New gauge, new tuning

The DR-strings EXTRA LIFE on my Fernandes has snapped. It was quite an irony that DR EXTRA LIFE only lasted for not more than 3 weeks. So I have restrung it with a new set of strings.

Gallistrings. gauge-11

I bought a larger gauge of strings on purpose. Main purpose is to cut string slack when I tune my guitar one step down. And in fact, I usually use my Fernandes for songs with guitars tuned 1 step down. My plan worked. There aren't that much of string slack. However, there is also a limitation I face. I can't tune my guitar to standard tuning. The tension of the strings might be too much for the neck and the tuners to take. Well, that's exactly when my Squier comes in whenever I wish to play something at normal tuning. =)

Suitable Gauge

This is one of the problem that had been discussed in the local forum.

A fella changed his strings to 0.12 gauge. As a result, the whole bridge was lifted up by 2 cm++.

Different gauge will provide with different tones, sustain and etc. Normally a larger gauge will provide a louder volume and sustain. This guy probably string these strings because

1. He doesn't care about gauges so much

2. He wants a louder volume.

What he failed to realise is this: Not all guitars are made for gauges so high. The thicker the strings, the more tension they has and more pull exerted on both the bridge and the neck. Luckily, his bridge was a floating bridge, so it takes much of the pull from the strings than the neck. Has it been a locked bridge, the neck will suffer a enormous damage. Sadly, this dude tried to reinforce his bridge by adding 2 more springs. So where does all the resultant tension acts on? The neck~! He also said he has difficulties tuning (turning the tuners), proving that the stress is on the neck.

Thicker strings are made usually for drop tunings. Usually when a guitar is drop tuned, there is a tension slack on the strings especially on gauges like 0.09 . Thus thicker strings helps to lessen tension slack. So what he fails to understand is the following,

• Large gauges are made for drop tunings.
• He doesn't know how to choose suitable strings

Some of the guitars are made to cut the tension slack as well.

Normal a scale of a guitar is 25.5'', like Ibanez RG (for example). There is also Ibanez RGD but the D makes a difference. D refers to "drop tune" and also it has a large scale (26.5) and has a slightly thicker neck as well. With larger scale, it reduces the tension slack in the strings. These kinda guitar will allow you to drop tune more freely with less slack.

The whole main thing about this post is you must know the suitable strings for your guitar. =)