String gage for a ES-335

[PylonRacer]

What do you all recommend for string gage on a ES-335? I have 10s on my 335 copy; but they seem almost too slinky compared to my Strat that is also strung with 10s. I know on a Strat, bigger is usually better for tone; and due to the scale, they have noticably more tension than the short scale 335. It doesn't seem like the LP and 335 crowd chase the big strings like the Strat players do. How come?

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: String gage for a ES-335

I like 11s with an unwound third on mine . . . I used to use the wound third but the ****ed string kept breaking on me all the time. I've tried 12s, and it starts to feel a little too much like I'm playing an acoustic.

 

[ImmortalSix]

Re: String gage for a ES-335

Well, I'm having the same thoughts.

I have 10-49's (I think, I'm sure they're D'Addarios) on my 335, and the G will not intonate properly with an unwound 3rd. I do not remember this being an issue with a wound 3rd.

I tried 11-?? flatwounds on it, and man, it was too much tension. I'm a bendy player and I use the semi-hollow as a rock guitar, so flats were not for me.

I am going to try D'Addario 11-52's with a wound 3rd today, and I have band practice this evening, so I'll let you know my impressions tomorrow.

FWIW, I used to run 11-?? D'Addarios on it and I think that was the magic setup.

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: String gage for a ES-335

11-49 DR Pure Blues set on both my LP and Sheraton and they feel great.

 

[jeremy]

Re: String gage for a ES-335

11-50 dr tite fits or pure blues. or better yet a custom 11/15/19/28/38/56 set

 

[lex666]

Re: String gage for a ES-335

I'm using Gibson Les Paul Signature strings on mine. They're 9-46.

I like the skinny gauge for easier bends on this guitar.

 

[blueman335]

Re: String gage for a ES-335

I'm using Gibson Les Paul Signature strings on mine. They're 9-46. I like the skinny gauge for easier bends on this guitar.

Yes! If you want to do deep string bends like the late '60's British blues/rock players, you need a smaller gauge. With 9's, I can do the Peter Green-Danny Kirwan bends and vibrato. That alone is worth it.

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: String gage for a ES-335

Yes! If you want to do deep string bends like the late '60's British blues/rock players, you need a smaller gauge. With 9's, I can do the Peter Green-Danny Kirwan bends and vibrato. That alone is worth it.

Meh.



I can do that with 11's all day. It's all an issue of preference and hand strength, I suppose.

 

[LtKojak]

Re: String gage for a ES-335

I use a custom set made by myself in my MIJ 1967 Emperador 335 copy guitar: D'Addario XL 10, 13, 17, 26, 42, 52. I like the evenness of tension in the neck through all the strings while bending or bend-vibrato... which I use a lot.

HTH,

Pepe aka Lt. Kojak
Milano, Italy

 

[Kosh Naranek]

Re: String gage for a ES-335

Put Power Slinky's on that axe!! 11-48! It's got short scale!
If a .011 E string hurts your fingertips, use light top/heavy bottoms. 10-52.
Heck, if you're playng jazz and don't expect to bend strings much at all, put 12's on.

 

[gilles27]

Re: String gage for a ES-335

11, wound 3rd

 

[ZoSo0789]

Re: String gage for a ES-335

11's all the way for Gibson solid bodies, but on a 335, I think 10s or possibly even 9s would sound a little better.

But 11s all the way on stuff like that

 

[ParameterMan]

Re: String gage for a ES-335

Power Slinky. Nickel or classic, I'm using the classics right now on my Dot and they feel just right.

 

[blueman335]

Re: String gage for a ES-335

Meh. I can do that with 11's all day. It's all an issue of preference and hand strength, I suppose.

I don't know anyone who can do the real Peter Green bends with 11's, even full-time professional musicians. Decent bends yes, wild Peter Green bends, no.

 

[PylonRacer]

Re: String gage for a ES-335

I'm surprised to see all the 11s love in the room. That's good news. I play heavy blues; and can bend the heck out of the D'Addario 10s that are on there, so 11s may not be a problem. I'm actually used to muscleing the Strat around so I have to concentrate on a lighter touch on the 335 (that's probably good for me).

I'll have to play with the wound G or not. Sounds like the common thought is that the wound G intonates better? FWIW the 335 intonates MUCH better than my Strat. That darn G & D on my Strat is a hate/hate relationship.

 

[ZoSo0789]

Re: String gage for a ES-335

Yeah 11s rule. My friend swore by them for years on his LP while I was stuck on 9's and 10s (what I started out playing on a Ibby). I tired a set of D'Addarrio Blues/Jazz 11s and I love 'em. Really thickens up that bridge pup where to how I want it.

 

[blueman335]

Re: String gage for a ES-335

I'm surprised to see all the 11s love in the room. That's good news. I play heavy blues; and can bend the heck out of the D'Addario 10s that are on there, so 11s may not be a problem. I'm actually used to muscleing the Strat around so I have to concentrate on a lighter touch on the 335 (that's probably good for me).

I'll have to play with the wound G or not. Sounds like the common thought is that the wound G intonates better? FWIW the 335 intonates MUCH better than my Strat. That darn G & D on my Strat is a hate/hate relationship.

The thicker the string, the better the tone. The only reason to go thinner is for bending (some of us are apparently less masculine than others). If you can manhandle 10's, try 11's. A wound G is going to be harder to bend, especially with 11's, but stays in tune & intonates better. Won't know if it'll work for you until you try. Get a set of 11's & put them thru the paces. They will sound nice.

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: String gage for a ES-335

I don't know anyone who can do the real Peter Green bends with 11's, even full-time professional musicians. Decent bends yes, wild Peter Green bends, no.

Come down to Texas. You might learn a thing or two.

 

[guitfiddle]

Re: String gage for a ES-335

I don't know anyone who can do the real Peter Green bends with 11's, even full-time professional musicians. Decent bends yes, wild Peter Green bends, no.

Wild bends must needs take a back seat to the TONE. 11-50 for me, and I do great bends..

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: String gage for a ES-335

The thicker the string, the better the tone.

I'm calling BS on this one. On an acoustic instrument, this rule holds true. On electric, there are plenty of guys who agree with me.

Come to think of it, there are plenty here who agree, as well. Eddie Van Halen uses 9's tuned down to Eb, and we get a thread or a million about trying to cop his tone.

A wound G is going to be harder to bend, especially with 11's, but stays in tune & intonates better.

It totally depends on the gauge of the G. Some of the guys here will argue that a plain 20 G will bend easier than a wound 20 G, but check out the tension on them, and see the truth. Unless you think that a string with significantly higher tension is easier to bend