Strings

[69Nova]

What strings do you guy recommend for Semi-Hollow body guitars? I just got a used Lucille and have no idea what strings I should try. Any help guys?

[Robin Nahum]

My feeling is that these types of guitars (335s, 345s, 355s) sound better with a heavier string than you would use on a solid, but it depends on what you play and how much bendability and brightness you are after.

 

If you look at the specs for a new Lucille, it comes with:

 

http://www.gibson.com/jp-jp/Divisions/Gibson%20Gear/Strings/Legendary%20Series/BBKing/

 

335s, 345s come with .010s (and so does the ES175 - I would have expected .011s or .012s). Some are bright sets and others have the warmer Vintage Reissues.

 

I happen to use DR Blues roundwound .012s on my 2002 ES345 but then I play jazz which you might not. I tried Webstrings flatwound .012s on it but they sounded too flat - but they worked fine on the '66 ES345 that preceded it - made it sound like an L5.

 

Be aware that if you change gauge, you will need to get the guitar set up but, then again, you might want to do this anyway with your new purchase - in which case the tech could make a suggestion.

[ES345]

I have a a black BB and I had the dealer put 11-48's flat wounds on it before he shipped it. I play mostly jazz and use flat wounds on several guitars. these strings or even 11 to 51 are perfect for me. this is a pretty personal decision, based on your style, the feel that you like etc. so experiment. If you decide to increase the gauge do it one step at a time, a change from 10-46 to 11-48 or 11-50 will probably not require a nut or truss rod adjustment, it could, but most likely not. the larger strings tend to fatten the tone, give me the feel i like, and for jazz, the flat wounds yield a more mellow tone, and at the gauges i suggested you can still bend a note.

 

the BB is a very underrated guitar, being partial to the 345 guitar, body size etc. pups, playability etc., it was a great value when i got mind a few years ago and it really can cover all the genre's (rock, blues, jazz) without compromise or feedback issues.

 

Enjoy the BB and your search for the strings that you like for your style/feel etc.

 

 

 

peace

[Col F]

String selection is a very personal preference, and really has very little to do with the model of guitar being strung. Strings should suit your playing style (heavy right hands typically prefer heavier guages, jazzers prefer flat wounds for their "silence" when sliding fingers, etc.). Some people find that their "body chemistry" (skin acidity, etc.) works better with some strings rather than others (due to how long the strings resist corrosive effects).

 

You need to find the strings that suit you, and not rely on other's preferences. Just as some people prefer a particular color for their guitar, you might like a different color far more. It's your choice, not theirs.

 

Some players are critical of my preference for light strings, even on LPs, not just on Strats and 335's, but those are the strings that I like best. That being said, I occasionally play 10's that are most typical from the factories of about every manufacturer, and some of them are nicer than others. You'll even find that some strings have far more tension at standard pitch than others, and they feel different and might even sound different.

 

Different does not necessarily mean better or worse though; it just means different.

 

If you don't already have a personal preference for your strings on your other guitars, try a set of 10's which are "average" and "typical" and most common. Want lighter, try 9's. Heavier, try 11's. Want to emulate SRV and tear your fingertips off, go for 13's and a tube of superglue to put the callouses back on.. but I don't recommend trying to be anyone else... just yourself.

 

ES345 posted some good advice about only transitioning one step at a time on guage.... but lighter strings will likely need a neck and action adjustment since they vibrate in a wider arc and might buzz, especially on the wounds.

 

Enjoy Lucille!

[JazzGtr]

I used 10-46 D'addario Nickels for the ES 335 that I once own. And I will use the same for my CS 356 when it arrives for the blues sound. For my ES 346 I use 10-46 Chromes for the jazz sound.

 

I realized over time my string guage preferences have gone back to lighter guages. I used to play 14 (s) on my L5 and now I'm back to 12 (s). This is true with my other guitars as well.

 

For me, it's due to the fact that I play with a lighter and even touch.

[L5Larry]

I've had an ES-3XX or two for almost 30 years, and have been very happy with D'Addario EXL-115 11-49. Not too boomy on the bottom, and good and ballsy on the top, a very smooth even sound.

 

I tend to like heavier strings than most people (I like the feel AND the sound), and 11's are the lightest strings I use on anything.

[lpdeluxe]

Maybe the 335 and variant players use styles that favor heavier gauge strings. My used 335 came with flatwounds of unknown guage (but not light!) and I now have it strung with .0120-.052 D'Addario EJ21s. I got used to heavier ones in the years that I played a Gretsch Chet Atkins Country Gent: Bigsbys don't like slinkies.

 

I think the 335 sounds better with heavier strings, but that's an untestable hypothesis since I don't put light ones on mine.

[69Nova]

Thanks for the great info guys. I think I'm gonna order a few different strings and try them out. I have been using the Vintage Reissue's on my LP and have not really tried anything different. I'm curious to see how different strings are gonna affect my tone.

 

I gotta say I'm in love with Lucille. It offers ton and tons of different sounds. I feel like I have gotten a boost of inspiration since I got her.

[RudyH]

I am using the Gibson nickel strings in 10-46. Sounds wonderful on my ES335. I have not tried other strings, and really don't have any plans to. I like these also because bending is relatively easy with them, yet it sounds good.