I just switched from .11s to .9s

[arellanon]

Re: I just switched from .11s to .9s

I play 8-38s and 9-42s exclusively. I have played thicker strings but they slow me down and the small loss in tone/sustain is negligable so I dont worry so much about that. Seems the trend is thicker guages, and while they do build strength and dexterity and as said above, they definitely add sustain and more tone because they resonate louder and longer, but I feel the 8's and 9's really arent that far behind in terms of performance if that makes sense.

Going from 10's or 11's to 8's or 9's is like taking ankle weight off of your cankles before you go for a run. It gives the impression that you're stronger, which you are, but most times it's all mental.

Rock on man!

Same here; 08-38 for E Standard and 09-42 for Eb. I don't have meaty paws like some guitarists so I need not thicker strings. I do tons of vibrato so higher guages just wear me down.

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: I just switched from .11s to .9s

I'm serious mate, my strat which basically is longer and bigger frets than my les paul (its a tokai copy but heck its a ls 135 tokai it must be the real scale) are easier to bend even on 11s and I can bend it like crazy and with a les paul I develop callouses on every finger.. Are you guys serious or the whole internet is making fun of me?

So am I, mate. When I asked "WTF," I meant it, as in, "You have to be ****ting me; obvious troll is obvious." The idea that a longer scale length makes for looser strings by some crazy pseudo explanation that you have is nutz. It's a matter of common sense why that is not the case, but you are making up some crazy explanation about the mass being stretched this way or that, or whatever it is. It's pure bunk, imagined in your head, and then you kept rudely restating it as if others were obviously wrong. So, of course people are going to make fun of you.

Think for a minute about the basic design of a Les Paul vs. a Strat, and see if you can find the real reason the Strat bends easier. Hint; it has nothing to do with the different construction/measurements of the bodies and necks.

 

[LReese]

Re: I just switched from .11s to .9s

I used to use 9-42. All my Strats had staggered pickups - what drove me to 10s is that I heard the .009 high E string as weak vs the others. On 10's the high E is more consistent with the other strings. My EJ Sig exhibited the issue (likely due to the relatively flat radius) in the worst way.

If I favored flatpole pickups or humbuckers, I'd probably be happy using 9's. LOL.

 

[Agileguy_101]

Re: I just switched from .11s to .9s

Think for a minute about the basic design of a Les Paul vs. a Strat, and see if you can find the real reason the Strat bends easier. Hint; it has nothing to do with the different construction/measurements of the bodies and necks.

+1

 

[Myaccount876]

Re: I just switched from .11s to .9s

I just stopped paying attention to what others used and just experimented. Went from 12's and 13's to 8's, and there wasn't much of a sound difference. Nothing you couldn't tweak back to normal on the amp.

As Billy Gibbons has said, "Why struggle?", when asked why he uses 7's. You'll play and sound better if you are more comfortable, whether it be 8's or 13's, than if you are using a gauge that is uncomfortable.

 

[marvelous_seven]

Re: I just switched from .11s to .9s

When I want to lift weights, I pick up an acoustic.

When I want to lift weights, I pick up a non-chambered Les Paul.

 

[Myaccount876]

Re: I just switched from .11s to .9s

When I want to lift weights, I pick up a non-chambered Les Paul.

When I want to lift weights, I pick up my oak telecaster.

 

[formula73]

Re: I just switched from .11s to .9s

I used to play 11-49 Elixirs and while I loved the way it felt under my right hand (I pick hard), my left hand and wrist were starting to give me joint problems. I kinda HAD to switch to something smaller-10s-to keep it under control.

I still miss the way the bigger strings feel against a pick.

 

[Dr. Vegetable]

Re: I just switched from .11s to .9s

When I want to lift weights, I pick up a non-chambered Les Paul.

True dat!

 

[astrozombie]

Re: I just switched from .11s to .9s

I didn't know .7 strings existed... jesus!

I'd like to try out the .8s... but im afraid theyll all snap.

 

[jeremy]

Re: I just switched from .11s to .9s

the rev is skin and bones. his guitars are feather weight. his rig is ridiculous. he could use 5's and hed still sound huge

those skinny strings are tougher than you think but really hard to play unless you have a very delicate touch

 

[appar111]

Re: I just switched from .11s to .9s

i use heavier strings not necesaarily for tone, but for the way they feel under my right hand. There is no right and wrong. Only personal preference.

I agree with this. If anything, I think some of the tones I get w/ 9's are actually the heaviest, but the feel of 11's, particularly for the picking hand, is where it's at for me. I don't necessarily need 'fight" in the strings for my fretting hand, but having the rigidity of heavier gauges for the picking hand works great for me.

 

[Bludave]

Re: I just switched from .11s to .9s

I think 10's are a good compromise. I personally use 11's, but I also play a lot of acoustic guitar & was having difficulty keeping things in tune. I stepped up to 13's on my acoustics & stepped up to 11's on electrics. Works for me. I really don't have too many issues. Every once in a while a get a cramp in my left forearm but that's usually from being dehydrated.

 

[Psykel]

Re: I just switched from .11s to .9s

I've used 9s a few times. They feel great for solos (especially with my non-humongous not-to-strong hands), but I'm mainly a chord player and lightyears from being a shredder (not my cup of tea - I'm a pop-rock/indie/alternative guy) and 10s just feel better for that in my opinion. Tho my main baby got 9s on at the moment on account of last minute string breakage before my last gig and only had a set of EB Super slinky at home (using EB Slinky normally tho).

 

[FretFire]

Re: I just switched from .11s to .9s

I usually use 10-46 strings, but they felt way too slinky on the tele I just finished. So, I bumped up to 11s on it, and it feels more like the 10s on my main tele. If things are too slinky, I tend to over-bend and get too pitchy with my vibrato. I actually put 12s on my main tele for a show this past weekend where I had it tuned to open C, and it sounded HUGE.

 

[astrozombie]

Re: I just switched from .11s to .9s

how could things be too slinky? I will buy a set of .8 strings along with a set of 9s next time.

 

[blueman335]

Re: I just switched from .11s to .9s

I didn't know .7 strings existed... jesus!

I'd like to try out the .8s... but im afraid theyll all snap.

Actually, light strings break less often, because they don't have to be tuned so tight to reach the correct pitch. I use 9's and almost never break a string (like one a year) in spite of all the bending I do; I've read posts by guys here with 11's (who bend much less than I do) that break strings regularly. The thicker the string, the tighter it'll be. String tension is a big culprit.

 

[astrozombie]

Re: I just switched from .11s to .9s

Actually, light strings break less often, because they don't have to be tuned so tight to reach the correct pitch. I use 9's and almost never break a string (like one a year) in spite of all the bending I do; I've read posts by guys here with 11's (who bend much less than I do) that break strings regularly. The thicker the string, the tighter it'll be. String tension is a big culprit.

Although, if strings break due to to a sharp edge anywhere on the hardware, that kind of breakage, I'd asume light strings give up earlier right?

I just checked with my favorite string brand and they only go down to 9-42.

 

[guitfiddle]

Re: I just switched from .11s to .9s

how could things be too slinky? I will buy a set of .8 strings along with a set of 9s next time.

Some of us not only like a bit of pushback from our strings, but actually need it to keep things from sounding out of tune.

With all due respect to EVH, Iomi, and the Rev, I don't give a flying fu*k at a rolling doughnut what they use, as my strings have to satisfy MY needs.

 

[FretFire]

Re: I just switched from .11s to .9s

Some of us not only like a bit of pushback from our strings, but actually need it to keep things from sounding out of tune.

Yep. I don't want to have to completely change my technique (especially with my right hand) to keep my strings from sounding out of tune. Not to mention I prefer the bigger, thicker tone I get through my rig with bigger strings.