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Originally Posted by Baraka_Guru
Martian, I'll probably only adjust the bridge and truss. I'm not too concerned about the neck. I want to see if I can get rid of the buzzing I have going on with some of my strings right now. Plus some of them are having trouble holding their notes (they ring in waves). Is this because I need to make these adjustments?
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String buzz can be caused by a variety of things. Worn frets, a loose nut, and loose or worn out machine heads spring immediately to mind. It can be difficult to diagnose, because there are so many issues and because even if it's only one string that's buzzing it will sometimes seem like it's several or even all of them, due to the sympathetic tones. If it's a major concern, you might want to have it looked at. Most reputable techs should be able to diagnose it quickly for you, and at no charge (at least, I know my guy wouldn't charge for something like that).
I'm not sure what you mean when you say the ring in waves. Like a volume oscillation, a tremolo effect?
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Originally Posted by Baraka_Guru
I have changed the strings a couple of times recently. That is the one thing I do know how to do. Do you have any recommendations on strings? Should I be going super slinky for ease of electric techniques, or should I keep them a bit heavier to "train" my fingers to do the work?
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String choice has a lot more to do with play style and personal preference than level of ability. I use .010-.048 D'addarios on both of my electrics and have recently switched to flatwounds on my semi-hollow. The flatwounds were me trying something new, and I still haven't decided if I'm going to keep them; they don't really have the warmth I want out of that guitar.
The point is, strings are something you can experiment with. Find a set that suits your style of play and preferred sound. Ernie Ball Slinkies give you a great starting point, since there's a set that works well for almost any application. Super Slinky are very light (.009-.042, IIRC) and will be easy on your fingers and easy to bend, but they won't put a lot of weight into your tone. I played on Beefy Slinky for about a year, which are much heavier (.011-.054) and are very good for hard rock or punk. Something in the middle might do well for a good starting point if you don't know what you want. You could try Regular Slinky (.010-.046, according to their website) or Power Slinky (.011-.048) as a good 'middle ground' set.
Experiment with strings and picks. Try different string sets and different shapes and weights of picks until you find something that really feels right to you. It's a good idea to replace your strings at least every six months anyway, so you might use that as an opportunity to explore some different sounds.