String Gauge/Type

[Diminished Triad]

What are the preferred string gauges for rhythm guitar compared to lead?
Is there a difference in the type of string preferred for those playing lots of rhythm and no lead?
Thanks!

 

[CTN]

Re: String Gauge/Type

it's all personal preference.

Me personally, if I was playing just rhythm, I'd go to a slightly heavier gauged set for a bit more tightness and power in the sound. But I play lots of lead so I go to thinner set that allows me to do bends, vibrato etc a bit easier.

 

[DeathALT.]

Re: String Gauge/Type

I've tried everything from 9-42 all the way to 12-56 on my Ibanez in standard tuning. My favourite gauge ended up being 11-49, although I'm playing 10-46 because that's the heaviest gauge of Elixirs my music store stocks. I'm playing a wide variety of music from blues to metal. The 11's had a nice resistance while playing that felt a little better to me, instead of the flubby "slap" type sound that comes with hard picking on thinner string gauges. They were also not too stiff in my attempts to play some leads.

 

[JeffB]

Re: String Gauge/Type

What CTN said.

10-46 Ernie Ball Slinkys or RnR Slinky are what I just keep coming back to. They are not without fault, but the feel and tone at a reasonable price keeps me buying them.

 

[beaubrummels]

Re: String Gauge/Type

When I was only a lead guitar player using Strat-type guitars (Ibanez and The Strat), I used GHS Boomer .008s or .009s.

Now mainly rhythm I'm using:
Fender 150L 10-46 on Strats and Tele.
Gibson Vintage Reissue 10-46 on Gibsons
D'addario EXL 110 10-46 on most everything else, and on any guitar above that I play live.

Exception:
D'addario 11-52 on Gretsch/Bigsby guitars

Basically 10-46 in a Nickel wrapper as much as possible.

 

[Archer_of_Fish]

Re: String Gauge/Type

D'Addario. Depending on the guitar I use 9-42, 9-46, 10-46 or 11-49

 

[LReese]

Re: String Gauge/Type

I subscribe to the KISS principle... That's Keep It Simple, Stupid!

.010 to 046 on all electrics. Usually D'Addarios purchased in quantities of 10 sets.

 

[Bludave]

Re: String Gauge/Type

I use 11's (D'Adarrio's) XL 115 on all my electrics and I play both rhythm and lead with them. I like the heavier string for many reasons mainly because I play a lot of acoustic guitar and I was having a hard time keeping my electrics In tune so I stepped up to 11's on electric and 13's on acoustic. Laying acoustic guitar will definitely strengthen your hands and of course you don't approach acoustic guitar the same way you do electric. That tends to make you play differently. So when I am playing acoustic I use several different tunigs, I finger pick a lot and I really don't play lead the same way do heavier is better mainly due to drop tuning. It keeps the string tension up and allows me to play more consistently.

 

[Gone_Shootin]

Re: String Gauge/Type

Like mentioned above, it's all personal preference.

Personally, I just go by the rule of thumb of having the string tension in the ballpark I like by going up and down in string gauges according to that tuning I have a particular guitar in.

 

[MaidenTexas84]

Re: String Gauge/Type

Ernie Ball Super Slinky's on everything.

 

[Diminished Triad]

Re: String Gauge/Type

Anyone work with Elixir (heavy gauge) strings?

 

[agentzero12]

Re: String Gauge/Type

I use the same for both. GHS 11s. I will say, I do mostly lead but I tune a whole step down so the tension is less than in standard.

On my guitar with p90s I keep 11s for simplicity but I like lighter strings for just rhythm on that guitar so my open chords don't get too strong.

Tomato/tomoto I guess.

 

[jimijames]

Re: String Gauge/Type

I really don't think one is better than the other as I've heard guys sound unbelievable on 8's - and play really tight metal rhythm.

I use ernie ball power slinkies partially because I tend to break anything lighter and partially because a string that's more taught moves less when you pick it which makes rhythm easier to play. It's the same reason I switched recently to those 2.0mm jazz III picks.

Just play whatever you're comfortable with. Good sound comes with practice and not setup.

 

[Chickenwings]

Re: String Gauge/Type

There is no difference between playing rhythm and lead. Its all just playing guitar. Use the strings that feel best for you do do what you do on whichever guitar you choose do do it on. Trial and error will tell you what string gauge works best for your particular playing style.

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: String Gauge/Type

I recently restrung one of my guitars that I keep in D Standard. I thought I got the D'Addario 12-54 (heavy, .020p G) but the guy at guitar center gave me 12-52 (Jazz Light .022w G) I never understood why the G was plain on these thick sets (like a true piano wire) when acoustics use wound G strings.

Then I realized I can bend the wound G maybe 3/4 of a step where the plain G can be bent 2 full steps. Oh, I understand now....

 

[blueman335]

Re: String Gauge/Type

There is no difference between playing rhythm and lead. Its all just playing guitar. Use the strings that feel best for you do do what you do on whichever guitar you choose do do it on. Trial and error will tell you what string gauge works best for your particular playing style.

+1. It's all about what's comfortable to you. Whatever gauge you choose, it shouldn't limit what you can play.

 

[jimlanderson]

Re: String Gauge/Type

For sure all good guitars should have good strings on them to get the best response possible.
GHS Boomers are nice strings and I recommend those. I use 8's and 11" mostly.