String Gauge On My New SF-IV?

[DrumBob]

My only gripe with my new SF-IV are strings that feel quite stiff. I'm assuming they're 10-46's, but could they be 11's? I'm thinking of putting a set of 9.5-43's on there to see how they work. Suggestions?

 

[guildman63]

Bob,

If you refer to the Guild website the new SF-IV comes standard with D'Addario EXL115 nickel wound .011 - .049. Sounds perfect to me, but to each their own.

 

[Guildadelphia]

If it has 11-49's you could try 10-46's (I use 10-46's on my X175B). That being said, if you nut slots are cut a bit high (that was an issue I had attended to on the 175B) your action is going to feel stiff and unless you have a super light touch can make you go out of tune.

 

[DrumBob]

It stays in tune pretty well as it is. I'm definitely changing the strings. I use 10's on everything, except for my Les Paul Junior, and for that, I use 11's. I have strong fingers from drumming, and bending strings is usually never a problem, but the 11's on the SF are too much for this guitar. Might have something to do with the scale length. Thanks for the response.

 

[Quantum Strummer]

I've found different guitars, even with the same scale length, will offer different playing feels. My Rickenbacker 450 plays super easy with 11s—to the point where I've considered putting 12s on it but have hesitated due to its age (and repaired trussrod mechanism)—while my Supro Dual Tone, using the same scale length, is still an easy enough player with the same string gauge but not super easy. Both guitars have straight necks with minimal relief and have near identical string heights at the 15th fret. Both guitars have no significant neck angle relative to the body. The Rickie in fact has a through-neck. Both guitars have floating bridges, though the Rickie's is metal on metal while the Supro's is wood on wood, but the Rickie anchors the strings kinda like a top-loader Telecaster while the Supro has a trapeze tailpiece. That minor difference may be the difference…dunno.

-Dave-

 

[Guildadelphia]

Break angle of the strings over the bridge can have a significant effect on string tension. The steeper break angle usually = more tension and a tighter feel. For example, if you string a Les Paul with a Tunamatic and stoptail over the stoptail instead of through/under the stoptail the strings will have a looser feel. Teles with top-loader bridges feel like they have less string tension then string through the body bridges.

Another question for DrumBob: Does your new Starfire have a stop-tail or Bigsby with a tension roller bar? Either will usually create a steeper string break angle over the bridge which combined with 11-48 string set could explain the stiffer feel. A set of 10's will surely help.

 

[SFIV1967]

I use Ernie Ball Slinky strings in 10-46 on my Starfire IV.
Ralf

 

[Guildadelphia]

Gonna try a set EB 10-46's in pure nickel wound on my NS X175B. The DR Pure Blues 10-46's that are on there now don't want to stay in tune.

 

[Default]

Pretty sure it's a stoptail, Guildadelphia.

 

[DrumBob]

Another question for DrumBob: Does your new Starfire have a stop-tail or Bigsby with a tension roller bar? Either will usually create a steeper string break angle over the bridge which combined with 11-48 string set could explain the stiffer feel. A set of 10's will surely help.

It's a stoptail with a ABR-1 type bridge.

 

[Guildadelphia]

A set of 10-46's should do the trick. If it's still feeling a bit "stiff" you can always string over the stop tail. I actually prefer Les Pauls strung that way.

 

[Quantum Strummer]

I also string "over the top" with stop tailpieces. (GAD has seen a pic of my Nightbird set up thusly…I should get around to posting it here too.) Adds a bit of extra springiness to my preferred 11-gauge strings.

-Dave-

 

[DrumBob]

I changed to 10-46 over the weekend and it's much easier to bend now. I also lubed the nut and saddles. It stays in tune nicely, and I plan to gig it Sunday.