WOW!

[spauldingrules]

I know this may seem obvious or lame to many of you, but I have been playing 9's (strings) for the past couple of years.  I did play 10's, but switched to 9's because I started playing live more and they were "easier" to play the fast leads I needed to in the band I was in.  I was at the store the other day, said "screw it," and bought some 12's.  HOLY CRAP DO THEY SOUND BADASS!  Even with little distortion they sound HEAVY.  I play in standard tuning, so they are tight as crap, and they just sing!  Chords are intonated better and ring clearer.

Anyway, just a simple observation from a simple man.  I think that's why people think their strat is "brittle" - the pickups were probably designed for much heavier strings than are used nowadays.  My bridge pickups sounds totally sweet now.

Love,

Spaulding

 

[DocNrock]

That is interesting to hear.  I've always played 9's, occasionally 10's.  I'm building a hardtail Strat and was thinking about going with heavier strings on it. 

 

[TonyFlyingSquirrel]

Heavier strings resonate longer, to me they just have more tone, but as I get older, my hands aren't as strong as they use to be.

I've been playing on 10's since the mid 80's, & am considering switching to 9's, maybe a light top/heavy bottom for the 7 string so the low be isn't so "flappy".

 

[kboman]

I used 11's a couple of years ago but switched to 10's for no particular reason. You've convinced me to go back again asap!  :glasses10:

 

[nathan a]

I go back and forth between 10s and 11s. Right now I've been liking light top heavy bottom (10-52 sets).

But yes. Play those wires!

 

[bpmorton777]

Spaulding:

how often do you change a set of strings on a guitar? could just be that you had an old, flat sounding set before you got the 12's.

Brian

 

[Orpheo]

Spaulding:

how often do you change a set of strings on a guitar? could just be that you had an old, flat sounding set before you got the 12's.

Brian

+1

I have 011 on a guitar, and I dont like it. its too boomy. I prefer 010. its gives me a bit more crisp to the sound, and it feels just better. 011 and 012 are too much. I've used 012 many, many times on many guitars, but I still prefer just 010-046. maybe up to 050, but even that is just overkill. 046 is just perfect, 042 is too tiny (but ok). 038 is really too tiny for a low e string.

 

[spauldingrules]

I change strings often.  AT LEAST once a month, and definitely before any extended jam session or gig.

 

[bpmorton777]

cool

 

[GoDrex]

I'm a wuss, I'll never use anything but 9's  :binkybaby:

 

[dbw]

I play 12-54 and I'm thinking of upping the low E to 56.  (I get individual strings from JustStrings.com)  I was at GC today and all the guitars felt like toys because of those little strings... I kept accidentally bending strings like 5 semitones.

A Strat is one thing but an LP just cries out for heavy strings!

 

[tfarny]

I think it depends on the guitar. I've got 11s on one and that works great, and 10s on the others which works great there. I don't get much advantage out of 9s - more buzzing and less tuning stability and 10s are plenty fast and bendy. 12s on a strat scale at standard tuning sounds stiff - that's getting into acoustic territory. Might try them on my upcoming LP though.

 

[dbw]

12s on a strat scale at standard tuning sounds stiff - that's getting into acoustic territory.

Well, I was an acoustic player first and an electric player second.  I use 12s on both!  I also use a wound 3rd on electric.

 

[koshersteel]

I've been playing 10's for the past couple of years but I think it may be time to move back up to 11's. I've got 13's (flatwounds) on my vintage guild but thats a Jazz guitar and doesn't see any string bending. I was just having this same conversation with a friend of mine who plays sitar and he agrees, thicker wire = more tone

Sometimes I like to keep one of my spare guitars strung up with 9's or even 8's so I can do crazy bends but half the time I end up popping the strings right off the guitar

 

[Xplorervoodoo]

I used to use 13-56 on my explorer, but I've backed off to 11s.  I love the sound of thick strings, but trying to keep the hand fatigue down.  Might try switching back and forth between heavier and lighter every few months so I don't go through withdrawal...  :laughing7:

 

[shanejw]

I still favor 9's.  I've got a heavy bottom light top set on one of my guitars and its ok, my hands just aren't strong enough to do the Zakk Wylde-ish bends and harmonics i like to do.  the additon to the burden is that i am still in standard tuning.