[jsm]

1) looking to up the gauge on my 7 (with lo trs trem) to get a better sound from the bass strings; will probably try about a .065 for the seventh string, tuned down to A. obviously i am trying to avoid the floppy 7th string problem, but i have also heard that a too-thick string can overpower the others in terms of volume. is this something i should worry about?
2) i might put together a hybrid set so i can use 10's on the first three strings and heavier ones on the low end. will this create problems with uneven tension or can it be handled in setup?
3)since i've never setup a floyd i'll be getting it done professionally, but first i'll be experimenting with some different gauges.....without a new setup my intonation and probably tuning will be off until i commit to a set of strings and get the setup done. ...but taking different strings on and off should give me an idea of how they sound/feel, and won't hurt the guitar/trem. is this right?

[Leon]

1) i dunno. i'd imagine that if a pitch range was coming through more than another, it may be your pickups. and, you can always EQ it to a balance on your amp.

2) i'm willing to bet it could be handled in the setup process, but i've never used a hybrid set, so i can't say 100%.

3) to really get a good feel of how a gauge will work on your guitar, you should really set it up for each gauge. setting up a guitar can be quite intimidating, but i think it's really nice being able to do it myself. my advice, if you take it to get professionally done, ask the guy to show you what he's doing.

hope this helps!

[Virtue]

1.) I've had great luck using 11-58's. 65 seems like it would drown out the unwound strings.

2.) I think it'd work, but would take some work to intonate it. If you have a scope and you are handy with it you could be in business.

3.) What WA said, you're going to get different string tension and action if you're mixing guages and not setting it up.