String Thickness

[crooked09]

Just wondering, what do you guys use/do you have some observations on this issue?

I like the action/playability of standards, but I am interested in trying thicker... I know that when I tried thicker on my other guitar the action got jacked up and the strings were noticeably higher over the fretboard :o - is this unavoidable? Is it possible/advisable to adjust action to accommodate thicker strings so that they play at about the same feel?

Also - has anyone tried out "heavy bottom light top" type strings, where just the bottom 3 strings are thicker? Wondering what kind of effect this would have on the feeling and sound of playing cross-the gap

And, one more thing - the difference in sound between the bottom and A string bothers me a bit. When I play on the A string it just sounds weak and squeally... I understand that there will necessarily be some difference here and the general effect (of playing some notes in a riff up a string for a difference in sound), when I listen to some of my favorite bands, is pretty cool. However the difference I hear from them is much less glancing than my own... do you think it is practical to try a thicker gauge on only the A string? Or is the squeally-ness an effect of brand? (or perhaps amp/sound/effect)

[Odla]

I play with different sets; 009 on my Ibanez, my other electric (Variax) has 010 and my two jazz boxes (Ibanez artcore & Hofner Jazzica) are strung with 013 flatwounds. I once tried the heavy bottom, light top for a year or so. Its been a few years but, if I remember correctly, the difference - both in sound and playability - was small.

Changing to heavier strings inevitably forces you to adjust the trussrod (more pull on the neck), lowering the bridge only will not give the same result > the neck is bowed by the extra pull that thicker strings give, you will have to correct this. Intonation will also have to be re-adjusted.

Your problem with the A string: I personally never experienced this. It could be a problem with your guitar too (set-up). Cant help you with this one.

For me, the diff in sound between 009 and 010 is smaller as the difference in playability (after playing 010 for a few years my renewed experience with 009 felt like my guitar was strung with spagetti); if you really want to hear a noticable effect I suggest going to 011... But, this will really be heavy on your fingers (bends!!).

Aldo

[brandondrury]

I think the big string gauge thing is entirely over rated 99% of the time. The only reason it makes sense is down tuning.

I know for a fact that many rock star dudes make up stories, not necessarily to mislead people, but for their own entertainment when dealing with stupid journalists. So many of these urban myths are bullshit. I believe the giant string size myth is one.

Big ole strings don't sound better. They warp the neck and are much harder to play on.

I didn't think this way at first, but I had a few old timers who just used tens show me their Stevie Ray Vaughn licks and such. It's obvious that the strings were essentially zero of his sound.

As for your issue with the A string, it shouldn't do that. Putting a bigger string on the A doesn't seem like the right solution. It seems like a creative idea but I think it's a band-aid fix and one that is not likely to work well. If I were you, I'd get your guitar setup. It's very possible that if a few things are out the sound of the A could get thin. Some guitars don't have much meat on the A string.

I used light top heavy bottom strings for about 10 years. I stocked up on them several years ago and am almost finished. I'm going back to good ol' 9s or 10s and never looking back. I've recorded too many guitar tracks that used regular strings and don't need the heavier gauges fighting me anymore.

[crooked09]

Just thought I'd post an update. I finally got new strings, I went with 10s because I wasn't sure what I was playing previously (came with the guitar) and they said "regular light," opposed to "super light" 9s. Turns out, definitely wasn't what I was playing with before. I tuned it up to drop D which is what I had been playing in, and the strings were way too high over the fretboard and the floyd rose bridge was stuck way too high in the air in a position that was definitely wrong. So I was forced to tune lower unless I wanted to go get my guitar set up or change all the strings again... so, to D standard I went, and the action seemed to fixed, AND ALSO - the issue I was having with the sound of the 5th string seemed to be fixed. It must have something to do with the differences in tension in the strings, and the strings are made for standard intervals...

My conclusion: string thickness makes a huge difference, not in sound necessarily but playability/action. Any type of gauge change requires some kind of setup change.

And, a question is now how to properly configure a guitar for drop tuning? I have to assume it requires a different string or strings and/or some kind of setup difference.

[garageband]

10-46 on the Les Paul, the Strat 'cause the sound fine and work for 'most everything
11s on the Epi LP Jr. 'cause I usually play it harder
12s on the ES-165 The big plywood guitar seems to like the extra massive strings vibrating it
13s on the short scale MIM Mustang (the kids' guitar) 'cause it's short scale and with 13s, it plays in tune better.

It's mostly about consistency for me. I don't change gauges all the time because I don't want to have to play with the truss rod and knead the neck back into shape all the time. Also cuts out difficulties with my nuts. On the guitars.

[magno]

Originally Posted by crooked09

Just thought I'd post an update. I finally got new strings, I went with 10s because I wasn't sure what I was playing previously (came with the guitar) and they said "regular light," opposed to "super light" 9s. Turns out, definitely wasn't what I was playing with before. I tuned it up to drop D which is what I had been playing in, and the strings were way too high over the fretboard and the floyd rose bridge was stuck way too high in the air in a position that was definitely wrong. So I was forced to tune lower unless I wanted to go get my guitar set up or change all the strings again... so, to D standard I went, and the action seemed to fixed, AND ALSO - the issue I was having with the sound of the 5th string seemed to be fixed. It must have something to do with the differences in tension in the strings, and the strings are made for standard intervals...

My conclusion: string thickness makes a huge difference, not in sound necessarily but playability/action. Any type of gauge change requires some kind of setup change.

And, a question is now how to properly configure a guitar for drop tuning? I have to assume it requires a different string or strings and/or some kind of setup difference.

I would make absolutely certain that your trem is floating properly. My guitar will not tune properly if the trem is doing a weely or saging. Tune your guitar from top to bottom then go back again and check the tuning from top to bottom, repeat... until your tuning knobs are wound to the bottom or scew right out.
Get your guitar set up for a specific tuning/strings by a pro, or learn to doi it yourself.

[Cailyn]

Originally Posted by brandondrury

I think the big string gauge thing is entirely over rated 99% of the time.

I 99% agree. I play very light strings on top 008-011-014 that give me exceptional range of expression in terms of vibrato and bend. I have no tuning issues (another falsehood re light strings) and I have tone that I happily would stack up against any player using heavier strings.

[crooked09]

Originally Posted by magno

I would make absolutely certain that your trem is floating properly. My guitar will not tune properly if the trem is doing a weely or saging. Tune your guitar from top to bottom then go back again and check the tuning from top to bottom, repeat... until your tuning knobs are wound to the bottom or scew right out.
Get your guitar set up for a specific tuning/strings by a pro, or learn to doi it yourself.

yeah, it took me quite a long time to get it tuned. when i first tuned it the tremolo was stuck in the air (bar almost touching the guitar body) which definitely was wrong :o When i tuned it down it did seem to go back to normal though.

Next time I get new strings I'm definitely just going to take it in to a shop and get it set up... and from then forth never change gauges again :p

[cakewalkgg]

im not a fan of the heavy strings either, Im using .9-.52 and my stuff is pretty heavy
the heavier unwound strings are hard to bend and vibrato
the heavier wound strings just require more tension to get to pitch.. may be needed for lower tunings. I think what happens is some players have bad technique and really over hammer the strings with their right hand and the chords sound warbly cause they are practically ripping the strings off the guitar when they play.. the heavier stings hold up a little better when strummed (if thats what you want to call it) with murdurous intent.

an alternative to getting heavier strings might be to adopt a picking style that doesnt resemble a UFC event

but of course some of this is taste or preference.. there isnt anything wrong with using heavier gauge strings.. just have to adjust the neck to accomedate

[dmmi]

You HAVE TO use heavier strings with lower tunings.....

As for that I don't see any other reason for them....(ok maybe 9's to 10's visa versa for comfort)

You can find average string tension charts online to help decide if you need them.

I tune down to C standard on one of my guitars with a Floyd.....and use Earnie Ball "Not even Slinky" 12-56. I might be able to get away with the "beefy slinky's" at 11-54......but the point is the string tension.

I don't think there would be a truss rod in the world that could hold up to 12's or even 13's in E standard tuning