I don't want to be that "heavy string guy"...

Re: I don't want to be that "heavy string guy"...

I've tried heavier gauge strings in the past and there is a different tone and benefits to them. However the trade of with being harder to bend and play didn't really work for me and I don't have the time to put in to adjust my playing to them. I've been back to regular 9-46/9-42/10-46 gauges for quite some years now.

Those who say heavier are flat our better for tone are a little mis lead. You can get some great tones from the and it's definately a different tone than lighter gauge strings but each can get you great tone. It just depends on your amp, guitar, pick ups, technique, etc.

IIRC with SRV, he was going to lighter gauge strings before he died as the heavy ones were just taking a huge toll on his hands. One of the reasons he used the gauge he did was to get more power and umph into his sound as he used very low output pick ups. The Duncan SSL5/6 (and stacked version) is supposed to get you into his tonal territory without having to use huge strings.
 
Re: I don't want to be that "heavy string guy"...

JOLLY said:
He also tuned down a half step.
Click to expand...

I'm pretty sure I read in one of his album booklets that he was actually playing with 12's too, not 13's but I could be wrong.

I personally find 10's to be the best balance for me. Fender Super Bullets to be exact. They're designed to sit just right in the strat tremolo bridge. 9's I found to be too light and thin in sound. Sure they were easier to play, but after playing enough on the 10's, I don't even notice the difference. It all just depends on your hand and finger strength.

Edit: Decided to look it up and educate myself. Looks like SRV actually played with all kinds of strings but his main axe was 13's and he would use 12's if his hands weren't feeling up to it. Must have just been that one album where he played with 12's that I was reading about.
 
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Re: I don't want to be that "heavy string guy"...

Bfeeney said:
Instead of worrying about the drastic change from an 11 to a 9, play on some 10's for a while as a stepping stone.
Click to expand...

This is also something to consider-- it might be the perfect middle ground on the strat..

Also, the pickups I'm using are on the lower output side (Fat 50's), and I've been looking at the Dimarzio FS-1's for a while.

Between that and 10's, maybe I can split the difference and get a gauge of string that I can play a little harder on, yet are still light enough to bend relatively easily, and still have a sound that's not wimpy like the Fat 50's with 9's are?
 
Re: I don't want to be that "heavy string guy"...

Get the strings that suit your playing and the goals you want to achieve, and leave the rest to your rig. It's why amps and pedals have knobs, and there are a bazillion choices for pickups, pots, caps, etc.
 
Re: I don't want to be that "heavy string guy"...

This argument comes up all the time. I am of the heavy strings = better tone camp, however with my hand issues I do not have the luxury of using heavy strings. I think with fender type single coil pickups, due to the poles and magnetic field,strings make a much more significant diff in tone..both because of gauge, and material.

That said, there are tons of monster tone players...Hendrix, KK downing & Glenn tipton,, Billy Gibbons just to name a few who use very light strings. In fact I would be willing to bet far more great guitar songs have been recorded with 9s and 10s than anything else..assuming standard or e flat tuning. All that downtuned mess is another subject entirely.

Volume makes up for thinner strings, as evidenced by the people I mentioned.

In the end its all about works for the individual, who cares whatdoes or does not work for someone else.
 
Re: I don't want to be that "heavy string guy"...

What works for you is all that matters.
Plenty of famous guitarists have gotten great tone from every conceivable gauge of strings.
Saying that the tone of a set of 11s is superior to the tone of 9s is ridiculous.
Saying that the tone of 11s, with your playing style, pick attack, pickups, amp settings, pedal settings etc is better MIGHT be believable. But if you your changed your pick attack and playing style, and adjusted your settings, there will be a very minute if any difference in tone.


short version: just buy what works for you
 
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Re: I don't want to be that "heavy string guy"...

I appreciate all the advice, guys. Alot of different ways to look at this, and it's good to get the perspective!
 
Re: I don't want to be that "heavy string guy"...

Look at it this way. You're on stage rocking out, just tearing it up. In the front of the stage are some hot chicks that dig guitar players. Do you honestly think they are gonna determine whether to throw their panties at you based on the string gauge you use? Of course not. String it up with what works for you, play, and let the panties fly.
 
Re: I don't want to be that "heavy string guy"...

ErikH said:
Look at it this way. You're on stage rocking out, just tearing it up. In the front of the stage are some hot chicks that dig guitar players. Do you honestly think they are gonna determine whether to throw their panties at you based on the string gauge you use? Of course not. String it up with what works for you, play, and let the panties fly.
Click to expand...

As many times as the sting gauge issue has come up here, you have the best advice yet! How manly is it to stumble through a gig wrestling with thick strings, and then be too sore to do something else with your hands after the gig, if you catch my drift. :14:
 
Re: I don't want to be that "heavy string guy"...

Some of us out here can play heavy strings all night and the next day and the next day - really - and we are not sore or stumbling around. Why is it all of these string gauge threads are always about justifying playing thin strings?

As we all know, Billy plays 8's - he doesn't justify it - he doesn't need to. I seriously doubt he gave a crap what Stevie played or somehow thought he was any less of a player because Stevie played heavy strings. I listen to Billy all the time - MONSTER TONE.

Anyone here can play heavy strings - it takes commitment. Someone mentioned balancing pick attack against string gauge - makes complete sense.

I am a heavy string guy (I guess). I have been playing them since I was a kid, I play blues and they work frigging great. You can hit them hard and on a good guitar they cut like nothing else.

If you don't want to be a heavy string guy, then play something thinner. As long as your on time all will be good :)

Someone above talked about running a set of strings for a year - seriously?
 
Re: I don't want to be that "heavy string guy"...

I think that person probably meant they used the same gauge & type of strings for a year, not necessarily the same set?

Aside from the volume increase and tuning stability of heavier strings, I think the main thing I like is the response to pick attack. I like the fact that the string doesn't "bend on impact" the way a thinner set does. Although I really like the sound when a thinner string is attacked too-- I just prefer the feel of how the heavier one responds.

I tend to overplay or overbend alot too when I get all pumped up-- these 11's sort of keep me in line a little better.
 
Re: I don't want to be that "heavy string guy"...

appar111 said:
I think that person probably meant they used the same gauge & type of strings for a year, not necessarily the same set?
Click to expand...

I took it to mean the same set.

I change mine fairly often. When I was playing in college, I'd usually change them before every gig.
 
Re: I don't want to be that "heavy string guy"...

iismet said:
Anyone here can play heavy strings - it takes commitment. Someone mentioned balancing pick attack against string gauge - makes complete sense.
Click to expand...

In theory, yes "anyone can play heavy strings", but not necessarily play the style we want. I constantly bend strings, with a lot deep bends combined with fast vibrato (Peter Green style). I can't do that with thick strings. There's been many posts here of guys with hand pain that have switched to lighter strings. I see no inherent virtue in having strings that 'fight back.'
 
Re: I don't want to be that "heavy string guy"...

Jay 77 said:
Get the strings that suit your playing and the goals you want to achieve, and leave the rest to your rig. It's why amps and pedals have knobs, and there are a bazillion choices for pickups, pots, caps, etc.
Click to expand...

Bingo!
 
Re: I don't want to be that "heavy string guy"...

I like to absolutely pummel my low strings and then want to bend the high strings. My solution has been 10-52s. Those don't really cut it for the high strings though, if only there was a 9-52 set, that would be heaven. Also, would probably be hard to set up.
 
Re: I don't want to be that "heavy string guy"...

Always go with whatever works for you, and forget what anyone else thinks.

I've tried so many gauges but I always come back to 10-52's. I love the feel of palm muting the lower strings and how solid they are when picking fast with a heavy gauge pick. To my hands it's like the difference between handling a toy and handling a power tool.
 
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