String guage - What do you use?

luekemeyer · 09-18-2009, 08:11 PM

I just got through re-stringing all of my guitars. I decided to go a little heavier to get a little more depth to my sound. I always like the light strings for leads but I find that the tone is a little light. What do you use????

Here is what I currently use (all nickel plated):

Les Paul = .009, .011, .016, .026, .036, .046 (Gibson Ace Frehley)
was using .008, .011, .014, .022, .030, .038 (Ernie Ball Extra Slinky)

Dean ML = .009, .011, .016, .026, .036, .046 (Ernie Ball Hybrid Slinky)

Warmoth Soloist = .009, .011, .016, .024, .032, .042 (Ernie Ball Super Slinky)

thrawn86 · 09-18-2009, 11:11 PM

Used to play the Hybrid and Super Slinky's. I liked them alright, but usually ended up breaking that high E a lot. I use D'A XL 10-46. If you switch back to 9's after a few rounds of 10's, everything seems easier; workout for your fingers.

MajorNut1967 · 09-18-2009, 11:49 PM

.011, .014, .018, .028, .038, .048 For the strat preferablely Picato brand.

rich88uk · 09-20-2009, 09:33 AM

10's the ernie ball slinkys. think they call them slinky regular? i have these on all of them. i keep my strat in Eb so im considering putting 11's on there next and see how they go

***Adwex*** · 09-20-2009, 10:30 AM

10-46, Ernie Ball, all nickel wrap, standard tuning.

luekemeyer · 09-20-2009, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adwex

10-46, Ernie Ball, all nickel wrap, standard tuning.

I think I'll try that set next time...

***Adwex*** · 09-20-2009, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luekemeyer

I think I'll try that set next time...

They cost a little more than the regular nickel plated wrap though.

bloosman1 · 09-20-2009, 02:09 PM

EB slinky .10s

Jesstaa · 09-20-2009, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adwex

They cost a little more than the regular nickel plated wrap though.

What's the difference?

luekemeyer · 09-20-2009, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adwex

10-46, Ernie Ball, all nickel wrap, standard tuning.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jesstaa

What's the difference?

Looking at their website, it looks like they were trying to make the strings the same as they did in the 60s.

***Adwex*** · 09-20-2009, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jesstaa

What's the difference?

The wrap on most "regular" wound strings is nickel plated steel. The pure nickel wrap strings have a wrap made of pure nickel. Supposedly the higher content of nickel produces a "warmer" tone.

At Musician's Friend, I pay over 5 bucks for a set, where the regular Slinky's cost about 4 bucks.

Buy Ernie Ball 2221 Nickel Regular Slinky Electric Guitar Strings | .010 Gauge | Musician's Friend

"Ernie Ball 2221 Regular Slinky Electric Guitar Strings feature nickel-plated steel wire wrapped around tin-plated, hex-shaped, steel core wire. Slinkys provide vibrant, bright, lasting tone and reduce fret wear. This weight balances maximum response from your pickups with playability and bendability."

Buy Ernie Ball 2251 Pure Nickel Regular Slinky Electric Guitar Strings | .010 Gauge | Musician's Friend

"Ernie Ball 2251 Regular Slinky Electric Guitar Strings are made from pure nickel wire wrapped around tin-plated hex-shaped steel core wire. Produces a warm rich tone."

RobS · 09-21-2009, 05:07 AM

Gibson Vintage reissue 10-46 pure nickel

Hollowbody · 09-21-2009, 09:25 AM

MajorNut1967 · 09-21-2009, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hollowbody

Finally some one else who doesn't use girly strings! LOL

80's · 09-21-2009, 03:11 PM

I use Dunlop Light Top/Heavy Bottoms 9-46

nofearfactor · 09-22-2009, 05:09 AM

EB Power Slinkys on all of my guitars- .11-.48s. They never break and last a long time between gigs.

noise5150 · 09-22-2009, 02:50 PM

1960 Les Paul Custom Shop VOS (stadard tuning) 10-46
Slash Epiphone (1/2 step down) 11-52
Ernie Ball Axis (standard tuning) 9-46
Charvel SoCal (standard tuning) 9-46
2009 American Strat std (standard tuning) 9-46
Carvin c66 (1/2 step down) 10-46
OLP MM1FR (standard tuning) 9-46

Landshark · 09-23-2009, 06:00 AM

Ernie Ball Light top heavy bottom .10-.52 tuned in drop D flat.

Hollowbody · 09-23-2009, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MajorNut1967

Finally some one else who doesn't use girly strings! LOL

Yeah, I like as much energy hitting the p/u as possible. After a short while I got used to the difference in bending a heavier string and now I seem to have a better vibrato.

I tried 12's and 13's on my strat and refused to tune down a whole step or even 1/2 step and jacked that neck up pretty bad. I'm watching the PRS closely, it has a shorter scale length so there is less tension but I don't know if I will ever go any higher again.

...live and learn

MajorNut1967 · 09-23-2009, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hollowbody

Yeah, I like as much energy hitting the p/u as possible. After a short while I got used to the difference in bending a heavier string and now I seem to have a better vibrato.

I tried 12's and 13's on my strat and refused to tune down a whole step or even 1/2 step and jacked that neck up pretty bad. I'm watching the PRS closely, it has a shorter scale length so there is less tension but I don't know if I will ever go any higher again.

...live and learn

Thank goodness, the younger guys seem to not realize how much better the heavier strings sound. And really the original Electric guitars had heavy string and were designed for it. And the shredders man they use Ultra Girly's

LesPaulopolis · 09-23-2009, 12:23 PM

11 - 48 is where it's at. Sometimes I get some 50s for my low E for extra BOOM!

poeman33 · 09-23-2009, 01:08 PM

Dean Markley NickelSteel Electric 9-42's. Sometimes 10-46.

Frankie · 09-23-2009, 04:30 PM

DR 11-50's on everything. The Fenders get nickel wound nickel, the others get nickel wound steel.

LesPaulopolis · 09-23-2009, 06:28 PM

Frankie, I used to play 11-50 DRs exclusively, but the A strings kept breaking at my bridge. No, there's not a spur there or anything. Ever experience this?

Frankie · 09-24-2009, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LesPaulopolis

Frankie, I used to play 11-50 DRs exclusively, but the A strings kept breaking at my bridge. No, there's not a spur there or anything. Ever experience this?

Honestly, in the past 10 years the only strings I've had break on me were a set of Elixir acoustic strings. In my defense, I didn't buy 'em, they were given to me for free to try out. I use DR 13's on my Martin now. No breakage on the nickels, round wounds, or phosphor bronze yet.

Webslinger · 09-24-2009, 12:55 PM

Heavier strings definitely sound better but they are a bitch to play.
I like 9-42 for electrics. Every once in awhile I'll put on 10-46 but wind up going back to 9-42.
I tried hybrid 9-46 strings. They are an interesting idea, but I wasnt crazy about them. They made a slight improvement on lower tone, but not enough to justify the increased finger effort....especially on a LesPaul with a 24.75 scale. They did seem to work a bit better on a Strat with it's longer scale.

I dont like 8-38 strings. Yeah they are easier to play but IMO they dont have much bottom tone, and they stretch out of tune alot. The exception would be for Metal music only, where you're using a lot of distortion, maybe dual-gain, a hint of delay/chorus, and a bottom boost feature, or crank the bass way up.

For acoutics I'll only play 10-47 XL stings (remember for acoustic, the gauges are bumped-up a grade, so where 10-47 would be "Light" for electric, it's extra-light for an acoustic) 11s & 12s are just to hard to play.... although they sound good.

I'll also try different brands of strings because the G is often different.
I like the tone from the lightest-gauge wound G sting, which is usually 20-23. (electric or acoustic). The down side is that the outer winding is so tiny, they have a very short service life, and the winding breaks (usually at the 3rd fret) When it does, the G sounds like crap.

watchtheskies · 09-24-2009, 01:23 PM

currently have Ernie ball Titaniums on my Les Paul and Explorer
.009, .011, .016, .026, .036, .046

not sure that I like the coated strings too much though, might go back to standard EB's

Grandturk · 09-24-2009, 04:54 PM

Super Slinkies and Regular Slinkies for me. I did the mythical "heavy string" thing for a few years, but went back to reasonable string sizes when wizened up.

pinto79 · 09-24-2009, 05:29 PM

I've been using GHS Boomers for YEARS now.

9-42 on standard tuned 25.5" Scale guitars.
9-46 on Eb Tuned 25.5" scale guitars.
10-46 on Standard tunes 24.75" scale guitars and 25.5: scale tuned down to D.
I have a 25" scale guitar that I'm still finding the right gauge for. I'll probably end up with 10s on it.

For my Acoustic, I use GHS Silk and Steel 11-48 or GHS Bright Bronze 12-53 depending on my mood.

Sometimes I like to throw a set of Thomastik Infeld Power Brights on my Tele for a different flavour.

Hollowbody · 09-24-2009, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MajorNut1967

Thank goodness, the younger guys seem to not realize how much better the heavier strings sound. And really the original Electric guitars had heavy string and were designed for it. And the shredders man they use Ultra Girly's

Yeah, I also noticed early on with heavier strings I could get my pickups a little closer. With really light strings on the Les Paul there seemed to be some minor magnetic pull especially on the open strings, just enough to slightly mess with the tuning.

Really no strength problem playing 11's, I also play bass. The 12 string is sometimes still a bitch though.

09-18-2009, 08:11 PM	#1 (permalink)
luekemeyer Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Calif Posts: 436	String guage - What do you use? I just got through re-stringing all of my guitars. I decided to go a little heavier to get a little more depth to my sound. I always like the light strings for leads but I find that the tone is a little light. What do you use???? Here is what I currently use (all nickel plated): Les Paul = .009, .011, .016, .026, .036, .046 (Gibson Ace Frehley) was using .008, .011, .014, .022, .030, .038 (Ernie Ball Extra Slinky) Dean ML = .009, .011, .016, .026, .036, .046 (Ernie Ball Hybrid Slinky) Warmoth Soloist = .009, .011, .016, .024, .032, .042 (Ernie Ball Super Slinky) __________________ --------------------------------------------------- http://www.youtube.com/Earnhardt12345 JCM 2000 DSL 100 & MC412 Cab Crate Blue Voodoo BV-120H and 4x12 Cab ADA 1/2 Cab POD X3 Live VOX ToneLab Tube Screamer Flanger Phase 90 Chorus Crybaby Wah Epi Les Paul Plus Top - Dimarzio Super Distortions Dean Dime Shadow ML - Dimebucker bridge Ibanez RG - Van Halen II paint job - Dimebucker Kramer Aerostar Fender Squire Strat(From Corona Plant employee sale)

09-18-2009, 11:11 PM	#2 (permalink)
thrawn86 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Far Nor Cal USA Posts: 423	Re: String guage - What do you use? Used to play the Hybrid and Super Slinky's. I liked them alright, but usually ended up breaking that high E a lot. I use D'A XL 10-46. If you switch back to 9's after a few rounds of 10's, everything seems easier; workout for your fingers. __________________ Drivin' faster in my car... 02 DSL 401-Ei's 02 1960b 02 Gibson LP Studio Silver 03 PRS Santana SE Holy Grail reverb Originally Posted by J. Robert Oppenheimer "We knew the world would not be the same."

09-18-2009, 11:49 PM	#3 (permalink)
MajorNut1967 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: South Pacific Posts: 709	Re: String guage - What do you use? .011, .014, .018, .028, .038, .048 For the strat preferablely Picato brand. __________________ MJN1967 aka BA (Bad Attitude) 1968 model 1987 50watt. A Baby Major (Half-Power) I built from the ground up. JTM 45 Clone combo Ground up build. JCM 800 Clone Ground up build. Custom Built Warmoth Strat 75' Fender Tele-Deluxe '70 style strat custom build w/Custom Shop 69's PU's Last edited by MajorNut1967; 09-21-2009 at 11:49 AM.

09-20-2009, 09:33 AM	#4 (permalink)
rich88uk Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Runcorn Posts: 80	Re: String guage - What do you use? 10's the ernie ball slinkys. think they call them slinky regular? i have these on all of them. i keep my strat in Eb so im considering putting 11's on there next and see how they go __________________ Marshall JVM 205c Fender Billy Corgan Signaure Strat Fender USA standard tele 2002 with custom shop texas special pups Billy Corgan Strat and JVM od red mode

09-20-2009, 10:30 AM	#5 (permalink)
*Adwex* Super Moderator Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 1,631	Re: String guage - What do you use? 10-46, Ernie Ball, all nickel wrap, standard tuning. __________________ http://www.youtube.com/MarshallLesPaul

09-20-2009, 02:09 PM	#8 (permalink)
bloosman1 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 154	Re: String guage - What do you use? EB slinky .10s __________________ Amps: JCM 2000 DSL 100 1960 A Cab. Fender Hot Rod Deville Fender Pro Jr. Pignose Axes: Fender 2009 American Standard Strat Fender 81 modified strat Fender 98 mim modified strat Fender 04 Highway 1 strat Gibson Swamp Ash Les Paul Studio Gibson Black Les Paul Studio Gibson SG Gothic Taylor Accoustic Washburn Accoustic Dobro 'M' Series Effects: Everything from a PODxt to analog...too darn many

09-21-2009, 05:07 AM	#12 (permalink)
RobS Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Melbourne - Australia Posts: 144	Re: String guage - What do you use? Gibson Vintage reissue 10-46 pure nickel __________________ JCM900 4100 DR + 1960 A + B + Powerbrake Ibanez PS10CL Paul Stanley Custom Gibson LP Traditional Epiphone LP Custom No pedals.........

09-21-2009, 09:25 AM	#13 (permalink)
Hollowbody Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Tulsa / Northern Texas. Posts: 271	Re: String guage - What do you use?

09-21-2009, 03:11 PM	#15 (permalink)
80's Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 1	Re: String guage - What do you use? I use Dunlop Light Top/Heavy Bottoms 9-46 __________________ ------------ Gibson Les Paul Marshall MF350 Marshall MF400 Laney VC15 LANEY GS212 IE MXR ZW-44 Dunlop Wah Last edited by 80's; 09-22-2009 at 11:26 AM.

09-22-2009, 05:09 AM	#16 (permalink)
nofearfactor Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Hellbillyville Posts: 178	Re: String guage - What do you use? EB Power Slinkys on all of my guitars- .11-.48s. They never break and last a long time between gigs. __________________ myspace- http://www.myspace.com/nofearfactor some gear pics- http://community.webshots.com/album/...ecurity=QbSaeN

09-22-2009, 02:50 PM	#17 (permalink)
noise5150 Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 67	Re: String guage - What do you use? 1960 Les Paul Custom Shop VOS (stadard tuning) 10-46 Slash Epiphone (1/2 step down) 11-52 Ernie Ball Axis (standard tuning) 9-46 Charvel SoCal (standard tuning) 9-46 2009 American Strat std (standard tuning) 9-46 Carvin c66 (1/2 step down) 10-46 OLP MM1FR (standard tuning) 9-46

09-23-2009, 12:23 PM	#21 (permalink)
LesPaulopolis Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 250	Re: String guage - What do you use? 11 - 48 is where it's at. Sometimes I get some 50s for my low E for extra BOOM! __________________ '68 RI LP Custom JCM900 + EQ & Boost

09-23-2009, 01:08 PM	#22 (permalink)
poeman33 Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 432	Re: String guage - What do you use? Dean Markley NickelSteel Electric 9-42's. Sometimes 10-46. __________________ --------------- Marshall JCM2000 DSL50 Avatar Vintage 4x12 cab Fender American Deluxe HSS Strat Ash body

09-23-2009, 04:30 PM	#23 (permalink)
Frankie Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 362	Re: String guage - What do you use? DR 11-50's on everything. The Fenders get nickel wound nickel, the others get nickel wound steel. __________________ w w w . c o w b o y m a f i a . n e t Myspace.com \| YouTube \| Facebook

09-23-2009, 06:28 PM	#24 (permalink)
LesPaulopolis Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 250	Re: String guage - What do you use? Frankie, I used to play 11-50 DRs exclusively, but the A strings kept breaking at my bridge. No, there's not a spur there or anything. Ever experience this? __________________ '68 RI LP Custom JCM900 + EQ & Boost

09-24-2009, 12:55 PM	#26 (permalink)
Webslinger Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Sopranoland, NJ Posts: 308	Re: String guage - What do you use? Heavier strings definitely sound better but they are a bitch to play. I like 9-42 for electrics. Every once in awhile I'll put on 10-46 but wind up going back to 9-42. I tried hybrid 9-46 strings. They are an interesting idea, but I wasnt crazy about them. They made a slight improvement on lower tone, but not enough to justify the increased finger effort....especially on a LesPaul with a 24.75 scale. They did seem to work a bit better on a Strat with it's longer scale. I dont like 8-38 strings. Yeah they are easier to play but IMO they dont have much bottom tone, and they stretch out of tune alot. The exception would be for Metal music only, where you're using a lot of distortion, maybe dual-gain, a hint of delay/chorus, and a bottom boost feature, or crank the bass way up. For acoutics I'll only play 10-47 XL stings (remember for acoustic, the gauges are bumped-up a grade, so where 10-47 would be "Light" for electric, it's extra-light for an acoustic) 11s & 12s are just to hard to play.... although they sound good. I'll also try different brands of strings because the G is often different. I like the tone from the lightest-gauge wound G sting, which is usually 20-23. (electric or acoustic). The down side is that the outer winding is so tiny, they have a very short service life, and the winding breaks (usually at the 3rd fret) When it does, the G sounds like crap.

09-24-2009, 01:23 PM	#27 (permalink)
watchtheskies Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: England Posts: 117	Re: String guage - What do you use? currently have Ernie ball Titaniums on my Les Paul and Explorer .009, .011, .016, .026, .036, .046 not sure that I like the coated strings too much though, might go back to standard EB's

09-24-2009, 04:54 PM	#28 (permalink)
Grandturk Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: NYC Posts: 110	Re: String guage - What do you use? Super Slinkies and Regular Slinkies for me. I did the mythical "heavy string" thing for a few years, but went back to reasonable string sizes when wizened up.

09-24-2009, 05:29 PM	#29 (permalink)
pinto79 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Delta, B.C., Canada Posts: 131	Re: String guage - What do you use? I've been using GHS Boomers for YEARS now. 9-42 on standard tuned 25.5" Scale guitars. 9-46 on Eb Tuned 25.5" scale guitars. 10-46 on Standard tunes 24.75" scale guitars and 25.5: scale tuned down to D. I have a 25" scale guitar that I'm still finding the right gauge for. I'll probably end up with 10s on it. For my Acoustic, I use GHS Silk and Steel 11-48 or GHS Bright Bronze 12-53 depending on my mood. Sometimes I like to throw a set of Thomastik Infeld Power Brights on my Tele for a different flavour. __________________ My Marshall Gear: 1983 JCM800 2203 1986 5210 1x12 Combo loaded with a G12M-70 1992 Anniversary Series 6100 1992 6960A Cabinet loaded with G12T-75s 2008 JMP 1959RR Old, beaten 1960A loaded with G12M-25 Greenbacks Ed the Compressor Regenerator

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