What gauge strings?

  • Thread starter Thread starter philbagg
  • Start date Start date
On my 6-string electrics (Fender USA strat, PRS SE) I use Elixir 11s, on my 7s, I use Elixir 10s with a .68 low B, and on my acoustic I use Elixir 12s, generally phosphor bronze.

I'm into pretty technical stuff, and generally lighter strings are more popular in that crowd. Additionally, without getting into the whole tone debate, lighter strings seem to have a little more snap to them and since I like a bright guitar into a dark amp generally, they seem to work pretty well for me. The problem, though, is that while I'm into shreddy stuff these days, I cut my teeth as a blues player and I still hit pretty hard. Much lighter than 10s and I begin to have intonation issues.

I've been going a bit heavier on my 6s because, well, I'm used to a pretty heavy low B and when I pick up something without it with only 10s on it, it feels pretty loose. Psychologically the 11s seem to balance better with a seven string with 10s and a 68 to me.

And the 12s are light enough that I can still bend relatively well, but heavy enough to have some body to them.
 
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