9's on 25.5 scale guitars tuned to concert pitch?

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lespaul6

lespaul6

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After playing with 10's on both les pauls and strat's for decades, I tried some 9's on my strat the other day... I actually think they sound better, clearer top and bottom, more high end def on the lower strings. Once you get used to the feel I think they sound really good. I tune to standard pitch.... kinda feels like a les paul with 10's. Anyone using 9's out there? I think the thicker strings = better tone is a myth? I can see if you are downtuning to make up for the slak, but otherwise???
 
Yeah, I know but he also downtuned... I listen to van halen and billy gibbons and think otherwise as well?
 
EVH uses 9-42's on a 25.5" guitar tuned a half step down during the DLR years. Some people think he has good tone... :)

Billy Gibbons is notorious for using very light strings. I think he uses 8's. Also good tone.

I like the feel of 10-46 D'Addarios. I used 9-46 GHS boomers for years until I tried 10's. They just feel right to me. No big tone difference.

It's all about what you like and what makes you want to play more!!!
 
Myth. Billy Gibbons uses 8s and that's a hell of a fat tone!
 
I believe that a lot of it is implementation, i.e. finger tone, and how you play. One is not 'better' per se than the other, but perhaps a better match for that person.
 
garey77":26n2ztft said:
I believe that a lot of it is implementation, i.e. finger tone, and how you play. One is not 'better' per se than the other, but perhaps a better match for that person.
Click to expand...
+1 If you are using fat strings for tone reasons only, that's silly. Jimmy Page is another one that used light gauge strings, seemed to work for him.

Use the string gauge that you're the most comfortable playing with...the gauge that makes you play better.
 
A myth. Guys with 8's and 9's got plenty of tone. SRV and his heavy gauges proved shit, IMO.
 
Not a difference in tone as much as feel and how hard you play.
When I get nervous or excited I tend to mash the piss out of my
guitar, so heavier strings work out better for me . What ever tool
works for the job.
 
I use 10-48 on my LP, 9-46 on my G&L Invader, 9-42 on my Tele, and 10-52 on my Schecter.

All have killer tones through whatever amp I use but the Tele and the G&L have that extra something special. Might be the scale length and 'snap' of the ebony and maple fingerboards but those two have the best tones. Doubt it has much to do with the difference between 9s and 10s.
 
i've got two guitars at 25.5 both with 10s on em , fret size and radius makes the most difference in feel for me

a vintage tele copy 10" radius medium frets - and a yamaha pacifica mike stern - 12" radius tall jumbo frets, the yamaha is far easier to play/bends, the vintage tele copy you have to dig in a bit more, bends require more guitar face =)

in general fenders i've played i've been most at home with regular 9s or a slightly heavier bottom 46s underneath, easy to play and sounds good
 
I think 9's or 8's with really low action and your tone will suffer. As long as the strings aren't resting on the frets 9's sound good. I just get tired of the feel of them and prefer 10's.
 
I really like ernie ball 9s on super strats!! sounds and feels great to me.
 
9-46 for me.
I've tried heavier strings over the years and I never got "better" tone with them. That's ridiculous.
Either you can play and have tone or you can't and you don't.
 
I think it might be easier to get a lower end response, or maybe a thicker tone with bigger strings, but its easy to dial backnin with settings. I prefer 9 or 9-46 on all my guitars.
 
I like gauges thicker than 9-42 because then I don't break strings as often. Tone? Meh.
 
I don't know about any of that stuff. I've been using 11-52 for tuned to D straight, and for dropped C as well.
 
lespaul6":1bt64765 said:
After playing with 10's on both les pauls and strat's for decades, I tried some 9's on my strat the other day... I actually think they sound better, clearer top and bottom, more high end def on the lower strings. Once you get used to the feel I think they sound really good. I tune to standard pitch.... kinda feels like a les paul with 10's. Anyone using 9's out there? I think the thicker strings = better tone is a myth? I can see if you are downtuning to make up for the slak, but otherwise???
Click to expand...
Yeah, I use 9s' on a Strat and 10s' on a LP, they feel pretty similar.
 
rcm78":1z3pwlcu said:
EVH uses 9-42's on a 25.5" guitar tuned a half step down during the DLR years. Some people think he has good tone... :)

Billy Gibbons is notorious for using very light strings. I think he uses 8's. Also good tone.

I like the feel of 10-46 D'Addarios. I used 9-46 GHS boomers for years until I tried 10's. They just feel right to me. No big tone difference.

It's all about what you like and what makes you want to play more!!!
Click to expand...
Can't say what he uses currently, but when I bought my EBMM EVH guitar in '93 it came with 9-40. That's what he was using at the time.
 
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