is there a "standard" electric guitar strings size?
- Thread starter Sune
- Start date
The Golden Boy
Fleecy Sweaterologist
Re: is there a "standard" electric guitar strings size?
I would guess 10-46 is more standard than 9's...
I would guess 10-46 is more standard than 9's...
PhantomStranger
New member
Re: is there a "standard" electric guitar strings size?
I would have said the same thing as The Golden Boy.
I would have said the same thing as The Golden Boy.
Woodcutter
New member
Re: is there a "standard" electric guitar strings size?
Alot of manufacturor sites will tell you what string size they use on which models. most either use 9-42 or 10-46.
Alot of manufacturor sites will tell you what string size they use on which models. most either use 9-42 or 10-46.
Kamanda~SD
New member
Re: is there a "standard" electric guitar strings size?
Fender is mostly 9-42 and gibson is mostly 10-46 ... most "cheaper" guitar co's use 9's. If your worried about getting the same guage, bring them into your store, alot of guys can tell what guage they are by feeling them.
Fender is mostly 9-42 and gibson is mostly 10-46 ... most "cheaper" guitar co's use 9's. If your worried about getting the same guage, bring them into your store, alot of guys can tell what guage they are by feeling them.
Sune
New member
Re: is there a "standard" electric guitar strings size?
Well, there is no store here, so how can I figure out what gauge the strings are?
this is the model I have: http://www.bcrich.com/bcrich_guitars/bodyart2003_05.asp
Well, there is no store here, so how can I figure out what gauge the strings are?
this is the model I have: http://www.bcrich.com/bcrich_guitars/bodyart2003_05.asp
Kamanda~SD
New member
Re: is there a "standard" electric guitar strings size?
That's a nice guitar, my friend got a BC Rich and it had 9's on it...hmm...Now it's hard to say, although I beleive it would be 9's, hopefully someone can help more.
That's a nice guitar, my friend got a BC Rich and it had 9's on it...hmm...Now it's hard to say, although I beleive it would be 9's, hopefully someone can help more.
Hellion
New member
Re: is there a "standard" electric guitar strings size?
Have you thought about contacting BC Rich and asking them?
www.bcrichguitars.com
Have you thought about contacting BC Rich and asking them?
www.bcrichguitars.com
The Golden Boy
Fleecy Sweaterologist
Re: is there a "standard" electric guitar strings size?
Rather than worrying about what kind of strings came on the guitar, I'd figure out what gauge works best for me, and have the guitar set up for that.
Rather than worrying about what kind of strings came on the guitar, I'd figure out what gauge works best for me, and have the guitar set up for that.
sosomething
Seymour Duncan Customer Support
Re: is there a "standard" electric guitar strings size?
I would estimate that about 90% of new 6-string guitars come from the factory with 9-42.
Sune, you should know that there is no "right" or "wrong" string gauge for any guitar - it's all based on what you prefer in terms of feel and tone. It's good to try different gauges at first to find out what fits you the best. All my guitars are tuned to a drop-C tuning with 11-50 gauge strings, and I've only come to that perfect balance for me after a bunch of experimentation.
Since you're a beginner, lighter strings are probably going to be easier for you to play until you get your fretting hand built up with permanent callouses and finger strength. I would advise buying 9-42 gauge strings even if that's not what your guitar came with originally - if it had 10's on it from the factory, the 9's will feel slinkier and more forgiving on your hands.
Good luck, and stick with it! Playing guitar is one of the defining aspects of my life, and I've gotten years of pure enjoyment from it.
I would estimate that about 90% of new 6-string guitars come from the factory with 9-42.
Sune, you should know that there is no "right" or "wrong" string gauge for any guitar - it's all based on what you prefer in terms of feel and tone. It's good to try different gauges at first to find out what fits you the best. All my guitars are tuned to a drop-C tuning with 11-50 gauge strings, and I've only come to that perfect balance for me after a bunch of experimentation.
Since you're a beginner, lighter strings are probably going to be easier for you to play until you get your fretting hand built up with permanent callouses and finger strength. I would advise buying 9-42 gauge strings even if that's not what your guitar came with originally - if it had 10's on it from the factory, the 9's will feel slinkier and more forgiving on your hands.
Good luck, and stick with it! Playing guitar is one of the defining aspects of my life, and I've gotten years of pure enjoyment from it.
St_Genesius
New member
Re: is there a "standard" electric guitar strings size?
While there is absolutely no reason to go with "standard" if that's not what you prefer for a given instrument, I think it's safe to say that 10s (usually 10-46) are standard, since nearly every string manufacturer that uses such descriptors for their electric sets refers to their 10s as "regular." Ernie Ball Regular SLinky? 10-46. Fender Regular Whatevers? 10-46. D'addario Regular Light (note that there is no other, more REGULAR sounding name)? 10-46. Dean Markley Regular Blue Steels? 10-46...
DR calls their 10-46 "Medium" but that's essentially the same thing as saying Regular.
While there is absolutely no reason to go with "standard" if that's not what you prefer for a given instrument, I think it's safe to say that 10s (usually 10-46) are standard, since nearly every string manufacturer that uses such descriptors for their electric sets refers to their 10s as "regular." Ernie Ball Regular SLinky? 10-46. Fender Regular Whatevers? 10-46. D'addario Regular Light (note that there is no other, more REGULAR sounding name)? 10-46. Dean Markley Regular Blue Steels? 10-46...
DR calls their 10-46 "Medium" but that's essentially the same thing as saying Regular.
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MikeS
Bengalsologist
Re: is there a "standard" electric guitar strings size?
Maybe it's time for you to start to think about what is comfortable for you to play. 10-46 is probably the most standard size used by players. Although, I'd put money on the fact that your Mockingbird came with 9s. Mine did, and they were the first things to go (very fast, but too floppy). While there is some merit to staying with 9-42 for familiarity's sake, making the move to a 10-46 set should be pretty easy to do while you're still learning.
Maybe it's time for you to start to think about what is comfortable for you to play. 10-46 is probably the most standard size used by players. Although, I'd put money on the fact that your Mockingbird came with 9s. Mine did, and they were the first things to go (very fast, but too floppy). While there is some merit to staying with 9-42 for familiarity's sake, making the move to a 10-46 set should be pretty easy to do while you're still learning.
RW James
New member
Re: is there a "standard" electric guitar strings size?
My first electric (strat clone) was set up with 9s... They felt like they were cutting through my finger tips... and I broke them all the time. I moved to 11s
Since then, I discovered that flaws in the saddles were breaking the strings (changed to GraphTech saddles) - and I now have stronger finger tips. I think I'll move back down to 10s... I'm having troube with the nuts and tuning with the 11s (I think they are binding)
I'll give my 11s to my son (the drummer) - he's been using 13s because he was hitting the strings too hard (like a drummer) and breaking strings - changed the saddles on his SG and now he's having trouble with the nut... oh well
Bottom line - I think 10s are a good choice for me - but it's really personal taste and the style of music you play.
Rick
My first electric (strat clone) was set up with 9s... They felt like they were cutting through my finger tips... and I broke them all the time. I moved to 11s
Since then, I discovered that flaws in the saddles were breaking the strings (changed to GraphTech saddles) - and I now have stronger finger tips. I think I'll move back down to 10s... I'm having troube with the nuts and tuning with the 11s (I think they are binding)
I'll give my 11s to my son (the drummer) - he's been using 13s because he was hitting the strings too hard (like a drummer) and breaking strings - changed the saddles on his SG and now he's having trouble with the nut... oh well
Bottom line - I think 10s are a good choice for me - but it's really personal taste and the style of music you play.
Rick
Sune
New member
Re: is there a "standard" electric guitar strings size?
Well, I really haven't tried much, but many of you recommend the 10-46 set so I think I'll try those..I've heard many good things about "DR" Strings, can anyone recommend them? (I don't want the most expensive strings since it would be too expensive).
Well, I really haven't tried much, but many of you recommend the 10-46 set so I think I'll try those..I've heard many good things about "DR" Strings, can anyone recommend them? (I don't want the most expensive strings since it would be too expensive).
The Golden Boy
Fleecy Sweaterologist
Re: is there a "standard" electric guitar strings size?
I've used D'Addarios forever. I've had a bunch of dud DR sets, both bass strings and guitar strings. Even at their best, I wouldn't rate the cost as that much better (if any) beyond D'Addarios or Ernie Balls. I also like the "vintage reissue" Gibson strings, but again, if I got them for the same price as D'Addarios or Ernie Balls I'd use them.
I've used D'Addarios forever. I've had a bunch of dud DR sets, both bass strings and guitar strings. Even at their best, I wouldn't rate the cost as that much better (if any) beyond D'Addarios or Ernie Balls. I also like the "vintage reissue" Gibson strings, but again, if I got them for the same price as D'Addarios or Ernie Balls I'd use them.
