Which string gauge do you prefer?

Werner-Carstens · 2009-02-03T11:24:50+00:00

Hi all, in every interview with respected guitar players I always look for the section where they discuss string gauges. It seems to me that heavier gauges a...

Which string gauge do you prefer?

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I play with 11's to 52's on both my electrics

The Larrivee gets treated to Alchemy Custom Lights (LOVE THESE DEAN MARKLEYS!!!) ?

Bob-Dubery

I use Elixir Phospor-bronxe nanoweb.

I like 13s - fuller sound. But my "braai" guitar is a Taylor Big Baby which is pretty light and lightly built, so I stick to 12s on that.

Danny-B

I use Ernie Ball slinky top, heavy bottom, 10 - 52. Very nice thick tone, but sometimes can be a bit unbalanced. Thinking about having new nuts put on both my electrics and moving up to 11s.

TomCat

Alan Ratcliffe wrote: You need at least .010s IMO. Shorter scale length = lower tension, so you usually go up a gauge from what you would use on a Strat. Also, archtops are partly acoustic and need the extra mechanical energy of heavier strings get the top to "talk". They were originally designed around a standard gauge of .012s or .013s with a wound third. Modern designs usually are designed around a gauge or so lighter, but that still means an .011 or .012

I know this thread is now a little long, but I restrung the AFS75T today with .010's and WOW, what a difference. It's like the guitar underwent a major upgrade, so much better is the tone. The extra string tension did the trick.

Guitar sounds big and full instead of thin and "twangy".

@ Alan....Thanks for the advice. Karma to you.... ? ? ?

deanBailey

Doesn't Zakk Wylde use .70's for a 6th string on his les paul signature?

WantzChas

What gauge and strings would you guys recommend I get? I'm currently playing 0.10's, not sure what brand. I have an Ibanez S540.

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WantzChas wrote: What gauge and strings would you guys recommend I get? I'm currently playing 0.10's, not sure what brand. I have an Ibanez S540.

What ever is comfortable for you and pleasing to your ears.

I try go as heavy as I can on electrics, balancing that with playability (extended playability)

Some guys get killer tone out of thin insipid 9s. It's all a matter of preference. ?

On a shorter scale guitar. I'd maybe go heavier...

zw44

Brentcgp wrote:
WantzChas wrote: What gauge and strings would you guys recommend I get? I'm currently playing 0.10's, not sure what brand. I have an Ibanez S540.
What ever is comfortable for you and pleasing to your ears.

I try go as heavy as I can on electrics, balancing that with playability (extended playability)

Some guys get killer tone out of thin insipid 9s. It's all a matter of preference. ?

On a shorter scale guitar. I'd maybe go heavier...

i use 9s on my Epi Les paul and my 2 Deans, and i love em

[deleted]

zw44 wrote: i use 9s on my Epi Les paul and my 2 Deans, and i love em

Like i said, some guys prefer it. Just sounds so thin to me...

I could never go below 11s on electric. I'm thinking of go heavier still as my hands get stronger... working on it ?

Manfred-Klose

Ok so when i started out playing guitar i began with 0.08(very thin).
With time i have moved to 0.10 and it feels nice on a tele.

Found some really great strings today it is GHS eric johnson nickel rockers(light)
(010 , 013 , 018 , n26 , n38 , n50)

racman

13's on acoustic & 11's on electric.

Explorerlover

I'm off the Super Slinky's. It's only Power Slinky's from now on. I am tempted however to get a set of Baritone Slinky's [13,18,30,44,56,72] for the V

PantherZA

I play steel string acoustic and have learned 1. Thinner strings - less tone - softer action (recommended for beginners). 2. Also used Elixir coated strings - no matter what anybody says - OK to learn on - that is all. 3. Moved on to DR Rares - good sound - doesn't last as long and now for the finale .... 3. Blue Steel strings - if you can find them - AWESOME, AWESOME tone + better than average life and soft enough action for someone just starting to practice barre chords - more expensive than common brand names but cheaper than ex. Elixir.

Sidecar

For a regular tuned electric, I prefer 11's They seem also to keep their tuning better. I find thinner strings go out with vigorous playing.

On my Tele which I tune down by a full tone, I use 12's but with a thick 2nd (17 or 18) and my 3rd is wound, about a 22~24. If i use a stock set of 12s those strings just tend to go out.

On acoustic I use 12s.

Thicker strings just seem to give better tone to me, with more body and they strum better. Also, I'm a strummer! ?

Edit: BTW, I tried a set of Rotosounds 11s my Hondo and they sound great! I usually use d'Addario (Which i'm perfectly happy with)

Frans-B--Cocq

I currently have Elixir Nanowebs on my Ibanez, gauges 09-52. Elixirs are great strings, but next time I'll buy some thicker ones. The Strat however has something like 11-58 or dunno, with a wound 4th string. Now that's too much.

MikeM

10-52 on 25.5 scale, but want something like 11-54 or 11-56 for my strat..

Keira-WitherKay

me i like nice floppy low tension nylons ....... e ? either normal tension detuned to Eb ...for the floppyness of course or low tension which seems to be impossible to buy here ........

AlanRatcliffe

MikeM wrote: 10-52 on 25.5 scale, but want something like 11-54 or 11-56 for my strat..

??? Strats are 25.5"...

Seventhson

I like extra light nines from D'Addario.

peters

Ernie Ball 8's do the trick for me, if I am away from home and my guitars for extended periods my fingers do not take a beating (when returning) that 11's would subject me to.