Light vs Heavier String Gauge

[EnGl]

I jammed with my friend yesterday. We listened CD and just jam ... Great fun. But...

Van Halen I - We are wondering how this can be possible that Eddie achieve such a great tone on so slinky strings ( 9-40) ... I know he did a few things ( dummy load , heavy cranked amp) but how this can be possible on such light strings ?
Jeff and Kerry from Slayer - also , very light strings and in Eb ...

I want your opinion about that , I just can't understand that there are so many shredders with so many various preferences about strings ...

Can you make a comment , describe your experience, preferences etc ... I'm curious and I want to finally get an answer like : " Lighter strings give you that that and that and heavier will give you this and this ... ". I stick to one gauge strings so I'm asking you

 

[racerevlon]

The magic of EQ...

I stick to 9's but have 10's on a couple guitars just to see if there is a perceptible difference... Nothing to write home about. If you play 9's and want to move up a little I suggest the D'Addario plus sets 9.5's, 10.5's, etc. Won't be as shocking of a change.

 

[Code001]

You can't understand that people have personal preferences when it comes to their guitars? My setup is nearly unplayable for most people out there, but it works for me; that's what matters the most.

 

[Qweklain]

... My setup is nearly unplayable for most people out there, but it works for me; that's what matters the most.

What do you use? I always spec out my own setups since I believe very strongly in the progressive tension of my strings. My go-to string setup right now for a standard full-step down is... (the weights are on a 27" scale)

D .009" PL == 11.69
A, .0125" PL == 12.67
F, .016" PL == 13.06
C, .024" NW == 14.03
G,, .034" NW == 15.66
D,, .048" NW == 16.85
A,,, .066" NW == 18.25

... I want your opinion about that , I just can't understand that there are so many shredders with so many various preferences about strings ...

EnGl, it just is what it is. Personal preference is what is the most important thing when it comes to play. As for the tone, the power of EQ can do wondrous things, even with lower string tensions.

Lighter strings allow for much easier bending/vibrato due to the lower tensions. Heavier strings have more tension, and I find are generally easier to intonate and stay in tune longer, especially if you use lower tuning.
Heavier strings also tend do sound thicker as the mass increases, resulting in more tension, however I do find a point where it gets to be too thick and starts to lose punch due to increased bass. A perfect example of that are 8-string guitars. That 8th string tends to be really heavy and bassy, but generally does not have much punch or mid response due to it being so thick.

 

[Code001]

What do you use? I always spec out my own setups since I believe very strongly in the progressive tension of my strings. My go-to string setup right now for a standard full-step down is... (the weights are on a 27" scale)

D .009" PL == 11.69
A, .0125" PL == 12.67
F, .016" PL == 13.06
C, .024" NW == 14.03
G,, .034" NW == 15.66
D,, .048" NW == 16.85
A,,, .066" NW == 18.25

Depends on the tuning and the individual guitar, but I strive for ~1/32'' (0.79mm) action on the high e and ~3/64 (1.19mm) on the low E measured @ the 12th fret with ~1/32'' (0.79mm or 0.03' via feeler gauge') relief measured @ the 9th fret G string. This is fairly hard for most people to play because you need a very light touch. I also make sure to have at least Dunlop 6100 sized frets on my guitars, which makes a light touch needed even more. Strings will vary on scale, tuning, how I'm feeling, how that particular guitar responds to different string gauges, etc. I generally prefer lighter strings with a heavier bottom, so my go-to gauges are 9-46s. I'm not really into the whole progressive tension because I like how the semi-traditional 9-46 feels across every string. The B has less tension than the G, and the E has slightly less tension than the A. Just something that I've grown to enjoy.

 

[rockstah]

light strings are one of the biggest factors in Ed's tone.
just as much as heavy strings are a factor in Stevie's tone.

Guys trying to get Van Halen with 10's kind of makes me chuckle.
sure its possible BUT its not a fat heavy string that i hear in Ed's tone. "but i cant play 9's"... if you want his tone learn how to play with lighter strings.

 

[reverymike]

It's not an EQ trick. These guys on 9s sound great when you're right there with them. EVH, DeMartini, Vai, etc all use 9s and have killer tones.

 

[EnGl]

It's not an EQ trick. These guys on 9s sound great when you're right there with them. EVH, DeMartini, Vai, etc all use 9s and have killer tones.

+1. Totally agree.


Guys , you really entice me to try different gauge. I subscribe one theory:
"If anyone can do certain thing - you also can". So well , I will try to experiment a bit.

So let me ask here : It is worth to buy single strings ? I mean single strings to complete my own set. I'm considering this because I really can't find any current strings pack which will match my preferences. My only doubt is that single strings may be not fresh , not fresh like the vacuum packed ones ...

 

[chumbucket]

light strings are one of the biggest factors in Ed's tone.
just as much as heavy strings are a factor in Stevie's tone.

Guys trying to get Van Halen with 10's kind of makes me chuckle.
sure its possible BUT its not a fat heavy string that i hear in Ed's tone. "but i cant play 9's"... if you want his tone learn how to play with lighter strings.

Call me crazy but I think lighter picks figure into his sound as well. You hear him get the pop off of the strings from a thinner flexing pick.

 

[rockstah]

I agree. i could have added to my last post, its up to the player as to how far they want to go with it. Where i hear a medium pick in Ed's sound, i choose a heavy pick.

 

[Lriagan]

I went from 10's to 9's because one day I realized that I have been playing 10s for nearly 5 years and forgot how 9s felt.
I went from 10s to 9s permanently after the switch and found that bending was completely different. There felt like there was no resistance and I could bend up just about two whole tones. I was freaked out. Before I could bend to one and a half with 10s, but I could really feel the string pushing back into me. Now I can go 2 whole tones and don't get that kind of resistance.

On the other hand, you'll probably start breaking strings if you aren't careful. Use the force to guide you on when to not bend so far.

 

[thiswaythatway]

I find I can go with lower action with 10's. The same low action with 9's and it's buzzy as all hell. Personally I hate 9's but if my hands ever start to ache or tendonitis sets in then I'll have to adjust and go down a gauge.

 

[ewill52]

I go back and forth. I love they way 9's bend but we play a few songs out of our set tuned down and they get to feeling too damn flimsy so I go to 10's or even on occasion 11's. I like the standard tuned 10's for picking...seems like my pick glides through the string easier and gives a snappier response\rebound for fast alternate-picked runs. back and forth back and forth...

Read an article one time that Billy Gibbons plays 7's....and he's a tone MONSTER.

 

[vchizzle]

It's not an EQ trick. These guys on 9s sound great when you're right there with them. EVH, DeMartini, Vai, etc all use 9s and have killer tones.

+1. Totally agree.


Guys , you really entice me to try different gauge. I subscribe one theory:
"If anyone can do certain thing - you also can". So well , I will try to experiment a bit.

So let me ask here : It is worth to buy single strings ? I mean single strings to complete my own set. I'm considering this because I really can't find any current strings pack which will match my preferences. My only doubt is that single strings may be not fresh , not fresh like the vacuum packed ones ...

Vacuum packing is relatively new. We survived years without it. If you buy single strings and figure out your "perfect" gauge, go to www.nakedstrings.com or somewhere similar and order in bulk. Put the extras in zip-lock bags til you need em. As long as you're not constantly handling them and getting oils from your hands all over them, they'll be fine.

 

[EnGl]

It's not an EQ trick. These guys on 9s sound great when you're right there with them. EVH, DeMartini, Vai, etc all use 9s and have killer tones.

+1. Totally agree.


Guys , you really entice me to try different gauge. I subscribe one theory:
"If anyone can do certain thing - you also can". So well , I will try to experiment a bit.

So let me ask here : It is worth to buy single strings ? I mean single strings to complete my own set. I'm considering this because I really can't find any current strings pack which will match my preferences. My only doubt is that single strings may be not fresh , not fresh like the vacuum packed ones ...

Vacuum packing is relatively new. We survived years without it. If you buy single strings and figure out your "perfect" gauge, go to http://www.nakedstrings.com or somewhere similar and order in bulk. Put the extras in zip-lock bags til you need em. As long as you're not constantly handling them and getting oils from your hands all over them, they'll be fine.

Really ??
Thanks for info man , I don't know that ... I thought that vacuum package is standard for many many years

I ordered a custom gauge set GHS Boomers - I hope it will suit me

 

[Kapo_Polenton]

I thought some of the shredders now played 10's? Demartini to be exact.. Gilbert as well. ( who at one point I thought was at 11's) Insane vibrato too. Personally, I have been playing 10's and then switched to 9.5 boomers. The problem for me is always the G string. Hate the feel of it but like a bit heavier on top two high strings. I'm at the point now where I might mix to packs of strings to get me what I like. I think the key is to do what honestly "feels" right. You play better with a gauge that suits you. It isn't a competition. Some people max out on deadlifts way before other people do.. gauge strings are no diff. I can prob bend heavier gauge strings but i know my vibrato would be shit so I stay in flavour country where i am most comfortable.

 

[rockstah]

i use 9's for the tone.

 

[se7en]

I use 11-48's for Eb & Drop Db. I sometimes have a heavy attack, though and am brutal on the strings at times. I go thru strings faster than most.

 

[zuel69]

Great post. Zero offense to the o.p. but the some of the things you said about VH versus string gauge and tone are exactly the type of misconceptions that seem to breed heavily on forums. The list of players from all the great classic bands that use light gauge strings is silly..

I thought some of the shredders now played 10's? Demartini to be exact.. Gilbert as well. ( who at one point I thought was at 11's) Insane vibrato too. Personally, I have been playing 10's and then switched to 9.5 boomers. The problem for me is always the G string. Hate the feel of it but like a bit heavier on top two high strings. I'm at the point now where I might mix to packs of strings to get me what I like. I think the key is to do what honestly "feels" right. You play better with a gauge that suits you. It isn't a competition. Some people max out on deadlifts way before other people do.. gauge strings are no diff. I can prob bend heavier gauge strings but i know my vibrato would be shit so I stay in flavour country where i am most comfortable.

 

[Les Zombie]

I use 9's and 10's on most of my guitars but it really depends on which guitar and what tuning im using. i dont like 10's on my esp kh2 or jem,but i love the 9's with it. now with some of my les pauls and explorers i like 10's. part of it is the feel and part is the tone, really just depends on the guitar and the scale length.

i also have a lp with 11's that i use in drop c# and another lp with 12's in drop C. im use dunlop heavy cores and so far they seem ok.
i didnt like either of these tunings with the lighter strings because it was too loose and needed more tension.