Fight 10s or resign to 9s?

[Badronald]

I use hybrid 9's on everything except when I record heavy music.

I HAVE to have 52's on the low end because I abuse the strings while riffing. I hit it hard. It's the only way to play that stuff.

If I have a 46 on the low end from my hybrid set I knock those low three strings sharp every time. I'll tune those strings a bit flat if I have to but it's much better for me to use the heavy strings. I hate to play light to compensate for light strings.

When I do leads while recording I'll grab a guitar with the 9 hybrid set.

You should use strings that work for you, not what anyone on a forum tells you to use.

 

[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.

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.

Its kinda like how baseball players warm up with the heavy donuts on there bats or multiple bats right before they hit. Borrow a bass for a week and try it.

 

[messenger]

Doesn't Billy Gibbons use 7s?

 

[daveyisgreatmkii]

PROTECT YOUR HANDS!!!

Play what's most comfortable for YOUR HANDS to avoid potential hand and wrist issues.

 

[SpiderWars]

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.

I should do this too. I've just auto-bought D'Addario forever. I'm trying their Balanced Tension set on my main Strat right now and it's not helping much. I also have a set of the NYXL to try (which will go on a LP or 335).

 

[Halen]

Doesn't Billy Gibbons use 7s?

Yes.

https://www.vintageguitar.com/15618/billy-gibbons/

 

[crwnedblasphemy]

I personally prefer the sound of a lighter gauge. I don't have a standard tuned axe, but my 7 sting is in standard B, 56-9.

In Eb, I use 46-9, standard D 46-10. Drop C 52-10.
I have tried many throughout the years, but these are what I dig.

 

[Chester Nimitz]

I went from 9.5 thru .048 to 11.5 thru .054 GHS Nickel Rockers and loving it.

Not going smaller.

 

[MetalThrasher]

Here's my opinions for tuning….

Six String E or Eb 9-46
Six String D standard 10-52
Six String Drop B 11-60
Seven String B or Bb 10-59
Seven String A standard 10-64

I tend to like thicker strings on the bottom end but for what you are doing a hybrid 9-46 set will be more than fine!

 

[Badronald]

Doesn't Billy Gibbons use 7s?

Yes.

https://www.vintageguitar.com/15618/billy-gibbons/

I LOVE Billy but he drives me nuts live these days. He's always bending sharp. Drives my ears crazy.

 

[cardinal]

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.

Its kinda like how baseball players warm up with the heavy donuts on there bats or multiple bats right before they hit. Borrow a bass for a week and try it.

I love playing bass. And it does feel so strange to pick up a guitar after playing bass for a while. Everything about the guitar will feel tiny and fragile.

 

[RockyStar]

Most importantly it makes sense to be comfortable. The reality is you are simply used to that range and that is cool. IF you went up in size for a while you would go back down to 10's and they would feel much easier. I play 11's in standard and can play 10's but I am bending out of tune. Throw on 8's or 9's and bends and pinch harmonics etc have me bending or vibrato going off the fretboard. It just doesn't work. I am sure if I retrained myself and got familiar with a light string I would be fine but it takes time. 11-50 or 52 just works for me. I hope you can find something that you like and doesn't hurt your hands so you can keep playing.

 

[Halen]

Doesn't Billy Gibbons use 7s?

Yes.

https://www.vintageguitar.com/15618/billy-gibbons/

I LOVE Billy but he drives me nuts live these days. He's always bending sharp. Drives my ears crazy.

Saw him back in December with Sue Foley and Jimmy Vaughan. While each player took a turn with the lead, Sue did most of the major playing. Billy laid back and played rhythm most of the night. Granted I had a few "beverages" that night and might have missed him bending sharp.

 

[Shawn Lutz]

use whatever feels the most comfortable to you so stay with 9's. I've been using 10-46 GHS boomers since the early 80's.

 

[Emg77]

I believe it is all a personal choice. Not, what this one does or that one does? For me, I certainly hear a thicker tone coming from heavier gauged strings. Also, with my galloping rhythm style , heavier strings are much easier to control. I also have very strong hands. There are many variables. To each their own.

 

[SpiderWars]

I'm going to start with the D'Addario 9.5-44 on my LP/335 and regular 9s on Strats. The balanced tension set doesn't really seem quite right for me (I think I would have balanced them differently and not exactly same tension). The Stringjoy Husky 9s look interesting though. Will have to check them out.

 

[jet66]

I used to be able to play 10s and even 11s on Strats in standard tuning, but I just can't do it anymore due to tendinitis/tendinosis. It's just too painful to play anything heavier than 9s these days. The proverbial 'everyone' always says 'bigger and better,' but I finally accepted that if I'm not enjoying my playing time, I'm less likely to play. What I've found is that 9's (9-42 Elixir specifically) sound and feel excellent. I think, for the most part, string gauge choice gets in to some kind of 'manly' pissing contest (not so much here,) and it's really stupid to look at it that way.