String tension and sound
- Thread starter Wayne27
- Start date
yes string gauge effects the sound. better is relative and this can be a messy subject. most people have their preferences. i like 11-50 round core nickel strings for standard tuning for my blue/rock wanking. i dont know if 11s sound better than 10s but im used to 11s, so thats what i use
eclecticsynergy
New member
Heavier strings also have more steel, so they elicit stronger response from magnetic pickups.
This could conceivably affect the tone beyond simply giving more output.
This could conceivably affect the tone beyond simply giving more output.
Inflames626
New member
Tension is also affected by scale length and tuning in addition to string thickness.
Generally, the lower the tuning the thicker the string and longer the scale length you must use to maintain tuning.
The longer the scale length, the more clarity and brightness to my ear, while shorter scale lengths produce warmer tones.
Longer scale length guitars also maintain their tuning better.
Shorter scale length guitars are a little easier to play. Vibrato is easier on them and there is less string tension on them when picking.
Strings are also affected by the alloy they are made of. Stainless steel strings will sound very bright, pure nickel will sound very warm, and nickel wrapped will sound in between.
String alloys will also be chosen based not only on tone but on how long they resist corrosion. But, I find special alloys somewhat gimmicky and just stay with nickel wrapped. It is mostly all personal preference.
Generally, the lower the tuning the thicker the string and longer the scale length you must use to maintain tuning.
The longer the scale length, the more clarity and brightness to my ear, while shorter scale lengths produce warmer tones.
Longer scale length guitars also maintain their tuning better.
Shorter scale length guitars are a little easier to play. Vibrato is easier on them and there is less string tension on them when picking.
Strings are also affected by the alloy they are made of. Stainless steel strings will sound very bright, pure nickel will sound very warm, and nickel wrapped will sound in between.
String alloys will also be chosen based not only on tone but on how long they resist corrosion. But, I find special alloys somewhat gimmicky and just stay with nickel wrapped. It is mostly all personal preference.
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Inflames626
New member
Also, things like a wrapped/unwrapped G string on thicker sets will affect tone.
Most will say thicker strings have a warmer, fuller, more piano like tone. Players these days like strings on the thicker side (10 and above in standard tuning, 25.5" guitars) I think.
But, to my knowledge Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top uses very thin strings (8s?) and has great tone.
As a shredder I started on 9s because those are easier to use with that style, went to 10s, and basically go up a gauge for every step I detune on 25.5" guitars. 24.75" guitars receive one higher gauge than 25.5" guitars. So a standard tuned 25.5" guitar would get 10s, but a 24.75" would get 11s.
Again, depends upon your preferences, guitar, and tuning.
Most will say thicker strings have a warmer, fuller, more piano like tone. Players these days like strings on the thicker side (10 and above in standard tuning, 25.5" guitars) I think.
But, to my knowledge Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top uses very thin strings (8s?) and has great tone.
As a shredder I started on 9s because those are easier to use with that style, went to 10s, and basically go up a gauge for every step I detune on 25.5" guitars. 24.75" guitars receive one higher gauge than 25.5" guitars. So a standard tuned 25.5" guitar would get 10s, but a 24.75" would get 11s.
Again, depends upon your preferences, guitar, and tuning.
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billy uses 7s for std tuning, 8s for slide tuning down a half step. billys rig is a total oddball though. now matter what guitar or strings or pup he uses, everything is supposed to sound like pearly. i dont think it does, but they get as close as they can and billy likes it
Rex_Rocker
Well-known member
Personally, for me, I think lighter strings sound "better". Crunchier, tighter, more lively.
But I pick hard, and I hate the strings going out of tune bad on the initial attack. I also do lots of downpicking, and I like having the strings fight my right hand a little in order to be able to deliver power and consistency.
So I find a happy medium. As light as I can go for tone, but I also need to be able to play the damn thing, LOL.
But I pick hard, and I hate the strings going out of tune bad on the initial attack. I also do lots of downpicking, and I like having the strings fight my right hand a little in order to be able to deliver power and consistency.
So I find a happy medium. As light as I can go for tone, but I also need to be able to play the damn thing, LOL.
marcello252
Well-known member
I started playing 8s in the late 80s, then shifted to 9s, mid 90s I started using heavier strings, 10s first, then 11s in late 90s across 00s when I switched back to 10s caused by tendinitis, then things exploded, because I got more guitars and everyone needed a different gauge, lately I switched back on some on 9s , asking me why the hell I started playing 11s, the distorted bass tone is much better with lighter strings, although short scales still needs 10s...
all this mess to say variables are multiples, there is not a single answer , it all depends on the moment, the scale, the rigs, the muscles state and so on.
for sure a higher mass corresponds to higher volume but this means nothing unless there is a balance in every parameter.
at the moment I have 9s on all my strats, 10s on my Les Paul and Teles, 11 on my Jazzmaster, plain 12 on my Jaguar, 13 on my mustang tuned down two whole steps...
all this mess to say variables are multiples, there is not a single answer , it all depends on the moment, the scale, the rigs, the muscles state and so on.
for sure a higher mass corresponds to higher volume but this means nothing unless there is a balance in every parameter.
at the moment I have 9s on all my strats, 10s on my Les Paul and Teles, 11 on my Jazzmaster, plain 12 on my Jaguar, 13 on my mustang tuned down two whole steps...
eclecticsynergy
New member
Another factor is feedback. IME lighter strings go into harmonic feedback slightly more easily, and at lower volume levels.
My thinking is that since they have less mass, it takes less ambient sound energy to excite them.
I noticed this when I stepped down a bit to lighter gauges after playing .010s on all my electrics for four decades.
I'm in my sixties now and for the sake of my aging hands I went to .0095s on most, and .009s on the 25½" scale axes.
The .009s do feel quite skinny to me though, so I might just start putting .0095s on everything.
My thinking is that since they have less mass, it takes less ambient sound energy to excite them.
I noticed this when I stepped down a bit to lighter gauges after playing .010s on all my electrics for four decades.
I'm in my sixties now and for the sake of my aging hands I went to .0095s on most, and .009s on the 25½" scale axes.
The .009s do feel quite skinny to me though, so I might just start putting .0095s on everything.
Rex_Rocker
Well-known member
To me, the only appeal sonic-wise of heavier strings is they sound less out of tune with heavy-handed playing, be it right or left hand.
But otherwise, lighter strings just all around sound more lively. Brighter, crunchier, tighter, less thuddy.
JMO.
But otherwise, lighter strings just all around sound more lively. Brighter, crunchier, tighter, less thuddy.
JMO.
Inflames626
New member
In my opinion you will mostly hear the tonal difference of heavier strings on the unwound treble strings playing clean arpeggios.
The problem is it is these same strings that give many players trouble when perfecting vibrato. Generally, the thicker the string, the more resistance there is to bending.
It is also harder to press down barre chords. Less experienced players will have many muted strings if they use thick strings in standard tuning.
A way around this is hybrid sets, often classified as thick bottom, light top, or light bottom, thick top. Each manufacturer does this their own way.
A lot of metal guys seem to like thicker low strings and thinner high strings because of vibrato and speed. I think I actually prefer thinner bottom strings and heavier top strings.
Heavier top strings are harder to play, but even going from 9 to 10 gauge on the G B and E strings really thickens the tone.
I stay away from hybrid sets because I use almost entirely Floyd Rose bridges set up for certain gauges.
A local shop may only have the most popular sets in stock, not the hybrid sets. 9s and 10s are the most common. So I tend to stick with those.
Ordering online is less hassle but you have to wait.
The problem is it is these same strings that give many players trouble when perfecting vibrato. Generally, the thicker the string, the more resistance there is to bending.
It is also harder to press down barre chords. Less experienced players will have many muted strings if they use thick strings in standard tuning.
A way around this is hybrid sets, often classified as thick bottom, light top, or light bottom, thick top. Each manufacturer does this their own way.
A lot of metal guys seem to like thicker low strings and thinner high strings because of vibrato and speed. I think I actually prefer thinner bottom strings and heavier top strings.
Heavier top strings are harder to play, but even going from 9 to 10 gauge on the G B and E strings really thickens the tone.
I stay away from hybrid sets because I use almost entirely Floyd Rose bridges set up for certain gauges.
A local shop may only have the most popular sets in stock, not the hybrid sets. 9s and 10s are the most common. So I tend to stick with those.
Ordering online is less hassle but you have to wait.
