12s?

[MartinS]

Got hold of some Picato L77p strings through Jonathan at Feline. They run 12-52. Only tried them for a few minutes but they sound nice. I'm not sure whether 12s are for me, though. I tend to use a lot of vibrato, sometimes quite subtle, and this is difficult to do.

For ages I used D'addario EXL 115 (11-49) but wanted more tension in the strings. Tried a set of Chromes and loved the tension and sound when playing acoustically, and the top strings sounded really fat, but they just didn't have any punch when I dug in when playing through the amp.

The problem I find is mainly the G. On a set of 11s it just feels too slack. The guitar hasn't been set up for 12s yet, but I'm taking it to have the pots and caps changed in a couple of weeks so was planning on getting it done then.

I know this is kind of down to personal preference and playing style, but any suggestions?

[Jonny]

Maybe high 11s and the low 12s?

[tomjackson]

Buy 11's but swap the G for a plain 20 rather than 18.

Go with the 12 and just try to get used to them.  Try tuning them down to E flat.

If 11's feel too slack it might just be that you have sausage fingers?

[Jonny]

If 11's feel too slack it might just be that you have sausage fingers?

Help the guy, don't insult the guy :P

[nfe]

If 11's feel too slack it might just be that you have hetro fingers?

Affirmative.

[MartinS]

Sausage fingers - like it!  :P

I think you're probably right. Go for the 11s and buy a plain 20.

(Incidentally, my wife says my fingers are *gorgeous*...   )

[Matt77]

Top wrapping the 12s the other way over the bridge may give you the feel you are looking for if you haven't tried already.
E335 right?

[Alex]

I've used GHS Low Boomers now for a long time. They are 11-53 and you get them cheap at stringsdirect.co.uk.
I've tried replacing them a couple of times, but keep coming back to them... they do a nice SRV sound as well clean.

[tomjackson]

Sausage fingers - like it!  :P

I think you're probably right. Go for the 11s and buy a plain 20.

(Incidentally, my wife says my fingers are *gorgeous*...   )

What guitar are you using them on btw, I've just installed 11's on my 335 and they feel pretty slack but I've always found 12's too tight.  Perhaps trying more brands might help, the tension seems to vary a lot brand to brand.

Or what about these, a kind of 11.5 set with a heavy bottom,

http://www.stringsdirect.co.uk/products/2605-ghs_carlos_santana_big_core_signature_series

I think I'm trying to be more helpful now incase I offended your fingers.  I'm glad your wife likes them though :D

[MartinS]

Top wrapping the 12s the other way over the bridge may give you the feel you are looking for if you haven't tried already.
E335 right?

Hi. Yeah, it's a 335. Not sure what you mean by the above, though...  :?

tomjackson - the Picatos definitely feel less tight than the D'addario EXL145 Heavy set. That Carlos Sultana set looks interesting, but the bottom E is *heavy*.

One thing that's putting me off buying D'addario EXL115s and a single 20 for the G is that the single strings aren't shrink-wrapped like the sets.

[Philly Q]

Top wrapping the 12s the other way over the bridge may give you the feel you are looking for if you haven't tried already.
E335 right?

Hi. Yeah, it's a 335. Not sure what you mean by the above, though...  :?

Feeding the strings through the front of the tailpiece, rather than the back, then wrapping them over the top like an old LP Junior bridge.

It reduces the angle of the strings behind the bridge and reduces string tension a little.

[hunter]

12s in standard tuning?

This sounds like masochist to me  8)

After some time on 10s and .95s I am back to 9-46s now. Yeah I'm a wimpy winee, I know. I just turn up the amp more, that compensates :O)

[Matt77]

Top wrapping the 12s the other way over the bridge may give you the feel you are looking for if you haven't tried already.
E335 right?

Hi. Yeah, it's a 335. Not sure what you mean by the above, though...  :?

tomjackson - the Picatos definitely feel less tight than the D'addario EXL145 Heavy set. That Carlos Sultana set looks interesting, but the bottom E is *heavy*.

One thing that's putting me off buying D'addario EXL115s and a single 20 for the G is that the single strings aren't shrink-wrapped like the sets.

Sorry should be more specific.
This link gives the details
http://bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=18566.0
http://bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=18566.0

[horsehead]

there's 2 different sets I'd suggest...the D'addario EXL116's. yeah they're 11's but with a heavy bottom to give you a lot better, thicker sound, they're got a 54 on the bottom same as the others...Beefy slinkys