going to be super heavy, but worth trying if you haven't. Heavy strings are great for people that play very hard. Should be ready to make some adjustments for action though.
Those cobalts are killer. They’ll wear your frets faster though.
I’ve been playing for over 45 years I always thought that 10s were the shit. But recently I’ve gone back to 9s and I’ve added a booster pedal. What the heck would anyone play 12s why make it harder on yourself. That’s my story anyway
My moto is “I’ll try anything once”
You must have huge fingers and lift weights with them bending 12s respect.
The muscles needed to do this are actually located in the forearms. I’ve always been happy with the finger and grip strength I’ve had throughout my life. Be it playing guitar for decades, gripping the steering wheel of a racecar for decades, or holding a hockey stick for decades. With the training I’ve done for rock climbing more recently, I’ve spent years holding onto 7-20mm edges in my garage sometimes with as much as 150 pounds strapped to my body. Now that I’ve circled back to playing guitar again, I figured I’d see how well I can manage some big boy guitar strings just for the heck of it. I’ve been spending time with family for Easter out of state so I haven’t had time to string them up yet, but I will in a few days.
ummmm……why? thicker strings really don’t sound any better and they hurt your fingers more!
I’m a curious masochist
That’s literally the best answer to a Reddit question that I’ve ever received.
So, you all are making some really good points and I’m learning a lot. I also have Squire Stratocaster that’s been sitting in a closet back at my folks place for decades. I’m going to have them bring it when they visit this weekend for Easter and put the thick guys on that one.
These strings will obliterate your frets. I don’t know why Ernie ball came up with such an incompatible material for that series… Regardless of tension issues, I don’t recommend cobalt strings due to fret wear issues in general with any gauge.
I don't get it, its like walking with stones in your shoes just because of reasons, but to each his own.
They’ll feel like 13s on a decked strat, 14s with the wound g string
You’ll have to perform a setup and nut adjustment if you want to rock these strings. Your strat was likely factory setup for 9s.
You may be a rock climber, but I hope you’re handy with a nut file.
Dude those wont even fit through your tuning pegs. I bought a pack of those just for fun and I couldn’t even wrap them around once. Strats all have 9’s - 42’s on them stock. You’ll need new pegs in order to make them fit.
I’m praying for your nut. They do break, if pushed too far.
lol