Riptide Posted April 15, 2011 Share Posted April 15, 2011 What string gauges do you like and why? Also tuning? I've always used 10-46s. I can't decide if I like them drop tuned a half step or not... I like them a little looser but it makes it harder to play open chords for me because they like to slide around. I want to try some 10-52s next. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stein Posted April 15, 2011 Share Posted April 15, 2011 I discovered years ago that different guitars seem to like different gauges. Even electrics, there seems to be a sweet spot when the perfect string brand and gauge is found. When I find it, sometimes it is hard to tell it has heavier or lighter strings on it. I usually have 10's on most of my guitars, but I have one strat that has to have at least 11-54 to sound good, and another strat that I don't mind having 9's and they don't SEEM to play much different. On a couple accoustics, I would even have 10-47, where normally I have mostly 11's on them. When the guitar seems to favor it, I honestly don't notice much difference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
damian Posted April 15, 2011 Share Posted April 15, 2011 9s, and 10s........usually Earnie Balls.................. I keep various guitars in different tunings.................got lots of geetars....hate retuning.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S t e v e Posted April 15, 2011 Share Posted April 15, 2011 i use d'addario 12-60 (12-16-20-34w-46w-60w) on my ibanez, and ernie ball 10-46 (10-13-17-26-36-46) on my les paul. B) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest FarnsBarns Posted April 15, 2011 Share Posted April 15, 2011 When I was young and foolish I always used 9s. When I bought my first LP they guy told me to use at least 10s for good tone, I've used 10s ever since. I do want to try 11st because I find that on the neck pup with the tone back a bit the tone from the first string can be a little thin. I assume more mass in the string will mean fatter tone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Versatile Posted April 15, 2011 Share Posted April 15, 2011 I find each string gauge imparts it's own character on a guitar and subsequent tone.... Currently I've got guitars strung with 9's, 10's, 11's and 12's The 9's make for easy action The others steadily up the ante tone-wise Previous excursions....13's and 14's Also 12's tuned down a tone V Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milod Posted April 15, 2011 Share Posted April 15, 2011 When things work right and I'm playing in zenland, I think my left hand probably works pretty closely to a sort of classical guitar sorta schtick and so I like light strings. In fact, my Guild S100c - pretty much an SG clone - wore 8-38 since I bought it. If you get violent with it, you can't play a note in tune; if you press properly it gives beautiful tone and almost can think notes and chords. I'm working with 9-42 just put onto an AE and I have one lousy string buzz on one string at one fret. @#$%@#$% But I fingerpick almost exclusively. I like to be able to just think a chord and runs and... the light strings tend to do it best. Again, my schtick always has been playability over all else - and that means playability with whatever style a person is comfortable with. It seems a lotta folks who use heavy strings either detune, wear a capo or have some other workaround in order to use quick technique. m Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silenced Fred Posted April 15, 2011 Share Posted April 15, 2011 12s on my acoustic in standard 10s on my LP in standard 10s on my Strat, tuned down a step Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EVOL! Posted April 15, 2011 Share Posted April 15, 2011 11s on my electrics and 12s on my acoustic. Been that way for over ten years and I see no reason to change. Might try another brand next time just to see if it makes a difference since I have been using Gibson Vintage Reissues for about twelve years. Got into Martin Marquis for my acoustic when I bought my Taylor and love them. I know some people really like the Elixir nano webbing strings that Taylors ship with, but those don't jive with my body's chemistry. That webbing starts coming off after one jam session. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EVOL! Posted April 15, 2011 Share Posted April 15, 2011 Should also mention how much I dislike heavy bottom/light top strings. Goes against my playing style. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silenced Fred Posted April 15, 2011 Share Posted April 15, 2011 11s on my electrics and 12s on my acoustic. Been that way for over ten years and I see no reason to change. Might try another brand next time just to see if it makes a difference since I have been using Gibson Vintage Reissues for about twelve years. Got into Martin Marquis for my acoustic when I bought my Taylor and love them. I know some people really like the Elixir nano webbing strings that Taylors ship with, but those don't jive with my body's chemistry. That webbing starts coming off after one jam session. acidic sweat brother? My macbook has that on the right corner where my hand rests, I wore through parts of the finish Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EVOL! Posted April 15, 2011 Share Posted April 15, 2011 acidic sweat brother? Greek style. Like lamb au jus with a little red wine vinegar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riptide Posted April 15, 2011 Author Share Posted April 15, 2011 Also this may sound weird but I don't like new strings... I like them after I've played them for a few weeks. And then I don't change them for like a couple months or so... I just like the sound better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LPguitarman Posted April 15, 2011 Share Posted April 15, 2011 10's to 46's Ernie Ball. Used to use 9's but as mentioned before, The LP tone with 10's drew me in and I have never looked back. I also do not change strings too often, maybe 3-4 times per year. As long as they stay in tune and don't show wear or dirt, I keep them on. Of course, I only get to play about 2-3 nights per week (maybe 8-hours max), so the string life lasts longer than most other players'. Wish I could play more, but with my daughter's High School homework & my sons' band practices, I usually only get to play on weekend nights, and that is even limited to when I'm not busy elsewhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chewy60 Posted April 15, 2011 Share Posted April 15, 2011 flatwound 13-56's with a wound third on my lp tuned down a half step. lovely tone.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andre S Posted April 15, 2011 Share Posted April 15, 2011 11s on my Les Paul, nice thick warm tone from them...much better than the 10s On my acoustic I used to play 12's but my fingers couldn't handle it, so I switched to 11s but didn't like those either. Now I love the 10s and have developed a feather touch. However I sacrificed some 10 and shimmer, that came with the 11's and 12s on my acoustic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tazzboy Posted April 15, 2011 Share Posted April 15, 2011 9's on my Les Paul (Although I am considering going up on the string gauge on this) 10's on Stratocaster and Telecasters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilpanda Posted April 15, 2011 Share Posted April 15, 2011 10s and maybe 9s Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon S. Posted April 18, 2011 Share Posted April 18, 2011 11s on my electrics and 12s on my acoustic. Been that way for over ten years and I see no reason to change. +1. I just tried a set of flats on my Tele, and loving it so far. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twitchey Posted April 18, 2011 Share Posted April 18, 2011 I play 10's on any guitar that I have. I feel that the thicker the string the more kudos and tone ... however I know that many electric guitar greats play 8's: Brian May, Jimmy Page, Buddy Guy to name a few. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icantbuyafender Posted April 18, 2011 Share Posted April 18, 2011 What string gauges do you like and why? Also tuning? I've always used 10-46s. I can't decide if I like them drop tuned a half step or not... I like them a little looser but it makes it harder to play open chords for me because they like to slide around. I want to try some 10-52s next. try raising the stop bar. works wonders on the tension. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fl00dsm0k3 Posted April 18, 2011 Share Posted April 18, 2011 10s Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fl00dsm0k3 Posted April 18, 2011 Share Posted April 18, 2011 i like 10s Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Namvet Posted April 18, 2011 Share Posted April 18, 2011 I use 10s on the Gibson, 9s on the Strat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riptide Posted May 1, 2011 Author Share Posted May 1, 2011 I just put some 11s on my acoustic and I'm loving it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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