Difficult bends...

[TequilaKing]

I recently got a mongrel strat from the bay. Reason I bought was it had a pretty thin neck with a maple board - which is a bit of a change from my usual fat backs with rosewood boards.

The neck needed a bit of a clean but it was straight, frets were low but had plenty of life in them, i raised the action a touch as there was a bit of buzz around 12 fret and the nut seemed to be cut ok.... overall it's a pretty sweet neck

The problem I've got is bending strings is pretty hard the strings feel they're about to slip out from under my fingers no matter whereabouts on the board I'm playing.

now, I normally play with hybrid .12's - a set of .12s but with .13 and .58 e strings. The mongrel has 9s on it so its not a 'physical' problem with my bending technique.

Is it the radius of the neck? Is it a fret issue? The neck is a touch skinny for a strat but it does feel rather nice

I'm a little bit stumped on this one... any ideas guys

Karl

btw Merry Christmas guys!

[ryanb]

I'd say it's the "low" frets ... especially if you are used to jumbos. Maybe somewhat from the smaller strings too. Doesn't take much to feel different.

[brothersnowgone]

Probably more to do with the lower frets than thinner strings. Thinner strings are easier to bend than thicker strings. I seriously doubt the string being somewhat smaller overshadows the effects of it actually being easier to bend because of the smaller diameter. Plus if you don't have a light technique, that will also make it so the lower frets make the string actually come closer to the board, therefore making it easier to slip out from under your finger.

[TKO Ken]

I would think it's a combination of two things. The lighter gage strings and the huge calluses you've built up from playing heavier strings. I have the same thing happen to me when I switch from my acoustic which I play more often cuz I'm in an acoustic duo, to my electric guitars.

[TequilaKing]

Originally Posted by TKO Ken

I would think it's a combination of two things. The lighter gage strings and the huge calluses you've built up from playing heavier strings. I have the same thing happen to me when I switch from my acoustic which I play more often cuz I'm in an acoustic duo, to my electric guitars.

Never thought of the finger tips... but you are right even the pinky on my left hand has a noticable pad of skin. If the finger tips don't have any 'give' in them I guess the lighter strings may slip more easily than my 12s. Pretty obvious when you think of it - just needed someone to point it out - thanks!

I think I'll take the mongrel to my usual tech and see if we need a refret doing. Sad thing is the refret will prolly cost the same as the guitar did!

Thanks!
Karl