String Sizes For Improved Tone

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mikeh

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I know this is a loaded question - but I'm looking for opinions on strings. Let me qualify by saying I am a drummer who plays decent keyboards and fair guitar - but I'm trying to improve my guitar tone - in particular for recording (aren't we all?)

I've got an 81' SG which is my Rock & Roll axe, a 5year old Mexican Tele (for country licks) and a 2 year old Mexican Strat for funk. I use a POD, through an Art Tube MP. I don't tend to bend strings alot and I'm not a blazing soloist - I just try to develop specific guitar "parts" to support the recording.

I realize the SG is the only "decent" guitar I have, but buying better guitars is not an option at this time.

I've recently gone from 9's to 10's, on the Fenders hoping to improve tone. I've always had 10's on the SG. However, my question to guitarists is - given the guitars and uses I've mentioned, what would be good strings (make/model/size) to improve my rock & roll, funk and country tones (assuming I know how to dial in good tone on the POD)? Or is there any good reference material? I occasional look at the various guitar mags - but have never seen a "string tutorial".

I thank you for your input.

Thanks
 
Generally speaking the 'fatter' the strings the better tone-wise. There are really only two main problems with higher guage strings; they are harder to bend (have to build your hand strength up gradually, don't go from say 10's-14's in one go, especially if your not a guitarist out right (ie not playing as much) and also watch out for wrist problems etc on higher guages)). The other is what the higher guage strings can do to your guitar. The guitar will most likely need to be set-up again/differently with heavier guage strings (only really adjust the truss rod if your know what your doing). If you ahve a floating tremlo system you can bretter much forget about strings above 11's.

Stevie Ray Vaughan was reknowned for playing 13's but he also experimented with putting bass strings on the bottom of the guitar (the top looking down) at one time.

In reality you should move up a guage every string change or two, watching the neck alignment (adjustments can take a day or two to become noticeable). I would have to say that 11's are pretty decent for good tone and 10's or 11's should suit most players, except the shreders out there.
 
Oh yeh and the POD has some decent tones also; depending on which side your on.
 
Good post

My first strat is set with very high action for slide playing. I use .012 on it. No string bending but I can play chords.

Second Strat is .011 which makes a huge difference. On heavier strings you also stay in tune ezier. When playing live, and you hit the strings harder it really pays off to have something there. I love the stability. I only use Fender heavy picks (.80 and above)

On lighter (.010 and below) harmonics and shredding are done a little ezier.
 
man.. I envy you: The SG is probably my favorite Gibson.. If I had an SG, I'd keep a fairly heavy gauge of strings on it.. You get better sustain with heavier gauges.. and the biggest strength with Gibson is its tone.. The only downside with gauge changes was already mentioned: you'll have to reset the intonation.. Once you figure out the gauge of strings that are right for you.. I would take the guitar to a repair shop and have them reset the intonation.. Shouldn't cost much and it eliminates the guesswork..

I've got the opposite problem: My new Epiphone was strung at the shop with a higher string guage, but I have no idea was guage it is..

Cy
 
I ran 14's for a while, those thigns were heavy as hell. I got used to them (bending and such), and then dropped to 12's cause it was too hard to find 14's (i was buying the heavy 7 string sets and dropping the high e for a while). eventually I go the 11's on top to the 52 on the bottom. I like the 12's more (12-54), but they are just too hard to find. I am a Dean markely man myself, The just standard Electrics. I play the Mediums,and if I can find them, the Jazz set (12-54). You might also want to try the Light Top Heavy Bottoms (10-52). The bottom strings will give you that huge thick tone, and the top strings will still bend easily and have nice ring to them. Yngwie (sp?) uses them, becuase as he said "there is no point to having thick top strings, it doesn't help the tone". I didn't say it, he did. Locking systems are tough with anything over an 11, but I had an Ibanez S470 with all 5 springs in the back, heaviest ones I could find, and I ran 12's on it no problem. Just a major pain the ass to set it up that way.

Jake
 
hey jrlemonz-I also use the Deam markley Jazz strings. You should go to a store and get them to order a box in for you, you'll get the strings you prefer and save money at the same time. It's almost impossible to find the strings I want by walking inot a shop. They have usually up to 11's and that's it.

The LTHB's are especially good for blues. Gary Moore uses them (the dean markley set). B.B.king I know also has some form of light top heavy bottom guage strings as well.
 
i can't believe what i am reading!
i use only .009's ernie ball super slinky's and tone has never been an issue.
however, years ago i did experiment with acoustic strings on my electric- earthwood phosphor bronze; that really filled the mid up, but also made it a little muddy- good for chunka-chunka rhythm.
another experiment i tried was alternating 6 and 12 string strings
e was high
a was low
d was high
g, b, & e were normal
neat sound but not for everything

psmith66 says use what you prefer and that is the best advice
experiment- just be careful you don't ruin your neck
 
I recently threw a set of Fender 125's on my strat instead of 250's. Both sets start at .10 but the 125's go lighter on the lower strings. I think the low E is .49 or something.

I'm finding that the 125's seem more crisp on the low end where the 250's were kinda flabby. I don't really notice any significant loss in the roundness of the tone either. It really seems to compliment the characteristics of my amp too.

The lesson is that thicker isn't always tonally better.
Anybody else had similar experience?
 
It's less about the string and more about the player. You should know if you need to go to heavier strings or not. Don't base the decision on "will I get better tone from fatter strings?" If you have to ask that question, the answer is probably no.

The only way to get truely better tone out of your guitar is to play your guitar better. As you become better (notice I didn't say FASTER), you will typically be putting more emotion into your playing, because conveying emotion is what it's all about...well, not for a lot of people, but I'm going to assume that's what you're after.

As you put more emotion into your playing, you will be squeezing, picking, plucking, and strumming "harder". I don't mean harder as in "heavy metal" harder although this does apply to metal, I mean harder as in "with more inflection". The harder you play, the heavier the strings you will REQUIRE.

In other words:

- You will get better tone if you play "harder".
- Playing "harder" requires heavier strings.
- Just using heavier strings will NOT give you better tone.

Personally I prefer Ernie Ball so I'm using Power Slinkies which start at 11. I've found that they're just right because sometimes I don't play often enough, and 11 isn't so bad that I can't get my fingers back into shape within a day or two. The big bummer is that the rod in my les paul is already maxed out, so I don't think I'll be able to move to heavier strings even if I want to :(

Every now and then I'll play a guitar with a lighter set of strings and I just can't stand it. If I play a guitar strung with 9's the way I play my own guitar, it screws me all up. They move too much when I pick them hard so my picking gets out of synch with the motions of the string...I'm sure that somebody here must know what I mean...either that or the string will slap the fretboard or break. Plus I can't control bends on lighter strings at all...in fact I've accidentally bent a string off the neck on more than a few occasions.

If you decide that you need heavier strings, you'll probably also need a heavier pick. I've been using Fender Extra Heavy's for a while now and like them a lot. They don't really flex at all, and I can't see any reason for a pick to flex except for special effect (that smooth acoustic strumming sound) and it usually just screws everything up. You should be able to play really light with a heavy pick, and it sounds better that way IMHO. Remember, your right hand is just as important as your left when it comes to your sound.

A tip: if you ever just pick up your guitar unplugged and noodle around to kill time while you're doing other things...pick up your acoustic guitar instead. Most acoustics are strung with at least 13's and will certainly help build strength, plus they're not as forgiving when it comes to mistakes. And you should play your acoustic just like it's an electric (just about anyhow). Too many people play acoustics like wimps.

Slackmaster 2000
 
I appreciate all the responses. I've gathered good info - but I must say that Slackmaster2K has presented it in the way that hit home the most. I do find that the more I play the more I "attack" the strings (for lack of a better way to put it). Maybe that's why I'm now looking for the next "step".

As I think back on all the guitar players I've worked with (I've been a drummer for over 30 years) the players that I enjoyed the best (and yes, that seemed to get the best tone) did play with more intensity, passion and aggession - as Slackmaster put it "more inflection".

Over 30 years I've found that there are right ways to hit drums to "pull out the tone" (not just harder - but with the right attack). And after years of playing keys I've learned you can't just "tickle the ivory" you need to attack the keys (in particular accoustic piano) to explore all the tone.

Ah yes, the light bulb is now on. You can teach an old dog!

Thanks to all - in particular thanks to you Slackmaster2K!!!
 
Danny uses 10-47's on a Mexican Fender; I swear to God he sounds exactly like Trey Anastasio at times...

FWIW
 
Along Slacks post, I call it playing with "conviction." Play each note like you mean to play it.

Of course, not to take away from the dynamics of your playing. It is important to have a touch to your playing. Attack the strings for more aggressive tones and tread lightly when the song or mood demands it. Playing with conviction is extremely useful for starting out, but also realize that playing lightly is a useful technique in your arsinal.

I remember an instructor that used to advocate playing with a lighter touch to play faster. That advice should be taken in context. In particular, lightening up your touch can help in increasing speed. However, this can lead to sloppiness. Practicing with conviction will result in better articulation and accuracy.
 
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