Set-up question

[crazy bee]

First, forgive my ignorance. With that out of the way, I just had my ’94 Cu24 set up. I asked the gentleman doing the work go with standard tuning (he asked me if I wanted it set to a half step down, but I said no). The irony: Now, I’m thinking I’d like to tune down that half step and it’s been less than a week.

The question: Will tuning down throw anything out of whack? I don’t fully understand how string tension plays into it, but it would seem to me, with all the tinkering and tweaking that’s done during a set-up, fiddling with it now could void the work. Thanks for any help.

[Dan Desy]

Well, assuming you keep the same string gauge, there should be no issues. Intonation will be fine.

If you have a trem bridge, it might not allow you to pull it up as much, due to the lesser string tension. But this may not be really apparent, or maybe a non-issue to you. Try it and see how the trem sits , and how it feels.

Worst case you ould always go to a heavier string gauge. For example, if you guitar is set up with 9-42's, you may want to try 9-46, which won't really affect intonation, but will exert a bit more tension, which may cancel the effect of tuning it down a half step. If intonation is a little off, you can always fix it yourself. But in general, I find that a small change in strings like thsi will not have a big impact.

Bottom line, play around with it. If it doesn't feel or sound good, return it to standard tuning.

Let us know how it goes.

[crazy bee]

Thanks Dan.

Just a bit more info. It does have a trem and, more irony, I opted 10s this time (first time ever), so I don't know about going with a heavier gauge.

I'll retune, play and update as I figure it out.

[Dan Desy]

Thanks Dan.

Just a bit more info. It does have a trem and, more irony, I opted 10s this time (first time ever), so I don't know about going with a heavier gauge.

I'll retune, play and update as I figure it out.You can get 10s with a heavier bottom (10-52). But yeah, it's getting up there in terms of string gauge...

[blair]

As Dan noted, re having to go to a heavier 6th string, you may experience a bit of fret buzz when dropping a half step but I seriously doubt it. As the tension is relaxed on the neck the strings will get slightly closer to the fretboard, hence the possibility of some light fret buzz accoustically.

Not to worry about really as most light fret buzz is not noticable thru the amp. Your certainly not going to hurt the guitar by dropping the tuning by a half or full step or going up one gauge in string weight.

Strats are well engineered but simpley made and very receptive to mods and playing with ie changing pups, string gauges, etc, etc.

Have fun and don't let it scare you, play with it and learn how to do your own setups. With the proper instruction such as noted on www.Mrgearhead.com (http://www.Mrgearhead.com) which is the Fender site, you can save yourself some bucks and be confident about what you are doing. Well worth the time and effort.

Good luck.........

Hammer on......Blair

[jbird]

Typically, if you want the least amount of problems, you would go up one string guage for every (1/2) step you go down. That will keep the string tension feeling the same! I like to run 10's at normal tuning, and 11's if I drop down a (1/2) step. The bridge will stay pretty even like this and may just need slight intonation and truss rod adjustments, maybe not, if your not too picky like me!:rolleyes:

[crazy bee]

Thanks again. I dropped it down a half step this weekend and everything seems to be fine. I did notice a little buzzing, but as blair mentioned, it didn't come through the amp.

I will make an effort to do the set-ups myself in the future, but I only take it in once a year and I like the comfort of having a pro look at it every once in a while, just to make sure nothings going wrong (too much $$$$ to rely on my own knowledge at this point).

Such a beautiful instrument!