Went from 13-60 strings to 9-42 on my SSS Strat.

[Diego]

And the difference in tone is tiny. TINY!
I was really surprised at this, it was a massive downstep in gauge.

The playability is worlds apart. I had to have the strings pretty low with the heavy gauge to make them playable.
Raised the 9-42 strings pretty high, added some relief,
and I got a warm, snappy sound and of course my playing improved massively because those strings are so thin.

I tried all of this with my Egnater Tweaker. Power tubes near breakup first, then screaming at 9 or something.

At those volumes and particularly with overdrive, the difference in tone is tiny IMO.
If you A/Bed it and recorded or something, you'd start noticing more. But the overall impression at close to stage volumes was "same thing".
It sounds a bit different, but I just added some extra bass and mids and it was pretty much the same flavor.
The low strings despite being so thin, sound lovely when picked softly so they don't get harsh.
It sounds ballsy and authoritative and I'm not missing the heavy gauge one bit.

 

[Myaccount876]

Re: Went from 13-60 strings to 9-42 on my SSS Strat.

What tuning did you use with your 13s? Eb like Stevie?

I tried 9s again for the first time in months, maybe even years, when I tried a guitar at Sam Ash. So different in feel. I love being able to hit hard with my strumming/picking hand without any strings going sharp, along with a bit of resistance on my left hand.

 

[Diego]

Re: Went from 13-60 strings to 9-42 on my SSS Strat.

Both gauges in E. Forgot to mention that.
Yeah, with 13s it was a ***** to play.

I used a 1.14 mm. Tortex with the 13s. With the 9s I had to pull the good ol' Jazz IIIs from the drawer.
The attack is softer so it I don't pick them out of tune.

 

[tc]

Re: Went from 13-60 strings to 9-42 on my SSS Strat.

Yeah, 13 is a bit much. You also have to consider that since the 13's were really low, the bigger sound was offset by the thinner, brighter tone a real low action gives you. Conversely, thinner strings might not have as much oomph, but since you raised the action, that gives you back some of that warmth. That might be a reason why the difference doesn't seem like much.

 

[XPAULPITT]

Re: Went from 13-60 strings to 9-42 on my SSS Strat.

I dont find huge strings good for anything unless u want super low action. I play 9-46 on std & Eb tunings an 10-52 on C# tuning and my action is fairly medium. I actually think that bigger strings kill tone due to less vibration. Looser strings and a tad higher action will give you more vibration and thus more tone. Look at guys like Billy Gibbons and Iommi. They both have legendary tone and use extremely light gauge strings.

 

[misterwhizzy]

Re: Went from 13-60 strings to 9-42 on my SSS Strat.

I think the difference in playability more than makes up for any tonal differences. And I actually think strings a bit thinner sound better. I went from 12s to 10s and thought it was better on all counts.

 

[zontar]

Re: Went from 13-60 strings to 9-42 on my SSS Strat.

Cool.

I use 9-4's on some guitars and never had an issue with them.

10's or higher if I might play slide on the guitar.

 

[Myaccount876]

Re: Went from 13-60 strings to 9-42 on my SSS Strat.

I've been considering moving down in gauge, but I just can't. 12s and 13s work best for me.

 

[Kramer Guy]

Re: Went from 13-60 strings to 9-42 on my SSS Strat.

Try going to 10-46. Those are usually the best guages for Strats IMO. They'll give you a little bit of a more beefier tone and stay in tune better as well.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Went from 13-60 strings to 9-42 on my SSS Strat.

Congrats! I'm a '9' guy myself and see no need to prove my masculinity with thicker strings. Why wrestle with them? I want complete control over every little nuance, bend, and vibrato (which I'm constantly doing). I can't get those details right when the strings are fighting back. Just not worth it to me.

 

[LReese]

Re: Went from 13-60 strings to 9-42 on my SSS Strat.

I'm pleased with 10-46 myself. I did the 13's thing in the 90's. Doable if you get used to it.

If you like coated strings, I'd even go slightly lighter. I had some coated 10s (D'Addario) that absolutely tore my fingertips up.

Back to using D'Addarios and some leftover GHS Burnished Nickel.

 

[Diego]

Re: Went from 13-60 strings to 9-42 on my SSS Strat.

I like 10-46 as well, got those in a Squier Strat. But 9-42 feels even more under control for me.
D'addarios, BTW.

I've got another pack of 9-42 GHS Sub Zero Boomers, gonna drop them in my Ibanez.
Should add some spank to the sound, I recently put some 10-46 DR Dragon Skins (coated) and IMO they sound like crap, completely dull!
Elixirs were in my experience much brighter and jangly, I love Elixirs but once I settle on a gauge, I'll spend some more.

 

[Archer_of_Fish]

Re: Went from 13-60 strings to 9-42 on my SSS Strat.

I used to use 345 to 1243 strings but then the laws of physics kicked in and I had to go down to 10s

 

[LReese]

Re: Went from 13-60 strings to 9-42 on my SSS Strat.

I used to use 345 to 1243 strings but then the laws of physics kicked in and I had to go down to 10s

And a replacement guitar? CRUNCH :biglaugh: