Recent change- heavier electric strings- the cheapest effective mod possible

[gsammo79]

Re: Recent change- heavier electric strings- the cheapest effective mod possible

in my early 20's I changed my string gauge (electric) on my LP from 10's to 11's. I liked it, but my fretting hand stayed really fatigued playing the larger gauge strings. If I wanna play every day I have to drop the string gauge to 9's or 10's or else I just can't. Some players may not have this problem and handle the heavy string challenge with ease, but I found I couldn't. Aside from wearing my left hand out, I just couldn't play with the same confidence and speed either.

 

[zionstrat]

Re: Recent change- heavier electric strings- the cheapest effective mod possible

been there, at some point i used 12 to 65 for e standar (25.5 scale) avaibility is the keyword to why i didn't keep such gauge, bending was no problem at all

Interesting thread- I haven't made it up to 65s and imagine that I'm not going heavier, but glad to hear form others who have tried this path.

And now I'm starting to think about the physics behind this conversation- I moved to a heavy pick after reading a Steve Howe interview- He glued 2 credit cards together to get a thick pick saying something like "I play faster with a pick that isn't moving around and I can always hold it looser to lighten up for rhythm."

This approach was perfect for me and I think I applied the same theory to strings, with no idea if the physics back it up- ie lighter gauge strings 'wobble' more and they can't take the attack of a heavy pick. So much of my sound and speed seems to come from mass and inertia.

As a result, I play much, much faster with heavy strings and it has always surprised me when fast technical players (I am not one) can move so fast with light strings and picks. I get the ideas that bends are harder with heavy gauge and do find that pull offs are easier to 'dig' into and have more of snap with light strings.

But I overcame the first with stronger fingers and I can still manage pull offs well. And keep in mind that tone is everything for me.

So wondering if anyone any physics in their back pocket to reinforce the proclivity for light or heavy strings for speed?

Thanks again, I love this forum.

 

[Paully]

Re: Recent change- heavier electric strings- the cheapest effective mod possible

I use 11's with wound 3rd on my Strat and 11's with plain 3rd on the Les Paul.

 

[zionstrat]

Re: Recent change- heavier electric strings- the cheapest effective mod possible

Paul, my 11 sets are Dean Markleys with a wound and unwound g. Hadn't used wound before but will be exploring the feel now that I'm not scared of them.

Why the difference on the LP and Strat? Scale length?

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