Bigger strings leading to a bigger/more aggressive sound?

[Andrew Lamprecht]

I put some 12s on my strat last night, they replaced some 9s. Damn... usually I can't notice between 9s and 10s much difference in the sound but the 12s just sound really big. Like everything you play is slightly more aggressive and full sounding. I'm not saying it's better than the 9s, its just much different. I still have 9s on my other guitar, the cleans are nice there... they sound a little sweeter than the 12s but they don't sound as big. Honestly, I kinda dig the 12s.

 

[vinta9e]

Re: Bigger strings leading to a bigger/more aggressive sound?

Well, using thicker strings while keeping the tuning intact gives you more tension to shake the planks and less flop.
Also, that's more magnetic mass moving right over the pickups, so yeah, no reason they shouldn't sound bigger.

 

[TheLivingDead]

Re: Bigger strings leading to a bigger/more aggressive sound?

Watch that neck.

 

[Chickenwings]

Re: Bigger strings leading to a bigger/more aggressive sound?

nice.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Bigger strings leading to a bigger/more aggressive sound?

Considering how many players use(d) 8's and 9's and got some pretty big, heavy sounds from them, I don't think that string gauge has that much to do with it. The tension is so much greater with thick strings (unless you downtune) that it does impact your style and how you play. Certainly been enough posts here from guys that had to give up thick strings due to pain in their joints.

 

[Little Pigbacon]

Re: Bigger strings leading to a bigger/more aggressive sound?

Considering how many players use(d) 8's and 9's and got some pretty big, heavy sounds from them, I don't think that string gauge has that much to do with it. The tension is so much greater with thick strings (unless you downtune) that it does impact your style and how you play. Certainly been enough posts here from guys that had to give up thick strings due to pain in their joints.

Why do you think those players who use 8's don't use a more common gauge instead? If the player is what makes the difference, shouldn't they sound the same regardless of the string size? I think it's a little more complicated than people sometimes make it sound. I think a factor like string gauge tends to dovetail into a player's setup and playing style to help him get the sound he wants. It might be easier or harder to get that sound with a certain gauge as opposed to another -- for a given player and way of attacking the strings. I doubt Rev. Willie G. plays his 8's the way I play 10's on a guitar with the same tuning and scale length. I doubt Stevie Ray played his Strat the same way I play mine with 9's. Conversely, I don't sound the same way with 9's on a Les Paul as I sound with 10's. Maybe I could, but I'd have to change the way I play it, and I don't want to.

 

[Rockstar216]

Re: Bigger strings leading to a bigger/more aggressive sound?

Watch that neck.

Protect ya neck



But in all seriousness when you up the gauge like that you should check to see if the trust rod needs adjustment and if the neck is Bowing.

 

[Archer_of_Fish]

Re: Bigger strings leading to a bigger/more aggressive sound?

A lot of people overlook technique and the physics involved here.

If you have a light attack you wont get anything out of huge strings but will get a small gauge moving.

 

[Archer_of_Fish]

Re: Bigger strings leading to a bigger/more aggressive sound?

Bily G uses 7's on pretty much everything. His set is 7, 9, 11, 20,30,38.

8's are for guitars that he tunes down or sets up for slide

 

[blueman335]

Re: Bigger strings leading to a bigger/more aggressive sound?

A lot of people overlook technique and the physics involved here.

If you have a light attack you wont get anything out of huge strings but will get a small gauge moving.

Good point. I use 9's and have a very controlled right hand, that I don't move a lot. I've never been one to pound out chords. With my right hand anchored in place, and not thrashing around, I can get more nuances and dynamics. My left hand is more aggressive, and that's where I need a light gauge for fluid bending.

 

[Diminished Triad]

Re: Bigger strings leading to a bigger/more aggressive sound?

Have never tried 7 or 8 gauge strings. How much more susceptible are 7s to breaking?
I play open finger/hand lots and don't use a pick all the time - are the thicker strings easier or harder on fingers/strumming thumb?

Thanks!

 

[dominus]

Re: Bigger strings leading to a bigger/more aggressive sound?

Considering how many players use(d) 8's and 9's and got some pretty big, heavy sounds from them, I don't think that string gauge has that much to do with it. The tension is so much greater with thick strings (unless you downtune) that it does impact your style and how you play. Certainly been enough posts here from guys that had to give up thick strings due to pain in their joints.

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: Bigger strings leading to a bigger/more aggressive sound?

I put some 12s on my strat last night, they replaced some 9s. Damn... usually I can't notice between 9s and 10s much difference in the sound but the 12s just sound really big. Like everything you play is slightly more aggressive and full sounding. I'm not saying it's better than the 9s, its just much different. I still have 9s on my other guitar, the cleans are nice there... they sound a little sweeter than the 12s but they don't sound as big. Honestly, I kinda dig the 12s.

Try a wound 3rd . . . really nice for playing chords and jazzy runs. It's how a strat was designed to be strung.

 

[dominus]

Re: Bigger strings leading to a bigger/more aggressive sound?

Try a wound 3rd . . . really nice for playing chords and jazzy runs. It's how a strat was designed to be strung.

I usually take a light set, pitch the high E 9, and then add a 56 from a bulk pack and move everything else one string over. Cheapest way to go.

 

[Andrew Lamprecht]

Re: Bigger strings leading to a bigger/more aggressive sound?

Why do you think those players who use 8's don't use a more common gauge instead? If the player is what makes the difference, shouldn't they sound the same regardless of the string size? I think it's a little more complicated than people sometimes make it sound. I think a factor like string gauge tends to dovetail into a player's setup and playing style to help him get the sound he wants. It might be easier or harder to get that sound with a certain gauge as opposed to another -- for a given player and way of attacking the strings. I doubt Rev. Willie G. plays his 8's the way I play 10's on a guitar with the same tuning and scale length. I doubt Stevie Ray played his Strat the same way I play mine with 9's. Conversely, I don't sound the same way with 9's on a Les Paul as I sound with 10's. Maybe I could, but I'd have to change the way I play it, and I don't want to.

Exactly. They change the way you play your guitar. I like those big chords and tight tension so they aren't moving around. It fits the way I play and now I feel less like I am catering to the guitar and more as though I'm playing it how I should be playing it.

lol

Try a wound 3rd . . . really nice for playing chords and jazzy runs. It's how a strat was designed to be strung.

I'm going to try that next, the only thing that worries me is that it might make it too difficult to bend.

 

[Andrew Lamprecht]

Re: Bigger strings leading to a bigger/more aggressive sound?

Watch that neck.

Also, yeah, I've been watching it, I've adjusted accordingly.

 

[King IzzO)))]

Re: Bigger strings leading to a bigger/more aggressive sound?

Not this again...

 

[Andrew Lamprecht]

Re: Bigger strings leading to a bigger/more aggressive sound?

Not this again...

Haha, I'm allowed to have revelations yes?

 

[King IzzO)))]

Re: Bigger strings leading to a bigger/more aggressive sound?

Haha, I'm allowed to have revelations yes?

I wasn't referring to you, lolz.

I use heavy strings, but I tune pretty low. I guess I use relatively light strings (12-58 for B std) compared to string sets supposedly designed for the same tunings.

Big strings definitely make a difference. More than the difference between a JB stuffed with a big ceramic and a DD anyway.

 

[Bludave]

Re: Bigger strings leading to a bigger/more aggressive sound?

12's are a nice feel & they sound great. A bit too heavy for me so I use 11's tuned to A440. I use 11's on all my electrics & 13/s on my acoustics. When you start to experiment with stepping up, needles to say you will have to adjust the truss rod when going heavier and intonation will need to be adjusted. BUT the payback is huge. Listen to SRV and how huge his tone was, yet he didn't really have the chime that Mark Knopfler has when he plays, so the strings (heavier) tends to give you a huge sound, but at the same time you loose some of the Sparkle that one may want.