Heavier string gauges?

[morningstar]

Another dumb one from yours truly. I have been considering using some heavier strings. I am a 10-46 guy as it stands now. The target guitar has a blocked trem so adjusting neck relief is the only issue I can predict.

Do the heavier string gauges have distinctive characteristics (I do know about the ability to tune down)? I am looking to thicken tone up a bit. Drop D is about as off standard as I get.

Is there a reason (other than stiff feel) to avoid monster strings like 13-56?

Is there any real benefit to going heavier and heavier?

Are there problems that come up with heavier string gauges?

Do heavier strings affect Strat-itis?

Thanks

morningstar

[velorush]

Stratitus - are you talking about the intonation problems from Strat pickups being too close to the strings? Larger strings have more momentum. This would override the slight increase in magnetic attraction from the magents being presented with a greater mass of Fe. Magnetism is an extremely weak force (AFAIK only gravity is weaker, quantum mechanics aside).

All that to say, larger strings should help with Stratitus. An extreme example: SRV's pickups were so close the strings touched in the upper register. He didn't seem to have Stratitus problems. Of course he used ridiculously large strings.

[carfish7]

Heavier strings will tax the wrist and fingers a bit more, so be sure to stretch and warm up a bit. You all do this anyways, right?

Absolutely will sound "bigger" in most cases. Don't know what Strat-itis is so........

Might be harder on frets.

[anotherfreak]

Are you staying at pitch?

String tension, i find it easier to pick with heavier strings, less moving out of the way and more cutting through.

I would add that it is different with each guitar, try it and see. Some necks stress differently, and pickups are move-able. if you are worried about putting things back, take some measurements. I think intonation wobbles are less abundant with heavier strings.

[zorrow]

A clear benefit of heavier strings is that you can tune down your guitar and your strings won't go flabby.

Also, stiffer lower strings favor fast picking. If you're into tremolo picking and intense riffing/thrashing with alternate picking, they will help. Flabby strings are the worst for that.

Heavier strings also color your tone differently. I think they enforce even harmonics. That's why I personally prefer them not-so-heavy on the higher strings, as a certain amount of odd harmonics in my lead tone does please me.

Besides that, it's true they are harder on your wrists and fingers. Make sure your joints are strong and healthy before getting into too heavy strings.

[tbonesullivan]

heavier strings will usually give you a thicker tone and more sustain, which is due to the increase in weight of the strings. Also, if you are heavy handed it can help with intonation problems. I know of some who say that you shouldn't go lower than .010 gauge on "Gibson scale" because it makes the intonation too unstable.

[Studio Custom]

In the 1950s low Es were around 12, then it seemed to normalize at around 10 until the early 1980s when we saw the shred explosion and guys using 8s or 9s, the rejection of which was highlighted by SRV and his use of 13s, now we seem to be back at 10s as the norm for most users.

It only costs $4 to try and if you don't like it, revert.

If you find you like the G B E but not the wound strings, consider the inner vs outer core issue. While two strings may both have an OD of .050, the amount of that thickness that is the inner core affects the feel of the string. Thicker inner cores feel stiffer and conversely, thinner inner cores feel looser.

Keep in mind that Van Halen, Hendrix and Yngwie all use(d) 9s, tuned down to Eb making them play more like 8s and no one ever complained about their tones or lack of sustain.

[jaberwock]

One of the reason a note bent up two semi tones sounds so sweet is the extra tension the string is under, I use a custom 10.5 to 49 set on my Strats which works perfectly for me, 11's are just too tough for my fingers on a twenty five and a half inch scale guitar; Dean Markley Cryogenically treated strings are supposed to bend more easily for the same gauge, but I haven't tried them.

Jaberwock

[carfish7]

Dean Markley Cryogenically treated strings are supposed to bend more easily for the same gauge, but I haven't tried them.

Jaberwock

The DR Tite-Fit strings are supposed to do the same - good call Jaberwock.

[silentman]

Potential problem in upping your string size is the nut slots will be too tight and strings will bind up even with moderate trem wiggles or string bends.

[tbonesullivan]

I should mention that I use .010 strings on my Gibson scale guitars, and .009 on Fender scale guitars. .008 are just too floppy. There are however some guitars which just feel tighter for some reason.

[JohnnyB]

Because of the increased downforce and the greater role the body plays in tone, heavier gauge strings have more of effect on semihollow and hollowbody guitars. The increased downforce increases the vibration of the body and air inside. I noticed a significant enrichment of tone on my Newport when I went from 10-46 to 11-49. I remember talking with a lifelong guitarist who in middle age who had recently switched to an ES-335 strung with 11s.

If I were to make a habit of playing 12s or 13s, I'd probably want a V-neck profile, quartersawn neck, and/or carbon rods. I wouldn't want the poor li'l tension rod to have to do all the work to hold back excessive relief.

[FrankieIII]

Could go on forever with this subject and it would keep going back to the fact "it's purely personal preference." I would highly recommend simply to go out and buy a handful (pun intended) of sets in different gauges and see what works best for you.

[JohnnyB]

Could go on forever with this subject and it would keep going back to the fact "it's purely personal preference." I would highly recommend simply to go out and buy a handful (pun intended) of sets in different gauges and see what works best for you.

Excellent advice. When I got the Newport. I changed strings every night for the first week to get an idea of what sounded and played the best for my tension/tonal preferences. It's an inexpensive and effective way to get to know a newly acquired guitar sooner and better.

[Thundersteel]

I read an article that interviewed Billy Gibbons' guitar tech. He said that Billy uses 7s!

I prefer 10-46 myself, though. I need the strings to fight back a little.

[zenmindbeginner]

I sometimes roll my fingers and end up bending with just the corner of the tip near the nail edge. If I take more than a few days off, my callouses start to soften a bit and I can damage the hell out of that area when bending strings. I bend a LOT and sometimes like to bend waaay past a whole step in the high registers. I make a habit not to play for an hour after i shower and wait for my hands to dry fully after I wash them when I play.

I need to be careful not to wear out a tiny spot on my ring and index fingers... SRV used to put a 11 or 10 gauge E on his guitars (I suspect the B too) when he was feeling the pain and would superglue over his little tender spots to get through gigs and tours.

I also press really hard with my left hand for tone and I can wear the fuuuug out of my finger tips, but only around that corner edge when I roll my fingertips. I don't do it all of the time but depending on what I'm doing before the bend, I might have my hand rolled before I bend.

I like a sort of higher action but with a real loose feel. Most guys do the opposite with low action but tight tension... I can't play those guitars that well.

Anything over 10 gauge with standard tuning in 25.5" scale cramps my style.

I have 12s on my Scarab but it's tuned to C# and feels natural. The blackface Fender amps I have like bigger strings tuned low to sound their best IMHO.

[FrankieIII]

Potential problem in upping your string size is the nut slots will be too tight and strings will bind up even with moderate trem wiggles or string bends.

+ 1 unless you're using a Floyd locking nut.

[JohnnyB]

I read an article that interviewed Billy Gibbons' guitar tech. He said that Billy uses 7s!

I prefer 10-46 myself, though. I need the strings to fight back a little.

That may have something to do with the tone and strength of his pinch harmonics.

[kenjones]

I think heavier strings sound better. My preference is:

10's on a "Strat" scale (25.5")

11's on a "Les Paul" scale (24.75")

10's on my PRS McCarty (25")

[lincsman]

Im a 9-46 I found best of both worlds with the hybrid strings

[jaberwock]

Used to love how easy 9's are too bend on a Strat, but with anything more than mild enthusiasm the the top "e" goes "plink", even worse on a Paul; never cease to wonder how Jimmy Page got such amazing sounds from 8's.

Jaberwock