Guage Strings (what on what Guitar)

Zak · September 2005

Hi People,
Can anyone tell me what guage string they use on there guitar, I have been 9's to 42's on my strat for years and yet 10 to 46's on Les Paul and I am loathed to change the strat ( a lot of setup) if they arent any better with a set of ten's

Yes understand it is preference, but if the majority of you are using a guage it is probably for a good reason

I have no problem bending strings (I reckon I could push the 6th over the top of the fret board) so it really about the time and effort of setting it up
Zak

ponq · September 2005

10's-46's atm. 9's tend to break a bit too often for me.

Thomas · September 2005

Nines on all my electrics. 11 on my acoustics...

Blueswaite · September 2005

I use these. I use the 10s the E,A,D string are made a little heavier than normal 10s.

jubalok9120 · September 2005

Decision based on strength of pickups.

For guitars w/full sized humbuckers - 9's.
For mini-humbuckers and single coils - 10's.

aRcTuRuS · September 2005

\ponq\ wrote:

10's-46's atm. 9's tend to break a bit too often for me.

I agree, 10-46's are good for durability and aren't that thick so you have to rip your fingers to shreds to get them sounding good. The 9's broke for me too. Im currently using the Ernie Ball Regular Slinky's.

buzzby · September 2005

10's on Fender scale
11's on Gibson scale
12's on acoustic

T3 · September 2005

9\"s @ standard tuning
10's if tuned down - I think you get a heavier sound

Trevoricus · September 2005

Hi Guys,

I used 10's since '81 until I bought a new guitar which was setup with 9's (Ernie Ball Super Slinky) and I've had no problems with breakages (I probably don't extreme bend as much as some

Trev F.

OakleyVisor · September 2005

I use GHS 11-50 on all my guitars (Ibanez S470, Epi Les Paul, Peavey Raptor)

I am more of a Rhythm player so the heavier guages give me a bit more bottom end punch. I do play the odd lead lick and although I am not skilled by any stretch of the imagination I find bending easy enough.

P.G.Shadow · September 2005

On my Jackson I use Erie Ball 9's
My Charvel,because of Floyd Rose Problems use's Erie Ball 10's(tuned C-C)This guitar sounds awesome with a pitch shifter on.
My Kramer Farrington uses GHS Boomers 10's for alitte extra bottom on a thin body acoustic.

MartinTele · September 2005

:roll:

It's about dynamics. If you take a .46 and tap it lightly or hammer the shit out of it you will have dramatic dynamic differances. Take a 9 and you'll only get a... \"Plink\"

My fingers are hard as rocks but playing gigs using 12s made my fingers sore to the point of band-aids. I play 10s.

MT

MikEdge · September 2005

It's always good to have \"heavier\" strings for \"heavy\" music. I suppose, 9-10 for Start-type guitar, 10-11 for LeasPauls and the like. 12 and above are either for butchers or die-hard jazzmen. Of course, you may as well use hybrid sets, but there seem to be orthodox players refusing them.

jer · September 2005

D'Addario 10's on all my electrics.

MikEdge · September 2005

The same with me!

We do have something in common...

WickedJester · September 2005

Black Diamond 10's.

Jesus Rules!! · September 2005

10's or 11's on my Les Paul Custom and Brian Moore,

I am still experimenting. But, no way on the 9's for me.

9's feel like rubber bands to me and break easy on me. Also, do not stay in tune as well for me.

I am wanting to try Blue Steel's, I am told they are more wear on your frets, but Dean Markley says no... ??

jimj136 · September 2005

10's allways, les pauls, strat, v's all my guitars

ACWild · September 2005

My PRS is designed for 9's, so I get D'Addario box sets of them. My acoustic sounds great with 12s. It's a good workout too. This is a setup that I've been very comfortable with, so I really have no urge to try something else.

Terranaut · September 2005

My main ax is a G&L Legacy with Seymour JB, Cool Rail, Hot Rail PU's. I started with 13's for 3 yrs. Actually went to .008's for a while, and settled on .009's. I changed to GraphTech saddles due to breakage and solved that problem. I have a Gibson Marauder strung with .013's strictly for slide work, and a Takamine EG with 010's.

Mike B · September 2005

For years I used GHS Boomers, 10-46, on my Strat. But I switched to Elixer the last time I changed strings. The Elixers don't seem as bright to my ear, but they seem richer, if that makes any sense. I am curious how long the Elixers will last.

Anyone else use Elixers?

desertbluesman · September 2005

I always use DeAddario XL 110's (10 through 46) on all three differing scale guitars, 25-1/2, 24-3/4, and 25\". I even use them on my Ovation acoustic.

Tal Rules · October 2005

DeAddario Flat wound 12's for my Jazz boxes.

Ernie Ball super slinky's (10's) for my solid bodies.

Dean Markley bronze 10's for my flat top.

Can't even remember on my classical, it's been so long since I played it.

See Ya,
Tal

Tal Rules · October 2005

Sorry for the 2nd post. Server problems.

archon · October 2005

the floyd rose is setup for 9s and ive been told it was designed for them anyway(?) EVH fans can confirm or shoot that down..anyway = i aint messin' with that beast!!

i got 10s on the Variax because someone on the line6 forums said you need them to most of the models (especially acoustics) sound right, also a friend of mine who is into the blues keeps tellling me heavier strings equal better tone.

but i miss my first axe that i had 8s or maybe something even lighter on = being able to bend up half an octave with no effort = very cool! Tony Iommi used very very light strings tuned down a couple of semi tones because his finger tips (or lack thereof!) were too sore for anything heavier - and he totally invented the heavy doom laden riff!.

Also i was watching Martin Scorcese presents the blues the other day and musicians form the 60s said they couldnt figure out the guys on the records were doing all the bends - then they saw them play and they had really light strings. People withrepetative strain injuries/arthritis have also told me that you should play light and let the amp do all the work = but it seems most people dont feel right unless they're battling with their axe for every note and bend

i use ernie balls as they're cheap and reliable

Mr.Belding · October 2005

I've almost always used Ernie Ball Super Slinky's #9's. I used to break strings all the time on my first guitar so I tried a heavier gauge but that never solved the problem. But I guess it was my bridge cause ever since I got my Ibanez it is very rare that I break a string. Infact I can't remember the last time I broke a string.

ednrg · October 2005

I think you mean your Floyd is setup for 9s. They can be setup for any gauge string. The thing about Floyds is they float, so any string gauge change will have a profound effect on the entire setup. It's also true with fixed bridge guitars, but not so severe.

\archon\ wrote:

the floyd rose is setup for 9s and ive been told it was designed for them anyway(?) EVH fans can confirm or shoot that down..anyway = i aint messin' with that beast!!

Johnny Jaded · October 2005

I've been using 46 x 10s on my LP Custom, but just changed to 52 x 11 Blue Steels and am digging the sounds. Especially being tuned down a step or so. Less sloppy, still very bendable. Earthy, full, dark. Not ideal for tapping or speedy light dexterous fingering, but a good compromise for heft and tone.

12s and bigger are great for butchers and die-hard jazz \"persons\", to strangle more \"orthodox\" guitarists on their way out of the manicurist shop after having their little callouses buffed. The 10s always seem to break... then ya gotta finish them off by bludgeoning then with your PODxt or GNX... but that's another thread all together. :twisted: