Strings for Rhythm

[FamousForSustain]

I play rhythm in a hard rock band, i.e. 95% of the time I'm sawing off on power chords (which is fine with me). Up until now I've been using Ernie Ball Super Slinkys on my '93 Peavey Predator but I feel like changing to something heavier.
Any suggestions?

 

[Hellion]

Re: Strings for Rhythm

Ernie Ball Power Slinkys if you think your fingers can take it. Otherwise, maybe just the regular slinky set?

 

[y2stevo]

Re: Strings for Rhythm

I have Power Slinkys(11's) on My Strat and they sound much bigger and beefier than 9's do...I also have 13's on my Aria Strat Copy and these things sound Enormous!!
Tho the guitar Itself sounds like poo nothin sounds nearly as beefy and just plain BIG!!
I have Lil demon and 2 duckbuckers and on the mid/neck position I can get a really convincing SRV tone (I guess thats all his secret was, BIG Strings)
Tho for lead playing you really want your fingers in top shape for 13's, so if your not used to 11's yet dont even attempt the 13's!!

so in conclusion +1 for Power Slinkys :laugh2:

 

[some_dude]

Re: Strings for Rhythm

I'm a rhythm playing too.

I use EB Beefy Slinkys on my Strat;
(11-15-22-30-42-54)

GHS Boomers on my LP
(11-14-18-36-52-58) - A ZWLO set with a single 58 6th string.

 

[y2stevo]

Re: Strings for Rhythm

Oh wait, I think it's beefy I meant :smack: not power..

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Strings for Rhythm

I'm a heavy string guy (nothing smaller than 11) too. I'm gonna be beefin' up my Strat soon, but haven't decided if it's gonna be 11 or 12.

Why not give a Light Top/Heavy Bottom set a try? The plain strings are a 10 set, the wound are a 12. Good introduction to heavier strings. They're not a bad place to stop, either

 

[Jag513]

Re: Strings for Rhythm

+1 to everything these guys have said.

Also, if you feel that the Ernie Balls are too soft for you (I've found them to be soft and flexible compared to others), D'Addario's and Dean Markley Blue Steel's are pretty hard.

 

[Quencho092]

Re: Strings for Rhythm

im really used to 11's already, should i take the jump to 12's soon?

 

[Quencho092]

Re: Strings for Rhythm

does the nickel wound slinky set include nickel plains or SS plains?

 

[WITH FULL DISTORTION]

Re: Strings for Rhythm

I´M A INSANE String guy....i used to Use 0.8 s tuned in B
or 09,s...
now i´m starting to use 012, or even 013. but it´s too much 0.13
ahahahahahaha

 

[WITH FULL DISTORTION]

Re: Strings for Rhythm

Ahhhhhhhhh, ernie ball or daddario. i disliked those GHS

 

[Curly]

Re: Strings for Rhythm

I'd recommend making incremental changes. Try the next set up of the same strings, and see how you like it.

I'm used to using 10s. I recently got an EBMM Albert Lee that came set up with 9s. While it was fun to goof around with for a few days, I noticed an immediate improvement in tone going to 10s.

 

[strat_master]

Re: Strings for Rhythm

well if you dont thik your fingers can take .011's try ernie balls skinny top and heavy bottoms, with give you some good chunky power chords but thin enough on the top to solo without killing your fingers.

 

[HarrisonDavid]

Re: Strings for Rhythm

If I were you I would step up to a set in the 10-50 range or 11-52 or 56. It's a happy medium if you want to stay in standard tuning without having to modify your axe. I really want to use a 10-60(PERFECT) but I don't want to ruin my Les Paul in standard tuning. I may see a Luthier if it's not too expensive. You will notice the difference on heavier gauges.

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Strings for Rhythm

. I really want to use a 10-60(PERFECT) but I don't want to ruin my Les Paul in standard tuning.

Dude, it's not gonna ruin the guitar. The 10-60 is only heavy on the bottom. Besides, Les Pauls were not invented with light strings in mind

 

[Nite_Maresz_25]

Re: Strings for Rhythm

what tuning does this guy use? i use power slinkys tunes drop d then a hole step down and its pretty good. [notetoself]I need to try what beefy slinkys feel like tuned like that too [/notetoself

 

[y2stevo]

Re: Strings for Rhythm

+1 to everything these guys have said.

Also, if you feel that the Ernie Balls are too soft for you (I've found them to be soft and flexible compared to others), D'Addario's and Dean Markley Blue Steel's are pretty hard.

I did actually notice that..
I usually use ErnieBall, but i though i'd order a set of D'Addario's for the heck of it ,thats what I just put on the Wolfie, a cheap set of D'Addario's 9's and I really like the sound.But yes, they do seem a good bit harder from what i'm used to, I was trying to place what seemed different from the feel of the wolfie to the others and your post gave me the answer :laugh2:

 

[y2stevo]

Re: Strings for Rhythm

what tuning does this guy use? i use power slinkys tunes drop d then a hole step down and its pretty good. [notetoself]I need to try what beefy slinkys feel like tuned like that too [/notetoself

Which guy?

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Strings for Rhythm

Beefy Slinkys are awesome for Drop C, it's just that stupid plain 22 that I dislike. It's ok with a Floyd, but wound thirds stay in tune a lot better in a down tuned, non-locked situation