Fight 10s or resign to 9s?

[harsh59]

Go with what feels right . I play 9's , if I change it will be to 8's .

 

[jcj]

Don't risk fucking up your hands, use the 9s.

 

[kunos]

I've used 9s most of my life, tried to move up to 10s many times and failed. My right (picking) hand loves 10s, they are much more snappy and don't move around as much as 9s, but my left hand suffers too much to justify it. I am sure after 2-3 months it'll be ok but I always end up picking up one of my guitars with 9s and go "wow, this is so easy to play".
Tone difference is almost non existent, especially if you play with gain so at the end, really, why suffer?

 

[Chubtone]

I use .09 - .42

Do they sound "thinner" than thicker strings? Maybe. Internet forums tell me they do. The string gauges my heroes use tell me maybe not. And... if they do sound thinner, there are these little round things on the front of my amp I can twist to the right to help with that.

 

[sg guy]

Stick with 10's and tune down 1/2 or whole step. Problem solved. 9's don't have as good tone, definition for heavy chording, and sustain. 10's are like the minimum for drop-tuning. 9's only sound good tuned to C 440 as far as I'm concerned.

-what a load of shit, can't think of one post that had anything to offer, POOF!!! to the ignore list,

 

[Luca79]

Before to decide, use the 10 till are rusty.

 

[Alex_S]

Hahaha, exact opposite here: can't play 9s because they are too sensible for my hands. Have always intonation problems with them. But I would prefer them sound wise. Play 10s on long scale instruments and 11s on short scales. Play whatever works best for you...

 

[mrcak]

Stick with 10's and tune down 1/2 or whole step. Problem solved. 9's don't have as good tone, definition for heavy chording, and sustain. 10's are like the minimum for drop-tuning. 9's only sound good tuned to C 440 as far as I'm concerned.

Right, 9's don't have good tone. For every example of some genius like this laying out bullshit as fact, I can cite guys using 8's or 9's getting tremendous tone, chord definition, etc.

You can stick w/ 9-42 set, try 9-46 or you can use a set of 10's but substitute lighter gauges for the strings that are problematic. Example, on a 10-46 set, standard tuned, a 017 G string is kinda tough. Put on a 015. If the high E .010 is tough, stick on a .009.

IMO, lighter string equate to more control w/ your fingers. You're NOT fighting the string tension. With light strings you can get in and out of bends alot quicker than a heavier set.
Most of these guys using heavy sets don't or can't bend/ vibrato for shit.

 

[dallasb]

9-42 Standard

10-46 1/2 step down

10-52 Whole step down or drop C.

 

[SpiderWars]

Thanks for responses. Guess I just needed a nudge. Lol 46and2, except I'm a rail.

I use .09 - .42

Do they sound "thinner" than thicker strings? Maybe. Internet forums tell me they do. The string gauges my heroes use tell me maybe not. And... if they do sound thinner, there are these little round things on the front of my amp I can twist to the right to help with that.

Too late to change my Vaniila Shake setup to 9s?

EDIT: I play both Strat-types and Les Pauls/335s. One fixed bridge is tuned to Eb for song learning convenience only., don't play dropped tunings much on electric and if so just drop-D.

 

[paulyc]

GHS .009s or even .008s for me, even down a half step, Gibson or Fender doesn't matter. Sometimes I go with the GHS Custom Lites which is a .009 set on the GBE strings and a .010 set on the EAD, especially on a drop tuned Gibson scale.

 

[acidvoodoo]

Sometimes I go with the GHS Custom Lites which is a .009 set on the GBE strings and a .010 set on the EAD, especially on a drop tuned Gibson scale.

Yup, this.

I use Elixir Custom Lights, best of both sizes

 

[slyym]

Dude start playing bass and .01's will feel like nothing. Practice the bass for about 30 mins before you pick up the guitar. Serious!!! At least it works for me.

 

[SpiderWars]

Dude start playing bass and .01's will feel like nothing. Practice the bass for about 30 mins before you pick up the guitar. Serious!!! At least it works for me.

I play acoustic a lot a that helps. I do bend a ton and use a lot of LH vibrato.

That said everytime I pick up a bass at band practice I always think that it is such a fun instrument to play. I do need to get one.

 

[harsh59]

I use .09 - .42

Do they sound "thinner" than thicker strings? Maybe. Internet forums tell me they do. The string gauges my heroes use tell me maybe not. And... if they do sound thinner, there are these little round things on the front of my amp I can twist to the right to help with that.

Agree 100%

 

[lotsalemon]

I'm in the same boat - on my ESP strat I'm using 10s. Chords and rhythm playing FEEL so much better, but I just can't play any leads how I want with those strings. My Charvel is strung up with 9s and it just feels so much better.

Next string change I'm going back to 9s (prob with heavy bottoms on both guitars) and forgetting that 10s even exist!

 

[MetalHeadMike]

As stated, partly depends on type of music your playing and tuning. That said though, hand strength and preference definitely dictate here too.

I'm playing .056-.013 in drop C, and I'll admit its a bit tough to bend, but I don't play leads nor bend a whole lot. I tried .054-.012 and they're much better if not still just a touch rough on bends.

I love the way the thicker strings sound for the heavy rhythm stuff I play. Think I need to stick with a .054 on the 6th and drop a gauge on the other 5 to see what that feels like.

 

[Bishop5150]

I really like the Ernie Ball Slinky Hybrid. 9-46 but I'm ok with 10's tuned down a 1/2 step as well. Bottom line is use whatever you are comfortable with.

 

[dstroud]

I'd go with 9's. I actually think 9's sound better than 10's. that being said I do use 10's because they work better for my picking. But if 9's are working for you I'd go with it!

 

[memberzonly]

Do yourself a favor and play around with various brands within a gauge. Core to wrap ratio matters. There are also balanced tension sets which may/may not help you.