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Posted by: Opossum Apr 28 2012, 03:50 PM

Switching from .009 to .010 gauge strings on my Fender Strat has made a HUGE difference in my overall sound. I made the switch because I was having trouble getting chords to sound in tune even though my guitar was properly set up. I'm sure some of this could be the result of poor touch or perhaps too many years playing Martin guitars, I don't know, but whatever it was, it was driving me crazy. The main reason I didn't want to make the switch was because I thought it would make string bending harder. And since bending strings is one of my greatest joys in life, I said not a chance. I'd rather sit here and have my chords sound a tad out of tune than to be denied of effortless bending. But one day the sharps and flats became too great for me to endure any longer and I made the switch. Best musical decision I've made in a while. Now my guitar sounds great and my bending skills have improved dramatically! I can't believe how much easier it is to control a bend from going sharp or flat on slightly thicker strings. Hope this helps someone.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 28 2012, 08:54 PM

Thanks for sharing your story here man! It always helps everybody to know different experiences. I also switched from 09 to 010 around 6 years ago to get a fuller tone and I'm happy with it. It takes some days to get used to the thicker ones off course, but it really worth.

Posted by: FrontlineGuitar Apr 28 2012, 10:51 PM

I think thicker strings are always worth a try, especially if you feel you're lacking something in tone etc,

I'm now on 11 gauge strings just in standard tuning

Posted by: Ben Higgins Apr 29 2012, 09:11 AM

Glad to hear you found the solution to your tuning issues, maybe I should try it...

Really ? Wow, you do well on them !

Posted by: rhoads Apr 29 2012, 07:56 PM

Strats must always go with .10 or higher. I heard Stevie Ray Vaughan used .12 or .13. Really

Posted by: dark dude Apr 29 2012, 08:11 PM

Yngwie uses 8s!

The lesson to take away here is not to be ignorant of the other options - try them out, they may work for you. What works for one person may not work for another.

Posted by: rhoads Apr 29 2012, 08:50 PM

Yep, you are right there. Forgot about him because I was all into the blues lately and there you must use thicker ones.
Jimmy Page also uses .08 although he is not playing Strats.

Posted by: Nihilist1 Apr 29 2012, 09:00 PM

It is nice that you have used that as a solution, but you might still consider playing with a softer touch. It will do wonders for your speed, articulation, and tone.