How do people play with 9 gauge strings?
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jimijames
New member
Re: How do people play with 9 gauge strings?
I've gone as high as .12's for a little while, but when I switched back to .11's, it was like I had the sound of the 12's and the feel of the .10s. So that's what I've stuck with. I like how you can really dig in to notes without going out of tune. I also think it's possible to play fast on .11s, especially on a les paul or other short scale guitar, it just takes practice.
edit: to respond to the op: I don't know how people play with .09s, but I envy their finesse. And they'll probably have fewer finger problems later on.
I've gone as high as .12's for a little while, but when I switched back to .11's, it was like I had the sound of the 12's and the feel of the .10s. So that's what I've stuck with. I like how you can really dig in to notes without going out of tune. I also think it's possible to play fast on .11s, especially on a les paul or other short scale guitar, it just takes practice.
edit: to respond to the op: I don't know how people play with .09s, but I envy their finesse. And they'll probably have fewer finger problems later on.
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Petrovsk Mizinski
New member
Re: How do people play with 9 gauge strings?
Oddly, I wouldn't jump to 10 gauge unless I started tuning D standard.
For C Standard, I used to use 11s, and that worked fine for me.
Oddly, I wouldn't jump to 10 gauge unless I started tuning D standard.
For C Standard, I used to use 11s, and that worked fine for me.
Re: How do people play with 9 gauge strings?
Really depends on the guitar and how you play
On my strat its 9-46's because of the longer 25.5" scale and the fact its not a guitar I play aggressively.
On my LP's its 10-52's though because I like that chuckier low end not to mention the shorter scale makes a bit of a difference.
Those are just but two different points on the overall spectrum but they no doubt give you an idea how how its really all about horses for courses when it comes to string gauge
Really depends on the guitar and how you play
On my strat its 9-46's because of the longer 25.5" scale and the fact its not a guitar I play aggressively.
On my LP's its 10-52's though because I like that chuckier low end not to mention the shorter scale makes a bit of a difference.
Those are just but two different points on the overall spectrum but they no doubt give you an idea how how its really all about horses for courses when it comes to string gauge
wanmei1
New member
Re: How do people play with 9 gauge strings?
In the end it may be your ears that decide rather than your fingers.
If you use such light gauge strings such as 9's you'll notice a massive drop in the fullness of tone.
You may need to change pickups to something with a bit more midrange to compensate for the tone loss.
You will need to use a very light touch, especially so when chording, if you really like to rock out.
I personally can't accept what I feel is such a huge loss of tone with anything less than 11's. ( Strat or LP )
In the end it may be your ears that decide rather than your fingers.
If you use such light gauge strings such as 9's you'll notice a massive drop in the fullness of tone.
You may need to change pickups to something with a bit more midrange to compensate for the tone loss.
You will need to use a very light touch, especially so when chording, if you really like to rock out.
I personally can't accept what I feel is such a huge loss of tone with anything less than 11's. ( Strat or LP )
Re: How do people play with 9 gauge strings?
I play very lightly and let the guitar and amp do all the work, not the other way around. I also pick every note...9s work the best for me on all my electrics- even the one with the scalloped neck. The way I play, I don't notice any tone difference in bigger strings. The basic tone stays the same, no matter what amp or guitar- I tend to get the same sound out of it anyway.
I play very lightly and let the guitar and amp do all the work, not the other way around. I also pick every note...9s work the best for me on all my electrics- even the one with the scalloped neck. The way I play, I don't notice any tone difference in bigger strings. The basic tone stays the same, no matter what amp or guitar- I tend to get the same sound out of it anyway.
Ayrton
New member
Re: How do people play with 9 gauge strings?
I don't know where you get that, but I hear very little difference between 9, 10 or 11s. I would hardly call it "massive". There are plenty of players with great tone who use all of those sizes.
I don't know where you get that, but I hear very little difference between 9, 10 or 11s. I would hardly call it "massive". There are plenty of players with great tone who use all of those sizes.
J
Jay 77
Guest
Re: How do people play with 9 gauge strings?
Have been using 9-46's for about 12 years now, on almost all my guitars. Every so often I try out a new gauge, but I always come back to my favorites. 10's start to feel a little stiff and beyond that it feels like an acoustic (which I'm not all that into). 9-46's allow me to play quickly but have the bottom end I want. I don't buy into the whole idea about huge tone from huge strings. There's a difference, yes, but it's not worth the hype. 11's or bigger sound like a big muddy poop, and 8's sound like thin and lifeless to me.
Have been using 9-46's for about 12 years now, on almost all my guitars. Every so often I try out a new gauge, but I always come back to my favorites. 10's start to feel a little stiff and beyond that it feels like an acoustic (which I'm not all that into). 9-46's allow me to play quickly but have the bottom end I want. I don't buy into the whole idea about huge tone from huge strings. There's a difference, yes, but it's not worth the hype. 11's or bigger sound like a big muddy poop, and 8's sound like thin and lifeless to me.
Atomic Chameleon
New member
Re: How do people play with 9 gauge strings?
I use 8-38. Easier on the fingers, easier vibrato, easier tremolo action, with only a slight loss in beefiness of tone. I've found that they also stay in tune better because of less tension at the nut/bridge.
I use 8-38. Easier on the fingers, easier vibrato, easier tremolo action, with only a slight loss in beefiness of tone. I've found that they also stay in tune better because of less tension at the nut/bridge.
Re: How do people play with 9 gauge strings?
I was a 9-42 (standard tuning) user for years, and sometime in 2005/2006 I switched to 10's. I'd stopped using tremolo-equipped guitars, and that made 10's easier to deal with. Over time and just a matter of sticking with it I learned to manipulate the 10's as easily as the 9's and it was no problem. Plus I got better tone out of my guitars too. Now I can't play 9's at all... it's not like they sound bad but I push them out of tune too easily and on the B and high E I feel like there's not enough string to grab on to!
Now I tune to Eb standard and drop C# for my new project and I think I'll stick with 10's for the Eb guitar but I may go with 10-52's for the drop C# guitar.
As for my acoustic, I tune to Eb and use D'addario 11's in phosphor bronze. Feels just right!
I was a 9-42 (standard tuning) user for years, and sometime in 2005/2006 I switched to 10's. I'd stopped using tremolo-equipped guitars, and that made 10's easier to deal with. Over time and just a matter of sticking with it I learned to manipulate the 10's as easily as the 9's and it was no problem. Plus I got better tone out of my guitars too. Now I can't play 9's at all... it's not like they sound bad but I push them out of tune too easily and on the B and high E I feel like there's not enough string to grab on to!
Now I tune to Eb standard and drop C# for my new project and I think I'll stick with 10's for the Eb guitar but I may go with 10-52's for the drop C# guitar.
As for my acoustic, I tune to Eb and use D'addario 11's in phosphor bronze. Feels just right!
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blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: How do people play with 9 gauge strings?
+1. Bending is a huge part of my style, especially deep Peter Green bends with extended vibrato. Some guys can do that with 10's, but I can't. I would think serious benders probably use 9's more than heavier gauges.
+1. Bending is a huge part of my style, especially deep Peter Green bends with extended vibrato. Some guys can do that with 10's, but I can't. I would think serious benders probably use 9's more than heavier gauges.
ibanezrocks
HardtailPisser
Re: How do people play with 9 gauge strings?
I use 11's on my Telecaster and 10's on my SG. The heavier strings combined with the longer scale produce a stronger attack. A heavier string allows for a more percussive style of playing. A lighter string would make harmonics stand out more however, while a heavier string has a stronger fundamental tone.
Personally I couldn't play rhythm with 9's and get the sound I wanted. For lead I can see it being a useful tone however, and if people can play faster on 9's that would certainly have an appeal.
I use 11's on my Telecaster and 10's on my SG. The heavier strings combined with the longer scale produce a stronger attack. A heavier string allows for a more percussive style of playing. A lighter string would make harmonics stand out more however, while a heavier string has a stronger fundamental tone.
Personally I couldn't play rhythm with 9's and get the sound I wanted. For lead I can see it being a useful tone however, and if people can play faster on 9's that would certainly have an appeal.
daemon barbeque
Zuhahahaologist
Re: How do people play with 9 gauge strings?
I uese 9s and on my new 8 string I will have a 6 heheheh.
I play scalloped neck so the 9s are better for the job.
But I go heavier on the bottom.My lowest string is 68 hehehe.
I uese 9s and on my new 8 string I will have a 6 heheheh.
I play scalloped neck so the 9s are better for the job.
But I go heavier on the bottom.My lowest string is 68 hehehe.
rivera213
Guest
Re: How do people play with 9 gauge strings?
.006? **** that's thin.
Do you tune it down a half step to ease the tension at all?
.006? **** that's thin.
Do you tune it down a half step to ease the tension at all?
Jackson Distortion
New member
Re: How do people play with 9 gauge strings?
I use 8's on my main axe. 25.5 scale. Dean Markley Blue Steel's sound fuller and DO NOT flop around like other set's of 8's. It's almost like playing on 9's, especially regarding tension, mostly.
I use 8's on my main axe. 25.5 scale. Dean Markley Blue Steel's sound fuller and DO NOT flop around like other set's of 8's. It's almost like playing on 9's, especially regarding tension, mostly.
