Will a thicker e string give me better control?

[astrozombie]

Re: Will a thicker e string give me better control?

I'm going to experiment with my guitar's setup. Maybe my action is just too low and I think the problem is something else. thanks!

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Will a thicker e string give me better control?

There are 2 issues here...

The first is the tone. A heavier string will give you a fatter tone but if the current string isn't set up right and the guitar isn't set up right you might not be getting maximum fatness from what you already have. Pickup adjustments and set ups go a long way.

Once you are sure you have the guitar 100% and if you are still un happy go up a size.

Second issue is control and only you can change that. Having more control will lead to a more controlled sound.


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[Securb]

Re: Will a thicker e string give me better control?

Having more control will lead to a more controlled sound.

 

[astrozombie]

Re: Will a thicker e string give me better control?

Set it up to have .012 relief and the action is 5/64s bass 3/64 treble. (Gibson standard).

Nice full tone, harder to play, e string still feels off. Maybe I really should put some 11s on.


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[ItsaBass]

Re: Will a thicker e string give me better control?

The "standard" starting points named by manufacturers are low in the grand scheme. They're meant for the average Joe Pop/Rock Radio listener, just to get them started.

I don't use what I would consider to be super high strings (on guitar, anyhow), and mine usually end up measuring 2.5 – 3 mm at the 12th fret (both bass and treble sides), which is about 6 – 8 1/64's. I do it because it just feels right and sounds right to me, coming from primarily an old blues and r&b standpoint. Those who take that style to an extreme would even call my strings only moderately high.

And did you adjust your pickups to try and deal with the volume issue?

 

[SJ318]

Re: Will a thicker e string give me better control?

Itsa is correct,
You gotta get your finger under the string so when you bend, it doesn't slip. I saw Harvey Mandel once and he had big frets, fairly flat radius nek and strings were high. He bent a G string in the key of C (E flat or C#) and pushed it toward the low E string to get the note G for goodness sakes, and his first finger went all the way under, I repeat under, the D, A, and low E strings, it was on an old "Hot Licks" video. I was lucky and got to back him up for a couple weeks and there was a lotta room for his fingers to get under the strings with all kinds of bends; especially A. King style, and he used a regular slinky set, as I snooped as hard as I could.
Myself, I cheat. I have a 9.5 E string and bend like A. King all the time so I flattened out the wood between the frets on all my guitars, NOT scooped, but flat, which really gets me some traction on bending strings. So I effectively have a totally flat or NO radius on my neck. On all my guitars. I radius the frets to 20". I do this by hand as it is cheaper than ordering a flat new neck. Doesn't take long and I like it, even though most don't.
I only bring this up as more proof that getting the string, especially high gauge strings, higher on your finger, the easier it is to bend.
Steve Buffington BTY: maple is a b*tch 'cause then I have refinish it with a nice color sealer so I don't get a black fingerboard from all the finger oils!