still.ill
Member
- Messages
- 3,239
- May 1, 2014
- #1
Having felt 9's just crapped out a little bit too much for my taste in Eb, (especially Drop C# in Eb), I moved to D'adds 9.5s for the past 2 months on my Strat and found it much to my liking, though the lower strings still seem to buzz unplugged (not a problem when played thru an amp loud) a little bit on the first few frets in Eb. However from D'add string tension charts, it seems like 10's are a lot more difference from 9.5s , than 9.5's are from 9's.
Just wanted to see what most people preferred from these 3 options. I guess people with calluses of steel with 11's, 12's can vote 10.
Last edited:
C
cdrjayb
Member
- Messages
- 36
- May 1, 2014
- #2
I used 10-52's for many years but after buying my DGT I tried 11-48's on the strat and they feel good...I may opt for a heavier bottom later. I use jumbo frets so that may make it easier.
SFW
Member
- Messages
- 1,464
- May 1, 2014
- #3
I've been playing in E flat for quite a few years. I usually use 10-46 on my strats and 11-48 on my Les Pauls and McCarty. Top wrapping the LP makes the 11s feel a bit lighter as well.
bdam123
Member
- Messages
- 783
- May 1, 2014
- #4
11's all day
joemiracle220
Member
- Messages
- 1,289
- May 1, 2014
- #5
11's for me as well, .........occasionally do a 10.5 just for kicks or a hybrid set.
GottaPracticeMore
Senior Member
- Messages
- 1,062
- May 1, 2014
- #6
9's - they just feel & sound better.
Vic Interceptor
Member
- Messages
- 2,763
- May 1, 2014
- #7
String gauge and setup work together. A poorly setup guitar with 9's will work you to death, where as a good setup with 11's will play like you "think" 9's should play.
shane8
Member
- Messages
- 33,250
- May 1, 2014
- #8
pain may make it seem better but it's all in your mind
9s
Average Joe
Member
- Messages
- 13,097
- May 1, 2014
- #9
10s. But then I use them on my gibson scale instruments as well. I've been up to 13s on a strat and while it sounded good I think it impeded my playing. 10s are a happy medium
H
Highway Chile
Member
- Messages
- 880
- May 1, 2014
- #10
I switched from 10s to 9s a few years ago after having played 10s on Strats for about 15 years. The 9s sound a little bit different and I had to learn to play a bit softer to avoid excessive buzz. I still think that I prefer 9s because I feel that I have more control on first position bends. YMMV.
D
dporto
Member
- Messages
- 760
- May 1, 2014
- #11
10's on everything for me...
cratz2
Member
- Messages
- 11,370
- May 1, 2014
- #12
I moved to 10s when I was about 18 and have mostly stuck with them ever since.
mikeller
Member
- Messages
- 1,506
- May 1, 2014
- #13
Ive been using 9.5-44 on all my electrics for many years
AnthonyL
Gold Supporting Member
- Messages
- 3,509
- May 1, 2014
- #14
Pure Nickel 10's tuned to Eb.
B
buddastrat
Member
- Messages
- 14,688
- May 1, 2014
- #15
I think the string's gauge is important for the style of music. If I use .011's, or heavier.. it gets wooly/big bass and sounds like crap on funk and country stuff. Doesn't have enough snap to the tone, because all the lows slow it down. Starts to get flubby for rock stuff too. OTOH, real light strings, kinda sound thin for clean stuff or that girthy, meaty low gain SRV blues style. I like to play a lot of styles, so I stay in the middle and use .010's. But if I was in a band playing a particular style, I'd use the appropriate string gauge to help me get the best tone and style for the music.
T
toc626
Member
- Messages
- 229
- May 1, 2014
- #16
I have used 10's on my '84 MIJ Squier strat (best fit neck for me of any of my guitars!) for years. I recently bought a 2011 American Standard which I really like sound-wise, but has a less-friendly neck. It came with 10's. I switched to 9's, lowered the action a bit, and it's now my favorite. My hands combined with this particular neck called for 9's, apparently.
Bx3
Silver Supporting Member
- Messages
- 8,105
- May 1, 2014
- #17
I've tried all sizes on my strat and always come back to 10's. I guess it depends on your finger size/ strength. Just plays what feels right. Personally 9's feel like rubber bands, and 11's make me work too hard for bending.
bluesoul
Senior Member
- Messages
- 4,646
- May 1, 2014
- #18
12-56. Big ones...e flat tuning. The tension makes the guitar ring...plus I like the fuller sound. I play heavy with the right arm and need the tension so strings don't bottom out...takes some time to get used to though.
dougb415
Member
- Messages
- 11,663
- May 1, 2014
- #19
9s on Fenders, 10s on Gibsons. One of these days I'll get a Gretsch, no idea what gauge to use on them. A new dilemma to be tackled then.
still.ill
Member
- Messages
- 3,239
- May 1, 2014
- #20
well looks like im going up to 10's... since it seems like 10's and up seem to be the majority
(I'm the type of person who wants to be able to play other people's guitars comfortably as my own, I remember when i first started out playing on a Schecter C-1 with 9's with really low action, I always had a lot of trouble playing friends guitars with higher actions, or even the average setup guitar at GC (not good when wanting to test out new guitars)
now since I sold the Schecter and practice exclusively on my Strat/335, its not as much of a problem,)
You must log in or register to reply here.