Lighter strings for the blues?

[Beatnik57]

I'm teaching myself the blues and have always used 10-46 guage strings. Would switching to 9-42s help with bends? One problem I'm having now with full step bends on the high E and B strings above about the 12th fret is that I'm sort of grabbing the string above when I release the bend and inadvertantly sounding that open string when I don't want to.

 

If you guys think this is more of a technique issue than string guage, I'd appreciate any technique suggestions as well.

[mildperv]

I would say it's a technique issue. Try to have your fingers more perpendicular than horizontal to the fret board. I try to let the strings push me back to note rather than drag the string back. Seems to be smoother that way.

[cudamax2343]

What's some advise from an old crazygreek. SRV is quoted as saying " I USE HEAVY STRINGS & TUNE DOWN LOW" Kenny wayne and all the great blues players use 11's and even 12's. The heavy gauge strings give-ya more tone.

 

I would have to say the lightest to use would be erine ball skinny top heavy bottom 10-52's.

 

As fas as play-in tips just try doing it over and over with-out grabbing the neck, just let your finger tips dig-in hard and don't use your thumb from the tip down to your knuckle to grab or touch anything, only use your thumb from the knuckle down and palm the neck, all the pressure should be coming from your finger tips and your wrist. Considered slop, but thats how I play

[Plank_Spanker]

I would say it's a technique issue. Try to have your fingers more perpendicular than horizontal to the fret board. I try to let the strings push me back to note rather than drag the string back. Seems to be smoother that way.

 

Yeah, you need to "square up" with the strings for a full step bend to push the bend to pitch. You can relax your wrist to allow the bend to unload to the note.

 

But there is no rule to it - whatever works for you.

[ibis]

Compromise and use hybrid 9-46 sets. You can buy them with top three strings of a 9 set and the wound strings from a 10 set. I use them on all my guitars.

 

If you want to make bending easier on a Les Paul, try top wrapping the strings over the stop bar. That works too. Or simply raise the stop bar.

[Beatnik57]

Thanks guys! I think I'll experiment with technique before trying string changes. Seems like I remember reading somewhere that having your action real low makes it tougher to get enough finger under the string for bends. Mine's quite low so I might also try raising it a bit.