String sets--standard or custom

How do you guys buy your string sets?

  • standard gauge 6-string package

    Votes: 28 84.8%
  • Custom string set made from my own pick of strings

    Votes: 5 15.2%

  • Total voters
    33

Graffiti62

Hero Member
Messages
654
What do you guys do for strings?  Do you grab the standard six-pack set from the guitar shop, or do you build up your own set with self-picked gauges?

Thanks!
 
Custom: .012/.016/.024w/.032/.042/.054

I used to play D'Addario Jazz Light sets, which are the same but with a .052 low E.  When I started buying strings in bulk I bumped the low E up to .054 because the .052 was a smidge floppy.
 
D'AddarioXL .009-.042 For ALL my axes for 20 + years.

XL 's on my basses too!

and what is standard ? :icon_scratch:
 
Custom
:icon_biggrin:
013 - .015 - .023 - .034 - .042 - .060 I think thats it, heavy, fat, thick for a nice bright and crunchy tone.

Though i only ordered that set i chose once, and i'm not sure if that the correct gauges i have. ???
 
D'addario XL 10's on all my electrics. I keep meaning to do the math and figure out what gauges would have equal tension from string to string but the sets are close enough and I'm lazy. b
 
kreig said:
and what is standard ? :icon_scratch:

What I refer to as a standard set is a full set of strings, designed from low E to high E, that the company has put together for you.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guitar_Strings#Gauge
 
DR Black Beauties 10

Try them. I can't get enough of them. And they look sweet!

    Thanks  :rock-on:
 
Wana's_makin'_a_guitar said:
Custom
:icon_biggrin:
013 - .015 - .023 - .034 - .042 - .060

Come on, this can't be real.  These tensions would be all over the place.
 
Wana's_makin'_a_guitar said:
Custom
:icon_biggrin:
013 - .015 - .023 - .034 - .042 - .060

Looks like a set of .012's with both E's swapped out for even heavier ones...that poor neck. :sad:  Is this a baritone or an acoustic? :laughing7:

 
This is a standard Extra heavy (13-56) .013 .017 .026 .036 .046 .056 per wiki Compared to Wana's set!

and what is your tuning?
 
I keep meaning to do the math and figure out what gauges would have equal tension from string to string but the sets are close enough and I'm lazy. b

Here you go, the work's all been done:

http://www.sevenstring.org/forum/sevenstring-guitars/8340-optimum-string-gauge-sets.html

These are for seven-string sets, the main point is that the lowest E in normal sets is too light. For even tension, a set of 9's should bottom out at 44, and 10's at 49/50. I've found some "standard-custom sets", like the Eric Johnson GHS Nickel strings - 10 -50. They're  10c more than regular sets.... Ernie Ball makes a light top/heavy bottom set that works too.
 
I use a "hybrid" set, which is standard now, but was not available 20 years ago unless you mixed sets. They are 009-011-016-026-036-046...
 
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