Why all the hate for 9s?

**paranoid70** · 11-05-2007, 09:12 AM

It seems whenever I go to the store to buy strings, the sales guys always try to convince me to get 10s or 11s rather than 9s. Is it just a personal preference or is there really something there? I have been playing Super Slinkys pretty much the whole time (over 20 years). I don't know if I want to get used to changing to a thicker guage at this point. Old dog and new tricks.

I do sometimes have issues with string breakages, but I don't think a slightly thicker guage would make that big of a difference.

If the guitar was previously strung with 9s does one need to make adjustments to the truss rod or action if one decides to go with 10s? Or is the difference pretty negligible? I mean we are only talking .001".

**fsmith** · 11-05-2007, 09:37 AM

Got me... I used to used nothing but 10's. The first thing I'd do is change out the strings on my new guitars and put 10's on 'em. One day I was doing some 2 whole step bends on a guitar set up with 9's and one w' 10's. Big difference.

Changed over to 9's and haven't looked back. The only one I haven't changed back yet is the Petrucci. I just don't feel like playing with the floating bridge again. I'll eventually set it up with 9's again though.

I haven't had to do too much truss rod tweakage in the constant swaps, just trem claw adjustment and springs to get the bridge to stay down.

9's are easier on the "old" fingers for sure.

And I've never had a problem with breakage using the 9's either.

fred

**DrKev** · 11-05-2007, 11:10 AM

It's one of those "tone", "manly", "SRV used 12s or 13s or whatever and anything less is for wusses" kind of thing. Honestly, yes, the difference in tension is noticeable, going from brand to brand even more so sometimes, but the change in tone is not so huge going up or down one gauge.

It's all about comfort in my book - I'm more comfortable with 9s so I play better. That's the bottom line 'cause the audience won't hear any difference in your tone, only the notes you play.

**TNT** · 11-05-2007, 11:30 AM

What do you think are the "most" popular gauge strings are (9's or 10's)??? I think 9's by far, but you may want to double check.

Unless the player is really aware of a precise difference in his tone, I think it does have a lot to do with what was previously mentioned regarding the "thicker the gauge the better the guitarist" LOL LOL Strings that are harder to bend, the stronger the player! Kinda like World Wrestling.

Well, if that's the case then no one should buy a Les Paul (shorter scale equals less string tension making it "too easy to bend strings!" Well, they shouldn't buy one anyway, but I was just trying to make a point.

And, yes, a change in string gauge "does require an adjustment of everything" if you're going to do it correctly.

**TheStiffness** · 11-05-2007, 02:06 PM

If you are a fan of 9's (or 10's, for that matter) you might want to try our RPS sets! The plain strings have an extra wrap, near the ball end, that provides a little extra reinforcement! The RPS strings also stay in tune longer! Try 'em out!

**MrMusashi** · 11-05-2007, 02:37 PM

if i was to judge by the number of replacement strings we sell, the 9 beats the 10 by 5:1

im a bass player and i dont mind the 11 tension. gives a nice twang too.. hehe

MrM

**TylerDowBryant** · 11-05-2007, 02:47 PM

It's all preference...I over bend on 9s, just because I play pretty hard and I have always used 10s. SRV would over bend on 10s, or break them, so he used bigger. There is no right or wrong. It's just whatever you are most comfortable with. I like my big E and A bigger than most...Mainly because I hit those strings really hard. Luke on the other hand, has a really light touch...He doesn't need the bigger strings. It's all about what feels good to you.

**Jason5150** · 11-05-2007, 03:37 PM

Apparently Brian May uses 8's and he is the tone king! I use 9's on one guitar and 10's on another....I just put it down to personal preference.

**paranoid70** · 11-05-2007, 03:51 PM

Originally Posted by TheStiffness

If you are a fan of 9's (or 10's, for that matter) you might want to try our RPS sets! The plain strings have an extra wrap, near the ball end, that provides a little extra reinforcement! The RPS strings also stay in tune longer! Try 'em out!

Thanks. However, I typically break the D string. Would the RPS strings provide any extra reinforcment over the Super Slinkys for the A & D strings?

**Jodizzle** · 11-05-2007, 05:15 PM

Originally Posted by paranoid70

Thanks. However, I typically break the D string. Would the RPS strings provide any extra reinforcment over the Super Slinkys for the A & D strings?

RPS sets are the same as Slinkys except for the PLAIN strings .. only those are reinforced. When it comes to the wound strings .. you're just gonna have to play nice

Don't worry boys, we won't judge you on what gauge you use .. just how well you shredddd!

**roburado** · 11-05-2007, 05:31 PM

My 20th has 9s. My JP and Silo Spec have 10s. I like the 9s for ease of operation. I think I just like the feel and sound of the 10s better, though. I may go to 10s on the 20th.

Been playing bass and acoustic a fair amount lately. The 10s feel pretty light after doing that.

**A.J.** · 11-05-2007, 05:54 PM

I tend to over bend on 9's as well. No hate though. I promise.

**dmullen** · 11-06-2007, 06:55 AM

Originally Posted by Jodizzle

Don't worry boys, we won't judge you on what gauge you use .. just how well you shredddd!

haha...love it!

**MikeVt** · 11-06-2007, 08:26 AM

I think some of it might have to do with what's popular from a music perspective too. Given the trend for dropped tunings lately (or have we moved out of that phase yet?), it's probably that most of the kids walking into guitar stores spend a lot of time strumming on thicker strings....so from a store owner's perspective, 9s may not be 'in'. Just speculation though...

I'm a 9 fan myself, but I have been liking the sustain and tone I've been getting out of my JP LE with 10s. I'm planning to leave it strung that way for a while and see what happens...

Mike