String gauge & neck warp Q's...

[Dudley]

Hi, I was wondering about something and thought perhaps you knowledgable JemSite folks could help me out

I like to use quite heavy gauge strings, usually 12-54 in standard tuning, and so far on quite thick necks like Strats or some Jacksons I haven't had any issues, but I keep on reading things about how Ibanez necks can't cope with heavy gauge strings because of how thin they are.

On my 7620 I'm using 12/16/20/32/42/54 for the first 6 strings and a 64 for the 7th string tuned down half a step to Bb with the trem completely blocked and professionally set-up, so basically I'm curious if using this string gauge and tuning combination is going to have any adverse effects on the neck or the guitar in general at all? Will using these strings tuned down only half a step warp or damage the neck at all? I absolutely love the sound I'm getting but would hate to be doing some harm to the neck or bridge!

If anyone could shed some light on this for me I'd greatly appreciate it.

[kotornut]

You should have no problems because you have tuned down. As long as you can adjust the truss rod and action to a cofortable place (or a tech can help you) your good.


I was worried about the same things when I has in a metal band I used Ernie Ball Not Even Slinkies so 12-54 except the 54 was changed to a 56 to compensate for Drop C or so. I had a Gibson SG at the time and some idiot told me that the neck will rip out of the guitar, but I emailed Gibson tech and they said since I tuned down it was no problem but they did arrogantly add that I should switch to a baritone guitar instead of using the SG in a stange way.

Out of curiosity whay soo much bigger on the 7th. I would think .02 or .04 mm difference would be fine.

[albee1952]

You must be able to open a beer by just squeezing the can! Ibanez makes a lot of thin necks but you could certainly try a set of those heavy strings and see how far you need to adjust the truss rod. If you can get the neck set right without using 2 hands on the truss rod wrench, it will likely be fine. If it feels like the truss rod is just too tight and the neck is still bowed from the tension, I would go back to a lighter set. Having heavy strings on for a few days while you experiment should not do any damage in the long term.