Heavier strings sound better; it's a scientific fact.

  • Thread starter Thread starter midnightlaundry
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One of my fave guitar sounds of all time is Yngwie's Strat-Marshall tone, and he strings with an .008 at E flat on the top.
 
I found a noticeable difference going from 9's to 10's, but not much difference at all going from 10's to 11's. I tried the Strat with 13's ala SRV and although it sounded cool, I'm not man enough for those...they absolutely destroyed my fingers and shredded my callouses.

Then again, Billy Gibbons sounds pretty damn good playing 8's and EVH's coveted "Brown Sound" was 9's...there's so much more to the equation than string gauge.
 
rupe":ycmok3ex said:
I found a noticeable difference going from 9's to 10's, but not much difference at all going from 10's to 11's. I tried the Strat with 13's ala SRV and although it sounded cool, I'm not man enough for those...they absolutely destroyed my fingers and shredded my callouses.

Then again, Billy Gibbons sounds pretty damn good playing 8's and EVH's coveted "Brown Sound" was 9's...there's so much more to the equation than string gauge.
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a bunch of examples of other dudes sounding good with light gauges only proves that light gauges are capable of sounding good. The argument is that heavier gauges sound better.

While those guys sound fantastic, I think heavier guages would be better.
 
Page was using 8s and Beck was using the lightest strings he could find during his stint with the Yardbirds.
 
rupe":18yce5w8 said:
I found a noticeable difference going from 9's to 10's, but not much difference at all going from 10's to 11's. I tried the Strat with 13's ala SRV and although it sounded cool, I'm not man enough for those...they absolutely destroyed my fingers and shredded my callouses.

Then again, Billy Gibbons sounds pretty damn good playing 8's and EVH's coveted "Brown Sound" was 9's...there's so much more to the equation than string gauge.
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I play 13s for years. And I did think they sounded better for what I like. And I loved the feel. But I use 10-46 right now, and I think I have great tone still. Plus, I don't feel less manly :lol: :LOL: :lol: :LOL:

Might go back up some day, but too lazy to set up my guitar for a new gauge, lol
 
chrisrocksusa":3cdc9z93 said:
rupe":3cdc9z93 said:
I found a noticeable difference going from 9's to 10's, but not much difference at all going from 10's to 11's. I tried the Strat with 13's ala SRV and although it sounded cool, I'm not man enough for those...they absolutely destroyed my fingers and shredded my callouses.

Then again, Billy Gibbons sounds pretty damn good playing 8's and EVH's coveted "Brown Sound" was 9's...there's so much more to the equation than string gauge.
Click to expand...


a bunch of examples of other dudes sounding good with light gauges only proves that light gauges are capable of sounding good. The argument is that heavier gauges sound better.

While those guys sound fantastic, I think heavier guages would be better.
Click to expand...
In some cases, I would agree. In others (EVH for one), the gauge is part of the formula...you need 9's for that sound IMO.
 
ericsabbath":3ox8h0we said:
52-10 for me
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My choice as well, but I just prefer for the feel. Not sure I hear much difference in the sound from lighter ones.
 
I use 11's on my singlecut and I like the fatness
My cu24 I used to use 9's for years and now made the switch to 10.5's
Thickened up the sound a touch but I think it comes down to balancing the neck profile to the body so it "feels" more balanced..kinda like a sword.
 
11-48 EB Slinky's work wonders, always have and probably always will

really dig rotosound 11-48 as well, but they're much more expensive and difficult to come by
 
Zap":2tiyivp4 said:
Page was using 8s and Beck was using the lightest strings he could find during his stint with the Yardbirds.
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Listen to their isolated tracks. :D
 
10s and 11s for me on all guitars. I've played 9s only when the guitar arrives - usually think they feel horrible - and immediately snip 'em off.
 
Now, I thought better tone was all in the fingers and/or pickup rings??? This is all getting very confusing? :confused: :confused: :confused:

That's it......I'm calling the Rev. Willy G to get his thoughts! Oh wait?!
 
Less about tone for me and more about feel. 9's can feel a tad too light or harder to grip on the higher strings for me. I like 9.5 or 10 but hate the G string no matter what and want to go lighter on that one. Odd I know! There are so many more factors that go into good tone than just the gauge. Feel, attack, amp, guitar, pickups etc etc
 
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