String Gauge?

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jdavis

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Just out of curiosity, what string gauges do ya'll use most often? I used to play on 11s, but recently stepped up to 12s. I play mostly rock/blues stuff, and use jazz strings. HOw about everyone else? What are your opinions on different gauges(i.e. what's better for what, etc...) Just curious. Catch ya'll later...


***Justin***
 
mmmmmmmmmm I use D'Addario EXL 165's on my electric bass...
not way too heavy but not the lightest gauge they make either...and for my upright i use D'Addario Helicore flatwounds....i forget what gauge though!
 
I play metal and use Dean Markley 011-052. I've got a VERY heavy right hand technique and used to find my E and A strings breaking at the bridge a lot... since I've gone to the DM 011-052 I haven't had too much of a problem with this.
 
GHS Boomer 10's. I played 11's for a while but they ground the calouses off me fingers.
 
I use Power slinky's, which I believe are 11's. I like the heavy gauges because it feels more firm, like I'm more in control. I tried jazz strings for a while but couldn't hack it.
 
Strung out

I'm always plexed when it comes to buying strings. I wish i could get a sample package of the most common brands and gauges but i'll stick to playing around.

For rhythm (of the metal or rock sort on electric) i prefer 10's of the dean markley sort. as previously mentioned, they play with more stability than lighter gauges.

For lead (of the electric sort) i prefer 9's (like boomers or slinky's) as they bend better and allow for more character when picking or plucking. I still have yet to find a brand that holds tone like the heavier gauged strings. Some brands make what they call custom gauge sets which are sometimes nice, like a heavy bottom end and a lighter top end.

For Acoustic, i like really heavy strings due to the overall loudness of heavier strings on acoustics. However i do a lot of picking as opposed to strumming. Strumming i think sounds better with lighter strings as they tend to ring a little brighter.

you know, i don't know...
 
Moderator Wannabee

GHS Boomers... 009's
Same strings for 25 years. I tried all the rest, but nothing compares to the Boomers.
 
10's

I like GHS Boomers with the high E .010" I find they stay in tune better and don't get pulled sharp as easily when chording as the 9's do.I have never had one break on me since I've been using 'em.
 
I also play Power Slinkies, 11 to 48 I believe. Thinking of moving up a couple notches, but my truss is maxed out...I'm not sure if I can.

Anyway, power slinkies and extra heavy fender picks is all I use.

Slackmaster 2000
 
well I have no idea what string gauge I use, whatever is standard I'd guess, but I wonder if anyone would happen to know what would be necessary if I want to tune down to B? (which I will have to in time, since I want to play death metal)

ps. I'm a newbie...
 
More is More

Sounds like you need a seven string with a low B on the bottom.Oh,and a subwoofer so you can hear it!
 
rotosound strings for bass suck...they don't make them like they used to
 
I use 11 superbullets because of the Floyd rose tremelo and I'm a bass player with heavy hands. For bass I use either roto sounds (baaad for my Rick but great sound) or boomers. They're all as heavy as I can find 'cause I break 'em. Haven't broke anything on my strat though.
 
Sell me a Rockman . . . please

hey virt,
boomers are the best! I prefer buyin them direct from Gordy, the g in ghs... and since Hank and Stan don't answer e-mails ---- I will try to continue on 2 sets a year.
 
Fender Superbullets (0.009) on a Les Paul. Have tried many different manufacturers of strings over the last 17 years but never really experimented with string gauge. I had assumed, correctly or not, that lighter strings would snap in my fingers and heavier ones would make me work too hard to bend them. The only 10's I've tried are the ones which came on the beast when purchased new. Pretty narrow minded, huh?

So, what should I expect with heavier strings? I seem to get plenty enough bottom for all the metal and hard rock tunes.
 
On the electric 10's, sometimes 9's.
On the acoustic 10's to 12's-depending on wheather I am going through a picking or strumming phase.
 
I only use ernie ball. light top, heavy bottom for my main axe. 11's on my strat. 9's on my dano. 105's on my g&l and 100's on my Jazz bass
 
I use D'Addario .009's on 2 of my Les Paul's and Elixir .009's on my LP DC Standard. I use D'Addario .010's on my Strat and then tune it down a half step.
 
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