unleashthejay
New member
Is it much different from larger gauge strings?
Who here uses .009 gauge strings on their les paul or les paul copy?
- Thread starter unleashthejay
- Start date
theboatcandream
dreamonologist
Re: Who here uses .009 gauge strings on their les paul or les paul copy?
I used to use lighter strings but heavier strings, for me, sound better, feel better, and last longer.
I used to use lighter strings but heavier strings, for me, sound better, feel better, and last longer.
krankguitarist
Krankitupologist
Re: Who here uses .009 gauge strings on their les paul or les paul copy?
9's on a 24.75" scale feel like rubber bands. Can't stand em.
9's on a 24.75" scale feel like rubber bands. Can't stand em.
Re: Who here uses .009 gauge strings on their les paul or les paul copy?
I use a 9-42 set and replace the 9 with an 8.5 so it balances better with the 11 B string. They feel like rubber bands if i take a break from playing and come back, but playing 3+ hours a day every day my hands seem to get weaker.
If I play with higher guage strings (like 10's) my hands seem stronger the next day, but if i play for a prolonged period of time on them (like a month or so) my hands feel weaker, more tense, and much slower while playing.
I think the main reason that 10+ guage strings cramp up my hands is that I practice bends and vibrato a whole lot, and my style incorporates lots of bending. If I practiced this stuff more than I already do I would probably destroy my hands. Practicing alternate picking lines doesn't have the same effect, I can pretty much work on that stuff all day.
I use a 9-42 set and replace the 9 with an 8.5 so it balances better with the 11 B string. They feel like rubber bands if i take a break from playing and come back, but playing 3+ hours a day every day my hands seem to get weaker.
If I play with higher guage strings (like 10's) my hands seem stronger the next day, but if i play for a prolonged period of time on them (like a month or so) my hands feel weaker, more tense, and much slower while playing.
I think the main reason that 10+ guage strings cramp up my hands is that I practice bends and vibrato a whole lot, and my style incorporates lots of bending. If I practiced this stuff more than I already do I would probably destroy my hands. Practicing alternate picking lines doesn't have the same effect, I can pretty much work on that stuff all day.
Jeff_H
Dean Hardtail Fanologist
Re: Who here uses .009 gauge strings on their les paul or les paul copy?
It's all personal preference. I like to use a Hybrid set of 9-46 or 9-48 on my Les Pauls...hell, on all of my guitars, 24.75 or 25.5 scale. 9's on top for easy playing and bending, and 10's or 11's on the bottom for a heavier rythym sound.
However, some of the heaviest tones in the world have been recoreded on light guage strings. Tommy Iommi uses 8's. There are also some other notable "heavy" sounding players that used light guage strings. Many/most of the 80's rockers, including the one's we love like Lynch, EVH, DeMartini, Gilbert, Vai, Satraini...all use lighter guage strings.
So if someone tells you that you can't get good or heavy sounds out of a light guage of strings, they're just flat wrong. However, use what ever feels and sounds best to you. There is no right or wrong, only what inspires you to play more and play better.
It's all personal preference. I like to use a Hybrid set of 9-46 or 9-48 on my Les Pauls...hell, on all of my guitars, 24.75 or 25.5 scale. 9's on top for easy playing and bending, and 10's or 11's on the bottom for a heavier rythym sound.
However, some of the heaviest tones in the world have been recoreded on light guage strings. Tommy Iommi uses 8's. There are also some other notable "heavy" sounding players that used light guage strings. Many/most of the 80's rockers, including the one's we love like Lynch, EVH, DeMartini, Gilbert, Vai, Satraini...all use lighter guage strings.
So if someone tells you that you can't get good or heavy sounds out of a light guage of strings, they're just flat wrong. However, use what ever feels and sounds best to you. There is no right or wrong, only what inspires you to play more and play better.
JohnnyGuitar
New member
Re: Who here uses .009 gauge strings on their les paul or les paul copy?
I went from 9's to 11+ then I've started to use 10's. Try different gauges, see what feels good to your fingers and ears and then choose what's right for you.
The guitar would sound worst if you don't want to touch it because you can't stand the strings and action.
I went from 9's to 11+ then I've started to use 10's. Try different gauges, see what feels good to your fingers and ears and then choose what's right for you.
The guitar would sound worst if you don't want to touch it because you can't stand the strings and action.
Boogie Bill
New member
Re: Who here uses .009 gauge strings on their les paul or les paul copy?
I'm using 9-42 Fender Super Bullets on my G&L Legacy-bodied guitars; 9-42 D'Addario XL on my 24.75" scale Ibanez guitars; and 9-46 XL strings on my Les Pauls.
I think I am going to try to move to 10-46 sets on my Gibson and Ibanez guitars, at least for live performance, as I seem to be OVER-bending.
For me, fret size has as much to do with it as scale length.
Bill
I'm using 9-42 Fender Super Bullets on my G&L Legacy-bodied guitars; 9-42 D'Addario XL on my 24.75" scale Ibanez guitars; and 9-46 XL strings on my Les Pauls.
I think I am going to try to move to 10-46 sets on my Gibson and Ibanez guitars, at least for live performance, as I seem to be OVER-bending.
For me, fret size has as much to do with it as scale length.
Bill
Stratovarious
New member
Re: Who here uses .009 gauge strings on their les paul or les paul copy?
My mate has 9's on his LP and my "full step bend" on my strat with 10's is like..5 steps on his..its ridiculous. lol
My mate has 9's on his LP and my "full step bend" on my strat with 10's is like..5 steps on his..its ridiculous. lol
astrozombie
KatyPerryologist
Re: Who here uses .009 gauge strings on their les paul or les paul copy?
lol
my les paul always seemed slinkier when using light strings.
i used a .12 set once, and it had AWESOME tone, good luck finding those though lol.
lol
my les paul always seemed slinkier when using light strings.
i used a .12 set once, and it had AWESOME tone, good luck finding those though lol.
theboatcandream
dreamonologist
Re: Who here uses .009 gauge strings on their les paul or les paul copy?
12's are considered medium by a lot of companies.... they're pretty easy to find.
12's are considered medium by a lot of companies.... they're pretty easy to find.
JB_From_Hell
Jomo's Nimions
Re: Who here uses .009 gauge strings on their les paul or les paul copy?
Yeah, no joke. I hear people say stuff about not being able to find certain guages of strings, and wonder how it is that, living out in podunk Ohio, I can find any guage I want within a half-hour circle of me.
Yeah, no joke. I hear people say stuff about not being able to find certain guages of strings, and wonder how it is that, living out in podunk Ohio, I can find any guage I want within a half-hour circle of me.
fusion101
New member
Re: Who here uses .009 gauge strings on their les paul or les paul copy?
Actually I start off all my electric guitar students will 11's. It strengthens their hands from the get go, and starts them off with great tone.I think 9`s are for beginners ! Yes it`s true
Anyone who says 9 feels better just got some weak hands and need to practrice some more,play your axe for a while and you`ll soon climb the ladder.
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F
Forbes
Guest
Re: Who here uses .009 gauge strings on their les paul or les paul copy?
I use 10-13-17-30-46-52, I like the sound a fell of thicker low strings, but like to have the smaller ones easily bendable.
I use 10-13-17-30-46-52, I like the sound a fell of thicker low strings, but like to have the smaller ones easily bendable.
Voxman
New member
Re: Who here uses .009 gauge strings on their les paul or les paul copy?
That`s a very good way to get a strong hand
Can`t get good tone with a dead wiener hand
That`s a very good way to get a strong hand
Can`t get good tone with a dead wiener hand
BigAlTheBird
Guest
Re: Who here uses .009 gauge strings on their les paul or les paul copy?
I use hybrids almost exclusively, perhaps a 10-52 set every once in a while.
I use hybrids almost exclusively, perhaps a 10-52 set every once in a while.
The Golden Boy
Fleecy Sweaterologist
Re: Who here uses .009 gauge strings on their les paul or les paul copy?
10s on all my guitars.
10s on all my guitars.
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