Would using .009's be pushing it?

N

Napthol

New member
I tune down a half-step on my Strat and awhile back I switched from .010's to 9.5's. I'm thinking of going one more and trying a .009 set. Do you think that is pushing it too far light with a half-step flat tuning?

Seems to me Ace Frehley used .009's tuned a half-step flat.
 
I know if my guitar tech was still alive, he would object to it. I'll get a couple of sets of .009's and go for it.
 
I've done precisely this for 20 years, as has a ton of other guys (golden age Eddie van Halen and George Lynch for starters).
 
I use .09s and tune to standard. But in cases when I down tune there are no issues. Going down just a half step is barely noticeable.
 
give it a try, i wouldnt do it, but im used to heavier strings. if it works for you, then run with it!
 
No.

I have .009's on 99% of my guitars & they're all tuned down half a step as well. (Takes a little edge off them compared to E Standard & is great for bending notes) It's never been a problem for me :bigthumb:
 
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I use 9s in Eb on all my guitars, that's my "regular setup" , trem, no trem, all scale lengths. I even downtune to D or C# sometimes and it's fine as long as you have a light touch
 
really? why dont you like an 11 as your 2nd string? i mean, i use an 11-50 set for std tuning so im curious
 
Yes - Ace did tune down a half step (all of KISS did) and used 9's, although he also had a custom thin/thick set by Gibson for a while too.

The 1/2 step down will work even better on the longer Strat scale than the shorter Gibson scale.

As you tune down, you want thicker strings to maintain tension. In this case, you get a tension boost from the length of the neck.

I have 9's on all of my shredsticks in Eb - Longer scale Jacksons. They work great.
 
I guess it really depends on what you're playing and how you're playing.

I bet bends are so easy to play with a set like that when tuning half a step lower.

But if you tend to play hard when doing rhythm or do lots of fast downpicking, I'd be wary.

Otherwise, you'll be fine.
 
Just try it, that is the only way you will know if you like it, just force yourself to play enough time with it to really catch the pros and cons. Being that said I am about to put a similar set as yours with 9.5 or flat E and see if I get a similar feel of 9s with E.
 
I use 9 - 46s on my 25.5 scale guitars, I like the slightly beefier wound strings. I use 10 - 46s on 24.75" scale guitars. Most are in standard, but tuning down 1/2 isn't a big deal.
 
I just noticed the title of this thread. Yes, using .009's would be pushing it. .09s should be fine.
 
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