What String Gauge and Type Do You Use?

[dro]

 

[RDeNatale]

If you haven’t seen it, check out Rick Beatos video bucking conventional wisdom on tone and string gauge

 

[Byron Blue]

This is a bit long, but interesting:

He is why I switched to 8's

 

[mdubya]

Almost every record from my guitar gods at the 60s were played with 8s or 9s, so I really don't look for anything else. Those were the tones IMO. I've played 10s for long years but came down to 9s since I realized this.

Yep. I concur.

 

[neoclassical]

DR Pure Blues 10's, or Dean Markley Cryogenic 10's. I need to go lighter, my hands have been getting stiffer.

 

[mgenet]

9-46 on all electrics - usually DR Pure Blues. I am testing Gibson's Vintage Nickels.

 

[DarthPaul]

My Reissue came (new) from Wildwood with D'addario 10-46.
I've tried hybrids, and most recently Power Slinky 11-48. After almost a year of the Slinkys (top wrapped) I switched back to the trusty ol' D'addario 10-46 strung normally.
It was like going back home! Don't think I will be changing until my fingers scream 9s.

 

[PRSWILL]

Like many have said- depends on the guitar. I run 9/42s on my Prs Custom 22 as I use that guitar live and the floating trem works great with them. I run 10/46s on the LPs with fixed bridges and the tone is awesome.
All of my strings are Elixr nano web

 

[edro]

I used D'Ads for decades, occasionally trying new ones as they came out.... SITs were cool when they first came out but they seemed to change so I went back to D'Ads.... I bought a new Lester several years back and found out the strings on it lasted longer without tone degradation and were more balanced...Found out they were Gib Brite Wires and I went to those... Best string I've played....

My basses have:
IVs - Dunlop Super Birghts - They especially sound good after a couple hours playing time on em....
Vs - NYXL - Not as bright as the Dunlops but the B string is the perfect tension and they are very balanced across the tone spectrum... Others were too floppy on the B... I even bought a string adapter so I could use single ball NYXLs on my Steinberger V.....

 

[Geronimo]

I ordered some D'Addario NYXL and EXL 9.5s, I'll let you guys know how they work out, hopefully they're a good compromise between 9s and 10s.

My brand and gauge of choice on all of my Gibson’s. Love the 9.5’s.

 

[Overture]

I should add that my gauge of string has more to do with feel than tone. For whatever reason I just prefer slightly more tension under my fingers than the really slinky feel a lighter gauge gives. I like the guitar to fight me a little, I guess. I tend to over play and get sloppy on lighter strings.

 

[PJSD]

I think it is interesting, because it is such a personal preference. Some players prefer more tension and bigger strings, and some don't. After playing 10s for decades, I wanted something a bit easier to play, i.e., less tension. Usually our gigs are 3-4 hours of actual playing, and my style is faster hard rock and blues based. Rehearsals are several hours as well, I've definitely had times in gigs where my hands just cramp up. However, when I tried the 9s they are almost "too easy" to play. I'm sure there's some getting used to it after so many years of a particular string!

 

[Byron Blue]

Yes. I used 9’s for at least 40 years. I found when I set my action low bends seem to take more effort. I use.38 mm Dunlop picks so I have a gentle touch - let the gear do the work. The 8’s give me the touch I like

 

[cjp54]

EB Hybrid 9-46

 

[Phil W]

Round wound 10-46.
I favour D'addario.
Also, I keep them on for a long time because I like the worn tone and stability.

 

[Pop1655]

I've been using D'Addario 10-46 for about 25 years. Never break strings, really love them. But I really like my guitars to play "slinky" and easy, so I'm always chasing that. I tried Ernie Ball 9-42 on an R9 and R0, and they are definitely easier to play in terms of bending and playing fast. But the tone is different, and feels almost weak, if that makes sense. Especially on clean channel.

What does everyone else play? Sorry if this thread is elsewhere I'm new to the forum

This is the often heard classic question that to me screams you need to try a set of 9.5s.
I won't argue with the hardcore 9 lovers or the hardcore 10 lovers.
If you know what you love, good for you.
I did ask the question and for me the solution was 9.5s.
I think anybody who asks the question owes it to themselves to at least try a set of 9.5s.

 

[Overture]

About a week now with 10.5's on my RR1 (25.5 scale) tuned to Eb standard, and I gotta say it's absolutely perfect. Near identical in feel to my Paul in the same tuning with 11's. Unfortunately they're only available in the "basic" D'addario XL set, and not NYXL or XT. Just means more frequent strings changes, but oh well.