Probably been asked.........String gauge

[CCK]

Lately I favor D'Adarrio EXL 120+ .0095-.044, on my Les Paul and SG. Never used them till I bought my LP from Grinning Elk They had it strung with that gauge, and I've grown to like them

 

[voggin]

I used to do the fender - 9, Gibson 10 thing. But on my last change, I went to nines on my les paul. Oddly enough, it immediately felt right. It's a factory plekked guitar with lower action than my other guitars, and somehow the nines feel at home. I think I'll keep the 10s on my 339, though (unless all I have around are nines, in which case I'll experiment)

 

[James R]

I used to do the fender - 9, Gibson 10 thing. But on my last change, I went to nines on my les paul. Oddly enough, it immediately felt right. It's a factory plekked guitar with lower action than my other guitars, and somehow the nines feel at home. I think I'll keep the 10s on my 339, though (unless all I have around are nines, in which case I'll experiment)

I've recently put 8's on my (Epi) 339. Can't wait to get them off there. To me, 9s feel great on it though.

 

[e44crowe]

Ernie Ball regular slinky 10-46 for me.

 

[stealthelephant]

I have .14s on most, my g is about .24.
I have .09 on some. The attack is nicer.

.12 are a nice all rounder for me

I don't buy into the gibson/LP scale thing. I feel the same on both

 

[P13RCE]

Well...

Strat: .10-46
LP 60s: .11-50
LP Studio: .12-52
Bass: .25-1.05

 

[HeartString]

D'Addario Light Top/Heavy BTM 10-52. Love the balance between the highs and lows.

 

[MooCheng]

I just use EB 10's, there cheap, sound good, feel right an last a long time

as for gauge, 10's seem to give the right amount of resistance on bends, I like to feel theres some there, kinda helps hitting pitch on pre bends, and gives faster release with peddle steel type licks.
have tried thinner gauges, but its like walking on ice, never know when ya gonna fall flat on ya ass

 

[fretout]

Yes, this topic has been touched on before, but it's always good to revisit old topics to see if there's any new developments since the last discussion (after all, look at when Billy Gibbons went from using telegraph-wire-gauges to 8s or whatever thin gauge he's using now...).

For me personally, I've been a longtime user of Ernie Ball strings. I used to play the Skinny-Top-Heavy-Bottom Slinkys (10-52 gauge), but for the last few years, I've been playing with Power Slinkys (10-48 gauge) and I really like how "balanced" they feel.

Recently, I decided to try EB's new (and unreasonably priced) Cobalt Slinkys. I actually really like how much LOUDER they are than the normal Slinkys, but for the price of a pack of Cobalts (about $12), I could get three packs of Slinkys, so I'm not sold yet...

Recently, I was playing a step down (D standard and drop D), and I found that I really like they way the Power Slinkys felt when I was playing triplets and other thrash-styled riffs. I'm now thinking about trying some Regular Slinkys (9-46 gauge) when playing in E standard. I also like how "near-effortless" bends are with such light gauge strings.

For years, I heard that "thicker strings equal thicker tone", but I'm finding that through my current rig, that doesn't seem to be the case, and I'll be more concerned about the way my rig "feels" than worrying about sounding thin through a 180 watt tube amp.

Sorry about the long post. To simplify I use Ernie Ball Power Slinkys because they sound, feel and last longer than any other string I've tried.

 

[Chrisroz]

10-46 Ernie Ball all my life.

 

[ironrain1]

I mainly go for elixirs on a 10-46 string gauge on my electric guitar. Mainly because I have sweaty hands and the strings can handle the corrosiveness better in my opinion. Never really had a problem with the tuning unless there was a sudden change in temperature. Also lighter gauge strings are easier to play and string bend however the heavy gauge strings gives you more bite and attack but it is a pain in the behind to bend and play so you got to build on your finger strength a bit more. There is some people I met that believe that heavy gauges stay in tune a bit better than lighter gauge strings, though i'm assuming because of the string tension. In either case whatever string gauge you prefer, expect a compromise between the 2.

 

[ironrain1]

Yes, this topic has been touched on before, but it's always good to revisit old topics to see if there's any new developments since the last discussion (after all, look at when Billy Gibbons went from using telegraph-wire-gauges to 8s or whatever thin gauge he's using now...).

For me personally, I've been a longtime user of Ernie Ball strings. I used to play the Skinny-Top-Heavy-Bottom Slinkys (10-52 gauge), but for the last few years, I've been playing with Power Slinkys (10-48 gauge) and I really like how "balanced" they feel.

Recently, I decided to try EB's new (and unreasonably priced) Cobalt Slinkys. I actually really like how much LOUDER they are than the normal Slinkys, but for the price of a pack of Cobalts (about $12), I could get three packs of Slinkys, so I'm not sold yet...

Recently, I was playing a step down (D standard and drop D), and I found that I really like they way the Power Slinkys felt when I was playing triplets and other thrash-styled riffs. I'm now thinking about trying some Regular Slinkys (9-46 gauge) when playing in E standard. I also like how "near-effortless" bends are with such light gauge strings.

For years, I heard that "thicker strings equal thicker tone", but I'm finding that through my current rig, that doesn't seem to be the case, and I'll be more concerned about the way my rig "feels" than worrying about sounding thin through a 180 watt tube amp.

Sorry about the long post. To simplify I use Ernie Ball Power Slinkys because they sound, feel and last longer than any other string I've tried.

I agree on the cobalt slinkys, though to tell you the truth the regular EB strings for 5$ actually lasted longer than the cobalt when I started to play it lol, it has a louder volume but to pricey

 

[davesowden]

d,addario exl145, 12-54 not de-tuned. i mostly play juniors so the thicker the string the better the intonation. anything lighter just feels way too flimsy to me and I snap them a lot. I think they sound great and really sustain.

 

[User100]

24 3/4 scale guitars

I use..........

9.5's in E

10's for Drop D or drop D flat


On 25 1/2" scale guitars.....

9.5 and occasional set of 9's in E

But I'll use a mix for drop D, 9.5's across with a 46 on the drop

And occasionally 10's across with a 48 on the drop.

 

[dlbx2]

I just hit home run! Bought a new LP today, and I think the strings are 10s, as I forgot to ask the salesman. I have 9s (cobalt EB) on my strat, and other LP, and these feel a little heavier. Also, I bought a 50s neck, and was afraid before going to look at the LP that the neck was going to be to big as my others are all slim profile, but this one feels real nice. I was surprised, I was thinking on the way, "will my hand fit around that huge neck", but there doesn't, to me anyway, seem like much difference. Oh, and about the home run thing, I meant that when I searched the forum for what comes on Les Pauls', I found this post with all this great info and opinions of folks who know a lot more than I do about this stuff. Thanks from me as well, DLB

 

[MUSTANGCAT]

If they are not making your fingers bleed and, causing carpal tunnel problems, then you need to change to .17 gauge. I use EB 8 on my Mustang. One Lester I run 9s and, the other two 10s. On my Fender Strats 10s for the 50s Strat and, all others 9s. On bass medium gauge. Light will not work at all on a bass.

 

[dlbx2]

One more question. If you don't know, bought the guitar with the strings already in place and like the way that they play, will a digital caliper give accurate measurements as to the gauge of the strings? I have seen posts with comments about LPs coming with 9, 10, and 11s, and I am not experienced enough to just look at them and tell. I bought my first LP Dec.23, 2013, and bought my second yesterday, a 50s neck gold top. Both were new. I am surprised at how well the 50s neck feels, along with the action and intonation. So, I want to put the same gauge back on there, and the young salesman said that he didn't know for sure. I have put 9s and lowered the action on the first one, 60s neck, but I really like the feel of the 50s one like it is. Thanks again for all the combined years of education on this forum, and the kindness of its members to take time to read the posts, especially from the new members, and then share that knowledge. And, to have opinions that disagree without feeling challenged. By the way, I heard a story on You Tube that said that when the first Les Paul was completed, the craftsmen asked Les what color to paint it, he looked out the window and saw his car sitting there, and it was painted a gold color, so he said to paint the guitar gold. I don't want to pass that along some time and have them rolling in the floor laughing! DLB