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?

MoJo-JoJoe

toastyrat

I use 10's on my thinline, find it the best for me, and usually 12's on my taylor acoustic. I just put some 13's on and they sound very good, but i think i'll go back to 12's again - As with the electric a good balance for me.

Oh, only elixir on acoustic, (think everyone should, they expensive, but last 6 times longer and sound great) also didn't put them on elec for same reason as Joe, but keen to try if you say they've changed.

Sean

When I started playing the electric I used 9's for the first year or so. I tried the 10's a couple of months ago and realized the improvement in tone was substantial. I'll give it a couple of months and then try a set of 11's.
My fingers are only now really getting used to bending the 10's ?

themanthatwalks

I also jumped around with gauges on my acoustic. I found that 13's give the best tone, but it was uncontrollable. With 11's I have a lot more control over the acoustic and strings and sound that I want, but alas less nice tone.

I have recently bought d'addario's, the EXP phosphor bronze kind with the coating. I have never felt so happy about my acoustic sound.

Think I'll go a gauge up to 10 or even 11 on the elec

Riaan-Combrink

Alan Ratcliffe wrote: .011 - .048 on electric Fender scale length
.012 - .052 on electric Gibson scale length

Alan, what's the comparable scale length on proper guitars (eg. Ibanez)? :dance:

AlanRatcliffe

Alan, what's the comparable scale length on proper guitars (eg. Ibanez)?

Ibanez make proper guitars? ?

Depends on the model - most of their "Superstrats" are Fender scale length while models like the GB10 and the Artwood are Gibson. However, many of their Superstrats also have Floyds and skinny necks, so I would probably go a gauge lighter than usual.

@MoJo JoJoe - I love the feel/duarability of the Elixirs. Don't you find that the guitars with single-coils hum more with Elixirs though? I find the coating effectively stops the strings/me from being earthed.

DaFiz

Werner Carstens wrote: I use the following:
On all my electrics = 10 to 46
Accoustic = 11 to 48

0.10 - 0.48 on electric guitar

d'Addario custom light 0.11 to 0.52 for the acoustic guitar... slightly fuller lower tones.
I just like this set of strings very much. ?

MoJo-JoJoe

WantzChas

d'Addario .012 gauge strings for my acoustic and normally .009 gauge Elixers (those nanoweb stuff) on my electrics, but switched to .010 gauge.

andrewjbryson

Ernie Ball SuperSlinky's (Pink Packet)

PS..

has anyone tried the Coated Ernie ball range?

Does it really help in terms of durability?, they are a bit more pricey

andrewjbryson

Packet reads -> Ernie Ball Coated Strings "Titanium re-enforced Technology"

AlanRatcliffe

andrewjbryson wrote: Packet reads -> Ernie Ball Coated Strings "Titanium re-enforced Technology"

Haven't tried them yet, but will do ASAP.

Riaan-Combrink

Ecstatic to report I finally changed the strings on my gig guitar. I'm now a believer. It was like playing a new guitar! Put on Elixer Nano 10s, and everything sounded better, brighter, punchier, etc. So I won't wait nine months again - promise. :-[

AlanRatcliffe

So I won't wait nine months again - promise.

Durn right you won't

JoEllis

I am using 11-50 on all my electrics at the moment. I started on 9's waaaayyyy back and then moved on to 10's, but the moment I strung my guitars up with 11's it just seemed to make them sing in a way they never did before. It was a bit of an adjustment playing-wise, but the tone more than makes up for the effort. I really like GHS Boomers (which I import in bulk if I can), but I'll take Ernie Ball Power Slinky if I have to (although they're only 11-48 I think).

Heath

wow , 9 months , i don't even think i get past 6 weeks before i put new strings on my guitars ..

Squonk

Riaan C wrote: So I won't wait nine months again - promise. :-[

You just wont believe what my wife has been hatching in nine months ? due anyday.
Jokes aside Do these Elixirs really last longer, and how does it effect the tone with that Nano stuff?

AlanRatcliffe

Yes they last much longer - about three times as long, but even longer if you don't play the guitar much. Tonally, they are like day old strings - some of the brash "new string" tone dulled, but they stay stay sounding exactly like that until you have to change them.

josh

Fender Standard Tension ST250L, Nickel Plated Steel, Gauges: 009, .011, .016, .024, .032, .042
:?

aubs1

My favourites have always been super light gauge, 9-42s, but recently switched to 10's on my PRS CU24, I found that when just playing chords, rhytthm, it may be sounding a bit more full...(I find this a tad difficult to explain). However for picking, (lead), I'll stick with 9's, i just like the "soft" feel.

As for tone ...... that is such an individual choice/preference ..... If you asked 10 people to individually comment on any single piece of art (music, painting, sculpture etc.), you would get 10 different interpretations ...... but yes, I suppose your string preference does determine the sound/tone you like/prefer.

Geez, this sounds complicated...ha ha ha.