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GMC Forum _ GEAR & PRODUCTION _ 9-42 Gauge On Les Paul?

Posted by: Kizaze44 Nov 16 2007, 05:20 AM

I've been toying with the idea of trying 9-42 gauge strings (currently play with 10's) and my guitar shop guy says that it's a bad idea to use 9's on a Les Paul. What do you think? Any Les Paul players using 9's???

Thanks in advance for any feedback,

Kiz

Posted by: lefty01 Nov 16 2007, 05:25 AM

QUOTE (Kizaze44 @ Nov 15 2007, 11:20 PM) *
I've been toying with the idea of trying 9-42 gauge strings (currently play with 10's) and my guitar shop guy says that it's a bad idea to use 9's on a Les Paul. What do you think? Any Les Paul players using 9's???

Thanks in advance for any feedback,

Kiz

i use them on mine. Why not, why does he think it is bad?

Posted by: mattacuk Nov 16 2007, 05:27 AM

I use 8's on my les Paul unsure.gif and i love it! so why not smile.gif

Posted by: Kizaze44 Nov 16 2007, 05:29 AM

He said the tension wouldn't be right and the Les Paul is made to use 10's. I'm skeptical of his reasons, that's why I posted here. Have you ever switched from 10's to 9's, or have you always used 9's? If so, did you have to bring your LP into a shop to adjust anything? How do you like playing with 9's? Sorry for all the Q's - I've never played with anything but 10's and I'm curious - as long as it doesn't screw up my beautiful gal.

Posted by: lefty01 Nov 16 2007, 05:32 AM

QUOTE (Kizaze44 @ Nov 15 2007, 11:29 PM) *
He said the tension wouldn't be right and the Les Paul is made to use 10's. I'm skeptical of his reasons, that's why I posted here. Have you ever switched from 10's to 9's, or have you always used 9's? If so, did you have to bring your LP into a shop to adjust anything? How do you like playing with 9's? Sorry for all the Q's - I've never played with anything but 10's and I'm curious - as long as it doesn't screw up my beautiful gal.

you'll be fine with 9's..he's silly


QUOTE (lefty01 @ Nov 15 2007, 11:30 PM) *
you'll be fine with 9's..he's silly

Find someone else to work on your axe... smile.gif

Posted by: Tjchep Nov 16 2007, 05:40 AM

QUOTE (Kizaze44 @ Nov 16 2007, 05:20 AM) *
I've been toying with the idea of trying 9-42 gauge strings (currently play with 10's) and my guitar shop guy says that it's a bad idea to use 9's on a Les Paul. What do you think? Any Les Paul players using 9's???

Thanks in advance for any feedback,

Kiz


He probably thinks 9's dont have a tone to compliment the paul.. thats his oppinion.

Other than that.. hes silly.

Posted by: lefty01 Nov 16 2007, 05:47 AM

QUOTE (Tjchep @ Nov 15 2007, 11:40 PM) *
He probably thinks 9's dont have a tone to compliment the paul.. thats his oppinion.

Other than that.. hes silly.

I 100% agree. And if that is the case, I guess we all should be playing 12's. biggrin.gif

Posted by: Andrew Cockburn Nov 16 2007, 05:53 AM

QUOTE (Tjchep @ Nov 15 2007, 11:40 PM) *
He probably thinks 9's dont have a tone to compliment the paul.. thats his oppinion.

Other than that.. hes silly.


+1 !

Posted by: kevin-riff-after-riff Nov 16 2007, 05:57 AM

QUOTE (lefty01 @ Nov 16 2007, 04:47 AM) *
I 100% agree. And if that is the case, I guess we all should be playing 12's. biggrin.gif


+2

Posted by: fkalich Nov 16 2007, 05:59 AM

QUOTE (Kizaze44 @ Nov 15 2007, 10:20 PM) *
I've been toying with the idea of trying 9-42 gauge strings (currently play with 10's) and my guitar shop guy says that it's a bad idea to use 9's on a Les Paul. What do you think? Any Les Paul players using 9's???

Thanks in advance for any feedback,

Kiz


I believe that Jimmy Page used that gauge. Pretty sure about that. As he more than anyone else established the popularity of the Les Paul, it clearly is not fatal to use that gauge. I don't like them, I feel the Les Paul sounds better with the heavier gauge. But it won't hurt anything. Give it a try. You might find yourself going back to the 46 gauge though. Les Pauls ship with 46 gauge. Fender with 42. That tells you something. But you certainly don't have to go that way, may have to adjust the truss rod though.

I would not assume because of this that he is not skilled repairing guitars. Some of those guys are very conservative about this kind of stuff. Does not mean they don't do their job well.

Posted by: Kizaze44 Nov 16 2007, 06:20 AM

Thanks for the replies! GMC to the rescue - the best place for advice! I think I'll give it a try. I should be able to tell if it needs some adjusting - that is if I like the sound and feel of the strings.

Kizaze

Posted by: mattacuk Nov 16 2007, 06:27 AM

I often get the feeling the guys in my guitar shop are taking the michael out of me! I went in an asked for a 9 gauge the other day and they made feel a bit silly for asking unsure.gif

Posted by: Understudy Nov 16 2007, 06:56 AM

If your LP was set up with 10's you will need to have it adjusted to ensure proper tension on the neck bow. Just ask your tech to put 9's on it and readjust the guitar accordingly. After all he is getting paid to set up your guitar, not his own.

Posted by: yell03 Nov 18 2007, 07:13 AM

I have D'Addario XL 9-42s on mine and it plays very well.

I paid to have it professionally set-up that way.

Professional set-ups range from $25-$55 and that inlcudes the price of the strings.

Howard

Posted by: WTN Nov 19 2007, 08:53 PM

QUOTE (Kizaze44 @ Nov 15 2007, 10:20 PM) *
I've been toying with the idea of trying 9-42 gauge strings (currently play with 10's) and my guitar shop guy says that it's a bad idea to use 9's on a Les Paul. What do you think? Any Les Paul players using 9's???

Thanks in advance for any feedback,

Kiz


That's what I use on my Paul - it's a 1961 TV Model - Double Cut - might need a slight neck adjustment - no big deal. I have owned this Paul for about 40 years now.

Posted by: shredmandan Nov 19 2007, 08:59 PM

When i saw this post i thought what???? blink.gif
I dont think there's really anything out there that would be that much affectd by just 2 gauges down string difference and even if it did it could be adjusted to work fine smile.gif

Posted by: fkalich Nov 19 2007, 09:00 PM

QUOTE (yell03 @ Nov 18 2007, 12:13 AM) *
I have D'Addario XL 9-42s on mine and it plays very well.

I paid to have it professionally set-up that way.

Professional set-ups range from $25-$55 and that inlcudes the price of the strings.

Howard


You can pay someone that much to cut your grass also, or do it yourself. And both take just about as much intelligence and training to do well.

I take it back, takes more intelligence to cut the grass. I ruined my lawn mower yesterday, too stupid to look for rocks before I cut.

edit: spelling

Posted by: MickeM Nov 19 2007, 11:43 PM

QUOTE (fkalich @ Nov 19 2007, 09:00 PM) *
You can pay someone that much to cut your grass also, or do it yourself. And both take just about as much intelligence and training to do well.

I take it back, takes more intelligence to cut the grass. I ruined my lawn mower yesterday, too stupid to look for rocks before I cut.

edit: spelling

ROFL sorry to hear you broke your lawnmover that wasn't the fun part laugh.gif

All put so well biggrin.gif

Posted by: WTN Nov 20 2007, 12:20 AM

QUOTE (fkalich @ Nov 19 2007, 02:00 PM) *
You can pay someone that much to cut your grass also, or do it yourself. And both take just about as much intelligence and training to do well.

I take it back, takes more intelligence to cut the grass. I ruined my lawn mower yesterday, too stupid to look for rocks before I cut.

edit: spelling


I think he is asking a legitimate question. Your response is maybe a bit strong. I have left many boards due to these.

Posted by: Kizaze44 Nov 20 2007, 12:34 AM

Thanks for the advice, all. It's cool if it seems like a dumb question! I don't mind asking - because I trust you GMC'ers more than the "experts" in my guitar shop. I know you would not steer me in the wrong direction! After I try the 9's, maybe I'll report back with the results.

Regards,

Kiz

Posted by: fkalich Nov 20 2007, 01:37 AM

QUOTE (MickeM @ Nov 19 2007, 04:43 PM) *
ROFL sorry to hear you broke your lawnmover that wasn't the fun part laugh.gif

All put so well biggrin.gif


It IS easier to do guitar setup than cut the grass. I also lost a lawn mower last year also, left it out in the rain, and then hit a tree root, all things considered, repair cost exceeded replacement cost. Also you can put your eye out, and if you don't wear a face mask may cough for 2 days. Also can slice your foot off. What I said was not incorrect. All you can screw up on a guitar is the truss rod. You can screw up a lot more with a lawn mower or chain saw. I would trust a 6 year old setting up a guitar. I doubt you would trust your 6 year old with a lawn mower or chain saw.

QUOTE (Kizaze44 @ Nov 19 2007, 05:34 PM) *
Thanks for the advice, all. It's cool if it seems like a dumb question! I don't mind asking - because I trust you GMC'ers more than the "experts" in my guitar shop. I know you would not steer me in the wrong direction! After I try the 9's, maybe I'll report back with the results.

Regards,

Kiz


you may want to adjust your truss rod. only place you can damage anything in setup. just read up on it on internet, in several places. do a search on

truss rod adjustment

it should turn smoothly. don't force it. if in doubt, let someone else do it. but if it turns smoothly, without having to force it, you are fine. you can tell when a bolt reaches max tightening, it feels like you are more stretching the metal, rather than a smooth turn. if in doubt, don't over tighten a bolt. you can always tighten it more. can't loosen up one that you have snapped.

if you depress a string at the 1st fret, and also at the 17th fret, and measure the widest distance between a fret and the bottom of the string, if it is about the width of the high E string, you are OK. But some will set it to less than that, especially shredders.

try this before you change them. tune down one semi tone, like Marcus does. It is nice if you have more than one guitar, but using 46 gauge and tuning down to E-flat is nice. Still has a full sound, but much nicer vibrato. A lot of guys have done this at times. Hendrix, Page, Van Halen, others. I really like it.

Posted by: yell03 Nov 20 2007, 05:13 AM

For $25 I'll gladly pay somebody to set my guitar up and adjust the neck.

I am very busy running my businesses and my free time is my free time.

Same reason I pay people to work on my cars, I'll race them, but I don't want to waste my time working on them.

It is not a matter of intelligence, I have a Medical Degree, but I value my free time.

But, I do respect people who like to work on their cars and guitars themeselves, I just choose not to be one of them. cool.gif

Somehow I did get roped in to coaching my son's basketball team, that is gonna put a hurting on my free time. biggrin.gif

Howard

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