String Guages, What's best? |
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Sep 25 2008, 01:40 AM
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Today I was on GMC (as always
 ) and I took my, well, daily trip to the lick of the day page and saw that Kris's tip was to use thinner strings for lead work. I know many famous guitar players (Van Halen, Iommi, Rhoads, etc, etc) used thin guage strings, but SRV once commented that anyone that used thin strings was a wimp. I am really leaning towards thin strings at the moment, but I really need more evidence before I can close this case up and go and order some strings. I like to do more lead work, with lots of bending, and I know thinner guage strings are better for that. I won't be tuning down much either, drop D or a half step down is how I usually tune if not standard. Thanks SidewaYs Lightning -------------------- I spelled my username wrong...I didn't even think that was possible!
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Sep 25 2008, 01:48 AM
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There is no best gauge,only what you prefer most.
But things are like this, with thin strings you get less tension which means legato,fretting and eventually bending might be easier, concerns are less sustain and less tone,compared to thick strings. With thick strings the idea is opposite,more tone and sustain(maybe SRV) but also more tension,probably harder to play legato and stuff like that. Lets say "normal" gauge is 009, 008 is probably thin and 010 and above is thick. Hope this helps. 
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Sep 25 2008, 01:59 AM
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Well you won't be a "wimp" for using thin strings...What gauge do you currently use ?? I think as Muris stated , that 009 is normal and will suite you just fine....I don't think you need to go bellow that...
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Sep 25 2008, 02:51 AM
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I think it partly depends on neck length as well. I have nines on both my strat and les paul, and to be honest I prefer 10's on my les paul
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Sep 25 2008, 07:52 AM
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I use a .009 to .046 set, so basically I have thin strings when I play solos and thick strings for the riffs. Works great for me!
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Sep 25 2008, 08:35 AM
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I just bought some .010's without knowing what the main difference was.. Hope I'm still able to play as "good" as I do now
This post has been edited by Canis: Sep 25 2008, 08:36 AM -------------------- GMC is not just a website... It's a lifestyle!
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Sep 25 2008, 09:39 AM
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I use 0.9 but i really want to try thicker strings for when i playing i D standard tuning
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Sep 25 2008, 10:04 AM
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Woo, thanks for the tip! I'll definetly get a pro to do it. I don't want my new baby to get damaged
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Sep 25 2008, 12:29 PM
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QUOTE (RIP Dime @ Sep 25 2008, 04:26 AM)  I agree. I also take the scale length into consideration as well. 24 3/4" scale guitars have less tension on the strings than 25.5" scale guitars. I prefer 11's on my V(24 3/4"), and 10's on my Strat-like guitar. And there you see,it's fully individual.
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Sep 25 2008, 01:31 PM
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As stated above, thin strings are easier to play, but provide less tone/sustain.
I used 9s before, but since I got my SG with 10s I never went back to 9s, they just sound better, specially on LP/SGs. Most people use 9s, if you buy strings in a shop and don't know what to get they'd give you 9s most probably. Best thing you can do: try a set of 10s and a set of 9s, see how you like them. Each player is different. A friend of mine has been playing for over 20 years and uses 8s. Go figure. -------------------- Guitars:
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Sep 25 2008, 04:19 PM
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I started with 009. I've been playing 010 for a long time, but just came back to 009's because of easier bends.
What I like about 010 is pulling offs, but as I am quite fine in this technique and not that good in bending I decided to move back to 009. Be also aware that different brands give different feel. -------------------- my "Thank you GMC!" video
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Sep 25 2008, 05:19 PM
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I would say 10-46 set is a "golden middle" one. This one is also often labeled as "light" gauge. In the end it is all down to personal taste and feel. Even some same gauge sets but different brands have different fell to it, more tension, less tension etc.
If you are unsure what to do, the best way is to experiment will all of them until you settle on one that suits you the most. -------------------- - Ivan's Video Chat Lesson Notes HERE
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