ADA Depot - A Forum To Support Users of ADA Amplification Gear
Non ADA Gear => Guitars => Topic started by: rnolan on February 04, 2015, 05:11:05 AM
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Ok, a new topic to get us chatting, what string gauges do you like and on what scale length/guitar ? (this will no doubt be very guitar specific and subjective.)
I use DR 10-46 on my Anderson ProAm (super strat style 25 1/2"), and I (until JPLP used 10-52 DRs on Gibson scale length, 24 3/4"). But I find 10-46 nice on JPLP (so am changing my thinking). MikeB just put on some 11-50 on his LPClassic, tried them tonight (not bad), a friend with 4 LPs say he uses 10-46 on 2 of them and 11-48s on the others (got a set but haven't tried them yet).
For me, anything less than 10 on top E is too thin, no balls, goes in and out of tune when I belt it. Also I like 52's on bottom E on shorter (less tension) Gibson scale length for same reason (but having 10-46 on JPLP works like a dream...). I remember using 8-42's when I was first learning (44 years ago LOL).
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All my guitars are outfitted with DR. 9s, and all my guitars are, likewise, 25 1/2 scale length. I find that larger strings don't really give a tonal benefit like a great deal of people have claimed, and I really enjoy the extra bit of flex I get with the thinner 9 strings. Bends are a breeze and feel great.
All my guitars are pretty much strats, super strats, or very similar in setup to a super strat, lol!
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I use d'addario 009-046 strings on both my gibson and jackson guitars (scale 24 3/4 and 25 1/2).
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String-wise I'm a total 10-46 bread'n butter guy....whatever brand I can get a good bulk price ;)
Although generally I prefer not too bright sounding strings with a tad bit stiffer feel/higher tension.
Recently been using Dunlop Wylde 10-46 and Dean Markley Helix (different winding technique on the wound strings > more winds, bit stiffer, awesome feel) 10-46.
All gtrs are double locking trem 25.5" scale tuned to standard E
...just got a good price on GHS 10.5-48 Boomers ;D
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Hey SC, me to but I stay with the same brand as each brand the same gauges varies slightly in tension (not good for double locked floating whammys LOL). I also like the consistency of DRs and they don't start off too bright, settle quickly, and last for ages (unless I'm gigging, then I burn D strings and picks >:D ).
@Metropolis (hey Rich), (I find that larger strings don't really give a tonal benefit like a great deal of people have claimed), I find a 10 on top a bit better than a 9 (or less), I can go an 11 on shorter Gibson SL as less tension, but I've gone back to 10-46. Apart from slightly bigger note from 10 (and I do find it's a bit bigger and more solid), I like it to fight me a bit (also why I prefer rosewood FB over ebony or even more slippery maple (which I played for many years LOL)). I was very pleasantly surprised how well 10-46 went on JPLP, being shorter SL I thought I'd need a fatter bottom end, but they work fantastically.
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I use 9's on my LP-scale guitar. I used GHS Boomers for many years, as I liked the feel and the tone. But, they didn't last that long. A few years ago I tried a set of Cleartone. To me, they feel and sound very much like the GHS Boomers, but they last a heck of a lot longer. Been using them ever since.
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I use 10-46 on most of them, and all of the trem guitars. However, there are a few (2-3) that I use 10-52s on, for playing in drop D
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Typically I have always used D'Addario 10-46 Nickel wound, regular light, reinforced, on my Jackson and Ibanez. Great with the double locking Floyd Rose Trems.
When I got my ESP it came with Cleartones on it. They sound a little brighter but they bend with a lot less effort. I can bend farther, faster and they stay in tune really well (considering I tend to dive b*mb a lot). I'm seriously considering switching to the Cleartones.
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On my Fender Strat Plus I have a wilkinson tremolo. The largest gauge strings that will fit thru the nut is 11-49. I use DAddario XL - EXL115 (11, 14, 18, 28, 38, 49) Strings are great in staying in tune and great sound.
On my Gibson Les Paul Custom use SIT power wound nickel S1052 heavy bottom (10, 13, 17, 30, 42, 52). I love these strings on my Les Paul.
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Typically I have always used D'Addario 10-46 Nickel wound, regular light, reinforced, on my Jackson and Ibanez. Great with the double locking Floyd Rose Trems.
When I got my ESP it came with Cleartones on it. They sound a little brighter but they bend with a lot less effort. I can bend farther, faster and they stay in tune really well (considering I tend to dive b*mb a lot). I'm seriously considering switching to the Cleartones.
I'm a 'feel' player and don't often fret the note I hit. I bend a LOT. I'm going to have to try these cleartones out. Thanks!
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Great topic Dante,
Many moons ago when I had hair and metal was mainstream, I used Super Slinky's 9 gauge. Then one day I tried Dean Markley's Blue Steel 10-46 and I was hooked. They last forever and NEVER break, which the SS's did all the time. Great sustain and love the tone and art. harmonics I get with them.
On the acoustic side I use DM Vintage Bronze 12-54. I read way back when that Steve Howe would use heavier gauge strings to build strength in his fingers. Helps immensely when you go from acoustic back to 10's on electric.
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Has anybody tried out those ernie ball RPS strings?
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Has anybody tried out those ernie ball RPS strings?
used a couple of sets (got them at a bargain $$)....to me they felt more flubby and prone to string buzz than e.g. GHS, Dunlop Wylde (one of my favs) and the Dean Markley Helix (unique touch/feel on the low strings)
The RPS also lacks longevity when compared to the others I mentioned imho
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My Kawai F-Series guitars get GHS Santana 11.5-56 sets which are my go to heavy rock strings (though I think Santana endorsement ended and they remarketed the same string). My other guitars get Ernie Ball Cobalt 10s or GHS Boomer 10s.
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Thanks Chaos,just want to try something different for a change.I'll take a look at those deans.
@Kawai,how are those cobalts,saw they are quite expensive compared to other brands,are they worth the money?
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Hey MJMP, have you tried the DR tight wounds ? I've been using them for many years, great string IMO, feel great, long lasting, consistent, if you've never tried them, my recommendation :thumb-up:
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Too bad the shop doesn't sell DR 009-046 sets.
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Great topic Dante,
Many moons ago when I had hair and metal was mainstream, I used Super Slinky's 9 gauge. Then one day I tried Dean Markley's Blue Steel 10-46 and I was hooked. They last forever and NEVER break, which the SS's did all the time. Great sustain and love the tone and art. harmonics I get with them.
On the acoustic side I use DM Vintage Bronze 12-54. I read way back when that Steve Howe would use heavier gauge strings to build strength in his fingers. Helps immensely when you go from acoustic back to 10's on electric.
I didn't start this - Richard did, but I appreciate it. I remember using 9s and breaking a lot of high E strings, usually down near the bridge. That stopped as soon as I began using the 10s. I found them just as easy to bend, but with a bit more sustain than the 9s. I was also using Ernie Ball Super Slinkys back then. I still us EB Skinny Top / Heavy Bottoms on a couple of stoptail guitars.
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MJMP, yes they are expensive! But as a normally fixed bridge player I dont have to worry about breakage much and they last a looong time before they die. I have one set going on 6 months with daily playing on the Lipman. I wouldn't recommend for a whammy bar user just due to the cost though.
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Too bad the shop doesn't sell DR 009-046 sets.
Not sure if they make that gauge combination, Seriously try the 10-46, best thing I ever did (at least once), love them and as Dante points out, you get a little more sustain and body from the 10
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With Ibanez I tend to use D'addario XL 10-46 (like Soloist). I was wondering if anyone had used the XL Prosteels.
Darren
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Hey Darren, I tended to steer clear of D'addario as I always found them super bright when new and then they settle after a while. As I was changing strings every 2nd gig/day back then, this really didn't work for me. Then the DRs came to Australia, I loved them and have been using them ever since on electrics', and I'm still a dedicated Dr Thomastic user for anything acoustic (either lights 10 - 42 (thinnest wound G on the planet (.017)) or med lights 11 - 50).
Cheers R
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Too bad the shop doesn't sell DR 009-046 sets.
Not sure if they make that gauge combination, Seriously try the 10-46, best thing I ever did (at least once), love them and as Dante points out, you get a little more sustain and body from the 10
Tried 10's,too different for me.
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I use D'Addario .009 - .042 on all of mine. I should give the .009 - .0046 a try sometime though.
Now to find some strings that I like for my electric violin and cello.... sheesh those are expensive though....
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Tried a new string gauge today D'Addarios EXL120+. They are like an in between size.
9.5
11.5
16
24
34
44
Top 2 and bottom 2 are in between a 9 and a 10. The middle 2 are a standard 9 gauge size. These things sound awesome, plenty of low end chunk, no high shrills and not as difficult to bend as 10's.
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I hope they've improved, I always (but this is long ago) found D'Addarios very bright at first, they take a bit to settle so need lots of playing in. But I'm a DR convert these days (the tight wounds I've been using for years now are great strings), and like anyone with a floating whammy, change brands change tension etc.
Interesting gauge change and :thumb-up: that you like them :whoohoo!: You'll play better because you enjoy them more >:D . Interesting what you say about bending the 9.5 rather than a 10, my initial thought was I like a ten and don't find it that hard to bend and I like the "body" it has compared to thinner strings. I don't like 9s, I just pull them off the board these days (I started on 8s with my first guitar) and they go out of tune when I "belt" a cord, so I settled on 10-46, Comfortable but enough body. But interesting idea how a 9.5 / 11.5 would go on the top. 44 on the bottom is to light for me, they'd just go out of tune when I play chords, but I play hard and burn pics so obviously depends what you are playing.
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Old thread bump.... :wave:
I'm using D'Addario EXL145 strings. (12-16-20p-32-42-54) tuned to Standard B (and occasional Drop A) on 25.5 scale. Full floating trem with a FU Tone brass tremstop installed, so no more floating or pulling up. I started by just using 7-string sets and tossing the high E, but then looked for a 6-string set that resembled what I was already doing. I might try to find a "better" gauge, but I'm happy for now.
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hi everybody,
to me it's D'addario XL 10-13-17-26-36-46, I recently tried 9-42 but it's too slack for me and as i'm not accostumed, when I play chord pitch is not really good, so I came back to 10-46.
D' addario is a brand that doesn't make resilient noise with active PU and Floyd rose (in my opinion) and price is ok... could be cheaper but it's ok
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Hey Gang,
I use 10-46 on all my single coil guitars, and 09-42 on all my humbucker guitars. This gets the signal output pretty close to each other when I switch guitars, so I don't have to make any adjustments on my amps.
A rule of thumb about guitar strings you might keep in mind: The heavier the gauge of strings, the less distortion you will get from them. They will need much higher gain levels to get an overdriven/distorted tone. Plus, they will not respond as well to extreme tremolo action as the lighter gauges will. A case in point: In the 90's, I used 13-56 gauge strings on a couple of my guitars. The tones I got were beautiful! Even at higher gain levels, The notes came through with great clarity, and still had a lot of "clean" volume with the gain, but if I went to dive b*mb a string, it would not go slack as it would with lighter gauge strings. Even the low "E" would only flat out to almost two octaves below pitch. (This is with both a stock Stratocaster Tremolo, and a Floyd Rose). I considered having my guitars routed in the tremolo cavity to allow the block to travel further, but decided to go with the lighter gauges instead and tone down the gains, which would give me a quieter signal.
My string brand preference is DR High Voltage for all my Stratocasters, (they really open up the tone), and the same for my humbucking guitars. If I can't find them, I will use the DR Pure Blues. They are not as articulate, but they sustain well. My 3rd choice would be Maxima Gold strings but they are a bit pricey.
Harley 8)
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I use to be a very simple string gauge user.
One gauge for every guitar. Bottom line.
I used 9-42 for the first ten years and went to custom lights for a year (9-46)
and then switched to 10-46 since then.
With a few try outs here and there for fun with Nickel strings, Cobalts, Golds, Elixirs and higher gauges (11-52),
I remained pretty faithful to the 10-46...Whatever brands.
Then lately I tried a few things and started to notice that some of my axes sound better with different gauges.
So my Standard faded Les Paul sounds amazingly better (Yes, a really very noticeable improvement) running
on 9-42s while the chambered ones react better with 10-46.
So I changed my mind a lot about strings...
It is a long process of trial and error that has to be done with each and every guitar I own.
I used to think that a string gauged was matched to me and would have to go on whatever guitar.
It's the other way around: Strings have to match a guitar and then I have to adjust. :dunno:
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I have 10-46 since 1997
9-42 are like elastic bands to me. I cannot use them. However I know that many a player can utilize these and even lighter strings to good effect. Priest play something like 8's!!!!
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totally agree !
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totally agree !
Well great minds think a like :bow: