brad1 Posted July 30, 2008 Share Posted July 30, 2008 I have used 11s on my acoustic guitar since I first started playing. I've used them for about 15-16 years and never really have even thought of trying other gauges. I have tried different brands. Now on my electrics I use 10s. When I got my first electric a few years ago, I tried 9s, 10s, and 11s. I kept going back to the 10s. And so decided on those. I really wanted to like the 11s. I thought it would be good to have my fingers using the same size strings. But they just were not right. I know that different guages can make your guitar sound different, especially with an acoustic. But I seem to have gone with the "feel" more than the "sound" of the strings. The 11s on the acoustic and the 10s on the electrics just feel right to my fingers on the fretboard. I was just wondering about the others here. Do some of you play with the same gauge on both? Do most have it a gauge or two higher? I was just curious. brad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted July 30, 2008 Share Posted July 30, 2008 My Gretsch's have 11's, and sound and feel great! My Gibby's and Epi's have 10's. My Fender's (Strat and Telecaster) have 10's too...but sometimes I WANT to go back to 9's, on the Strat...not sure why? The thought usually passes. The Rickenbacker 12-string has 10's, and the 3/4 scale 320 has 11's. So, I'm all over the place! LOL! CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brad1 Posted July 30, 2008 Author Share Posted July 30, 2008 My Fender's (Strat and Telecaster) have 10's too...but sometimesI WANT to go back to 9's' date=' on the Strat...not sure why? The thought usually passes. CB[/quote'] Perhaps it could be due to the longer scale on the strat? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
captmidnight Posted July 30, 2008 Share Posted July 30, 2008 My Ibanez Talman 50 and the old Winston have 12's, Epi Les Paul has 10's and the Peavey Reactor has 9's...now what will I put on the WildKat? 10's I bet 'cause I like how they sound and feel on the LP, but you never know. Capt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burstbucker1281734065 Posted July 30, 2008 Share Posted July 30, 2008 I keep breaking the 9's on my electrics, so I use 10's almost exclusively and I use 11's on my acoustic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
byrds1965 Posted July 30, 2008 Share Posted July 30, 2008 I use 12s on my acoustics, except that Lennon EJ160E, electric 11s because of the long neck and PU My Strat, Tele, SGs, 10s because I play lead on those and the Fenders have longer necks. My hollowbodies, 11s round wounds My Ric 360-12 what ever the Ric string set is I forget My Ric 350-6, 11s either flats or rounds changed back and forth when stringing My Grestch Tennessean, 11s always flats Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Killmore Posted July 30, 2008 Share Posted July 30, 2008 On acoustics I have worked my way up to 13's. I find that I get more movement of the sound board and better projection with heavier strings. On electrics it's either 11's or 12's depending on tuning. I just got a set of Ernie Ball "Not Even Slinky" 12-56 for a guitar I plan on tuning down 1 1/2 steps to C# to get that Sabbath/Soungarden vibe. I haven't tried them yet. I'll let y'all know how they are once I get the guitar they are going to be put on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aubie923 Posted July 30, 2008 Share Posted July 30, 2008 I use 10s on my LP, 9s on my Telecaster and 11s on my Martins. They all just feel and sound right that way. It's all in your personal taste. If it sounds and feels right to you, then it is right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eor Posted July 31, 2008 Share Posted July 31, 2008 the biggest i can get, traditionally. 12-56 on the acoustic, and 12s on the electrics. bigger strings bring out way more in the acoustic. and i tune down a lot, so i need the extra tension. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcwillow777 Posted July 31, 2008 Share Posted July 31, 2008 I use Martin Marquis (Meduim 13-56) on my Martin. These really make my D-19 ring. I use D'Addario (10-46) on my semi-hollowbody electrics. I use D'Addario (9-42) on my solid body electrics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted July 31, 2008 Share Posted July 31, 2008 10's on all my electrics (nickel wound). 12's on my acoustics (phosphor bronze). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RSDx Posted July 31, 2008 Share Posted July 31, 2008 Had to search to find a pack of strings for my AJ, as I couldn't remember (gettin' like ol' Ron Reagan...heh).....turns out I'm using 12's on my acoustic, like I thought, and I use 10's on my LP (have flip/flopped between 9's and 10's on electrics much of my life). At this point, I'm considering going down a lil (11's, perhaps?) on the AJ, as switching between the two aggravates me at times, when it comes to feel. Before I bought the LP, I'd been without an electric for a few years, so the 12's felt normal, for lack of a better word. Now that I'm acclimated to the LP, playing the acoustic is almost a painful experience - not so much the guage of the strings (or high action), but resistance to bend.......do ya think 10's would be too light for an acoustic ? I've realized I indeed bend notes a lot of (sometimes inappropriate) times when soloing, but don't want to waste a set of strings finding out (unemployed and back in school atm)....so I'm thinking 11's on the acoustic might be a nice compromise ? I dunno. But, anyway, to make a long answer short](*,) .... currently using 12's on the AJ, 10's on the LP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
racha871281734065 Posted July 31, 2008 Share Posted July 31, 2008 I use 9's on my electric and 10's on my acoustic...i think...:- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
layboomo Posted July 31, 2008 Share Posted July 31, 2008 Electrics 10's ....Acoustics 12's Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rafaelh Posted July 31, 2008 Share Posted July 31, 2008 My Fender's (Strat and Telecaster) have 10's too...but sometimesI WANT to go back to 9's' date=' on the Strat...not sure why? The thought usually passes. CB[/quote'] Don't do it Charlie....man what a pain in the butt that was for me. Then again might not be for you though. I just put the 10's back on my Start after weeks of screwing around with 9's. Anyhow; 11's on my acoustic...thinking of going 12's, or just maybe bumping up the bottom strings. 11's on my Gretsch 10's on everything else....now](*,) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted July 31, 2008 Share Posted July 31, 2008 Don't do it Charlie....man what a pain in the butt that was for me. Then again might not be for you though. I just put the 10's back on my Start after weeks of screwing around with 9's. Anyhow; 11's on my acoustic...thinking of going 12's' date=' or just maybe bumping up the bottom strings. 11's on my Gretsch 10's on everything else....now'](*,) Yeah, I know....I've had 10's on my Fender's for quite awhile, now. Picked up a friend's Strat (9's), and it felt really good, but after playing mine again, I've decided to just leave well enough alone. For now, anyway...LOL! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parabar Posted July 31, 2008 Share Posted July 31, 2008 I use different gauges for each guitar, depending on what suits it best. I've currently got .009's on my solidbodies (both 24.75" and 25.5" scales), .010's on most of my semi's, .011's on my Gretsch and Broadway, .012's on my Joe Pass Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodela Posted July 31, 2008 Share Posted July 31, 2008 -D'Addario 11's on my Les Paul(used 10's but they break too often for me... guess I hit those strings a little TOO hard :- -Not sure of the gauge I use on my classical, guess it's "medium"? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Strum Posted July 31, 2008 Share Posted July 31, 2008 I read where a few of you use 11 - 13's on your acoustic. Just curious, is that a real workout for your fingers as opposed to 10's or isn't it that significant a difference when it comes to playing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billybob Dylan Posted July 31, 2008 Share Posted July 31, 2008 I use the same 10s on all my electrics, and Martin 11s on my Guild JF-30. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woko Posted July 31, 2008 Share Posted July 31, 2008 hello brad I only use extra light 9/42 or 43 on all my guitars electric and acoustic I have in the past tride 10s on some and 9s on others I know it,s impossible but I think I can feel the diffence. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
layboomo Posted July 31, 2008 Share Posted July 31, 2008 I read where a few of you use 11 - 13's on your acoustic. Just curious' date=' is that a real workout for your fingers as opposed to 10's or isn't it that significant a difference when it comes to playing?[/quote'] With a nice all wood acoustic guitar I don't think you can get any really good tone and projection with anything less than a 12 set. My Martin D-35, for example, is an absolute cannon with a set of 12's on it and the tone is worth a little bit of a fight!:D On a stage guitar like an ovation it's a different story as that's kind of a hybrid anyway...and lets face it(I own one too) a plastic guitar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snookelputz Posted July 31, 2008 Share Posted July 31, 2008 Jeff Golub (ex-Rod Stewart guitarist, plays jazz now solo, think a mix of Norman Brown, Larry Carleton and Lee Rittenour and add some funk) says on his website that he uses 9's due tendinitis flares up with heavier strings. Me? Diabetic, neuropathy in hands and feet. Can't reliably feel anything below 10's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ranger Posted July 31, 2008 Share Posted July 31, 2008 I use 10s on all my electrics and 12s on all the acoustics. Have tried other guages on everything but this just feels better to me. Steve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brad1 Posted July 31, 2008 Author Share Posted July 31, 2008 I sure appreciate everyone giving their opinions on the subject. It's seems most do the same as I do; a little higher guage on the acoustic. On an electric you can use a lot of effects on the guitar, the amp, pedals, EQ, etc. to make your strings sound more like you want them to. On the acoustic though, without a pickup, the sound you here is the sound you get. I was wondering....SRV used 12s or 13s I believe on his electric. Does anybody know what he used on an acoustic? I'm curious about players that use high gauge strings on the electrics. I wonder if SRV used higher than that on his acoustic, or if he played a lighter gauge? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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