Printable Version of Topic
Click here to view this topic in its original format
GMC Forum _ PRACTICE ROOM _ String Gauge And Brand- Does It Help ?
Posted by: Eat-Sleep-andJam Dec 24 2007, 07:53 AM
Well I was looking around at all the different boxes of strings I had. And well I was just wondering if like a different gauge would be easier for legato or vibrato or anything like that or even a different string brand , would it give you a different sound ? Seems as if they all sound the same. Makes me wonder why I pay more for DR's when Slinky's seem just as good 
. Discuss.
Posted by: Zephyr Dec 24 2007, 08:03 AM
Different strings have a HUGE effect, both on the way the guitar plays and the way it sounds. Thinner strings will be much easier to bend further and will just be easier on your fingers altogether, but heavier gauge strings will have a much warmer, thicker sound, (very good for the blues, in my opinion! 
) and I imagine they would be good for heavy rhythm stuff as well. I've heard the heavier gauges work better with lower tunings as well, but I have very little experience with alternate tunings, so you might want to confirm that. You basically want a string that bends as far as you want it to, but still gets the tone you want!
As for brands, it just depends on personal preference. Ask around to find what other people think of some brands, and try a couple out. Elixir's are interesting, they're coated with a really thin cover of something (gotta love my scientific knowledge there) that supposedly helps the string last and keep it's tone longer.
Posted by: Tomy Jeon Dec 24 2007, 08:04 AM
I'm pretty sure that thinner strings are easy to vibrato with. Thicker one's don't snap as often as the thin ones though.
Posted by: David.C.Bond Dec 24 2007, 11:27 AM
The string gauge is pretty self explanatory, heavier gauge make a thicker, more bassy tone, but harder to bend and do vibrato.
As for brands, I tend to stick to Ernie Ball, mainly just beacause I've bought them for a long time and I know they're good.
Also, I use 10-52s and once I bought this gauge in D'addarios and it totally messed up my floyd, thus affecting the action. So it would seem gauges aren't consistent throughout the brands. Thats a major reason why I keep buying Ernie Ball's, I know my floyd is set up just right for them.
Posted by: Pavel Dec 24 2007, 11:38 AM
I've always been using 9-42 and i don't even plan on going to different gauge. I tried 10 but it was already to thick to play bends so i got back to 9-42 - somehow feels most natural 
Posted by: OrganisedConfusion Dec 24 2007, 11:40 AM
I always prefer to use 10's as 9's sound awful usually. Such a thin sound.
Posted by: Smells Dec 24 2007, 12:00 PM
As for brands, I tend to stick to Ernie Ball, mainly just beacause I've bought them for a long time and I know they're good.
Also, I use 10-52s and once I bought this gauge in D'addarios and it totally messed up my floyd, thus affecting the action. So it would seem gauges aren't consistent throughout the brands. Thats a major reason why I keep buying Ernie Ball's, I know my floyd is set up just right for them.
+1
I also use EB`s but 9-42`s, had a simliar issue with a different brand, may have been a set of Dean Markleys (cant remember now) it also mucked up the FR bridge, so I tend stick to EB`s, plus as David said, I`ve bought them for years and like them so not much point going to different (unknown) set.
Posted by: mattacuk Dec 24 2007, 12:16 PM
I use 9 - 42's like Pavel, and I really like them alot!! Vibrato and bends some easy with it
Posted by: Milenkovic Ivan Dec 25 2007, 08:49 PM
It depends, more thickness means more defined sound. But thinner strings means more speed and bending. Metalheads use hybrid sets like 9-56 and that is great for for heavy riffs and fast solos on treble strings. I use 10-13-17-26-36-46 zakk wylde, and dont have any problem with bending and get somewhat more defined and thicker sound.
Posted by: Joey Dec 25 2007, 08:53 PM
Recently i switched to Elixrs after i saw an ad for them and thought they sounded cool. i expected them to be super expensive but they were no more than any other set of strings in the shop. the nanoweb coating stuff is amazing it makes sliding totally silent and extremely easy theyre also really stretchy and light it took a few days to get used to playing them because they almost play themselves im using 9-42s, you can bend them up 1 1/2 step easily but they dont go out of tune and ive never broken one. i love em 
Posted by: Eat-Sleep-andJam Dec 25 2007, 09:19 PM
Its good to hear all the differen options regarding strings . I think I might just have to go with 9-42 now.
Posted by: Muris Dec 26 2007, 12:21 AM
So you say my sound is awful,thin????
Jocking
Posted by: Milenkovic Ivan Dec 26 2007, 01:21 AM
Muris you're using 9s? Thats great man, SRV lesson sounds just like him - oh I know - it must be those racks 
Powered by Invision Power Board (http://www.invisionboard.com)
© Invision Power Services (http://www.invisionpower.com)