I've got a guitar question I hope you can advise me on. I have a Simon & Patrick SP6. I've been using D'Addario Silk & Steel strings for a while, which are 11 gauge. I actually prefer a heavier string though, so I've been experimenting with different ones, and I've recently been using a lot of 13-guage sets from various manufacturers.

Anyway, last night I decided to go back to the Silk & Steels, and when I put them on, I found that the "A" string buzzes when played open. This seems to be because it is sat on the first fret. I play a lot in altered tunings, and tuning down makes the problem worse, as you can imagine.

I've gone back to 13's, and that's solved the problem, but I'd like to think that I should be able to put different gauge strings on without having problems. The Silk & Steels never gave me problems before.

So, my working theory is that going from 11's to 13's has pulled the neck out of shape very slightly because of the greater tension. Consequently, changing back to lighter strings results in a lower action.

Does anyone have experience of this happening to them? Is it common, and, most importantly, can it be fixed?

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Ta,
Baz.