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Post by motrock on Feb 26, 2006 18:21:21 GMT -5
Guys, I am seriously thinking about trying some new strings out on my Mansel. I am going to try to keep it tuned half step down.......cause the tone rocks. I am starting to think that half step down would be better to have 10 gauge strings. Are 10s less floppy than 9s? Thats my whole problem. I wish 1/2 step down could feel like standard! I am thinking 10s would help.
Craig, is that why you chose 10s with your Mansel?
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Post by shreder75 on Feb 26, 2006 18:40:28 GMT -5
what kinda strings you have on there now?
I don't like heavy strings...I find that they're hard to get harmonics out of..which is why I use ernie ball super slinkies!! always 9-42..ALWAYS =D
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Post by motrock on Feb 26, 2006 19:16:54 GMT -5
Elixir 9-42 Best sounding string that I have ever used.....plus they don't break very easy! I like the feeling of standard tuning. When I tune half step down, the strings get to floppy and I get fret buzz. I was thinking 10s would be less floppy a half step down.
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Post by shreder75 on Feb 26, 2006 19:37:53 GMT -5
Elixir 9-42 Best sounding string that I have ever used.....plus they don't break very easy! I like the feeling of standard tuning. When I tune half step down, the strings get to floppy and I get fret buzz. I was thinking 10s would be less floppy a half step down. probably.. did you set up your guitar all over again when changing the gauge?? buzz WILL happen when you do that... |
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Post by uncletom on Feb 26, 2006 20:09:07 GMT -5
does the Mansel have a floating bridge? you will have to adjust the spring tension on the tremolo if you change string gauge or tune down...keep in mind that your hand gets used to playing certain gauges....if you change string gauges, I would suggest practicing your string bending and vibrato to 're-aquaint' your hand to the new strings...I use Elixir 009's BTW, if I play someone elses guitar with 010 or higher gauges it takes a while to get my bending and vibrato working where it doesn't sound like I'm strangling a cat...
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Post by motrock on Feb 26, 2006 21:14:00 GMT -5
I don't ever set up my guitar when I tune it half step down. I probably need too. I don't really know how to adjust the neck. I know where too, but I don't know how to judge it. I know how to set the string height. I measure it at 1/16in in either tuning. Which is what I like. I need to know the do's and don'ts of adjusting the neck?
The Mansel does not have a floating bridge. I had to block it to keep it level......mainly cause I didn't want the back of the trem setting on the body. The trem is screwed directly in to the body!
Elixir 9s are great! For some reason the 9s just don't feel right on half step down. They feel great in standard tuning.
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Post by shreder75 on Feb 26, 2006 21:19:30 GMT -5
I don't ever set up my guitar when I tune it half step down. I probably need too. I don't really know how to adjust the neck. I know where too, but I don't know how to judge it. I know how to set the string height. I measure it at 1/16in in either tuning. Which is what I like. I need to know the do's and don'ts of adjusting the neck? The Mansel does not have a floating bridge. I had to block it to keep it level......mainly cause I didn't want the back of the trem setting on the body. The trem is screwed directly in to the body! Elixir 9s are great! For some reason the 9s just don't feel right on half step down. They feel great in standard tuning. it's really trial and error..I've learned alot by messin' around on my own lately..the more I started changin' strings the better I got at setting it up.... you'll have to basically screw with the springs as unclean said...since you have the bar blocked, you shouldn't run into too many problem...you probably won't have to mess with the springs at all since it is blocked...dropping it to E flat will lessen the tension and make the bridge want to go back towards the body, which is a non issue for u since you have it blocked..but since the strings will be looser and wanna oscilate more, you'll probably have to adjust the action...I don't think messing with a half a step difference will make the neck go outta whack though...maybe a little truss rod adjustment will be in order..but I doubt it |
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Post by motrock on Feb 26, 2006 23:12:02 GMT -5
I usually never mess with the truss rod. I think that I probably will sometime. That is usually where I run into trouble.......knowing when and how to adjust the neck!
Like I said, right now I have the strings in standard tuning set and 1/16in off of the 12th fret. That is what Scott said would be good. It works great for me in standard. When I am half step down I only get fret buzz on the Low E and A strings up to the 5th fret.........but its not that bad.
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Post by shreder75 on Feb 27, 2006 0:54:25 GMT -5
I usually never mess with the truss rod. I think that I probably will sometime. That is usually where I run into trouble.......knowing when and how to adjust the neck! Like I said, right now I have the strings in standard tuning set and 1/16in off of the 12th fret. That is what Scott said would be good. It works great for me in standard. When I am half step down I only get fret buzz on the Low E and A strings up to the 5th fret.........but its not that bad. ok, that fret buzz...I have a little of that on my guitars too..but it can't be heard through the amp! it's very slight to begin with, even acoustically... if you don't hear it through the amp and it's not dampening your harmonics or messin' with your note pitch in any way, I wouldn't worry about it! |
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Post by Dirrty Craig on Feb 27, 2006 1:41:57 GMT -5
I think .o10's are the way to go Kurt. If you listen to Uncletom-toms vibrato you'll agree its weak with the loose .009's. wEak and girly like.
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Post by shreder75 on Feb 27, 2006 7:53:59 GMT -5
HEY! I use 9's too dammit!
lol
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Post by VomHalen on Feb 27, 2006 9:27:18 GMT -5
i like the floppyness..9s tuned a half step down are perfect for me... but my set is 9-46 so they're a little bigger on the low strings
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Post by shreder75 on Feb 27, 2006 9:29:36 GMT -5
i like the floppyness..9s tuned a half step down are perfect for me... but my set is 9-46 so they're a little bigger on the low strings 46? that's like bridge cable for me! lol.. more power to ya bro..i'm so used to 9-42's that I can't get comfortable on anything else.. |
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Post by VomHalen on Feb 27, 2006 10:02:25 GMT -5
i like the floppyness..9s tuned a half step down are perfect for me... but my set is 9-46 so they're a little bigger on the low strings 46? that's like bridge cable for me! lol.. more power to ya bro..i'm so used to 9-42's that I can't get comfortable on anything else.. you'd barely be able to tell the difference...they're like 9.5s...high end is 9...low end is 10s...i only really use these because i tend to break a lot of 24 gauge D strings for some reason so i switched to 26 gauge Ds and i've been fine ever since... |
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Post by shreder75 on Feb 27, 2006 10:11:15 GMT -5
glad ya solved the problem =D the ESP I got had GHS custom lights on it...9-46...I could tell the difference as soon as I played the first note on the lower strings...
in the end, if it ain't broke, don't fix it! =D some people don't like EB strings, I love them! some people like thick, some light..whatever works for you is what's right!
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