Time For a Different String Gauge?

[ericmeyer4]

One thing I've noticed about my new tele is that at the lower frets if I push down a little hard the note goes sharp. It seems that the frets are big enough and the string gauge is light enough (.09) that there isn't enough tension to prevent me from bending the strings when I push down. Would stepping it up to a set of .10s help to remedy this? Seems like the easiest route before ditching the neck for one with smaller frets, getting it refretted, or relearning 12 years worth of technique.

.10s worth a shot?

[ExplorersRock]

I would try going up to10s. Or at least higher tension strings. I normally play DR Tire Fit 10s but on one of my Explorers switching to DR Hi-Beams created just enough extra tension. If all else fails, try to create less pressure... I know it's a tough habit to break.

[Kramer Guy]

Going to 10s would help and also, I would check the intonation on the guitar as well.

[Ball&Chain]

Try playing with a lighter touch.

[ericmeyer4]

Going to 10s would help and also, I would check the intonation on the guitar as well.

Intonation is spot on. I only noticed it happening about the 3rd-5th fret and mostly on the bottom 3 strings. I tend to play right in the middle of the space between the frets so the string gets pushed toward the board. Higher up on the neck I finger closer to the fret and don't have the problem. New set of strings ordered and well see if that helps.

Try playing with a lighter touch.

See post 1.

... or relearning 12 years worth of technique.

[Diego]

Your nut slots could be too high too, that leads to sharp notes on the first 2 or 3 frets,
and the worst of them all is the 6th string by a mile.

Have that checked.

[Kramer Guy]

Also, how many winds are you using when you restring your guitar ? I usually give each tuning key about 2" of slack with each string when I restring mine. This gives each tuner plenty of winds and keeps my guitar in tune.

[kramer.geetar]

Intonation is spot on. I only noticed it happening about the 3rd-5th fret and mostly on the bottom 3 strings. I tend to play right in the middle of the space between the frets so the string gets pushed toward the board. Higher up on the neck I finger closer to the fret and don't have the problem. New set of strings ordered and well see if that helps.







See post 1.

That might be one of the causes, as I'm sure you know your fingers should be right up against the fret to avoid intonation issues. Also, like someone else mentioned a high nut would also cause it to go sharp.

[ItsaBass]

Yes, that will lessen the bending, but it is not needed. If you really prefer 9's, don't switch to 10's just for that reason. Try to choke up on the frets, as close to them as you can get without actually damping the notes. Part of your fingertip should actually overhang the fret a bit. Not only will this physically prevent you from bending the strings out of tune so much, but you will also find that the guitar takes less left hand pressure/effort to fret, and the hand won't get strained as easily. In other words, you won't need as heavy of a touch...which will also do its part toward lessening the bending and increasing your speed. Many people who develop a heavy left hand on the guitar do so because they finger between frets, instead of right up on them.

Example of what I am talking about:



In short, fretting this way:

1. improves intonation (your problem)
2. lessens left hand strain
3. solidifies tone (no accidental buzzes or "weak" notes)
4. increases speed (due to decreased fretting effort)

[Bludave]

I use 11's and have no issues bending into any note that I want to get to. Not saying that this tension will be for you but going up from 9's to 10's will give you better tone as well as help with your fretting and going sharp.

[ericmeyer4]

It really only happens when I am playing chords. I tend to be pretty heavy handed when chording. Lead lines I have no problems on I tend to be more accurate in landing with a light touch and closer to the fret.

I have about 2" of wrap on the string posts. I'm going to install a set of locking tuner pegs. I prefer them for over regular for easy string changes so if there happens to be any string slipping it should take care of it.

I have no preference between 9s vs 10s. I used 10 for years on all of my guitars. I just happened to have a bunch of 9s laying around so I threw those on.

I have 10s in the mail. I'll try those out and report back.

[ericmeyer4]

I use 11's and have no issues bending into any note that I want to get to. Not saying that this tension will be for you but going up from 9's to 10's will give you better tone as well as help with your fretting and going sharp.

I never bought bigger strings = better tone argument. There is enough examples on both sides to suggest that you can get tones that most would envy with every size of string gauge.


As a personal example I had EB 10s on my tele with those tiny vintage style frets (no going sharp with that one) then I moved it to EB 9s to try something different. With that guitar I much preferred the tone of the 9s as it seemed to have a better snap to the sound.

[Simon_F]

If it's mostly happening on the wound strings you could try a set of 9-46 (plains from a 9 set, wounds from a 10 set). My favourite! I like the combination of easy bends on the top strings and something a bit more substantial for riffing and rhythm on the low strings.

[Ball&Chain]

Intonation is spot on. I only noticed it happening about the 3rd-5th fret and mostly on the bottom 3 strings. I tend to play right in the middle of the space between the frets so the string gets pushed toward the board. Higher up on the neck I finger closer to the fret and don't have the problem. New set of strings ordered and well see if that helps.







See post 1.

Its a viable solution as well as some others mentioned including the nut action, given the information posted.

The later information given would indicate it could also indicate a technique issue as also suggested, such as fretting mid way between frets.

[zenmindbeginner]

One thing I've noticed about my new tele is that at the lower frets if I push down a little hard the note goes sharp. It seems that the frets are big enough and the string gauge is light enough (.09) that there isn't enough tension to prevent me from bending the strings when I push down. Would stepping it up to a set of .10s help to remedy this? Seems like the easiest route before ditching the neck for one with smaller frets, getting it refretted, or relearning 12 years worth of technique.

.10s worth a shot?

The Dean Markley 10-52 Blue Steel set will solve yer problem. Cryogenic freezing changes the shape of the metal and more windings can go on with the same gauge. 10 gauge Blue Steel strings have the power and force of an 11 gauge string while simultaneously having the bending ease of a sort of stiffer set of .009 gauge strings.

Plus, they are good for YEARS not months or even weeks for some strings.

[ExplorersRock]

I never bought bigger strings = better tone argument. There is enough examples on both sides to suggest that you can get tones that most would envy with every size of string gauge.


As a personal example I had EB 10s on my tele with those tiny vintage style frets (no going sharp with that one) then I moved it to EB 9s to try something different. With that guitar I much preferred the tone of the 9s as it seemed to have a better snap to the sound.

I would be cautious to say bigger strings = better tone, but their is no question that different gauge = different tone. Whether you like 9's, 10's, etc. is more of preference to me than anything else. Plus, every guitar is different and what works on your tele may not work on another guitar.

[everdrone]

Yes, that will lessen the bending, but it is not needed. If you really prefer 9's, don't switch to 10's just for that reason. Try to choke up on the frets, as close to them as you can get without actually damping the notes. Part of your fingertip should actually overhang the fret a bit. Not only will this physically prevent you from bending the strings out of tune so much, but you will also find that the guitar takes less left hand pressure/effort to fret, and the hand won't get strained as easily. In other words, you won't need as heavy of a touch...which will also do its part toward lessening the bending and increasing your speed. Many people who develop a heavy left hand on the guitar do so because they finger between frets, instead of right up on them.

Example of what I am talking about:



In short, fretting this way:

1. improves intonation (your problem)
2. lessens left hand strain
3. solidifies tone (no accidental buzzes or "weak" notes)
4. increases speed (due to decreased fretting effort)

great advice, real gold here

[Ball&Chain]

Yes, that will lessen the bending, but it is not needed. If you really prefer 9's, don't switch to 10's just for that reason. Try to choke up on the frets, as close to them as you can get without actually damping the notes. Part of your fingertip should actually overhang the fret a bit. Not only will this physically prevent you from bending the strings out of tune so much, but you will also find that the guitar takes less left hand pressure/effort to fret, and the hand won't get strained as easily. In other words, you won't need as heavy of a touch...which will also do its part toward lessening the bending and increasing your speed. Many people who develop a heavy left hand on the guitar do so because they finger between frets, instead of right up on them.

Example of what I am talking about:



In short, fretting this way:

1. improves intonation (your problem)
2. lessens left hand strain
3. solidifies tone (no accidental buzzes or "weak" notes)
4. increases speed (due to decreased fretting effort)

I dunno. I see possible problems in this picture not related to finger placement in relation to the frets.

[richard parker]

If it only happen when you're playing chords it sounds like you're just pressing too hard.

[ericmeyer4]

If it only happen when you're playing chords it sounds like you're just pressing too hard.

Yes, that was established in the first post.


10s so far seem to help my slight heavy handedness. I used 10s with jumbo frets for years with no problems. When I switched to 9s I was just bending them out just slightly. Moving back to 10s corrected that slight over play.

They did change the tone a bit as it lost some of the snap I enjoyed for lead lines, but it sounds better for chording now. It shouldn't be too hard to find a nice comfortable medium by adjusting the pickups and turning a few knobs.