Top 3 things you consider when buying strings

[RVA]

does anybody else feel that Fender guitars behave better with one grade lighter
strings than Gibsons? I don't own a Strat, just talking from experience with my Telecaster.

I have never thought about it in direct comparison before, but I would agree with that. The 9-46 that I use do feel more natural on the Fenders. I am not sure how much of this is based on my preconceptions of what the guitars "should be" however. We do have the exception that proves the rule, SRV (although I still do not really understand that expression, but nonetheless - SRV)

 

[peejaybee]

does anybody else feel that Fender guitars behave better with one grade lighter
strings than Gibsons? I don't own a Strat, just talking from experience with my Telecaster.

I think I got the idea here at ETSG that this is the way to go. It makes sense -- with the longer scale length, you need either more tension or a thinner string to get the same frequency.

 

[RVA]

I have a bunch of extra 10s. I am going to try using them as a B string. It appears that this is the gauge used for the B strings in .08-.38 sets.

 

[Paul G.]

does anybody else feel that Fender guitars behave better with one grade lighter
strings than Gibsons? I don't own a Strat, just talking from experience with my Telecaster.

Fenders have a longer scale than Gibsons, so you need more tension to tune to pitch. Lighter strings do feel right on a Fender, especially Telecasters.

Stratocasters feel a bit looser because of the Whamulator. You have to pull strings farther to bend, but they feel looser because the springs give a bit. Strats also sound better with heavier strings, gives them a throatier sound, but they fight you more.

P.

 

[smitty_p]

My guitar string use is all over the map:

1974 SG - Ernie Ball Power Slinky, 11's

SG Original 2 - Tomastik Blues Sliders, 9's

Les Paul - Ernie Ball 10's. I may switch to Tomastik Blues Sliders, 10's on this guitar.

Washburn HB30 - Ernie Ball 10's

Jackson Dinky - Ernie Ball 9's

Fender Stratocaster - Fender Bullets, 9's

I select strings based on how they feel and sound on that guitar. Also, for a guitar with a Bigsby (like my '74 SG and my Les Paul), you need strings that are heavy enough to compress the coil spring to a point where it is exerting more consistent pressure.

 

[Glenn]

1 are they GHS
2 are they Nickle Rockers
3 are they under $6
The ghs nickle rockers are roller wound and are in between a flat wound and....Well any other wind string. They feel like satin.

 

[ivan H]

I've used Ernie Ball nickel wound for ages without a problem so don't see a need to change. I use 10-46 on my SG, LP & strat so bulk buy them. When my local music store had a good deal on them I got a 3 pack of 9-42 to try on the strat but went back to the 10-46 after the first set. The Jackson I just got has d'addario 9-42's & I like so I'll try the remaining 2 sets of Ernie Ball's on it. Cheers

 

[Biddlin]

Ya know, when an electric guitarist asks what is the biggest contributor to the guitar's "tone" strings are the first thing that pop onto my head. Change to a brand or alloy you're not used to and you will hear the difference right away. When I was gigging in bars several nights a week, I used Ernie Ball because they were cheap and reliable. I changed strings a couple of times a week. As I got a few more guitars, I still used more strings, but changed them less often. A few years ago, I started using D'Addario strings. Currently I have NYXL 9s on most of my electrics. I feel that they are the longest lasting strings I've ever used, at least 50% more usable life than Ernie's. I have a set on the "Platinum" LP Melody Maker that is at least six month's old and still ring like a bell. On one Les Paul, I have 12-54 chrome wires, I use it with my saloon crooner pianist's jazz quintet. It mimics an acoustic archtop rather nicely. On my Strat I have .007 .038 Rev Willy's. If I have any complaint with them it is a relatively short lifespan, but I get them blessedly cheap and don't play the Strat that often.

 

[Biddlin]

does anybody else feel that Fender guitars behave better with one grade lighter
strings than Gibsons? I don't own a Strat, just talking from experience with my Telecaster.

Of course. That extra length of a 25 1/2" scale means moe weight under your fingers. If you play .010-.046 on your Gibson, you'll need to go down to .009-.042 on your Fender to approximate the same feel. Because I play .009s on my Gibbos, .007 on a Strat is just a little lighter. I also find that the .007s are much better at staying in tune than heavier strings if you float your Strat tremolo.

 

[Alex_SG]

All three of my electrics have Gibson Brite Wires 9s on them.
I have tried different brands, different sizes etc, but just keep coming back to the Brite Wires.

 

[Lineboat]

Of course. That extra length of a 25 1/2" scale means moe weight under your fingers. If you play .010-.046 on your Gibson, you'll need to go down to .009-.042 on your Fender to approximate the same feel. Because I play .009s on my Gibbos, .007 on a Strat is just a little lighter. I also find that the .007s are much better at staying in tune than heavier strings if you float your Strat tremolo.

7's are easy on the fingers too!
I was able to get the kids a lot more interested by dropping string gauge, and it does feel nice.

 

[gball]

GHS Boomers 10-46 on everything. Why? they feel and sound better than anything else I have tried, plus they are extremely consistent in quality (I have never broken a single one). I change strings after about 5-6 hours of play, so I don't worry too much about longevity but I do find that they wear well too.

 

[RVA]

GHS Boomers 10-46 on everything. Why? they feel and sound better than anything else I have tried, plus they are extremely consistent in quality (I have never broken a single one). I change strings after about 5-6 hours of play, so I don't worry too much about longevity but I do find that they wear well too.

Wow, do you really find that they are not worth keeping after only 6 hours of play? Do you have a high PH/acid content to your sweat so that your strings and bridge tend to corrode quickly?

 

[Biddlin]

Wow, do you really find that they are not worth keeping after only 6 hours of play? Do you have a high PH/acid content to your sweat so that your strings and bridge tend to corrode quickly?

That's about the usable life I get out of Ernie Balls. Aside from environmental chemicals, the mechanics of a guitar in use put considerable force in several directions on the strings. Over the course of a couple or three gigs, the tiny dents and bends add up. The NYXLs have bright clear tone and resist physical distortion for much longer than EBs. BTW, if you want to wear out strings in an hour or less, get stainless steel frets. A client who insisted on SS frets now laments the cost of strings.........

 

[gball]

Wow, do you really find that they are not worth keeping after only 6 hours of play? Do you have a high PH/acid content to your sweat so that your strings and bridge tend to corrode quickly?

I think Biddlin sums it up. They just don't sound or feel right after that amount of time. Strings are cheap, so i change them often to get the best feel and tone.

 

[RVA]

That's about the usable life I get out of Ernie Balls. Aside from environmental chemicals, the mechanics of a guitar in use put considerable force in several directions on the strings. Over the course of a couple or three gigs, the tiny dents and bends add up. The NYXLs have bright clear tone and resist physical distortion for much longer than EBs. BTW, if you want to wear out strings in an hour or less, get stainless steel frets. A client who insisted on SS frets now laments the cost of strings.........

Very interesting. I think I may not have the ear or feel for this. When I put on new strings, while I do notice a difference, it is not particularly dramatic to me.

I have SS frets on a few guitars. I am going to look at the underside of the strings and compare them to other guitars.