Strings!, What dimensions y'all use on yer strings?
GMC_student444
Mar 25 2008, 01:20 PM
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Hi everyone.
I got a question just out of curiosity. An old guitar teacher of mine once told me to use thick strings to build finger stamina, when bending and so on. I did what he told me and got some pretty thick strings and now I'm kinda stuck. Dunno if his advice worked or if it's just out of habit, but now it's like using any strings. In the beginning though, I was thinking: "Sheesh, I'll never be able to play anything but open chords with these strings." biggrin.gif

I often notice how my fellow guitarplaying friends always use strings that are thinner and they keep commenting how thick mine are.

So to the question, please tell me yer experience of strings and what you're using.

I'm using (from high to low):

" .012, .016, .019 (unwound), .028, .038 and .052
Boomers (GBH).

In the beginning it got pretty ugly when I was bending and when I tried tremolos and vibratos just from the fact that the strings were so heavy but now that I'm used to those strings I like the kinda intense, almost acoustic sound, that thicker strings give. I play on a Les Paul Gothic, with standard Rhythm: 490R Alnico magnet humbucker and
Treble: 498T Alnico magnet humbucker.

Be glad to hear what u guys out there got. Cheers.

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Bogdan Radovic
Mar 25 2008, 01:27 PM
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There can be some logic in your teachers advice but I don't think you should torture yourself wink.gif
I mean .12 strings are way to thick..I would recommend .10 or .09..

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Ivan Milenkovic
Mar 25 2008, 01:30 PM
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Your teacher was wrong you dont' have to use heavy stings at all, as a matter of fact very thick strings can damage your muscles as you involve them more when playing and specially when doing bends. I recommend that you transfer to 0.11 at least.

I use 10-13-17-26-36-46 at the moment.

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VinceG
Mar 25 2008, 01:35 PM
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thick strings are only good if your playing metal music that is tuned to C or B, anything other than that would be just torture to your fingers especially if your still new at playing.

The good thing about this is the fact that I play on that exact gage and I've built up a good amount of flexibility, smoother bends, and better vibratos.

I suggest that if you want to work on your chops on a high rate, then intend to do so by playing heavy strings. Then after a while, start using lighter strings like a 10 or 9, and you will definitely notice the difference in your playing.

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ZakkWylde
Mar 25 2008, 01:42 PM
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Like Vince said, 12's are for downtunig useage because there would be not enough tension when playing C standard with 9's... Playing with 12's in standard E tuning will strengthen your fingers but it will also slow you down. Try some 10's or 9's ( not 8's; imo they are way to sloppy) and you will see that you'll be able to play faster and better after your 12's exercises.

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GMC_student444
Mar 25 2008, 01:59 PM
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QUOTE (ZakkWylde @ Mar 25 2008, 01:42 PM) *
Like Vince said, 12's are for downtunig useage because there would be not enough tension when playing C standard with 9's... Playing with 12's in standard E tuning will strengthen your fingers but it will also slow you down. Try some 10's or 9's ( not 8's; imo they are way to sloppy) and you will see that you'll be able to play faster and better after your 12's exercises.


Yeah, that's the only downside as far as I can tell. I started playing guitar like 15 years ago but only intensively for the first two years. Then it's been on and off so I've never had that shredding speed nailed but I've noticed that when I'm doing fast bends and pull-offs and so forth the thick strings are sometimes in they way compared to thinner ones.

I'm trying to get real serious with my playing now and the strength is there but not the speed.

I'm very aware of when my muscles start to tense and I always take a break so I don't hurt myself. As for my fingertips this hell they've been through made 'em more or less immune to the wear of strings biggrin.gif

Glad to see so many replies in this short time.

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Juan M. Valero
Mar 25 2008, 02:09 PM
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hehe, I use 008 strings XD it's incredible the amazing bends that you can play with them smile.gif

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Muris Varajic
Mar 26 2008, 07:10 AM
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Try 010 or even 009,I'm on 009 tho.

Guys said it above,thick gauge is great for lower tunings etc.
Don't bother yourself and see what works best for you. smile.gif

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Dejan Farkas
Mar 26 2008, 09:49 AM
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As other said already, these thick strings are good for lower tunings and also for some jazz, between 009 ansd 010 there is Custom Lite set, you can try these as well. I use 009 smile.gif

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Trond Vold
Mar 26 2008, 09:54 AM
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I prefer 0.09 sets. They fit for most styles when tuned normally, or maybe a halfstep down.

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visi0n
Mar 26 2008, 09:55 AM
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It's more like what for music you are playing, 009 is great for playing rock/blues with a lot of bending, 010 more for jazz and also rock blues but with lesser bending haha, i use 009 because i love to bend and with 010 my fingers hurts to bad when practicing something with alot of bending .. but like Muris said " Don't bother yourself and see what works best for you "

Cheers smile.gif

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Danilo Capezzuto
Mar 26 2008, 02:46 PM
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0.10 or 0.11 but I don't like the 0.48 E-low.

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Patrik Jezierski
Mar 26 2008, 02:51 PM
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0.09 - 0.42 Dean Markley Blue Steel. Just love em smile.gif

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Fran
Mar 26 2008, 04:04 PM
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I use 0,09 Dean Markley signature sets, likethem so far.

Used D'addario many years ago too.

But I'm planning on trying some 0,09 elixirs one of these days... though they really are expensive.

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Guitarman700
Mar 26 2008, 04:52 PM
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10-52 Dave Mustaine signature set. awesome strings.

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Smikey2006
Mar 26 2008, 07:53 PM
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I use Elixer 10's. Im not sure of all the gauges but they are beautiful smile.gif nice sounds all around smile.gif when i drop tune i do like some beef but i havn't done anything lower then half a step down lately..

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DDylan
Mar 28 2008, 04:08 PM
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I always use Earnie Ball 09's there great for what i play, if your questiong yourself you should egt some different ones, ibve tried 08's and 10's aswell and there alright

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Ivan Milenkovic
Mar 28 2008, 04:26 PM
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I've used 0.11's extensively through one period and they do provide a fuller sound, but started to get my hands fatigued very fast when playing with them. After transfering to 0.10's, nor problem, bends, practice, play, anything.

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Nick Kellie
Mar 28 2008, 09:41 PM
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well there is a big debate on this one - I have used many guages over the years.... 12-52, 11-48, 11-50, 11-52, 10-46, 10-50, 9-46, 9-42 and even 8's in the beginning...
i now use 9's.

I find that every guitar feels different with different guages.... i use 10's on a strat (when i had one).

Heavier strings can stay in tune better but are harder to bend etc... but you get used to it.
Also many people consider heavier strings to have a bigger tone... If you do lots of drop tunings its important to have pretty heavy strings for de-tuning

nick

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Bondy
Mar 28 2008, 09:45 PM
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Man do what i do use Hybrid slinkys a heavy bottom with a light top (Like my wife Ha Ha)

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