String gauge for Strats

String gauge for Strats

  • .08

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • .09

    Votes: 24 27.3%
  • .10

    Votes: 39 44.3%
  • .11

    Votes: 18 20.5%
  • I play on piano strings

    Votes: 7 8.0%

  • Total voters
    88
Re: String gauge for Strats

on a strat, playing something strattish, in standard tuning = 10-46s, or 9-46s if i want to over-bend
 
Re: String gauge for Strats

Back in the old daze Nutt'in But .011s. But after a nasty bout w/t Carpel Tunnel & And other age related ole' Geezer Issue's, I've retreated to.010s .:28: I'll quit playing B4 I ever have to use .09s Nine in German is NO !:no:
 
Re: String gauge for Strats

012-052 currently. It finally feels like its got some personailty.
SRV used .013's if I remember right. I'd do that too but just can't bend when things get that heavy.
 
Re: String gauge for Strats

9-46 Ernie Ball custom set. I think its definatly the best of both worlds as the heavier gauge does sound a little fuller on chords and rhythm work and yet its still a light enough top end to be able to play without killing your fingers.

9-42 just always felt a little too light to me

Agree. I think the same.
 
Re: String gauge for Strats

11 or 12 for the high E and 52 for the low E for me, tuned to Eb. I like them for both tone and feel, bigger strings have a bigger sound and respond better to my playing.
 
Re: String gauge for Strats

Back in the old daze Nutt'in But .011s. But after a nasty bout w/t Carpel Tunnel & And other age related ole' Geezer Issue's, I've retreated to.010s .:28: I'll quit playing B4 I ever have to use .09s Nine in German is NO !:no:

I'm with you Kenny on the geezer issues, but I recently switched back to .011's on all the guitars. Seems to add just a touch more "huevos" to the tone.
 
Re: String gauge for Strats

Plerase, please, please... no more big strings "sound better" or they have "better tone", etc.

You like them, fine. That does not make the tone "better."

I for one prefer the sound of light strings. Especially higher up the neck. I like the way they sing and sizzle. I once played the D'Adario 12's with an unwound G, Beefy Slinkies and GHS Low Tunes on Strats. Great for low runs and riffs and percussive playing but not as good for singing lead tone - in my opinon.:soapbox:

I also used to use Rotosound Steve Harris Flats on my bass - now those are some bridge cables.
 
Re: String gauge for Strats

Yeah, that's like saying a bigger amp/hotter pickups/higher action is always better for the tone. While there's fundamental stuff that can draw the line closer or further, the fact is that the final judgement goes through our ears, not by physics/logic.

Tony Iommi sounds huge with 8s. Brian May gets a killer tone with a short scale and 8s. And SRV sounded massive with 13s. It can all be good, and none is universally better just because.
 
Re: String gauge for Strats

10's - when I play 9's & play my normal 1 step bends, they always come out a step & a half - sounds awfull.
 
Re: String gauge for Strats

Been using EB 10's for 24 years now. Started with 9's and 8's, and then I decided to strengthen my fingers up with 10's, (You know like putting a weight on a baseball bat). The tone and control did it for me. Tried 9's once or twice, but still keep going back to 10's. Tried 11's in standard tuning once in awhile. Right now I used them for tuning a 1/2 step down.
 
Re: String gauge for Strats

13-56's. Being a primarily acoustic player, who uses medium gauge strings switching to something lighter on an electric, I don't know what to do with it.
 
Re: String gauge for Strats

hey i didnt say 09s were bad.
they just dont fit for ME

sonicexplorer, its true, heavier gauge strengthen your fingers

'S'all good. You know what I like about big fat strings? The sound of Pete Townshend windmilling 12's on a P90 SG Special.


townshend2.jpg


eg-pete-townsend.jpg
 
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