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Why would I want higher gauge strings ?
Re: Why would I want higher gauge strings ?
On Tue, 13 May 2008 12:56:35 -0700 (PDT), Julien BH
<julienbh@gmail,com > wrote:
>Why would I want higher gauge strings?
>Are the 9's for beginner and the 12's for advanced players?
Not to confuse you, but some people who use heavier guage strings also
tune their guitar lower...so the strings may not feel as heavy. If I
were going to tune down (I don't) I'd probably use at least 11's.
***********
Some of my music:
http :// www .soundclick,com /bands/default.cfm?bandID=789610
On Tue, 13 May 2008 12:56:35 -0700 (PDT), Julien BH
<julienbh@gmail,com > wrote:
>Why would I want higher gauge strings?
>Are the 9's for beginner and the 12's for advanced players?
Not to confuse you, but some people who use heavier guage strings also
tune their guitar lower...so the strings may not feel as heavy. If I
were going to tune down (I don't) I'd probably use at least 11's.
***********
Some of my music:
http :// www .soundclick,com /bands/default.cfm?bandID=789610
Re: Why would I want higher gauge strings ?
jtees4 wrote in message <2k7k24lp0u32rgspdocli75uafrfnac8ed@4ax,com >...
>On Tue, 13 May 2008 12:56:35 -0700 (PDT), Julien BH
><julienbh@gmail,com > wrote:
>
>>Why would I want higher gauge strings?
>>Are the 9's for beginner and the 12's for advanced players?
>
>Not to confuse you, but some people who use heavier guage strings also
>tune their guitar lower...so the strings may not feel as heavy. If I
>were going to tune down (I don't) I'd probably use at least 11's.
>
>***********
>Some of my music:
> http :// www .soundclick,com /bands/default.cfm?bandID=789610
Excellent point -
I've had to do that, and the heavier strings sounded much better tuned down
than the lighter gauge tuned down.
bg
jtees4 wrote in message <2k7k24lp0u32rgspdocli75uafrfnac8ed@4ax,com >...
>On Tue, 13 May 2008 12:56:35 -0700 (PDT), Julien BH
><julienbh@gmail,com > wrote:
>
>>Why would I want higher gauge strings?
>>Are the 9's for beginner and the 12's for advanced players?
>
>Not to confuse you, but some people who use heavier guage strings also
>tune their guitar lower...so the strings may not feel as heavy. If I
>were going to tune down (I don't) I'd probably use at least 11's.
>
>***********
>Some of my music:
> http :// www .soundclick,com /bands/default.cfm?bandID=789610
Excellent point -
I've had to do that, and the heavier strings sounded much better tuned down
than the lighter gauge tuned down.
bg
Re: Why would I want higher gauge strings ?
On May 13, 3:56 pm, Julien BH <julie...@gmail,com > wrote:
> Why would I want higher gauge strings?
> Are the 9's for beginner and the 12's for advanced players?
Noobs play 8's or 9's. Most of the world plays 10's. Anyone who
plays strings thicker than that is just trying to impress people.
ef
On May 13, 3:56 pm, Julien BH <julie...@gmail,com > wrote:
> Why would I want higher gauge strings?
> Are the 9's for beginner and the 12's for advanced players?
Noobs play 8's or 9's. Most of the world plays 10's. Anyone who
plays strings thicker than that is just trying to impress people.
ef
Re: Why would I want higher gauge strings ?
EF wrote:
> On May 13, 3:56 pm, Julien BH <julie...@gmail,com > wrote:
>> Why would I want higher gauge strings?
>> Are the 9's for beginner and the 12's for advanced players?
>
> Noobs play 8's or 9's. Most of the world plays 10's. Anyone who
> plays strings thicker than that is just trying to impress people.
>
> ef
>
that is about the most retarded answer I have heard.
EF wrote:
> On May 13, 3:56 pm, Julien BH <julie...@gmail,com > wrote:
>> Why would I want higher gauge strings?
>> Are the 9's for beginner and the 12's for advanced players?
>
> Noobs play 8's or 9's. Most of the world plays 10's. Anyone who
> plays strings thicker than that is just trying to impress people.
>
> ef
>
that is about the most retarded answer I have heard.
Re: Why would I want higher gauge strings ?
Oh bullshit.
Bigger strings add up to more sound.
"EF" <efritch@gmail,com > wrote in message
news:ba362a3e-c501-442f-a6e7-c695c86d7ddd@56g2000hsm.googlegroups,com ...
> On May 13, 3:56 pm, Julien BH <julie...@gmail,com > wrote:
>> Why would I want higher gauge strings?
>> Are the 9's for beginner and the 12's for advanced players?
>
> Noobs play 8's or 9's. Most of the world plays 10's. Anyone who
> plays strings thicker than that is just trying to impress people.
>
> ef
>
Oh bullshit.
Bigger strings add up to more sound.
"EF" <efritch@gmail,com > wrote in message
news:ba362a3e-c501-442f-a6e7-c695c86d7ddd@56g2000hsm.googlegroups,com ...
> On May 13, 3:56 pm, Julien BH <julie...@gmail,com > wrote:
>> Why would I want higher gauge strings?
>> Are the 9's for beginner and the 12's for advanced players?
>
> Noobs play 8's or 9's. Most of the world plays 10's. Anyone who
> plays strings thicker than that is just trying to impress people.
>
> ef
>
Re: Why would I want higher gauge strings ?
On May 13, 7:05 pm, EF <efri...@gmail,com > wrote:
>
> Noobs play 8's or 9's. Most of the world plays 10's. Anyone who
> plays strings thicker than that is just trying to impress people.
>
> ef
Hah!
-dave-----:::
www .myspace,com /geetardave
On May 13, 7:05 pm, EF <efri...@gmail,com > wrote:
>
> Noobs play 8's or 9's. Most of the world plays 10's. Anyone who
> plays strings thicker than that is just trying to impress people.
>
> ef
Hah!
-dave-----:::
www .myspace,com /geetardave
Re: Why would I want higher gauge strings ?
Julien BH <julienbh@gmail,com > wrote:
> Why would I want higher gauge strings?
> Are the 9's for beginner and the 12's for advanced players?
No, you'll find plenty of experienced players who use 9s and plenty of
others who use 12s and higher.
Not only is the thickness of the high E a personal preference, but also
the rate of increase in thickness as you go to the lower-tuned strings.
I use Ernie Ball skinny top/heavy bottom (10 - 52) because a thinner
gauge on those lower strings just feels sloppy for me.
Way back when, I went through a brief period when I used 8's on top. It
really didn't sound that different to me; it's more a matter of feel. I
tend to play with an aggressive style, and I found that with 8s or 9s I
was unintentionally knocking things sharp when I fretted. The other
thing with light-gauge strings is that I was sometimes overbending on
bends, because the strings didn't offer sufficient resistance. I'm
thinking of going to 11s at some point, if I can find a string set that
goes, for instance, from 11 to 56.
Julien BH <julienbh@gmail,com > wrote:
> Why would I want higher gauge strings?
> Are the 9's for beginner and the 12's for advanced players?
No, you'll find plenty of experienced players who use 9s and plenty of
others who use 12s and higher.
Not only is the thickness of the high E a personal preference, but also
the rate of increase in thickness as you go to the lower-tuned strings.
I use Ernie Ball skinny top/heavy bottom (10 - 52) because a thinner
gauge on those lower strings just feels sloppy for me.
Way back when, I went through a brief period when I used 8's on top. It
really didn't sound that different to me; it's more a matter of feel. I
tend to play with an aggressive style, and I found that with 8s or 9s I
was unintentionally knocking things sharp when I fretted. The other
thing with light-gauge strings is that I was sometimes overbending on
bends, because the strings didn't offer sufficient resistance. I'm
thinking of going to 11s at some point, if I can find a string set that
goes, for instance, from 11 to 56.
Re: Why would I want higher gauge strings ?
"RichL" <rpleavitt@yahoo,com > wrote
> I'm thinking of going to 11s at some point, if I can find a string set
> that
> goes, for instance, from 11 to 56.
Mix and match..,it s what I do.
Peace,
Polfus
"RichL" <rpleavitt@yahoo,com > wrote
> I'm thinking of going to 11s at some point, if I can find a string set
> that
> goes, for instance, from 11 to 56.
Mix and match..,it s what I do.
Peace,
Polfus
Re: Why would I want higher gauge strings ?
Julien BH wrote:
> Why would I want higher gauge strings?
> Are the 9's for beginner and the 12's for advanced players?
I consider myself an intermediate player and I use 9's on all of my
guitars, but it's really a matter of what feels and sounds good to you
on your guitar(s).
--
- Rufus
Julien BH wrote:
> Why would I want higher gauge strings?
> Are the 9's for beginner and the 12's for advanced players?
I consider myself an intermediate player and I use 9's on all of my
guitars, but it's really a matter of what feels and sounds good to you
on your guitar(s).
--
- Rufus
Re: Why would I want higher gauge strings ?
"Julien BH" <julienbh@gmail,com > wrote in message
news:9ab7941a-c3a7-4791-a30e-d5863a47cd51@8g2000hse.googlegroups,com ...
> Why would I want higher gauge strings?
> Are the 9's for beginner and the 12's for advanced players?
On an acoustic instrument thicker strings tend to be louder and offer a
deeper spectrum of tone than thin strings. At some point, as thickness
increases, the thickness makes the playing uncomfortable for anything but
open chords or slide work.
I don't think that on an electric solid body guitar the string guage has
nearly as much to do with the tone and loudness as on an acoustic. It is
true that all guitars have an acoustic component to the sound, but when
using any kind of contact or magnetic pickup that component is diminished
and the character of the string and pickup assembly become more important.
The pickup / amp assembly, if you will allow, is much more important than
the guage of the strings when discussing a guitar with a pickup. The string
/ guitar assembly is more imortant when discussing the sound of a purely
acoustic instrument.
So, it is up to you. If you play a D series and want sound like a grand
piano mount mediums or heavys and play what you can. If you want to play
lead and work up on the neck, play a guage that allows it and still sounds
good to you.
Steve
"Julien BH" <julienbh@gmail,com > wrote in message
news:9ab7941a-c3a7-4791-a30e-d5863a47cd51@8g2000hse.googlegroups,com ...
> Why would I want higher gauge strings?
> Are the 9's for beginner and the 12's for advanced players?
On an acoustic instrument thicker strings tend to be louder and offer a
deeper spectrum of tone than thin strings. At some point, as thickness
increases, the thickness makes the playing uncomfortable for anything but
open chords or slide work.
I don't think that on an electric solid body guitar the string guage has
nearly as much to do with the tone and loudness as on an acoustic. It is
true that all guitars have an acoustic component to the sound, but when
using any kind of contact or magnetic pickup that component is diminished
and the character of the string and pickup assembly become more important.
The pickup / amp assembly, if you will allow, is much more important than
the guage of the strings when discussing a guitar with a pickup. The string
/ guitar assembly is more imortant when discussing the sound of a purely
acoustic instrument.
So, it is up to you. If you play a D series and want sound like a grand
piano mount mediums or heavys and play what you can. If you want to play
lead and work up on the neck, play a guage that allows it and still sounds
good to you.
Steve
Re: Why would I want higher gauge strings ?
I've always preferred the .009s myself. Probably most people do play .
010s these days but for me the .009s just feel so comfortable. Also,
my hands are probably a little smaller than average and I am prone to
some arthritic problems, so the lighter strings probably let me play
longer.
I also grew up in an era when there were a lot of guitar solos and
people played lighter strings so they could bend easier. If I was
growing up today listening to alt rock I'd probably be playing heavier
strings and just dunking chords, so that can be an influence. They
say the heavier strings give you more tone, and that's probably true
to some extent, but my .009s sound okay to me.
I've always preferred the .009s myself. Probably most people do play .
010s these days but for me the .009s just feel so comfortable. Also,
my hands are probably a little smaller than average and I am prone to
some arthritic problems, so the lighter strings probably let me play
longer.
I also grew up in an era when there were a lot of guitar solos and
people played lighter strings so they could bend easier. If I was
growing up today listening to alt rock I'd probably be playing heavier
strings and just dunking chords, so that can be an influence. They
say the heavier strings give you more tone, and that's probably true
to some extent, but my .009s sound okay to me.
Re: Why would I want higher gauge strings ?
On Tue, 13 May 2008 12:56:35 -0700 (PDT), Julien BH
<julienbh@gmail,com > wrote:
>Why would I want higher gauge strings?
>Are the 9's for beginner and the 12's for advanced players?
You have to try several different gauges to find out which ones are
right for *you*.
I like .011s because to me they sound fatter and I prefer a string
that pushes back, although on my jazz box where I don't bend much I
use .012 chrome flats. I don't much care for the "wet noodle" light
gauges.
I tried lotta brands, lotta gauges, then chose D'Addario XL115s, but
it's really a personal choice.
Tejas Pedro
On Tue, 13 May 2008 12:56:35 -0700 (PDT), Julien BH
<julienbh@gmail,com > wrote:
>Why would I want higher gauge strings?
>Are the 9's for beginner and the 12's for advanced players?
You have to try several different gauges to find out which ones are
right for *you*.
I like .011s because to me they sound fatter and I prefer a string
that pushes back, although on my jazz box where I don't bend much I
use .012 chrome flats. I don't much care for the "wet noodle" light
gauges.
I tried lotta brands, lotta gauges, then chose D'Addario XL115s, but
it's really a personal choice.
Tejas Pedro
Re: Why would I want higher gauge strings ?
"Julien BH" <julienbh@gmail,com > wrote in message
news:9ab7941a-c3a7-4791-a30e-d5863a47cd51@8g2000hse.googlegroups,com ...
> Why would I want higher gauge strings?
> Are the 9's for beginner and the 12's for advanced players?
i've found that in summer, 9's are too sloppy (especially on 24.75" scale
length guitars) and on cold winter nights 10's are just a tad hard and take
longer to warm up. strings being metal do expand with heat. when you are
playing, even if you aren't playing like malmsteen, body heat is transferred
to the string, even through chording, you raise the string's temperature and
it is transferred throught whole length of the string ... and some people
also have warmer hands than others.
if there's anything in the tone side of it, that can be addressed with
hotter pickups etc. but heavier gauge strings do sound louder to me,
particularly on acoustic guitars. maybe jazz musos play higher gauge strings
because they aren't bending as much. hand strength has a lot to do with it
as well, whether or not you are bending flat or sharp.
"Julien BH" <julienbh@gmail,com > wrote in message
news:9ab7941a-c3a7-4791-a30e-d5863a47cd51@8g2000hse.googlegroups,com ...
> Why would I want higher gauge strings?
> Are the 9's for beginner and the 12's for advanced players?
i've found that in summer, 9's are too sloppy (especially on 24.75" scale
length guitars) and on cold winter nights 10's are just a tad hard and take
longer to warm up. strings being metal do expand with heat. when you are
playing, even if you aren't playing like malmsteen, body heat is transferred
to the string, even through chording, you raise the string's temperature and
it is transferred throught whole length of the string ... and some people
also have warmer hands than others.
if there's anything in the tone side of it, that can be addressed with
hotter pickups etc. but heavier gauge strings do sound louder to me,
particularly on acoustic guitars. maybe jazz musos play higher gauge strings
because they aren't bending as much. hand strength has a lot to do with it
as well, whether or not you are bending flat or sharp.
