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Author Topic: String gauge for going down a half step?  (Read 14691 times)

Zaned

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Re: String gauge for going down a half step?
« Reply #30 on: November 10, 2009, 08:14:18 AM »
'better' is always subjective to say the least, but different gauge strings do 'sound' different imo, both acoustically and plugged in.

oh yeah, i agree. I'm just slagging off the retards who claim that thicker always equals better. I don't like that there seems to be a macho element to it too. Go to the gym or something if you want to feel macho. :lol:

I've come to the conclusion that there's a certain comfort zone for me regarding string gauge. Thicker strings have more mass and hence make the wood vibrate more. But if you go too thick, the tone might become something you don't like, even though it makes the guitar SHAKE.

Actually, it's the wound strings where the mass seems to matter more. Yngwie has also said this, that you need the mass on lower strings, whereas the higher strings don't change their tone that much. I think he uses something like 08-48 :)

-Zaned
Paths are for followers.

dave_mc

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Re: String gauge for going down a half step?
« Reply #31 on: November 10, 2009, 04:30:54 PM »
yeah, i think i've heard malmsteen saying something like that. haven't tried it myself, though.

MDV

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Re: String gauge for going down a half step?
« Reply #32 on: November 10, 2009, 06:06:30 PM »
Use 12 through to high tension thick core 60. Thats a similar sort of tension gradient.

Karl sanders uses 10 - 70 in drop A

I agree with the general premise. I dont think that thickness of the plain strings makes no difference by a long shot, but it does make A LOT less.

dave_mc

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Re: String gauge for going down a half step?
« Reply #33 on: November 10, 2009, 07:08:24 PM »
i didn't know the kfc dude played guitar.

MDV

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Re: String gauge for going down a half step?
« Reply #34 on: November 11, 2009, 12:42:26 AM »
:lol:

JDC

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Re: String gauge for going down a half step?
« Reply #35 on: November 11, 2009, 03:33:44 PM »
Actually, it's the wound strings where the mass seems to matter more. Yngwie has also said this, that you need the mass on lower strings, whereas the higher strings don't change their tone that much. I think he uses something like 08-48 :)

-Zaned

I read he was using 08s too, down tuned to Eb!

Zaned

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Re: String gauge for going down a half step?
« Reply #36 on: November 12, 2009, 07:49:22 AM »
Actually, it's the wound strings where the mass seems to matter more. Yngwie has also said this, that you need the mass on lower strings, whereas the higher strings don't change their tone that much. I think he uses something like 08-48 :)

-Zaned

I read he was using 08s too, down tuned to Eb!

..and with HIGH action, deeply scalloped fretboard and huge frets :) I think his guitar would be REALLY hard to play in tune for somebody who's used to low frets.

-Zaned
Paths are for followers.