Bill Sheehan
Well-known member
Hello friends, I recently got a Squier Mini Stratocaster, in the hope that it'll provide a nice compact alternative to a full-size electric guitar. I must say, it's really pretty darn nice, especially for a relatively inexpensive instrument, and the sound thru an amp is impressive with its 5-position pickup selector switch. However, I could use some advice on two points: 1) With its shorter scale, and using "10-guage" strings, there's a sense of "floppiness" when the guitar is tuned to standard tuning. It seems that if I tune upward a half-step, that gives the string tension a "feel" that is more like what I'm used to on a full-size guitar. Do you see any reason I shouldn't tune up a half-step, and do folks commonly do this with the shorter-scale guitars? 2) I am pretty sure my strings are sitting up too high in the nut, as my clip-on tuner is showing that although the open strings are accurately tuned, the notes fretted at the first and second frets are way sharp; and it's also evident in the cringe-worthy sound I'm getting with chords played around the "first position". So, it looks like I'm going to have to get the nut slots deepened. I've never attempted that myself, and the little voice inside my head is screaming, "Noooooooooo!!!", but I'm open to suggestions. Thanks to all, and have a good Wednesday! (P.S. The neck is nice and straight with just a touch of relief, and I've tentatively dialed in a reasonable action and "zero-to-twelve" octave intonation, so the nut issue is the main concern right now...)