Cool post by Sultan 🙂 . The only other thing to add is that heavier guage strings may not sit in the nut properly. This is not as “ohmygod” as some people make out, but it can require an adjustment – especially if you think 10s are for you. A decent search will bring up more info, but always feel free to come back if you’d like more 😀

I hate changing strings. I usually go out and buy a new guitar instead.

[quote=”Sultan.of.swing”]Changing strings always requires a few extra steps if you are increasing or decreasing gage. If you are going to use larger strings, remove the cover on the back of the guitar that hides the tremolo. You may have up to 5 springs inside that balance the tension of the guitar strings when tuned. I have a Jackson with a Floyd Rose that uses all 5 springs for maintaing proper height of the strings and the bridge.
You will also notice there are two adjustment screws connected to the plate that pulls on the springs, that, when tightened, will stretch the springs. Sometimes it is sufficient to tighten these two screws and re-intonate the guitar, and you are done. You can get additional springs at any guitar store.
The proper height to obtain is when the flat plate of the bridge is roughly parallel to the guitar face when all strings are in tune.
Don’t forget, there are two other things you should at least check and adjust as necessry.
One, the neck may bend a little more with heavier gage strings, and you can adjust the truss rod by tightening it a little. Go to the Stewart MacDonald site for info on adjusting a truss rod.
Two, set up the intonation! It will probably need at least some minor adjustment.

Good Luck![/quote]

Nice one S.O.S, you see there is always someone out there that knows, i see its also your first post, welcome aboard.

[quote=”Sultan.of.swing”]Sometimes it is sufficient to tighten these two screws and re-intonate the guitar, and you are done.[/quote]

You make it sound so easy. I’ve never been any good at setting intonation.

Changing strings always requires a few extra steps if you are increasing or decreasing gage. If you are going to use larger strings, remove the cover on the back of the guitar that hides the tremolo. You may have up to 5 springs inside that balance the tension of the guitar strings when tuned. I have a Jackson with a Floyd Rose that uses all 5 springs for maintaing proper height of the strings and the bridge.
You will also notice there are two adjustment screws connected to the plate that pulls on the springs, that, when tightened, will stretch the springs. Sometimes it is sufficient to tighten these two screws and re-intonate the guitar, and you are done. You can get additional springs at any guitar store.
The proper height to obtain is when the flat plate of the bridge is roughly parallel to the guitar face when all strings are in tune.
Don’t forget, there are two other things you should at least check and adjust as necessry.
One, the neck may bend a little more with heavier gage strings, and you can adjust the truss rod by tightening it a little. Go to the Stewart MacDonald site for info on adjusting a truss rod.
Two, set up the intonation! It will probably need at least some minor adjustment.

Good Luck!

I have an Ibanez S-Series with one of those trems, and i havent got a clue either, i think they are 9’s on there, and when i replace them i’ll use like. But that wont be until they go rusty, We used to have a member called Trevor, he was expert on those trems, try him on his e-mail [email protected] im sure he wont mind answering a simple question, let him know about this Guitarsite.

You’ll probably need to adjust the tremolo tension itself to compensate. This could mean adding an extra spring or something – I don’t know as I’m no expert, but it stands to reason that if you increase the tension of the strings, then that of the tremolo set-up has also to be increased.

I think.

Anyone else?