string gauges and wrist problems

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I've been battling this for a while and cannot for the life of me figure out w t f is wrong with me. Been using 11-58s in drop D (DADGBE) for nearly 6 months now and have begun developing some sort of wrist pains. I only really noticed this recently. I figured it was the super thick string gauges so I changed it to 8-48 with medium action. As much as I like the feel and it doesn't bother my wrist as much, I'm fretting chords too sharp and my heavy right hand makes palm mutes go out of tune. I'm going to try raising the action real nice and high to see if this remedies the going sharp.

Has anybody had similar wrist problems? Am I even right to be considering the string gauges for my wrist pains? I can't even do pushups now without my wrist feelin the pains!
 
11's to 8's is a pretty drastic step don't you think? Why not try 10's and if that doesn't work out then step down to 9's?
 
Take a couple weeks off to let everything heal up. YOu'll live.
 
danyeo":aca5d3l6 said:
11's to 8's is a pretty drastic step don't you think? Why not try 10's and if that doesn't work out then step down to 9's?
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i'm doin the whole progressive tension thang and 8s seem to even out from string to string tension wise as compare to the 9s and 10 gauge sets.
Plus, I"ve always wanted to try 8s ;)

leadfootdriver,
i'll ease up a bit, don't think i can go cold turkey though. But is it normal to be getting these pains months and months later??
 
A few years ago I used to use 12-60's in C# G# C# F# A# D# (now I used those same gauges in B F# B E G# C#) but I was playing more chord and riff based rock, with very few leads. I also had what were called "hammer hands" back then and that was my way around it. It was rough, but I have a stretching regimen that I do before I play for longer then 5 minutes.

Do you do stretches? Without them, my hands hurt like a sonofabitch. I agree with taking a bit of time away from the instrument. Also do them stretches!!! Every time you pick a guitar up. It's improved my technique and makes m movements more fluid then without them. Leads are easier. YMMV though.
 
Why not try a "middle ground" string gauge?
I use 11-50's for DADGBE tuning and they feel great.
 
If drop D is all you are going for, try Ernie Ball Skinny Top/Heavy Bottom's (10-52). I keep these on my LP Silverburst for Tool'ish stuff. For drop B and drop A, on the Jim Root Tele's, I order custom sets, 11-15-18-28-38-58.

Married now, so my wrist is much better :m17:

Steve
 
steve_k":25evxuep said:
If drop D is all you are going for, try Ernie Ball Skinny Top/Heavy Bottom's (10-52). I keep these on my LP Silverburst for Tool'ish stuff. For drop B and drop A, on the Jim Root Tele's, I order custom sets, 11-15-18-28-38-58.

Married now, so my wrist is much better :m17:

Steve
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How's the eyesight? ;)

How do you like those Root teles? I'd love to grab one, but I can never gel with EMG's. Maybe a set of Blackouts (which I love) or my usual Custom Custom/Custom 5 and Jazz combo might sound good?
 
If possible you might want to try a guitar with a thicker neck.
 
i was on 10-52's then wrist pain occured, so i dropped the guage to 9-50's. its gone now :rock:
 
You sure it's to do with guitar? I use 65s and am going to try a 75 soon (B standard 27" 7 string) and I don't think my guitar worsens my wrists.
 
Sam Laming":1x825579 said:
You sure it's to do with guitar? I use 65s and am going to try a 75 soon (B standard 27" 7 string) and I don't think my guitar worsens my wrists.
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that's what i'm curious about, since it only started happening 6 months in of using my 11s.

Jordon,
that's the exact gauge i use for drop d! (11, 15, 19, 28, 38, 58) before switchin to the 8s.
 
Ease up if your wrist hurts because it could lead to pain further up your arm eventually: elbow and then to shoulder. Ice pack the wrist for about 5 minutes 2 times a day, I know it sucks but give it a rest for a couple of days is my advice.

oh btw, started playing RockBand 2 with the kids and found that playing the guitar a bit actually was a good exercise for the hand and wrist. Totally different, the way your hand is used doing that.

Good luck.
 
I can't handle thick guages on the top strings. Bottom ones no problem. 10 - 52 tuned to D standard works for me right now.
 
I recently picked up a dynaflex powerball http://www.dynaflexpro.com/whatisit.html It is simple, and works all of your hand, and arm muscles. My father in law got one from his physiotherapist after his wrist surgery, and it is helping him build back his grip. I am going to try using this for a guick warm up before playing, and after being on the computer to get blood flowing again. I got mine for $23 at fry's.
 
What guitar are you playing on?

might want to consider a scale change...
my wrist was hurting on my 25.5 so i started using my baritone.

it works out much better. I use 10-46 in C# on my Baritone feels great.

Brae
 
Cut off your hand and send your gear to me.




BTW, you a Leafs fan? :lol: :LOL:
 
bravedude2":1agrxut3 said:
play bass
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funny you say that cause i noticed the pain the same day i picked up a friends bass to play around with :(

sorry moka not a leafs fan. I'm a raps fan though, when theyr'e good!
 
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