Thickest strings on Squier VMs without filing the nut?

Noisy Cat · Post by **Noisy Cat** » Sat Nov 10, 2012 10:23 am

What's the highest string gauge people have put on their Squier VM Jaguars/Jazzmasters without having to file the nut slots?

I've currently got 11-49s on both of mine but am thinking of going for 11-52 or even 12-54, but am worried I may have to widen the nut slots, which is not something I want to take on.

It already looks like a pretty snug fit with the current strings.

ekwatts · Post by **ekwatts** » Sat Nov 10, 2012 11:11 am

I'd recommend 10-52s, I've never needed to file the nut for those. I don't believe it's beneficial at all to have heavier plain strings no matter the scale length, so I'd try and stick with the lighter plain strings, going heavier toward the lower side. I wouldn't go much higher than that unless you were tuning down.

Noisy Cat · Post by **Noisy Cat** » Sat Nov 10, 2012 12:15 pm

I do like the feel of tight, thick strings. I like it tight and thick because I'm not a bender.

I want the low E-string to be even tighter on the Jag in particular because it keeps sliding off the stock bridge saddle. I don't want a replacement bridge or a buzz stop or to raise the bridge any higher; I've got a nice low action at the moment.

So I'm thinking slightly thicker strings > more tension > less slippage.

BUT WILL I HAVE TO FILE THE NUT?

Noisy Cat · Post by **Noisy Cat** » Sat Nov 10, 2012 12:17 pm

ekwatts wrote:I'd recommend 10-52s, I've never needed to file the nut for those.

On a Squier VM Jag/Jazz?

Noirie. · Post by **Noirie.** » Sat Nov 10, 2012 1:23 pm

Noisy Cat wrote:
ekwatts wrote:I'd recommend 10-52s, I've never needed to file the nut for those.
On a Squier VM Jag/Jazz?

I had .010-.052's on my VM Jazzmaster and it played quite nicely.

ekwatts · Post by **ekwatts** » Sat Nov 10, 2012 5:03 pm

Most nuts are cut to a fairly generic width, so no, I haven't tried them on a Squier Jag but I have on all my other guitars and they've been fine.

George · Post by **George** » Sat Nov 10, 2012 5:41 pm

I HAVE had to file 52s before.

worth a try but don't bet on it.

fyi it was just the 52 that wouldn't fit

moore65 · Post by **moore65** » Sun Nov 11, 2012 1:22 am

I don't know if this would apply, but I have .11-.56's on my Bullet Strat and didn't have to do any filing on the nut.

Post by **dots** » Sun Nov 11, 2012 2:55 am

moore65 wrote:.11-.56's

bloody hell! that's not a string, that's fret wire.

HNB · Post by **HNB** » Sun Nov 11, 2012 3:05 am

Loaded up the guitar with piano strings.

moore65 · Post by **moore65** » Mon Nov 12, 2012 4:07 am

dots wrote:
moore65 wrote:.11-.56's
bloody hell! that's not a string, that's fret wire.

That guitar is for Eb and anything lower, as I'm afraid the strings will snap if I tune to standard. The combination of heavy strings, Hotrails, a distortion pedal, and bass amp make for cheap Kurty sound when I turn down the mids down, and a Rise Against sound when I have the mids up (though they use Les Pauls only). I would have gotten .12-.56's if D'Addario offered them.

aen · Post by **aen** » Mon Nov 12, 2012 5:45 am

I dont recall having any trouble with 54-11s on Squiers, but I dont have any of these new ones.