Skinny Top, Heavy Bottom Strings

[Rainmaker]

Your opinion on how these strings would sound different to normal gague sets for different types of chords, etc.?

 

[D-EJ915]

Re: Skinny Top, Heavy Bottom Strings

Well, they were meant to keep similar tension to standard-sized strings when drop-tuned. So ideally, or rather, under their purpose they should sound the same.

I've always found that higher tension lessens muddiness, but then again I'm talking about going down to G so I guess it's a bit different up in the standard realm.

 

[Rainmaker]

Re: Skinny Top, Heavy Bottom Strings

But the 3 high strings are the same gague as standards... it's only the three bottom strings which are a heavier gague.

 

[Kac]

Re: Skinny Top, Heavy Bottom Strings

I never noticed a big difference playing chords when I switched over... I guess there was just more bass in the sound, maybe a fuller sound.
Definetly not bad.

Rock On ~!~ Kac

 

[DeadSkinSlayer3]

Re: Skinny Top, Heavy Bottom Strings

Less attack, a bit less definition with heavier strings, IMHO.

 

[taphappy]

Re: Skinny Top, Heavy Bottom Strings

I never noticed a big difference playing chords when I switched over... I guess there was just more bass in the sound, maybe a fuller sound.
Definetly not bad.

Rock On ~!~ Kac

+1 I can hear a bigger difference on clean than distortion. Thats probably why jazz players prefer heavey strings.

 

[ShredFetus]

Re: Skinny Top, Heavy Bottom Strings

I just swapped to 10-52's and I can notice a bit of a change in the low end chunk for metal riffs & chords. Then again the strings I had on before were lighter than normal too.

 

[Johtosotku]

Re: Skinny Top, Heavy Bottom Strings

Less attack, a bit less definition with heavier strings, IMHO.

You sure on the attack part? I somehow remember that I felt heavier strings more responsive with their tightness. I may not recall correctly as it's a long time since I did A/B tests.

I settled for medium gauge strings myself, 11-50 on 25.5 at E. I feel that too light strings don't sound and feel good, and neither do too thick ones.

I've never really liked the thought of those skinny top/heavy bottom strings. I like to play the same all over the fretboard on all strings, so I like an even feel all over them.

 

[some_dude]

Re: Skinny Top, Heavy Bottom Strings

I like 'em.

I prefer hybrid sets as it gives me more playability where I need it (on the high strings), but holds solid when I'm chugging away on the low end.

 

[Imp]

Re: Skinny Top, Heavy Bottom Strings

yeah, they're great for drop D IME.. the tighter D string tightens up your chords, whilst keeping everything else constant..

tom

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Skinny Top, Heavy Bottom Strings

Less attack, a bit less definition with heavier strings, IMHO.

That is 100% backwards!

With heavier strings you get more (or a stronger) attack and better defination

he light top/heavy bottom strings are great if you want to ues heavy strings for a good chord sound but still want the be able to bend the strings w/o having to fight them too much. for years I used either 11-52 or 12-56, about a year or so ago I switched to 10-52, the guages re the same as my 11-52 set except the high e is a 10 (it was an 11) and the g is a 17 (it was an 18) and it made a huge difference for lead playing and IMO I lost very little tone of defination.

 

[Ocifer]

Re: Skinny Top, Heavy Bottom Strings

I use EB Skinny Top - Heavy Bottom, 10-52. I really like the way they feel and play. I really like the depth the heavier bass strings get. Think SRV clean tones on Lenny, Riviera Paradise. A fair amount of his sound came from the way he played and the nice lush tone that thick strings gave him. These strings a good compromise, because you get the solid bass and nice highs without having to go to 13s and put glue in your hands.

I should get used to 11s and see if they're any better? I just got to strengthen up my hands.