Different guage strings on the same guitar

  • Thread starter Thread starter Superhuman
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Superhuman

Shagaholic
I have an EBMM 7 string currently set up with a set of 10's which is great for rhythm but horrible for lead - I've grown up on a steady diet of 9's.

Ideally I would like the heavier strings on the 3 lower strings for deep crunch and the lighter gauge above for lead. Does this type of setup cause any potential problems with the bridge, intonation or truss rod? The reason I'm asking these basic questions is that although I've been playing for over 10 years I am terrible at setting up my guitars.
If there is anything I need to know before trying this set up let me know!
Thanks,
 
Hybrid string sets are very common. Most people use them with no problems, of course that's no guarantee.

If your intonation is good with 10's and you're just going to lighter gauges on the unwound strings, I wouldn't expect you to have any problems.

I use 9-46 and sometimes 10-52 so I am a fan of mixed string sets as well.
 
Going lighter is better than going heavier from a setup point of view. The best way to find out is to stick them on and try it. The difference in gauge that you are talking about will not harm anything. You may need to adjust intonation a little you may not. You may need to adjust the relief a little you may not. It all depends on the current set up. Give it a go. If you have any problems with setup as a result ask away. The only possible significant problem you may face would be the nut slots and saddles for the narrower gauges strings could result in buzzing at the nut or saddle but I doubt it. The only permanent fix would be to replace the nut or saddles. Most other problems like intonation and neck relief should be cheaply and easily fixed. Give it a whirl see how you get on.

You better bet is to keep the 10's and get used to them and the benefit you'll get from better tone and dynamics but thats your call.
 
Superhuman said:
I have an EBMM 7 string currently set up with a set of 10's which is great for rhythm but horrible for lead - I've grown up on a steady diet of 9's.

Ideally I would like the heavier strings on the 3 lower strings for deep crunch and the lighter gauge above for lead. Does this type of setup cause any potential problems with the bridge, intonation or truss rod? The reason I'm asking these basic questions is that although I've been playing for over 10 years I am terrible at setting up my guitars.
If there is anything I need to know before trying this set up let me know!
Thanks,
Click to expand...

I hear ya!
I don't know a lot of people who like trying to bend stiff heavy ass strings
check out www.webstrings.com they have hybrid sets also.
good strings at a good deal.
GHS are good also
lots of guys I know swear bymixing and matching Earnie Ball greens and pinks.:cool:
 
Thanks for the replies fellas, I'm going to get on it straight away. I like the idea of having the upper four strings on a lower guage on the 7 string so I will probably go with mix and match from two sets of slinky's. Like the idea of custom strings but they only give the option of the top three with the lower guages, nothing for 7 strings electrics yet.
 
Roguetitan said:
I hear ya!
I don't know a lot of people who like trying to bend stiff heavy ass strings
Click to expand...


WTF! Freakin pussy ass guitar players I presume.:rolleyes:

I used 9 gauge for years and only switched to 10 in the last 2 years because the Les Paul I bought had them on. I switched all guitars to 10's and it took about a week or so to get used to them. I can bend 1 1/2 step on any string with ease. I've actually thought about going to 11s.
 
HangDawg said:
WTF! Freakin pussy ass guitar players I presume.:rolleyes:

I used 9 gauge for years and only switched to 10 in the last 2 years because the Les Paul I bought had them on. I switched all guitars to 10's and it took about a week or so to get used to them. I can bend 1 1/2 step on any string with ease. I've actually thought about going to 11s.
Click to expand...

how-about-a-nice-cup-of-shut-the-fuck-up.jpg
 
tone delux

For many years I used a 009 setup (9-11-15-28-48-52) but last year I decided to try a little heavier set up and used (10-12-16-28-40-52) and I found that I prefer the improvement in tone over the slightly stiffer strings. It took only a couple of days to get used to the higher tension . Tone delux is worth it.


chazba
 
umm...

D'addario makes a set called Light Top, Heavy Bottom.

Which I tried once. And hated. But maybe it'll work for you.
 
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