A Question Of Feel:

[Inspector #20]

I notice that my playing is much more fluid and my vibrato more vibrant on my Gibson scale guitars with .009's (tuned 1/2 step down) in comparison to my Strat with .009's, also tuned a half step down.

Until I get my Gibson scale neck, would .008's approximate the tension???

 

[eSGEe]

I tried 8's once
let me preface this with --- Im a bass player at heart----- the "8" gauge high E string ----- no, just no--- was like trying to play a bit of spider webbing--- hated them

 

[DonP]

No. The step from .009 to .008 is much bigger than from a Gibson scale to a Fender scale.

 

[smitty_p]

I notice that my playing is much more fluid and my vibrato more vibrant on my Gibson scale guitars with .009's (tuned 1/2 step down) in comparison to my Strat with .009's, also tuned a half step down.

Until I get my Gibson scale neck, would .008's approximate the tension???

It wouldn’t be the same. Part of your fluidity may be because you’re more comfortable with the shorter scale. String gauge won’t help with that.

Personally, I don’t like anything lighter than 9’s. That’s just me. Some folks like 8’s. I don’t like the almost imperceptible feel of 8’s.

I don’t want to feel like I’m pushing a cable, but I still want to feel something under my fingers.

But, strings are cheap. It can’t hurt to try a set to see if you like it.

 

[Inspector #20]

Thanks, Guys...

 

[Session 5]

I don't like the sound of the high E string with 9s, can't imagine what it would sound like with 8s.

 

[CabanaBoy]

I used 8's for a while when I was younger, but I broke more strings than Elvis...

 

[gball]

As others have said, the answer is no. But what strikes me is that you are using 9's tuned down. Wow, that would be wet noodle territory for me. 10's are just cutting it for me in standard tuning.

 

[DonP]

I don't like the sound of the high E string with 9s, can't imagine what it would sound like with 8s.

Listen to ZZ Top and know what it is like with 7s

 

[Inspector #20]

As others have said, the answer is no. But what strikes me is that you are using 9's tuned down. Wow, that would be wet noodle territory for me. 10's are just cutting it for me in standard tuning.

I know, right???

 

[syscokid]

As others have said, the answer is no. But what strikes me is that you are using 9's tuned down. Wow, that would be wet noodle territory for me. 10's are just cutting it for me in standard tuning.

Talk about a wet noodle...: I've been stuck on 10's since the 80s. Not to long ago I dropped the tuning from a standard E to a standard C# on one of my guitars. At that point, I can hear how Tony Iommi gets part of his unique sound. But wow... I couldn't believe how loose the strings felt. Iommi's guitars that are tuned to C# Standard: .009 – .010 – .012 – .020w – .032 – .042!!!!!!!!

 

[Inspector #20]

Talk about a wet noodle...: I've been stuck on 10's since the 80s. Not to long ago I dropped the tuning from a standard E to a standard C# on one of my guitars. At that point, I can hear how Tony Iommi gets part of his unique sound. But wow... I couldn't believe how loose the strings felt. Iommi's guitars that are tuned to C# Standard: .009 – .010 – .012 – .020w – .032 – .042!!!!!!!!

.009's on my Gibson's feels GREAT. Just the right tension at Eb. But hard to go 1-1/2 step or 2 steps cleanly and with fluidity on the Stratocaster at Eb...