GHS Thick Core Boomers...

[BigSteve22]

I'm always trying out new strings. I like light gauge strings, and usually use EB Hybrid Slinky 9-46 on my short scale guitars, (swapping the 16P for an 18w), and have been using 8-1/2's, (still haven't decided between GHS and D'Addario), on my 25.5" Jazzy. I know, most players follow the rule: Shorter Scale = Heavier Strings, but that ain't me.

Anyway, my new 24.75" Tele needed a little more "Umph" in the low end. Tele neck pups tend to be a little muddy on the low strings, and although the Bill Lawrence L-202TN I used is a wonderful noiseless Tele neck pickup, the light gauge wound strings sounded a little nondescript when playing open chords. So I started looking around for a solution, and happened upon GHS Thick Core Boomers 9-48's. They're 9-11-16-28-38-48, and although they come with a plain 3rd string, GHS sells singles in every gauge so I was able to get GHS 18w's too.

The difference is marked, at least to my ears. The low string have more definition, and seem to ring a little truer. I'll play them for a while and see how it goes, but preliminary results are promising.
:icon_thumright:

 

[AirCap]

They are simply a few cents worth of steel and other elements, but sometimes a change in brand or type of string can make all the difference in a guitars performance. The right string can wake up a guitar to its fullest potential, and you just proved it.

 

[BigSteve22]

A Little thicker cross section, a little more mass, requiring a little more tension to bring to pitch. That .002" over the gauge of the EB Hybrid wound strings made a substantial difference. That's why I always swap out the 16p for an 18w. A plain .016" 3rd string on a 24.75" scale guitar just never sounded right to me.

 

[stratamania]

Slightly away from thick core versus thin core...I see you swap out the G and use a wound G.

I don't know that many people using wound Gs on electrics nowadays Do you play jazz or something?

 

[BigSteve22]

Slightly away from thick core versus thin core...I see you swap out the G and use a wound G.

I don't know that many people using wound Gs on electrics nowadays Do you play jazz or something?

No jazz, mainly blues these day. With the low action I prefer, and a short scale, I find the 16p sounds a little thin, or "wonky". On my 25.5" scale JM, I'm currently using the D'Addario EXL130+ set which has a 15p third string, and I find that OK, but the GHS GB8-1/2 set which I also like on that guitar, has a 14p third string that I don't like. I'm thinking that the additional tension required by the longer scale makes the 15p string acceptable, but the 14p just don't make the cut.

I know, sort of walking a fine line here. Just personal preference I guess. That, or just my imagination....  :icon_scratch:

 

[stratamania]

Whatever works for you is right...