minemaniac0305
Joined: Jul 28, 2017
Posts: 6
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Posted on Jul 28 2017 03:56 PM
I'm switching to .12-.60 guitar strings (standard tuning) but my nut won't let the big strings in. I previously used GHS boomers (.10-.46). My question is, after filing the nut, will I be able to fit the GHS strings back in if I don't like the .60 strings? I'm not filing the nut downward, only sideways. Or will I have to buy a new nut and all that?
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JakeDobner
Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 12159
Seattle
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Posted on Jul 28 2017 04:10 PM
A new nut would be in order for a guitar to be able to function in tip-top shape. Will a .46 fit in that slot? Yes, but you are going to have all sorts of trouble in regards to buzzing and that string jumping out of the nut. You will likely probably also break the nut doing that.
.60 is kind of nuts, I don't think you'll be able to fit it in Fender vintage style top-load tuners. So if you have that type of tuner, please check first. There was a flatwound set I used to use that wouldn't fit in my tuners so I had to remove some of the wrap off the wound low-E.
Again, back to the .60. That is so heavy, Dick Dale doesn't even go to .60. On a 25.5" scale this thing is going to feel incredibly taut. And I do worry how unbalanced the .60 will be compared to the .12. Especially with a hexcore set.
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minemaniac0305
Joined: Jul 28, 2017
Posts: 6
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Posted on Jul 28 2017 04:17 PM
Alright. I'm thinking instead to use Ernie Ball's Not Even Slinky strings (12-56). Would these allow the GHS strings to fit in better afterwards? Or is it inevitable that the nut is going to need replacing? (Also I changed my Fender neck to a Les Paul neck with a 24.75 scale length, it's smoother. Also this is a hardtail guitar with no tremolo)
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JakeDobner
Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 12159
Seattle
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Posted on Jul 28 2017 04:22 PM
It will allow it to fit better, but potentially still inevitable. If it was more like .52 I wouldn't worry. .46 is small, .60 is huge.
24.75 scale length will be more friendly to a heavier set.
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tahitijack
Joined: Nov 03, 2006
Posts: 690
San Clemente, CA
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Posted on Jul 28 2017 04:24 PM
Jake, any tension issues on the guitar changing up to a .60? Seems like a lot of stress on everything from the headstock to the bridge, neck and body.
— Happy Sunsets!
Last edited: Jul 28, 2017 16:25:58
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minemaniac0305
Joined: Jul 28, 2017
Posts: 6
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Posted on Jul 28 2017 04:27 PM
Alright thank you. I think I'm going to switch to the big strings and hope I don't need to change back. Of course I'll fix the relief after the tension is set. I'm just getting bored of all these EVH-style string-benders who sound like bend their strings with their minds. I like to work for it! Thank you for your help. I'll let ya know how it works out!
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JakeDobner
Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 12159
Seattle
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Posted on Jul 28 2017 04:31 PM
tahitijack wrote:
Jake, any tension issues on the guitar changing up to a .60? Seems like a lot of stress on everything from the headstock to the bridge, neck and body.
The guitar can handle it, obviously with a truss tweak. But the tension issue would be with your hands.
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minemaniac0305
Joined: Jul 28, 2017
Posts: 6
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Posted on Jul 28 2017 04:33 PM
I saw a video on youtube where someone was testing the Ernie Ball strings and he could still bend and do vibrato... I think once you're used to it, it's fine...
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JakeDobner
Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 12159
Seattle
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Posted on Jul 28 2017 04:49 PM
Yeah, you can still bend with most things. The set is still light on the bottom end, just really heavy up top. Bending isn't the only thing tension affects.
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minemaniac0305
Joined: Jul 28, 2017
Posts: 6
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Posted on Jul 28 2017 08:15 PM
Also does anyone appreciate my title? Geez I worked hard at that!
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devinomatic
Joined: Feb 02, 2016
Posts: 61
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Posted on Jul 28 2017 10:01 PM
As far as 25.5" scale length, The heaviest that I've played are 16-58.
In my experience, 11's with a wound 3rd string are the lightest that I have enjoyed so far for playing surf, as they're just stiff enough to handle some speedy picking.
After a lot of experimenting, I prefer 13-56 D'addarios. (nickel wound, not pure nickel.) They're readily available, a well set-up guitar can handle them, and 5 springs on the strat tremolo will hold up fine if you choose to use the trem.
I don't feel that going any heavier pays off at all, and really demands a sturdy neck, truss, and joint, as well as a perfect set-up. It's also so much tension that I feel that temperature and humidity changes have an even greater effect on playability.
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Meindert
Joined: Dec 26, 2016
Posts: 11
Netherlands
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Posted on Jul 29 2017 05:44 PM
Dick Dale uses 16 18 20 39 49 60
On vintage style tuners
— Dean martin
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MissingLink
Joined: Jul 23, 2008
Posts: 488
Edge of the East China Sea
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Posted on Jul 29 2017 08:22 PM
minemaniac0305 wrote:
Also does anyone appreciate my title? Geez I worked hard at that!
Of course -- it's the only reason I clicked on this topic! My advice: Don't sweat it, nobody's perfect.
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DoNtFearTheReverbBass
Joined: May 24, 2008
Posts: 418
Land Locked CINCINNATI OH
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Posted on Jul 29 2017 09:26 PM
minemaniac0305 wrote:
Also does anyone appreciate my title? Geez I worked hard at that!
Sorry bout yer luck
— Don't Fear the Reverb ! Grateful Surf ! SURFIN' Tiki Bandits !
I can be reached through the following or at don@donschott.com. :
www.donschott.com
www.eyerecords.com
www.dontfearreverb.com
www.kokopellistages.com
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Squid
Joined: Aug 22, 2010
Posts: 1011
Portland, Oregon with Insanitizers
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Posted on Jul 29 2017 09:35 PM
minemaniac0305 wrote:
My question is, after filing the nut, will I be able to fit the GHS strings back in if I don't like the .60 strings?
You can use superglue to patch the excessively wide slot in the nut. There are several videos on YouTube describing this method and variations, such as:
https://youtu.be/slCMkvEfK_U
— Insanitizers! http://www.insanitizers.com
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minemaniac0305
Joined: Jul 28, 2017
Posts: 6
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Posted on Aug 18 2017 04:28 PM
Thanks everyone.. I forgot to post that I tried it out and it works GREAT! Perfect for tremolo picking and Dick Dale/Shadows style instrumentals. Thanks again!
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