I really like the D'Addario EXL-125 09-46 hybrid string sets

[Tonelover]

I have always used .009's, forever, then joined a band who tunes down half a step and plays a lot in drop D too. As you know, the 9's get a bit floppy when doing that so I tried '10's for a while to try to compensate. That helped with the tension issue and also did beef up the tone, but I just couldn't get used to the overall feel. So recently tried the D'Addario .009-.046 hybrid sets and they rule. A perfect compromise, I can get the beef on the low strings and the ease of soloing on the highs. Not only that but on my guitars with floating tremolos, the decrease in tension from tuning down is almost perfectly compensated for by the extra tension of the low strings so the guitars need almost no setup after switching them out. Very nice.

 

[soc_monki]

i used to use big strings, regultar 10, 13, 17 on the highs, but something like 32-34, 42-44, and anything from 50-54 on the low E, tuned standard to down a whole step. usually bought in bulk since i liked to mix and match my gauges to try new things. after years of riding bikes (pedal and engine powered), computers, working on things...i developed slight carpal tunnel in both wrists. started making playing big strings painful at times so after meeting a guy and tuning a guitar down to B standard with 11-49s (Daddarios!), and getting used to the light feel, i decided to try some 9-46s for standard and D standard tunings. awesome is all i can say. i had to get used to the size of 9's on the highs, but now its nothing.

i still kind of miss the chunk i got from bigger strings, but i can live considering i have also lowered my action and can play with a much lighter touch now. i used to your pretty high action, and hit the strings really hard...maybe that contributed to my hands/wrists punishment? i think the dude from Incubus used 13s and it contributed to his carpal tunnel and now he uses 9s or 10s.

of course, i dont think its all string gauge/action related. i think it also has to do with poor technique as well as not properly warming up! but im not a doctor so...

 

[Shask]

I have tried those a few times and they always feel weird to me. Just the imbalance from the top strings to the bottom strings. However, I have been thinking about giving them another chance.

I have used 10-46 for awhile, and recently tried 9-42. I have always liked light strings, so the 9-42 feels nice, but the chunk tone from the top 2 strings is just bright and thin. The 46 on the top fixes that, but then the bottom strings are a little tight. Seems like I would love 9-46 if I just gave them a longer chance.

Of course, one of my problems I play a lot of 7 strings, and 9-46+? would be a custom set....

 

[Shask]

after meeting a guy and tuning a guitar down to B standard with 11-49s (Daddarios!), and getting used to the light feel, i decided to try some 9-46s for standard and D standard tunings. awesome is all i can say. i had to get used to the size of 9's on the highs, but now its nothing.

i still kind of miss the chunk i got from bigger strings, but i can live considering i have also lowered my action and can play with a much lighter touch now. i used to your pretty high action, and hit the strings really hard...maybe that contributed to my hands/wrists punishment? i think the dude from Incubus used 13s and it contributed to his carpal tunnel and now he uses 9s or 10s.

of course, i dont think its all string gauge/action related. i think it also has to do with poor technique as well as not properly warming up! but im not a doctor so...

Funny because I always used light strings because of wrist issues. I used to do the B tuning with 49 also But, I have actually been trying to increase my string size a big over the last few years because I love the light feel, but started to notice that my guitars always sound out of tune. Going up just 1 gauge seems to help that. I think next time I buy strings I am going to try the 9-46 some more.

I currently use: 10-46+59 on a 26.5" 7 string tuned down a step, 9-42+54 for a 25.5" standard tuned 7 string, 10-46 on a 25.5" 6 string, and (I think) 11-49 on a 24.75" guitar tuned in D.