Best suited string guage for an SG?

[Jimmy Page]

Recently picked up and SG.

I normally play Ernie Ball Super Slinky 9-42's on the majority of my guitars. I might add, i mostly have Fenders, and Strat type guitars at the moment.

Anyways, i had my SG set up for and strung with 9's. It's fantastic but i cant help but think the strings feel a little lighter (looser) than they did on my Strats, it almost think it feels a little more bendy. Maybe it's just my imagination, part of the process of getting used to a new guit, or maybe something to do with the difference in scale length?

I heard some people say they're better suited to light guage (9's or close) and i think alot of the famous SG players (Young, Iommi, etc) did use lighter strings on their SG's.

I understand it's all down to personal preference, playing style, finger strength, etc, but informally i was just wondering what are peoples opinions on the ideal guage on the Gibson SG?

Thanks in advance,

 

[joedonner2001]

Personally, I like "looser" and more bendy. For some reason my LP Custom feels like that, and it's really smooth to play. My R0 requires more effort to play, for some reason. Same string gauge and setup and everything. This is one reason why I prefer the Custom.

As long as it doesn't buzz and it feels comfortable, then I don't see why you'd want to change it from what it is?

 

[Phil-E the G-Shizzle]

I use D'addario XL 10's on my 02 standard, the feel just fine, I also use them on my squire strat and they feel just fine.

 

[likea45]

I use D'addario XL 10's on my 02 standard, the feel just fine, I also use them on my squire strat and they feel just fine.

Yup XL-10's all the way. I buy them buy the truck load.

 

[River]

It's the scale length, not that it's an SG. If you play 9s on long-scale-length, you'll probably like 10s on short.

 

[BillB1960]

Shorter scale = less tension to tune to standard pitch. That's why Strats use 9s and LP/SGs use 10s.

 

[Strato]

10-46 on everything in the house. My SG hasn't complained and they're what I prefer in a string.

 

[doctorpaullemon]

I use Ernie Ball pinks (9-42) on everything, Strat scale length and gibbo scale length.
The shorter scale length feel looser, because they ARE!
Theres an ass for every seat. Use what you want!

 

[Jedadiah]

I use DR Pure Blues 11-50 on my SG Standard. I started with 10-46 but found the bottom E a little 'bendy' so went with DR Pure Blues 10-52's which tightened up the bottom end but, and i struggle to explain this, it felt like i had two seperate sets of strings. The high E, B and G seemed to be one set of strings, then the D, A and bottom E were another set and it just felt plain weird! I persevered but something just did'nt feel just right so i tried some 11-50's and everything is just sweet now. Try it!

 

[Sven]

It's the scale length, not that it's an SG. If you play 9s on long-scale-length, you'll probably like 10s on short.

This. ^

My experience has been that one size up from your Fenders will give you the string feel you are used to.

As far as best string guage.....IMHO - .010s or .011s for humbucker Gibsons, and .011s for P-90s.

 

[sasquatch]

I like the subtle heaviness of 11's, but 10's arent that much different.
I could always stretch the 11's like they were something smaller so they never hindered my playing. They do create thicker calluses.

 

[HOT-BRIT]

9's, 10's or 11's

 

[Benjammin]

I've used 9s, 10s and 11s on my SG, none are more or less suited to the guitar

 

[cherrick]

Change to Ernie Ball 0.015's.

Real men play 15's. Don't be a wussie. Play 15's.

 

[charlie chitlins]

Change to Ernie Ball 0.015's.

Real men play 15's. Don't be a wussie. Play 15's.

Fatter strings = more manhood, to be sure!
Seriously, though...
Use whatever you like.
There's some pretty good evidence to suggest that it's OK to use skinny strings and let the amp do the heavy lifting.
Billy Gibbons uses 7's (8's for slide!!), and nobody could accuse him of having thin tone!
I think BB uses 8s.
I've been using 10s and 11s for ever.
I've had a bunch of gigs lately and decided to go easy on myself, so I tried a set of 9s.
I still had a nice fat tone and my old hands felt much better at the end of the gig.

 

[Thumpalumpacus]

I play 11s on a Gibson scale, and 10s on a Fender scale. I will say this: my Gibson SG feels easier to bend than either my Epi does, or my old Lester did ... to the point where I'm considering 12s.

 

[Kirrt]

Change to Ernie Ball 0.015's.

Real men play 15's. Don't be a wussie. Play 15's.

Yeah, practice with those strings in standard tuning for a few months and you can beat up Chuck Norris

 

[professorhulk]

...and i think alot of the famous SG players (Young, Iommi, etc) did use lighter strings on their SG's.

Angus Young is a tiny man and Iommi has no finger tips; that probably has more to do with their choice of string

Just go with what your fingers like the best. If 9s feel too loose move up to 10s. I think you can get 9.5s, too.

 

[Ace1432]

i generally use 9-46's on my Sg's, but sometimes i put on 10's for a fuller tone.

 

[thexmadxtopxhatter]

well theres 7's 8's 9's 10's 11's 12's 13's 14's plus hybrids... in other words just try them and adjust to what you think will work until you find one you like. I think 10's are a good starting point. Then just play em and move up or down in gauge depending on what you like.