Quencho092
New member
im feeling SRVish right now, perhaps i should try .11's for good measure for the tone!
String gauge tone mania
- Thread starter Quencho092
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Metalman_666
Well-known member
Re: String gauge tone mania
My brief string usage history:
In my 5 years playing guitar, I've tried every string gauge. I originally used really heavy strings because I was an idiot and thought heavier gauge meant better tone and what not. Eventually I realised I needed to bend, and switched from 12's to 9's (9-46) and was satisfied for awhile. But for a lot of the drop tuning stuff I do, 9's just aren't thick enough. So recently I settled on 10-52 or 10-46, because they're heavy enough not to go out of tune or buzz when in drop C, and they're light enough to bend just as well as the 9's. Plus, it's a better finger workout to have to pull more string.
My brief string usage history:
In my 5 years playing guitar, I've tried every string gauge. I originally used really heavy strings because I was an idiot and thought heavier gauge meant better tone and what not. Eventually I realised I needed to bend, and switched from 12's to 9's (9-46) and was satisfied for awhile. But for a lot of the drop tuning stuff I do, 9's just aren't thick enough. So recently I settled on 10-52 or 10-46, because they're heavy enough not to go out of tune or buzz when in drop C, and they're light enough to bend just as well as the 9's. Plus, it's a better finger workout to have to pull more string.
Mac-P
New member
Re: String gauge tone mania
Going to heavier strings are the SINGLE easiest and cheapest way to get better tone.
If you use .009's, go to .010's.
If you use .010's, go to .011's.
You can DEFINITELY bend .011's, even tuned to standard pitch. Anything thinner feels wimpy once you get used to it. The sound is NOTICABLEY bigger AND the guitar stays in tune beter.
SRV used .012's, sometimes .013's, but he tuned to Eb.
And back in Hendrix's day, they didn't even HAVE light guage strings (like.009's).
My 2 cents! Peace.
Going to heavier strings are the SINGLE easiest and cheapest way to get better tone.
If you use .009's, go to .010's.
If you use .010's, go to .011's.
You can DEFINITELY bend .011's, even tuned to standard pitch. Anything thinner feels wimpy once you get used to it. The sound is NOTICABLEY bigger AND the guitar stays in tune beter.
SRV used .012's, sometimes .013's, but he tuned to Eb.
And back in Hendrix's day, they didn't even HAVE light guage strings (like.009's).
My 2 cents! Peace.
StrykeBack
New member
Re: String gauge tone mania
also depends a lot on scale length, the guage u use. My ibanez SZ has the prs scale length of 25.1 and when it came with 9s it felt really sloppy, and there was no thought of doing drop tuning. Slapped 10s and it got better but still no chance of drop tuning cleanly. It's now happy at 11s. I'l drop to d but won't bother with drop c tuning. I can bend the strings and I've only been playing for a month or two, hoping my hands get stronger so that the string bends will be more predictable, but hey, I figure if I learn on heavier strings then using either same heavys or going to light strings will be a piece of cake...oh and I too think they sound quite a bit different. But the amp and guitar might affect the mileage on that one.
also depends a lot on scale length, the guage u use. My ibanez SZ has the prs scale length of 25.1 and when it came with 9s it felt really sloppy, and there was no thought of doing drop tuning. Slapped 10s and it got better but still no chance of drop tuning cleanly. It's now happy at 11s. I'l drop to d but won't bother with drop c tuning. I can bend the strings and I've only been playing for a month or two, hoping my hands get stronger so that the string bends will be more predictable, but hey, I figure if I learn on heavier strings then using either same heavys or going to light strings will be a piece of cake...oh and I too think they sound quite a bit different. But the amp and guitar might affect the mileage on that one.
Brett Valentine
New member
Re: String gauge tone mania
I put .011's on my Strat and really haven't looked back! The tone has gotten big and fat with nice bottom end, and after I got adjusted to it, it became my favorite guitar for a long time. The other added benefit was that it made the acoustic that much easier. The thing I like the best is the greater range of articulation I get with .011's. It's harder to overplay .011's than it is .010's or .009's. I can put more of myself into the strings and that really helps my performance. The only problem was that it had too much bass for a recording date I had. That was an eye opener.
On the other hand, I put .011's on my Carvin DC-135T (which was the easiest playing guitar I had before the i21) and I absolutely hated the feel. The sound was more substantial, but the guitar was just very stiff feeling where the Strat still felt "organic."
Put .011's on the 335 and the action was still buttery, but bending wasn't fun. .011 Chromes still felt effortless, but that made it a dedicated jazz box. I went back to .010's for blues and it felt like .009's to my fingers, but the sound was still nice and warm and expressive.
Brett
I put .011's on my Strat and really haven't looked back! The tone has gotten big and fat with nice bottom end, and after I got adjusted to it, it became my favorite guitar for a long time. The other added benefit was that it made the acoustic that much easier. The thing I like the best is the greater range of articulation I get with .011's. It's harder to overplay .011's than it is .010's or .009's. I can put more of myself into the strings and that really helps my performance. The only problem was that it had too much bass for a recording date I had. That was an eye opener.
On the other hand, I put .011's on my Carvin DC-135T (which was the easiest playing guitar I had before the i21) and I absolutely hated the feel. The sound was more substantial, but the guitar was just very stiff feeling where the Strat still felt "organic."
Put .011's on the 335 and the action was still buttery, but bending wasn't fun. .011 Chromes still felt effortless, but that made it a dedicated jazz box. I went back to .010's for blues and it felt like .009's to my fingers, but the sound was still nice and warm and expressive.
Brett
Bludave
New member
Re: String gauge tone mania
There are several things to consider as many of these posts here have stated. The type of guitar will be an issue. 25.5 vrs 24.75 scale will have some bearing. I find the 25.5 scale to be harder to bind, but a little more snap. If you listen to SRV you will hear that he did not get a real chimy clean sound and that is due to the heavy gauge. A good alternative is to go to 11's vrs 12's. 11's won't sound a whole lot different in the chime, but will definatley have better tone. (IMO)
There are several things to consider as many of these posts here have stated. The type of guitar will be an issue. 25.5 vrs 24.75 scale will have some bearing. I find the 25.5 scale to be harder to bind, but a little more snap. If you listen to SRV you will hear that he did not get a real chimy clean sound and that is due to the heavy gauge. A good alternative is to go to 11's vrs 12's. 11's won't sound a whole lot different in the chime, but will definatley have better tone. (IMO)
Re: String gauge tone mania
I was using GHS CLs 9-46, then I decided I wanted to up to Lights which are 10-46. Not a huge difference, but I bend and vibrato a ton, so there was some. Been using them for about 2 or 3 months now, and I'm getting to the point where the bends and vibratos are just as easy as they were with the CLs. In another couple of months I may go up to 11s. But that's probably where I'll draw the line, I really don't want to go heavier than that just due to the potentional long term stress on my hands and wrists. Plus, I play guitar not bass. =P
I was using GHS CLs 9-46, then I decided I wanted to up to Lights which are 10-46. Not a huge difference, but I bend and vibrato a ton, so there was some. Been using them for about 2 or 3 months now, and I'm getting to the point where the bends and vibratos are just as easy as they were with the CLs. In another couple of months I may go up to 11s. But that's probably where I'll draw the line, I really don't want to go heavier than that just due to the potentional long term stress on my hands and wrists. Plus, I play guitar not bass. =P
Brett Valentine
New member
Re: String gauge tone mania
An interestig side effect for me using .011's on the Strat is that constant playing has all but ended my "carpal tunnel" issues on my left hand. It's definitely stronger and more flexible, and the main difference was putting .011's on the Strat. I think that having to get used to the strings (fatigue) might have caused me to rest a bit more, but I do about the same amount of stretching now as I did in the past. Everybody's different, but this definitely worked for me.
Brett
An interestig side effect for me using .011's on the Strat is that constant playing has all but ended my "carpal tunnel" issues on my left hand. It's definitely stronger and more flexible, and the main difference was putting .011's on the Strat. I think that having to get used to the strings (fatigue) might have caused me to rest a bit more, but I do about the same amount of stretching now as I did in the past. Everybody's different, but this definitely worked for me.
Brett
Re: String gauge tone mania
I used 10's for a long time but went to 9's a few years ago cuz I really couldn't hear the difference. Now that my tastes and ears have developed I'm contemplating going back to 10;s.
Of course I've got small hands so 10's are about as heavy as I've like to go. Although some guitars take heavier strings easier... they play comparatively easier with bigger strings than other guitars do with the same string. On a Gibson Les Paul with 12's I couldn't bend 'em to save my life but on a Fender SRV Strat it came off much easier... weird.
I used 10's for a long time but went to 9's a few years ago cuz I really couldn't hear the difference. Now that my tastes and ears have developed I'm contemplating going back to 10;s.
Of course I've got small hands so 10's are about as heavy as I've like to go. Although some guitars take heavier strings easier... they play comparatively easier with bigger strings than other guitars do with the same string. On a Gibson Les Paul with 12's I couldn't bend 'em to save my life but on a Fender SRV Strat it came off much easier... weird.
some_dude
Raging BB Gunologist
Re: String gauge tone mania
I use 11's on a Strat and Les Paul in Standard, and 13's on a drop tuned Strat. Bending was a pain at first, but you get used to it pretty fast. I find vibrato easier, as there's a touch more string to grab and pull, so it doesn't slide under my fingers as easily.
I've switched guages up and down a couple of times and I definatly prefer the sound and feel of the heavier strings. The tone sounds better (to me), they stay in tune better, and they bend smoother and bend to pitch better.
I use 11's on a Strat and Les Paul in Standard, and 13's on a drop tuned Strat. Bending was a pain at first, but you get used to it pretty fast. I find vibrato easier, as there's a touch more string to grab and pull, so it doesn't slide under my fingers as easily.
I've switched guages up and down a couple of times and I definatly prefer the sound and feel of the heavier strings. The tone sounds better (to me), they stay in tune better, and they bend smoother and bend to pitch better.
Quencho092
New member
Re: String gauge tone mania
sounds good, i guess ill shoot for the 11's then. I'm using DR's right now, but im most often an ernie ball regular slinky guy. The DR's tarnish a bit quick, i guess ill go for the EB 11's.
sounds good, i guess ill shoot for the 11's then. I'm using DR's right now, but im most often an ernie ball regular slinky guy. The DR's tarnish a bit quick, i guess ill go for the EB 11's.
Illini1330
New member
Re: String gauge tone mania
i play my mexi strat (vintage frets), standard tuning, and 13s. its not that the tone is why i use them, it is just that the feel of thick strings feels so good to me. I love it
i play my mexi strat (vintage frets), standard tuning, and 13s. its not that the tone is why i use them, it is just that the feel of thick strings feels so good to me. I love it
\m/(00)\m/
HeadBanginologist
Re: String gauge tone mania
i use 9-46 on most of my guitars and 11-48 on my les paul
the 9's are great, as are the 11's. the 9's are for my trem guitars, they're very versatile so i can do fast stuff and still do other stuff. the 11's are great for when im in a jazzy mood or a blues mood since i can just dig in and go off!!
i use 9-46 on most of my guitars and 11-48 on my les paul
the 9's are great, as are the 11's. the 9's are for my trem guitars, they're very versatile so i can do fast stuff and still do other stuff. the 11's are great for when im in a jazzy mood or a blues mood since i can just dig in and go off!!
Fresno Bob
New member
Re: String gauge tone mania
I use .12-.52 with a wound G, and have ever since I picked up the guitar. It's basically what I learned to play on, so I've become real accustomed to them.
I'm at the point where it's actually difficult for me to play on thinner strings. Any time I try any play my friend's LP with .46's, I end up bending/pulling the sting off the fret board, and the strings seem to cut into my fingers more.
I use .12-.52 with a wound G, and have ever since I picked up the guitar. It's basically what I learned to play on, so I've become real accustomed to them.
I'm at the point where it's actually difficult for me to play on thinner strings. Any time I try any play my friend's LP with .46's, I end up bending/pulling the sting off the fret board, and the strings seem to cut into my fingers more.
L
Lewguitar
Guest
Re: String gauge tone mania
Wow! I gotta disagree about the SRV statement!
SRV got some of the cleanest, chimiest tones on the planet when he wanted to. He could play cleaner and chimier than just about anyone I can think of. Riviera Paradise, Lenny, Little Wing, etc. To me that's one of things about him that I liked best. In fact, that IS what I liked about his playing best. That Curtis Mayfield/Jimi Hendrix soul guitar style when he brought the volume down and just played clean and tasty chord melody and soul double stop stuff.
Bludave said:
Wow! I gotta disagree about the SRV statement!
SRV got some of the cleanest, chimiest tones on the planet when he wanted to. He could play cleaner and chimier than just about anyone I can think of. Riviera Paradise, Lenny, Little Wing, etc. To me that's one of things about him that I liked best. In fact, that IS what I liked about his playing best. That Curtis Mayfield/Jimi Hendrix soul guitar style when he brought the volume down and just played clean and tasty chord melody and soul double stop stuff.
