Question about action with larger guage strings

[onedrop]

measure the signal to noise ration on a guitar once with the thick strings and once with the thin ones and then tell me it's not voodoo.

What.. you don't like voodoo?

Scientifically.. there is more mass and more string tension. I think both contribute to more harmonic content in the vibrating string and thus a more complex and interesting sound. That's enough science for now.

I find heavier strings give more "body" to the overall tone of the guitar. Also I can dig in harder. I find 10s sound like rubber bands and 9s like teflon tape, but I am exaggerating and it's all so personal!

Yeah, AFAIK Hendrix played 9s and his tone was alright  :icon_biggrin:
Those infinite feedback sustains work better with lighter strings.

Oh and before you discount rubber bands, these sound killer: http://www.largesound.com/

 

[vegababy]

Don't forget that the majority of players using real heavy strings (0.12-0.13) usually play detuned, at least down to Eb which makes it feel like playing 0.10s.

 

[onedrop]

I found this the other day http://www.daddario.com/Resources/JDCDAD/images/tension_chart.pdf
(Tension chart for all available d'Addario single strings)

And have been playing around with ideas for balanced string sets for standard and open tunings, where each string has about the same tension as the others.

Most sets of strings you buy are not balanced (especially if you play an open tuning), the low E is almost always floppy for example (that's the one I notice the most anyway)

I might try this
0.0115  -  0.015  -  0.019  -  0.028  -  0.038  -  0.052

or
0.012  -  0.016  -  0.020  -  0.030  -  0.042  -  0.056

Here's one for 13s Doc:
0.013  -  0.017  -  0.024W  -  0.032  -  0.044  -  0.059

VB: you'd have to detune 13s to C or B to get them feeling/sounding like 10s. (The B string in a set of 10s is usually a 0.013)

 

[dbw]

Don't forget that the majority of players using real heavy strings (0.12-0.13) usually play detuned, at least down to Eb which makes it feel like playing 0.10s.

I don't... I play 12s in standard tuning, 25.5" scale length.  I don't know if the majority do or not.  I'd guess not.

 

[GoDrex]

http://www.daddario.com/DADProdDetail.aspx?CodaID=623&ID=1&Class=AABA

9+  those might be good on my LP, since I have conversion neck

 

[DocNrock]

I found this the other day http://www.daddario.com/Resources/JDCDAD/images/tension_chart.pdf
(Tension chart for all available d'Addario single strings)

And have been playing around with ideas for balanced string sets for standard and open tunings, where each string has about the same tension as the others.

Most sets of strings you buy are not balanced (especially if you play an open tuning), the low E is almost always floppy for example (that's the one I notice the most anyway)

I might try this
0.0115  -  0.015  -  0.019  -  0.028  -  0.038  -  0.052

or
0.012  -  0.016  -  0.020  -  0.030  -  0.042  -  0.056

Here's one for 13s Doc:
0.013  -  0.017  -  0.024W  -  0.032  -  0.044  -  0.059

VB: you'd have to detune 13s to C or B to get them feeling/sounding like 10s. (The B string in a set of 10s is usually a 0.013)

Nice resource, thanks.

 

[Soloshchenko]

Interesting thread. As a guitar teacher I've always warned pupils away from the dangers of getting accustomed to 9s. I don't think the difference in 9s and 10s is worth taking the easy route, particularly if you even have the slightest interest in playing acoustic to any kind of decent level.

So even if your the most widdly of shredders, theres no reason to use 9s I think.

Recently stepped up to 11s on my les paul standard and the difference in tone is very noticable.

 

[Orpheo]

Interesting thread. As a guitar teacher I've always warned pupils away from the dangers of getting accustomed to 9s. I don't think the difference in 9s and 10s is worth taking the easy route, particularly if you even have the slightest interest in playing acoustic to any kind of decent level.

So even if your the most widdly of shredders, theres no reason to use 9s I think.

Recently stepped up to 11s on my les paul standard and the difference in tone is very noticable.

but the question is: is the difference something you want? I didnt want the difference. it was too boomy, too fat. 010's are better for me. more bright, more ring, better pinches, more agressive sound. compare it with a V8, 5.7 liters vs. a V6, 3.2 litres.

 

[GoDrex]

"The Dangers of 9's!"  - I think I saw that one years ago. It was a double feature with "Reefer Madness." :laughing7:

 

[DocNrock]

So, you guys had me really worried here.  I picked up some packs of strings today of various guages and decided to throw a set of 11s on my LP studio just to try it out.  Granted, it is a shorter scale length, but I was able to bend these just fine, even vibrato bends.  I'm sure 13s on a full scale will be a much different beast, however.

The tone is definitely much fatter, and much brighter than 9s.  I'm not sure I'll stay with them on this particular guitar, but I'll try them out for a while, anyway.