Jaguar and mustang

[duffdachinaman]

Is it recommended that you use 11s or thicker on these guitars. I can't decide what to get but because of the short scale, do I need thicker strings?

 

[RocksOff]

I use D'Addario XL 11s on jags. They have a bit more tension, so I get the quirkiness of the short scale with a bit more of of the feel of a longer scale.
And yeah... 11s seem to be the place to start, though I know plenty of people who use 12s or 13s.
Before you go that route, try the D'Add XL 11s.

 

[jbraun002]

Rule of thumb is use 11s, but...

I use 10s no problem (GHS Nickel Rockers FWIW).

Tension is fine with 10s. I have a mastery bridge on mine, so there's no issue with the strings jumping the slots (which never happened anyhow, except when I stretched the strings).

YMMV.

Forgot to mention: this is all on a jaguar.

 

[RocksOff]

Rule of thumb is use 11s, but...

I use 10s no problem (GHS Nickel Rockers FWIW).

Tension is fine with 10s. I have a mastery bridge on mine, so there's no issue with the strings jumping the slots (which never happened anyhow, except when I stretched the strings).

YMMV.

Forgot to mention: this is all on a jaguar.

The Mastery definitely helps... and I think it even sweetens the tone a bit on Jags... particularly the resonance behind the bridge.

 

[Hulakatt]

I have .10's on a Duo Sonic and there's nothing there to play with, not enough tension at all. I've been meaning to get it setup with a higher gauge and with flatwounds. Anyone play their offset with flatwounds?

 

[PB Wilson]

I like my Mustang set up with .11 flats the best.

It feels too slinky with lighter strings and I pull them out of tune too easily with my ham-handedness.

To ward off strings moving off the saddles, I shimmed my neck ever so slightly and set my saddles a bit higher which gives me a much better break angle at the bridge.

 

[darkdaysindeed]

I use D'Addario XL 11s but I also use a Staytrem bridge. No string jumping, buzzing or tension issues though I've been playing Jags and Jazzmasters almost exclusively for 10 years (after playing LPs for 10 years) so I've really learned alot about how I like them setup and how to set them up.

That said, I very rarely had issues with the original bridge.

 

[itstooloudMike]

I have a Mustang Special, which has a hardtail bridge, and I still have .010s on it. It's actually not a problem, and makes large bends or chord bending really easy. I haven't had a problem with over bending, but I can see how some players might. I may change to 11s eventually, but my point is that you don't have to. With .010s, it feels no different than a Gibson scale guitar tuned down a half step. Helps with those John Fogerty licks. But if I had either a Jaguar or Mustang with a trem, I would want to use .011s or larger.

 

[signine]

Depends on the model. I think Fender/Squier recommend that any "vintage" model short scale have proper vintage spec strings, aka .11s or above. My Squier VM Mustang loves .11s, .10s are definitely too light for it. My newer Pawn Shop Jaguarillo has 10s on it, and I think they're *perfect*. It's got the TOM bridge though, and that makes a pretty huge difference.

 

[HP Hovercraft]

I have .10's on a Duo Sonic and there's nothing there to play with, not enough tension at all. I've been meaning to get it setup with a higher gauge and with flatwounds. Anyone play their offset with flatwounds?

Yeah, I use 11-50 flatwounds on my Jag. I decided to give them a shot and ended up preferring them.

 

[Dale]

No. I use 9's on my CP Jag HH and Blacktop Jag. Lower actions and they play great.

 

[slimdave]

I used to play a Mustang with .11, that was a big improvement as I played .09 before.

 

[zastruga]

I use 10s on my Masteryed Jag no problem. Like others have said, once you address the bridge issue the necessity for thicker gauge goes away. Then its just down to preference.

 

[HP Hovercraft]

I use 10s on my Masteryed Jag no problem. Like others have said, once you address the bridge issue the necessity for thicker gauge goes away. Then its just down to preference.

I actually don't mind 10s on a Jag with the stock bridge. No problems for me. I just prefer 11s or flatwound 11s.

 

[zastruga]

I actually don't mind 10s on a Jag with the stock bridge. No problems for me. I just prefer 11s or flatwound 11s.

Yeah, definitely depends on playing style too. 10s on a stock bridge is unplayable for me, strings moving everywhere!

 

[Dale]

I have hands that need the lighter strings and shorter scale. I play only buckers versions though I make a big difference.