String gauge for Strats

[dr. ad]

Re: String gauge for Strats

i have to agree that it's all subjective... but heavier strings and higher action do change an instrument's tone, and if the physics and general consensus agree that it's a positive change i'd suggest there has to be some truth in it.

sorry guys, but saying you get better tone with light strings sounds like a cop-out to me; makes me wonder if the neck relief, action and distance from p/ups to strings was adjusted after the new and harder-to-play heavier strings were fitted

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: String gauge for Strats

sorry guys, but saying you get better tone with light strings sounds like a cop-out to me...

It's subjective. They said they like the tone better that way. That means it's better for them.

The general concensus on here is that a Telecaster with single coil pickups is the best guitar ever. If I prefer a Jackson Dinky with 'buckers and a Floyd, is that a cop-out?

 

[cream123]

Re: String gauge for Strats

11-52 D'adarrio

and/or

12-50 with a wound G for jazz season

the 11s do the jazz well enough but when its jazz band season I up the string gauge a bit with a wound G as well

 

[dr. ad]

Re: String gauge for Strats

It's subjective. They said they like the tone better that way. That means it's better for them.

i know it's subjective, i said it's subjective. read my post again.

The general concensus on here is that a Telecaster with single coil pickups is the best guitar ever. If I prefer a Jackson Dinky with 'buckers and a Floyd, is that a cop-out?

that 'comparison' really isn't valid, or relevant to this thread... that's like comparing a bus to a bicycle. "best guitar ever"? WTF is that, is this harmony central? are we fckin 12?!

i'm saying that thicker strings and higher action mean more sound means more signal - how are 8s going to sound 'better' in any relative sense, if the other variables are taken out of the equation?

before anyone else gets all offended because they feel i'm insulting their delicate little hands, should i point out that i did say 9-46s before..? it's not like i'm saying "13-56s! everything else is sh1t and you're all fckin fairies"

 

[Atomic Chameleon]

Re: String gauge for Strats

Currently I use 9s on 25.5 guitars and 10s on my Gibbys...

+1

I use 10s on my Eb Strat also.

 

[Hagbard Celine]

Re: String gauge for Strats

i have to agree that it's all subjective... but heavier strings and higher action do change an instrument's tone, and if the physics and general consensus agree that it's a positive change i'd suggest there has to be some truth in it.

sorry guys, but saying you get better tone with light strings sounds like a cop-out to me; makes me wonder if the neck relief, action and distance from p/ups to strings was adjusted after the new and harder-to-play heavier strings were fitted

Who says the physics "agree" that big strings lead to a "positive change" in tone. You see you're falling into the trap again, by using words like "positive."

For one thing I'd sure be interested in someone's objective measurements of how much a guitar body, neck, hardware vibrates given various gauges, constructions and brands of strings. It would also have to include variables for body type, wood, weight, neck joint, bridge, how tightly it is being held and air temperature and humidity. No, don't appeal to some sort of authority like "physics." Then, in the end it still comes down to how an individual FEELS about the differences.

Who says it's the "general consensus?"

So far we have an appeal to authority and an appeal to popularity (or the mob) neither of which is established as true. NOT a good argument.

Sometimes I swear we should speak in E-Prime when talking tone.:banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead:

And, no, it's not a "cop out." As I mentioned I went through a period of thinking that I had to use big strings to get a big sound and tried a lot of different kinds. I liked some things about them. I prefer the feel of them, especially my picking hand. In the end I decided I like the singing quality of lighter strings better.

Oh, and considering for part of that time I was working out doing heavy deadlifts for reps without straps (most of the time) I had a grip like clam. It was never about "harder to play." In fact I think it's harder to play light strings. You need a lighter touch. That's another thing I found in my case, heavy strings didn't sounds so good when played lightly, especially in the upper registers.

That's just me, though.

Just make a list of the great players with great big tone that play(ed) light strings.

 

[Diocletian]

Re: String gauge for Strats

I've used 8s plenty of times for my high E string.

Yeah I was only kidding, I tried them once years ago.

I agree with whoever said 9s for strat types, 10s for Gibson types. Although I don't really care too much, I'm happy enough using either.

 

[dr. ad]

Re: String gauge for Strats

heh, are we including the devices used to boost their signals in the list as well?
write your lists and see what happens.

i've been under the impression that the advantages of heavier strings have been common knowledge for decades, forgive me for not including the reference material. if that were not the case, it would still be my opinion

thanks for the info re the 'deadlift' bit and how it affected the strength of your thumbs too; all these years i've been fretting and picking with my fingers like an idiot

i'm off to put some light strings on an acoustic; it sounds terrible but feels quite gratifying

 

[KeeperOS]

Re: String gauge for Strats

10s on my Strat/superstrat/24,75"er, 9s on my shredder/rocker

 

[jeremy]

Re: String gauge for Strats

11/15/19/28/38/52

is my typical set, the low e string is anywhere from 50-56 depending on what i have around. it is a very balanced set with the overall tension difference between highest and lowest about 2 lbs. i use pretty much the same set on all my guitars

 

[Hagbard Celine]

Re: String gauge for Strats

heh, are we including the devices used to boost their signals in the list as well?
write your lists and see what happens.

I've been under the impression that the advantages of heavier strings have been common knowledge for decades, forgive me for not including the reference material. if that were not the case, it would still be my opinion

thanks for the info re the 'deadlift' bit and how it affected the strength of your thumbs too; all these years I've been fretting and picking with my fingers like an idiot

I'm off to put some light strings on an acoustic; it sounds terrible but feels quite gratifying

You mean like the Tube Screamers, Fuzz Faces and multiple amps at one time Stevie Ray used?:naughty::dot::eyecrazy:

Hmmm, how many pedals for Page, Angus, May even Malmsteen? :cool2: Any more than average, any wild and crazy ones? :33:

And how about the high gain setups of Jim Campilongo, Roy Buchanan, Albert Lee, Knopfler back in the Sultan days. All of them playing light strings through low output single coils straight into clean amps. :crazy: Then there was this guy named Jimi Hendrix who played 10-38's tuned to Eb (or lower or higher depending on the recording) - he got a pretty big sound. mg:

Nah, that old excuse doesn't hold water. If a person prefers them or even thinks that big strings sound better in their opinion and for their needs, just leave it at that. Any attempt to "prove" or establish more than that is doomed to fail. And any inference that those who don't accept the "general consensus", which doesn't exist, or the evident logic, which is fallacy ridden faulty reasoning, that big strings give better tone do so because playing them is too "hard" in your words is nonsense. My comment about the deadlifts was just to indicate that it wasn't a matter of hand "strength" which itself is a dumb concept if you know the anatomy. It's more a matter of acclimation to the feel and toughening up the callouses.

Like I said a while back I used to use Rotosound flats gauged 50-110 on bass. I think that makes my bones when it comes to big strings for those who think it some sort of measure.

Oh, and some acoustic players that sound awesome use light acoustic strings. Tommy Emmanuel comes to mind, plays 12's and does OK. I tried 13's on my Martin OOOX1 and, yup, like the 12's it shipped with better. If it were a dreadnaught 13's might be better.

 

[scottish]

Re: String gauge for Strats

i use 10s on all my guitars

 

[cvansickle]

Re: String gauge for Strats

Currently I use 9s on 25.5 guitars and 10s on my Gibbys...

This is what I do. This way, the string tension feels about the same.

 

[guitfiddle]

Re: String gauge for Strats

I won't get into the whole thing of "one is better than the other"...I just think the thicker strings have a pianistic quality to the top of the notes that I like. Thinner ones don't have the same attack to my ears.

Feel-wise, I have much less instance of bending too far or gripping a chord too hard and going out of tune, and here's the rub...I don't want to adjust my picking to be light touchy. If that works for some, that's fine, but I like to spank my planks.

 

[Binnerscot]

Re: String gauge for Strats

Hmmm so .009's are prone to breakage?

No, some people just think that they are Pete Townshend. I have been using 9s for 20 years (actually most people I knew played 9s back in the day and they were called "Light" vs. today's "Super Light").

 

[Hellion]

Re: String gauge for Strats

I used a 10-52 set for a time on my strats, mainly because that's what i was using on my LP and teles. I still use that set on those instruments, but have gone back to a 9-46 set for strats. They just feel more comfortable to me on that guitar.

 

[LtKojak]

Re: String gauge for Strats

For a 25,5" strat, D'Addarios XL110 (10-46) work best for me.

 

[RealDeadOne]

Re: String gauge for Strats

I won't get into the whole thing of "one is better than the other"...I just think the thicker strings have a pianistic quality to the top of the notes that I like. Thinner ones don't have the same attack to my ears.

Feel-wise, I have much less instance of bending too far or gripping a chord too hard and going out of tune, and here's the rub...I don't want to adjust my picking to be light touchy. If that works for some, that's fine, but I like to spank my planks.

you nailed it!

 

[SlowGroove]

Re: String gauge for Strats

Whats your favorite gauge string for a strat and why?

I can not play spider webs.
Thicker strings (no matter what guitar it is) just feel better under my fingers, and sounds right to my ears !
AND, in my hands, last a fair bit longer too.


James

 

[Archer_of_Fish]

Re: String gauge for Strats

They make .08s?!

they make 7's.

Billy Gibbons uses a 7-36 or 38 set.