Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum
Forum Ringside => Guitars, Amps and Effects => Topic started by: NotSoEasy on July 23, 2008, 07:01:05 PM
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I've always quite lazily used Ernie Ball Skinny Top Heavy Bottoms and been quite pleased with them...
However, when I received my BKPs they came with a set of Rotosound 10-46..
This has opened my eyes to the fact there is a world of strings out there so I'm curious what make of strings everybody uses, what you think are the best ones and are any more suited to different styles of music??
Ta :)
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9-42.
Religiously.
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13-59 on my low tuned guitars (in both C and D)
12-56 on my standard tuned guitars.
I honestly cannot fathom how people can manage to play anything on light strings, I want my strings to stay where they bloody are, not jump all over the place every time I touch them. Plus big strings sound BIG.
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I honestly cannot fathom how people can manage to play anything on light strings, I want my strings to stay where they bloody are, not jump all over the place every time I touch them. Plus big strings sound BIG.
But moving the strings around lets the blues come out :D
I switch between 9-42 and 10-46 myself, depending on how I feel.
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13-59 on my low tuned guitars (in both C and D)
12-56 on my standard tuned guitars.
I honestly cannot fathom how people can manage to play anything on light strings, I want my strings to stay where they bloody are, not jump all over the place every time I touch them. Plus big strings sound BIG.
Cos they're easier to bend and won't give you tendonitis!
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13-59 on my low tuned guitars (in both C and D)
12-56 on my standard tuned guitars.
I honestly cannot fathom how people can manage to play anything on light strings, I want my strings to stay where they bloody are, not jump all over the place every time I touch them. Plus big strings sound BIG.
Cos they're easier to bend and won't give you tendonitis!
Pssht. I've got man's fingers, it's fine 8)
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I use 9-42 in standard tuning and 13's in the Schecter thats tuned down to a B.
Currently using DR brand but use any really as I can't hear the difference between brands myself.
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I started with Ernie Ball 9s. Then 10s.
But I really didn't get on with them, so I switched to Dean Markleys (10s)
I used them for many years and then started to break them a lot in the late 80s when I was gigging more heavily (and my strat's bridge was wearing out!). The luthier's suppliers that I lived next door to at the time (Touchstone in Reigate) talked me into switching to the main brand they stocked. I think they were branded as Schallers, they were very nice. I used buy boxes of them rather than single sets, so that I always had strings in the gigbox (and they did me a deal :D).
Then about 10 years ago I needed strings in a hurry and bought Rotosound (the very set that arrives with BKPs!). But when I switched to Gibson scale-length I found I had to move up to 11s, RotoReds(11-48). After that I found I preferred 11s on Fenders as well.
I was very happy with those until I got a new strat about a year ago. I wanted 11s to put on it, the shop were out of RotoReds, but the guy said "try these, they're loads better" and threw two sets of D'Addario XLs (11-49) in the case.
I only buy RotoReds if I can't get D'Addario now (and the extra top Es are still handy!).
For some reason, if a humbucking guitar needs stringing they get RotoReds if there are any left. The Strat and Tele only ever get D'Addarios.
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13-59 on my low tuned guitars (in both C and D)
12-56 on my standard tuned guitars.
I honestly cannot fathom how people can manage to play anything on light strings, I want my strings to stay where they bloody are, not jump all over the place every time I touch them. Plus big strings sound BIG.
Cos they're easier to bend and won't give you tendonitis!
Pssht. I've got man's fingers, it's fine 8)
:lol::lol::lol::lol:
I'm thinking of movin on up a gauge, but don't want a wound G...
Do your 12s come with a wound G?
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13-59 on my low tuned guitars (in both C and D)
12-56 on my standard tuned guitars.
I honestly cannot fathom how people can manage to play anything on light strings, I want my strings to stay where they bloody are, not jump all over the place every time I touch them. Plus big strings sound BIG.
Cos they're easier to bend and won't give you tendonitis!
Pssht. I've got man's fingers, it's fine 8)
:lol::lol::lol::lol:
I'm thinking of movin on up a gauge, but don't want a wound G...
Do your 12s come with a wound G?
Yeah, but the Ernie Balls and I imagine quite a few others don't. I personally find that a plain string that thick always sounds dead, so I much prefer a wound G myself.
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Ernie Ball Super Slinky 10s is my 'standard' for fixed bridge guitars.
Superstrats get 9-46 D'Addario XLs
I'm thinking of staying with PRS strings on my PRS's as they sound great. I believe they're made by D'Addario.....
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I always use d'addarios but I've just got some dunlop kerry king sig's to try out as they come with .52 for the drop tuned E-string as well as the .46, which saves me having to buy separate singles.
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I use Rotoreds (11 to 48) after trying a friends guitar with 11's. Being a bass player originally I had no difficulty. The same friend now uses 12's. Mt guitars are tuned to Eb for live work though so it is a bit easier.The guitars sound better with heavier guage strings.
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10's, one way or another, one form or another.
46 for my trem guitar, the 52 wouldn't fit, and the extra tension is there because of locking nut anyway
52 for other LP, but its top wrapped.
Want another LP to have 10-52 with normal tailpiece feeding. mmmm 58 lp standard
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10-46' Ernie Ball Regular Slinkies on my Les Paul standard tune
12-56 on my 70's Antoria Tele Deluxe open tuned for slide.
Ernie balls just seem to sound better for longer to me. The Rotosounds whuch came with my BKP's lasted about 2 weeks before they sound dead a doornail.
Mind you I'm luck I've got a friend who can kill a set of strings in one session, god knows what he eats but his sweat is like battery acid on strings.
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10-46 on six-string and 10-56 on seven-string but that is of need rather than choice. I simply can't get a string thicker than .056 in my country. I really want to move up to 10-52 on the six and 11-65 on the 7 but it's just not possible at the moment.
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My Horizon is tuned to a B and I still use 9-42...
Don't get what people complain about when they go on about tension problems :s
I mean, yeah they're looser, but they're still fine to play - I'd be much more frustrated with massive tree trunk strings, that require crazy high action, than some slightly looser strings..
Oh - And D'addario, incase anyone is interested, invested £80 in a 25 pack a couple of months ago - the box is funky, but the strings won't come out without a whole lot of effort...
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D'Addario 10-46 on everything, regardless of scale length (well, except my bass!).
Keeps it simple.
I'm sure it's true that bigger strings = better tone, but it's also true that too big strings = impossible to play. And my fingers seem to be getting weaker as I get older.
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... I've got a friend who can kill a set of strings in one session, god knows what he eats but his sweat is like battery acid on strings.
Yep, that's me as well - if I don't clean strings after playing they're gonners the next day.
D'Addarios last better for me, Rotos not too bad - hence my use of them. The Schallers (if that's what they were) were possibly better, but it's a good few years back.
If I only had one guitar to string, I'd probably restring once a week (friday night, ready for the weekend) even though I only play at home.
I tried some Felines (which I believe are picato - don't quote me, though) a while back - they couldn't cope with me! Very nice for a day or two, but detriorated very quickly in my hands. I've still got another set, so I'll give them another go, but at the moment my favourites are D'Addario.
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... I've got a friend who can kill a set of strings in one session, god knows what he eats but his sweat is like battery acid on strings.
Yep, that's me as well - if I don't clean strings after playing they're gonners the next day.
Me too.
When I remember, I try to look out for coated sets; Elixirs or I think DR do some too. They tend to last about a month+
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I'm buying the D'addarios 11-52 (EXL116), absolutely fantastic strings for me, sound great & last for ages
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I mean, yeah they're looser, but they're still fine to play - I'd be much more frustrated with massive tree trunk strings, that require crazy high action, than some slightly looser strings..
I'd say tighter string would let you lower the action, for me anyway because I hit the string lighter
I use d'addario, custom set 11.5, 15, 19, 30w 42w, 56w in C standard, all worked out on one of those string tension calculators
I think DR strings last a tiny bit longer, but they don't do singles or any sets I like so I'm sticking with d'addario, I do wish I could get hold of coated single strings as I do rust none wounds pretty quickly
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Either Snake Oil Brand pure nickels or the DR nickel Pure Blues. Gauge: 11s.
On acoustic (I play fingerstyle) I used to play D'Addario 13s but my hands were getting tired of the gauge and I tried Rotosound Country Golds in 10s. These are really nice strings for fingerstyle - very pingy.
For slide acoustic I make up a set of 16-60s from D'Addario singles - using an .27 unwound G as Stefan Grossman recommends - Big strings give great Bukka White/Son House tone from a £25 ebay Hofner acoustic!
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i use rotosounds... generally 9-42 on 25.5" scale guitars tuned to E. Though I'm noticing that on guitars with shorter scale lengths that they're a little slack (but 10 is a little tight, lol). Might have to go with DRs (they do 9.5, i think), or maybe a hybrid set of 9-46.
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I usually use D'Addarios but atm I've got on some 11-54 custom wound Ernie Ball "Beefy Slinky" strings on there in standard tuning.
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d'addario 10s. I keep meaning to go back to 11s but never seem to get round to it..
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I'm sure it's true that bigger strings = better tone
I'm not sure I agree with this. I was talking to Hayden about it the other day, and we agreed that different gauges give different tone, not better or worse. I like the "snap" of lighter strings and find heavier ones dead. Plenty of great players have recorded superb tones on antyhing down to 8's.
I use 9-42 on everything.
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I'm sure it's true that bigger strings = better tone
I'm not sure I agree with this. I was talking to Hayden about it the other day, and we agreed that different gauges give different tone, not better or worse. I like the "snap" of lighter strings and find heavier ones dead. Plenty of great players have recorded superb tones on antyhing down to 8's.
I use 9-42 on everything.
I second this motion. I think there's a happy medium soundwise - too small and it sounds thin and nasty, too big and they don't vibrate as well as they could - as martin said they sound 'dead'.
Still, i far prefer the feel of massive strings :lol:
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I'm sure it's true that bigger strings = better tone
I'm not sure I agree with this. I was talking to Hayden about it the other day, and we agreed that different gauges give different tone, not better or worse. I like the "snap" of lighter strings and find heavier ones dead. Plenty of great players have recorded superb tones on antyhing down to 8's.
I use 9-42 on everything.
I was saying that with tongue slightly in cheek, just to avoid arguments and acknowledge the "conventional wisdom" (at least since SRV came along and we had the retro craze, whenever that was). I think you should use what feels comfortable - if it's too bendy, move up a gauge. If it hurts, drop down.
I have found that with some guitars, very light strings don't seem to have the "strength" to get the guitar resonating. But didn't both Billy Gibbons and Ritchie Blackmore use 8's for many years? Maybe they still do.
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It's personal preference for sure. It depends what you're used to.
I like 10-46 or 11-52 in E standard. Lower, I like the 12-58 (plain 3rd) sets.
Just don't enjoy playing on the lighter sets very much, simple as that.
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But didn't both Billy Gibbons use 8's for many years? Maybe they still do.
Hell! How does he get his massive tone???
Angus always used 9's and it was a WOW too... always thought he used 11's
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This was a topic a few years ago:
http://bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=1633.0 (http://bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=1633.0)
However I have changed my strings a bit, having got back in touch with Dean at Snake Oil Brand. I got a good supply of my personal gauges (10,12,16,26,36,46 for longer scales (25" or more) and 11,13,17,28,38,48 for Gibson scale lengths. Having put them on, I remember why I used Scalar strings before!! I also have DR pure blues on some guitars.
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I started off using EB 10s, then stepped up to EB 11s for a while. I've discovered I play more expressively and enjoy playing more with DR 9s, though, so I'm making the transition to them.
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I currently use 10-52 but I'm thinking of moving to 11-54 for my gigging guitars cos I hit them HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARD!!
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I've used 9-42 for the past 15 years or so without ever considering to change them, but after playing live with them for a while I noticed I was over bending and just the general rush of playing live made me go too heavy on them on stage so i've started to use 10-46 which works better for me now.
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D'Addario 11s. With the wound G. Stops me soloing in my typical, boring manner. Yep, me soloing is a bad thing, I always do the same default licks, and actually dislike doing them. I'm a cr@p 'guitarist'
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d'Addario EJ22. 13 gauge strings for drop A-E-A-D-F#-B tuning on a 25.5" scale length guitar. Looking to change setups in due course, so this will become outdated fairly soon, I would think.
Roo
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I was saying that with tongue slightly in cheek, just to avoid arguments ........ But didn't both Billy Gibbons and Ritchie Blackmore use 8's for many years? Maybe they still do.
I thought so. :wink:
I think Blackmore mostly uses a No 6 cat gut set at the moment. :lol:
Hey nonny nonny.
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D'addario 10 - 46 on my Fenders and D'addarrio 10 - 52 on my Gibsons and 335 copy. ( EXL types : Nickel plated steel )
On my Fenders I tried ( and quite liked ) GHS Burniched Nickel 10 - 46 for a mellower bass, - or Ernie Ball 10 - 46 for more 'twang'.
On balance though, I prefer the attributes of D'addario.
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I've used all sorts of different gauges but in recent years I've settled on 10-46 tuned to Eb, except on my Les Pauls where I use 10-52 (also Eb) & my Gothic V which has 13-62 tuned to drop-B (fingertips? I used to have some once... :))
I almost always use D'Addario EXLs - have tried most other brands but keep coming back to them.
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I'm not sure I agree with this. I was talking to Hayden about it the other day, and we agreed that different gauges give different tone, not better or worse. I like the "snap" of lighter strings and find heavier ones dead. Plenty of great players have recorded superb tones on antyhing down to 8's.
I use 9-42 on everything.
that's what i think. plenty of my favourite players used pretty light strings.
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As for the actual make of strings, couldn't care less :P As long as they are nickel, they are all the same to me.
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like james, excitement sometimes causes me to over-bend on thinner gauge strings.
anyway, it depends on the guitar, but 90% of the time I use Feline's 11-50 set. sometimes i use d'addario 11-48, or very occasionally 10s. actually i prefer the lighter low-E, but i like the feel of Jonathan's strings, and the cover art puts me in a good mood. all guitars in standard tuning.
actually i'm thinking of changing to 10s in all my guitars... i liked to expend extra energy pummelling these fatter strings in punk style, i thought thicker strings might snap less in the old days ;) but these days it can become tiring to wrestle with this thick gauge. also i have lots of spare sets 10s from the BKPs :)
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I've used Ernie Ball Regular Slinky 10-46 on and off for 20 years but often buy D'Addario EXLs.
I don't think I could tell the difference in a double-blind test. Which possibly says more about me than it does about the strings.
I started using 10s, moved lighter to 8s before increasing until I was using 12s but after about 6 months using the 12s (standard tuning on Fender), I was getting pain in the left hand that took 1-2 of rest to stop. So, back to 10s.
IIRC, Guitarist magazine stated that Jimmy Page uses 8s.
When I use 8s, it sounds like I'm playing a banjo... well that's (lack of) talent for you.
I'm tempted to try some pure nickel string as I'm into vintage tones, maybe GHS Burnished Nickel.
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I can't see how you can get massive Angus like vibrato using big heavy gauge strings. :? 12's or 13's its just not going to happen is it. Good for slide I would have thought or chugging.
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E: 10-46 and 10-52 boomers, depending on my mood.
Dont play in D or drop C very much but when I do its 11-53 boomers.
C#/drop B - 11, 15, 19, 33, 43, 62 - plains from the boomer set, wounds from d'addario baritone set. This is my main tuning, hence the fussiness.
B/drop A - same as above or 11-70 boomers if I manage to plan it ahead
7 string - not sure, I think theyre 10 to 58s.
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I was a Ernie Ball 10's man for ages, till I lent my guitar to a mate for recording, and it came back with 13's on it. Now, I can't take less than that on the Eggle, and 12 s on the tele.
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I do tend to think that lighter gauge strings lend themselves to FX and signal processing - I'm thinking EVH and Brian May. But I guess that there are always exceptions.
I'm still using the set of 10s that Tim sent to me with my Nailbombs... Rotosound, I think. Pretty good. I've always vacillated between EB 9s and 10s, mostly because I find 9s more comfortable, but the masochist in me says that I should be using 10s... Because everyone says that they sound better. I think that you might get better sustain with 10s, but not so sure that the tone is "better".
My mate used to use 8s on his Kramer Pacer in the 1980's. Whenever I bent the high E string on that guitar, my fingers used to slip off the other side of the fretboard...
Mark.
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I've tried loads of strings over the years. I started out using Dean Markley 9-42 and then Ernie Ball 9-42. Searching for a slightly beefier bottom end I moved to Dean Markley 9-46 and then Ernie Ball 9-46. I stayed with them for years until I eventually switched to 10-46. After so many years using 9-46, the 10s felt a little odd but I soon got used to them and now I find 9s to be very thin. By this time I had my current guitar with a floating trem and started to experiment with other brands that may last longer while retaining their tone. Two brands stood out from the rest as far superior:
Skull strings, if you can get them, are very good indeed. They have a crushing bottom end and last a good time. I found that they went through a stage where the tone started to go and then seemed to come back for no readily explored reason, then they lasted another week or two before having to be changed. They are a bit more expensive than standard strings but they do last longer and have good tone.
Finally I switched to Elixir 10-46 and that is what I play now. I don't find the bottom end as heavy sounding as the Skull strings but the top end is sweet. They certainly last a long time though a possible problem is that my 1st E string snapped last night and that's never happened to me before. It may be because I've been using the trem a lot more recently and in some cases, quite violently but I'll keep an eye on it. The strings had been on for about 6 months and when they came off, they felt perfect and still had good tone, though not quite as sharp as a brand new set. Bear in mind that the coating on Elixir strings does make them feel thicker and if you use a guitar like mine, going to the same gauge strings you currently use on Elixir's will require a set up done as the bridge will be too high. It feels a bit like you're moving up another gauge or maybe half a gauge but like everything else, you get used to it. My original motivation for changing to Elixir was purely laziness as it takes so long to restring my guitar but I've found I really like them. They're certainly a lot more expensive than normal strings but they last a lot longer as well and feel like new strings their whole life.
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On my strat scale guitars I tend to like 9-42 although 9-46 are good too
On my Gibson scale guitars I go for 10-46 and occasionally I use 10-52
As for brand - no surprises
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v662/felineguitars/Feline%20strings/stringbanner600px.jpg)
I used to use La Bella Hard Rocking Steel which were great and I like D'Addario and GHS as well
Do different gauges give different tone?
Yes in my opinion
Lighter Gauge strings have a higher harmonic content whilst bigger gauges give you more fundamental and less harmonics
One of the reasons that old school blues players like the big strings for tone as it sounds deeper.
1970s & 1980s rockers liked the extra zing that the lighter strings gave
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I used Ernie Ball Regular Slinky 10-46 for over 25 years now on both Fender type and Gibson type electrics I'm using Elixir 10-46 on Electrics and 11-52 on acoustics.
I only play regular tuning and am amazed at their sound and long life.
Also I find I'm breaking strings a lot less than before :-)
Bruce Stringkiller
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I'm using Elixir nanowebs right now.
They are excellent strings, which have a very long life and crystal clear tone.
I use 10-46 on my LP and 9-42 on my Strat.
I'm undecided on what to use for my Yamaha SG2000. It currently has 9's but I'm interested to see what a set of 10's would feel like on it. I may even go for a set of 9.5's for it.
On my acoustic (Yamaha CPX900) I use Elixir nano 12's.
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I use Rotosound 10s on all my electric guitars, and Rotosound 14s (I think) on my Acoustic guitar.
I used Dean Markleys for years but then tried Rotos and now I'm a convert :)
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I use D'Addario EXL115 - 11-49 on my Gibson 335. I couldn't go back to lighter strings now - the tone is so much bigger. I considered going up to 12s, but vibrato's important to my style and I think I might struggle there.