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

[kasperjensen]

They sound fatter, that's for sure. Whether thats a good thing or not, really depends on the context.

 

[Laars]

I've used .10s for ever. I also use .11s but its because we tune down a 1/2 step live (bunch of old guys who don't have the vocal range that we used to). This way my guitars feel the same if they are tuned standard to 1/2 step down.

As far as Billy Gibbons and his recorded tone, his best tone IMO was on ZZ tops first album.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZBKQpY1pis

Sounds like Les Paul, and a old Marshall to me.

 

[bonedarrell]

String gauge tells me a lot about a player.

What does it tell you?

Steve

Seriously? A man of your age and experience is asking this?

Are you being sincere or is this an attempt to bully me into making discriminating remarks?

I can elaborate, generalize and state the obvious if you wish.

Given that a wide range of great players I love to listen to and respect use everything from 8s to 13s and everything in between, yes, I was seriously asking. And frankly, I don't see how asking is bullying you in any way. You made the comment, so I'm interested in what you have to say...

Steve

Steve,

I would expect a man of any age to ask your question. I find it a bit odd that a man of any age would even make the original claim you are questioning. It holds no water really.

 

[barnesjd]

Use a wound G. It really makes a huge difference in feel and stability.

This used to be a requirement of mine. But I WAS tuning to drop C for my metal band at the time. I'm an Ernie Ball 48-11 guy these days. Any time I try guitars with lighter strings, everything I play is sharp because I press the strings too hard.

 

[rupe]

Apparently the OP threw this hand grenade and ran...well played

 

[MARK1970]

I played 9-42 for years, but I now use 10-46. I love how they feel. As mentioned, lighter gauged strings feel to loose for me. I also practice mostly clean and I noticed a fuller sound from a 10 over a 9. I would not say it sounds better, but there is a very noticeable difference in feel and sound when I play with 9s.

 

[Rock Bodom]

You need light gauge to shred, it's a scientific fact.

 

[fishyfishfish]

I use 11's on my Strats and Tele's because I can't help but
Beat the shit out of my strings and anything lighter won't stay in tune as
well. Other than that I could care less. If it works for you than it works.

 

[geetarmikey]

Heavier/lighter strings only sound different because you play them differentl i reckon. I think the biggest difference is "feel" of them. Think SRV would sound any different with lighter gauges?

 

[madrigal77]

13-56(Daddario) or 12-56(Ernie Ball Cobalts) for me. But I tune down a whole step. They just sound so chunky. Especially the Cobalts. I actually didn't really like the lighter guage cobalts, but damn, the not even slinky's sound soooooo good.

I prefer 11-48 in standard.

 

[madrigal77]

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

Use a wound G. It really makes a huge difference in feel and stability.

Yeah, I love wound 3rds. It just intonates and stays in tune way better. Chords also ring out better and clearer.

 

[jsp]

My Ibanez sounds exactly 83% better since I've switched from 11's to 10's.

 

[bonedarrell]

My Ibanez sounds exactly 83% better since I've switched from 11's to 10's.

Finally...........SCIENCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Zachman]

Like it or not lightening boy, deal with it.

That's WRONG, but that's okay. Heavier strings only sound better, at sounding like heavier strings. Lighter strings sound better when going for a lighter string result. See? Hope that clears it up. Better depends on the result one expects, and is (in this context) purely subjective.

 

[Zachman]

My Ibanez sounds exactly 83% better since I've switched from 11's to 10's.

Finally...........SCIENCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[bonedarrell]

Chad "douchebag" Kroeger uses 11's & 12's.......

Just sayin

 

[Zachman]

They sound fatter, that's for sure. Whether thats a good thing or not, really depends on the context.

 

[D-Rock]

It's pickup dependent for me. I like to use a thick gauge (12-56) when using my EMG 81. Otherwise it's too thin and sharp sounding with 10's for what I play.

 

[Anonymous]

It's pickup dependent for me. I like to use a thick gauge (12-56) when using my EMG 81. Otherwise it's too thin and sharp sounding with 10's for what I play.

It's scale length dependent for me. LP scale length = 10s, Start scale length = 9s. But with my screwed up left hand causing me to pull everything out of tune now maybe I'll switch to 10s an 11s, respectively...

Steve

 

[Heritage Softail]

We should consult Billy Blades