Guitar strings and messed up action

[Fenix]

Ok i tried to change my strings from 8s to 11s. Now it seems like a bad idea. The action when i had the 9s was perfect. Then i HAD to go and put 11s. It raised the bridge so i turned the screws on the back of the guitar and the bridge got lowered and i switched back to 9s. However the action is now messed up.

I can lower the action myself via the screws on the bridge (right?), but does this mean i have to do this every time i put in heavier gauge strings? Is the truss rod used to adjust action also? I got the neck pretty straight and dont want to turn that truss rod again cuz it was getting pretty hard to turn and i am scared i'll break something.

 

[Fenix]

...oh and i should mention that i changed strings all at once. I didn't do it one at a time. I don't know what came over me cuz i have never done this before. Does this make a difference?

[jlynnb1]

whenever you put a much heavier gauge string on a trem equipped guitar it's gonna mess with the spring tension on the bridge. if you are going back to 8's or 9's, whichever it was, don't adjust the string saddles, just adjust the spring tension for the trem. unless you've already messed with saddle/binding post height....then you might be better off taking it to a tech and letting them get it right for you.

why were you making such a drastic change??

[funkStrat_97]

Did you re-adjust the tremolo claw after going back to 9's?  When you say that the action is messed up; is to high or too low?  Are the strings buzzing?

[SanctifiedGuitar]

 

if you have the money, take it to a pro or fix the action yourself

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zd5DbChTzoM

[Fenix]

Darn! I already messed with the string saddles. The action was too high.

The first step when i made the change back to 9s was:

1) Straighten the truss rod cuz i thought that would fix the action.

2) I then started lowering the individual string saddles to get the action lower. I used a measuring ruler for each one.

I wish i hadn't messed with this thing though. I don't even know why i decided to make such a drastic change in string gauge. I can afford a tech but it'll take about a week to get it back.

[under13]

...oh and i should mention that i changed strings all at once. I didn't do it one at a time. I don't know what came over me cuz i have never done this before. Does this make a difference?

I wouldnt have done that. That sounds like it could mess something up, being that there is so little tension.

[funkStrat_97]

There is a quick and easy way to lower your action: shim the neck.  If you have an American Standard/Series or Deluxe Strat (or a 70' Strat/70's Reissue) there is a Micro-tilt feature that allows you to make fast adjustments to the action without removing the neck.  For pretty much all other Strats, you'll have to take the neck off and put a small, thin piece of plastic (people have even used old playing cards, cardboard, and thin guitar picks)at the end of the neck pocket (at the end of the neck itslef) until the desired neck angle and action are achieved.

[Fenix]

I wouldnt have done that. That sounds like it could mess something up, being that there is so little tension.

The thing is, from what i have researched, it seems to be really debatable whether or not you should remove all strings at once or not. I think the neck of the guitar relaxes when strings are removed all at once.

There is a quick and easy way to lower your action: shim the neck.  If you have an American Standard/Series or Deluxe Strat (or a 70' Strat/70's Reissue) there is a Micro-tilt feature that allows you to make fast adjustments to the action without removing the neck.  For pretty much all other Strats, you'll have to take the neck off and put a small, thin piece of plastic (people have even used old playing cards, cardboard, and thin guitar picks)at the end of the neck pocket (at the end of the neck itslef) until the desired neck angle and action are achieved.

Thanks man! At this point i am not even going to attempt doing anything further. I bought a 16ths ruler and am adjusting each string to 1/16th inch measured from the 17th fret. It seems to be fine for now.

Gibsons are so much easier to mess with.

[jlynnb1]

i always change my strings all at once....it affects nothing.

[under13]

i always change my strings all at once....it affects nothing.

I guess different stringed instruments are different. I used to play the violin, and you werent suposed to change the strings all at once. But I'm sure a guitar is more solid than a  violin

[jlynnb1]

i think the difference would be the truss rod...i don't think violins have them do they??

[Fenix]

i think the difference would be the truss rod...i don't think violins have them do they??

Yeah i've never heard a violin player complain about action.

[under13]

i think the difference would be the truss rod...i don't think violins have them do they??

nope

[gtrdave]

The thing is, from what i have researched, it seems to be really debatable whether or not you should remove all strings at once or not. I think the neck of the guitar relaxes when strings are removed all at once.

Thanks man! At this point i am not even going to attempt doing anything further. I bought a 16ths ruler and am adjusting each string to 1/16th inch measured from the 17th fret. It seems to be fine for now.

Gibsons are so much easier to mess with.

A fixed bridge is typically more stable and less fussy than any trem bridge guitar, but if you're familiar with the hows and whys of a trem system, they're very easy to adjust for different string tensions.

You can make a jump from .008s to .011s BUT you have to adjust everything else (truss rod, intonations, saddle height and maybe even nut slot width) to compensate for the greater tension AND you have to give the guitar a few days to become stable from the greater tension.
This ain't a 10 minute job. It's at least a 2 day job overall.
Yes, if you're unsure of what to do, take it to someone else who does know and pay them. Let them be responsible for how well it plays.

And I change my string all at once and have done so for 28 years now. If it causes any problems at all, I've yet to see it on my guitars.

Also, yes, the truss rod provides adequate counter-tension which affords us steel string players the ability to change the strings all at once, unlike other instruments including many classical/flamenco/nylon string guitars which typically do not have a truss rod.