.010 Gauge String Question

[Armotron]

Hey everyone, I have a few questions about strings. I just broke one on my Strat and im trying to find out what kind i really should be using. Ive been using .010-.046s and i dont really see much of a problem . I know i dont want to go to 9s but as I looked on the Fender site at the different gauges there were for Original Bullets, i saw there was also a .010-.038. What is the difference between a set of .010-.046s and a set of .010-.038s, tone wise, feel wise, and durability wise when doing bends and using a trem?

Thanks-
ALex

 

[big_black]

Re: .010 Gauge String Question

.010 refers to the high E, .038 refers to the low E. It's all a matter of preference. I string all my guitars with .011-.052, but I don't use the trem on my Strat. I like the feel and taughtness .011s give. It is also thought that thicker strings give better tone by creating a stronger manetic field.

 

[Fiber-Optics]

Re: .010 Gauge String Question

Hey everyone, I have a few questions about strings. I just broke one on my Strat and im trying to find out what kind i really should be using. Ive been using .010-.046s and i dont really see much of a problem . I know i dont want to go to 9s but as I looked on the Fender site at the different gauges there were for Original Bullets, i saw there was also a .010-.038. What is the difference between a set of .010-.046s and a set of .010-.038s, tone wise, feel wise, and durability wise when doing bends and using a trem?

Thanks-
ALex

Do you drop tune? If not tens are fine if you are comfortable/used to them.

 

[Armotron]

Re: .010 Gauge String Question

I usually standard tune or tune a half step down. I was just wondering the difference. Thanks!

 

[hollywood]

Re: .010 Gauge String Question

Well I play my strat with my own special little set up. I play down a half step alot and the 38's are way to sproingy when tuned down. I like the D A E at 26 36 and 46 respectively, but for the chunkier sound on my leads I use the 13 gauge B for an E, the 17 gauge G for my B and supplement a single plain twenty for my G. It is kinda tough on the fingers for a bit but you'll get used to it. The strings will retail more tension when downtuned, and therefore less rattly.

 

[HolyDirt]

Re: .010 Gauge String Question

Many players with deep dark tones use thicker guages along with dropped tunnings. But many artists and players use lighter guages. What kind of music do you play? I, personally, use .010-.046's. They sound good for standard tunnings. I also sometimes use 11's for a slightly heavier tone.

 

[Metalman_666]

Re: .010 Gauge String Question

I have a set of Ernie Ball 10-52's on my Ibanez right now.. and I'm loving them still, it's been 3 or 4 months now. The top strings are perfect for drop tunings if I want them, and in standard or Eb, or even D they remain tight and perfect for bending. Screw the Fender strings, give these a shot.

 

[Armotron]

Re: .010 Gauge String Question

I dont drop tune usually, only a half-step at the most, and i dont play metal so deep dark tones isnt what i really want. I play Blues/ Rock kinda SRV kinda music. I just want to be able to bend the strings pretty easy, I can with .010s-.046s good enough but i kinda want to be able to bend them a bit easier, but i dont need to go down to .09s. so .010s-.038s crossed my mind.

 

[Hellion]

Re: .010 Gauge String Question

I think you might find the low end strings a bit too "sproingy" (to quote hollywood) at a .038. You might see if you can find a set of guages that end with about a .042 if you're going to use a .010 on top. All of my instruments (excepting the Les Paul & the Tele) use an Ernie Ball Hybrid Slinky set that starts at .009 and ends at .046. The LP & Tele use a Skinny Top/Heavy Bottom set that starts at .010 and ends at .052. Seems to work well with them.

 

[Armotron]

Re: .010 Gauge String Question

Your probabally right, the .038s probabally will be really sproingy. Ill just experiment with some strings.