String gauge change

[pirate]

Currently strung up with 10's, and want to try 11's. Now I know that if permanent, I'd want to make sure the nut is cut properly for them, but my question is, what exactly happens, or can happen, if I leave it as is? Other than the strings maybe not seating as low in each groove on the nut?
Then, if cut for 11's, and I go back to 10's, any issue there? If so, what?

Sorry, these may be basic nut maintenance 101 questions for most of you, but that's one thing (of many?) that I've never done myself, and just curious what is best/worst case scenario. I hear all the time on other forums guitarists switching gauges back and forth experimenting, and can't believe they are replacing or cutting the nut every time?

 

[stratamania]

The depth of any grooves would not need to alter. The width of them may need to if they are not wide enough already. If you then move back to 10s the grooves will be a little wider than they were before.

Out of the box, what are 11s going to bring that 10s do not other than more callouses?

 

[pirate]

Well I'm not certain yet, but I come from an acoustic background, mostly fingerstyle and maybe that's why I loved the Taylor T5 so much, very acoustic like in the way it played, and I could get very nice electric tones from it (kind of sorry I sold it).
Now that I have my first tele partscaster I guess I just want to see if there is a difference, good or bad, even in the feel of using a thumbpick and fingers when going from 10's to 11's. I do know I don't like 9's at all, feels like playing with thin fishing line. LOL

Sounds like the width would be the only issue then? Which would dictate how much of the string actually sits in the groove. Being too wide (meaning only the difference in 10/11) wouldn't cause any issue then correct?

 

[stratamania]

I don't think the width is going to cause much of an issue for you.

 

[Rick]

I never had a problem going back and forth.  I'm pretty much a 10 guy now.

 

[BlueTalon]

I can't imagine that a guitar nut wouldn't already be able to accommodate 11s.  But worst case scenario, if you were to try 11s and one or more of the strings didn't fit comfortably in the slot, the slot would just need to be filed a bit.  Don't force it.  Before mounting the strings, just hold the strings in place see if they'll fit in the nut.  Like I said, I'd be surprised if they don't fit.

 

[BroccoliRob]

11's might pinch or not fit well in slots for 10's, but I think 10's in slots for 11's would be safe. So I vote GO FER IT. You can get some cheap files from Amazon that will do a trick. Expensive files would be nice but really only if you intend to do many many necks. Get yo slottin on, my nug!

 

[spe111]

I don't play 11's because they aggravate my arthritis, but I definitely thing they have something to offer for me that 10's don't. I seem to bend better and more accurately with the extra tension they add. I also like the extra resistance 11's add against the picking attack; like the bends it makes me feel more accurate. 

 

[Toulouse_Tuhles]

This is gonna maybe sound strange, but I like the "feedback" heavier strings give the fingers of my left hand, for some types of playing.  I played only acoustic for years (like almost 10), and have gotten used to the way the heavier strings feel.  Drawback... bends are tougher.  Added bonus - mondo tone, but fuller than with, say, 9's.

If the nut slots are cut correctly for 11's, with U shaped bottoms, going back to 10's or 9's, etc, will not be an issue. 

FWIW, I've been experimenting with string gauges, and brands.  Used to be a 10's guy, thought I'd like easier bends, but 9's were too light for me on the wound strings.  Used to be a Fender string guy (150's) but they seem to have taken downward turn in quality, and I get strange pinging with those.  Went to DR strings and the pinging stopped.  And the "ping" was on two different guitars - Tele and SG with P90's.  Just ordered more DR's in different gauges, as well as some other pure nickel wrap strings in different gauges - EB's, GHS, Roto, and some cheapo Darco's (which I liked in the past).  I may settle on "hybrid" 9's, or what we used to call "Light/Heavy" back in the day.

 

[BigSteve22]

.....I may settle on "hybrid" 9's, or what we used to call "Light/Heavy" back in the day.

I fell in love with the EB 9-46's years ago. I also played an acoustic, nearly exclusively, for many years. I used Guild M-450, Phosphor Bronze, 13-56's. There was no bending those suckers! Couldn't imagine using them now, but because I got so used to a wound "G" string, I always swap out the 16p for an 18w on the hybrid 9s. Just feels better to me, especially on a 24.75" scale neck.