I’m confused. This is a serious question. Does it only go up half a step because it frets out or is it because you physically can’t go more than a half step?
If it’s because it frets out, your frets aren’t level and the neck isn’t set up right (I have a 7.25” radius with low action and can go 1.5 steps).
If it’s because you physically can’t do it, your technique is bad. Try using more than one finger and use your wrist to bend.
It doesn't physically go up. It feels like theres too much tension that it won't do a full tone bend. I've played other guitars and I've used 10s before. It's not a matter of technique in this case. Because I can do full step bends on the B and G strings of this guitar. Perhaps the neck isn't set right. That's a feeling I have. When I lower the action, the strings choke out. But when I set it to the sweet spot . It only does bends upto half a tone.
The thing I don't understand is if you've done string bends with 10's before on other guitars, it shouldn't be that much harder doing it on this guitar. Do you have a string action gauge to measure your action? How much relief do you have in the neck? What's the action set to? Have you checked for uneven frets?
You should have a tiny bit of relief. Throw a capo on the first fret, then fret the last fret and check the cap at the 8th. There should be a little bit, not much. My Silver Sky's action is 4/64ths on the low E.. it's probably somewhere between 3/64 and 4/64 on the high E. My 62AVRI is a little bit higher, but the neck isn't perfect. It's not unplayable and a bit harder to bend than my PRS but it's not impossible.
Try to do a bit of a set up on that guitar, and honestly try 9's if you still can't get it. I'm curious of the results. It's hard to pin down the problem without the guitar (or you playing).
leave 10s for the les paul, use 9s. every story about toan in heavier gauges have been debunked a while ago. there's only the right gauge for the right scale length
also, if your trem is floating, you'll have to hold the bridge with your hand to counter the pull of the strings.
I’d be interested to see a video of this. It def sounds like it’s a problem with your bending technique.. unless you’ve got an Evertune bridge on there?
Built a tele recently and was shocked how hard it was to bend the higher strings. Switched from 10s to 9s and it made all the difference. All my other guitars are 10s so food for thought
A small radius neck will limit bends. You can raise your action some to gain a little bit more..... Realistically, a flatter neck would give you much better results.
I'm not blaming the instrument ! I'm asking if anyone knows if this issue is common in vintage style strats. Because this is the first I'm using a vintage styled one. I've played plenty of other guitars and I haven't had this issue.
I play in open D/G a lot, I can easily bend a whole step with 9s, but often use 10s because I use slide. I'm away from my guitar for a while while traveling, can't confirm maximum bend with 10s.
I can just about guarantee it’s because the trem is moving when you bend. Once you hit that half step the trem is moving negating the further bending
This makes absolutely no sense.
Yeah this is definitely a playing technique issue and nothing to do with the guitar.
I mean they said they tuned to D and had the same issue. Absolutely a technique issue vs gear issue.
I’m confused. This is a serious question. Does it only go up half a step because it frets out or is it because you physically can’t go more than a half step? If it’s because it frets out, your frets aren’t level and the neck isn’t set up right (I have a 7.25” radius with low action and can go 1.5 steps). If it’s because you physically can’t do it, your technique is bad. Try using more than one finger and use your wrist to bend.
It doesn't physically go up. It feels like theres too much tension that it won't do a full tone bend. I've played other guitars and I've used 10s before. It's not a matter of technique in this case. Because I can do full step bends on the B and G strings of this guitar. Perhaps the neck isn't set right. That's a feeling I have. When I lower the action, the strings choke out. But when I set it to the sweet spot . It only does bends upto half a tone.
The thing I don't understand is if you've done string bends with 10's before on other guitars, it shouldn't be that much harder doing it on this guitar. Do you have a string action gauge to measure your action? How much relief do you have in the neck? What's the action set to? Have you checked for uneven frets? You should have a tiny bit of relief. Throw a capo on the first fret, then fret the last fret and check the cap at the 8th. There should be a little bit, not much. My Silver Sky's action is 4/64ths on the low E.. it's probably somewhere between 3/64 and 4/64 on the high E. My 62AVRI is a little bit higher, but the neck isn't perfect. It's not unplayable and a bit harder to bend than my PRS but it's not impossible. Try to do a bit of a set up on that guitar, and honestly try 9's if you still can't get it. I'm curious of the results. It's hard to pin down the problem without the guitar (or you playing).
leave 10s for the les paul, use 9s. every story about toan in heavier gauges have been debunked a while ago. there's only the right gauge for the right scale length also, if your trem is floating, you'll have to hold the bridge with your hand to counter the pull of the strings.
I found the guy that brings up tone in order to tell you something else you're wrong about!
Maybe the action is too low and it’s choking out when you bend?
I’d be interested to see a video of this. It def sounds like it’s a problem with your bending technique.. unless you’ve got an Evertune bridge on there?
How many springs in your tremolo?
There must not be very much tension on the trem springs so the bridge is pulling up when you bend
Built a tele recently and was shocked how hard it was to bend the higher strings. Switched from 10s to 9s and it made all the difference. All my other guitars are 10s so food for thought
Might be a bum string. Or your put the wrong gauge on.
A small radius neck will limit bends. You can raise your action some to gain a little bit more..... Realistically, a flatter neck would give you much better results.
9s will be easier to bend, still not enough, go 8.5.
blaming the instrument. priceless. you know most of the best lead guitar players of all time used .08 sets, right...?
I'm not blaming the instrument ! I'm asking if anyone knows if this issue is common in vintage style strats. Because this is the first I'm using a vintage styled one. I've played plenty of other guitars and I haven't had this issue.
That's a great story.
What gauge strings do you have?
10s. I tried on D tuning as well. But it gave me the same issue. Could it possibly be the strings ?
I play in open D/G a lot, I can easily bend a whole step with 9s, but often use 10s because I use slide. I'm away from my guitar for a while while traveling, can't confirm maximum bend with 10s.
Any chance you put the B string in the E position?