Tried out some new guages.....

**Progdude** · 03-19-2010, 09:09 PM

Well Ive been using 10-46s in standard tuning on my Silo for quite some time. So I feel that a change is due. Every once in a while Ill experiment with strings (brands,guages,) The lightest set I ever used on an electric guitar was 7 to 36! The heaviest was 13-72 both in standard tuning. So today I slapped on a set of "Skinny Top Heavy Bottom Ernie Ball Strings". The beefier E,A,D strings packed a very nice fat warm sustaining tone that was very pleasant. I tend to play a good mix of Fusion,Shred,Classic Rock, Neo-Classical,Blues,Bluegrass,Jazz,Metal. In doing this I remembered back when I had a 7 few string guitars. I started with 9-56, then eventually went to 10-59 then i went into "Overkill' mode and used 10-72! basically I had to use a set of the EB Baritone Strings 13-72 and a Set of Regular 10-46. The .72 sounded awesome! Very very full and tons of sustain and plenty of definition. Just totally Crushing.
So I ordered a set of Regular Slinkys and a few single strings to make my own custom string guages. So these are gonna be 10-13-17-28-40-60. They might vary a little bit. But Im pretty sure I will like it a lot! I know its gonna be a bit more of a struggle to play but I dont mind. I actually like having to fight a bit to get out what want from my guitar. And playing EBMMs, struggling doesnt really happen.

Yeah for shredding with big strings!!!!

**TNT** · 03-20-2010, 12:12 AM

Yeah, usually I struggle with the bass player!!

#2253 love em'!!

**Progdude** · 03-21-2010, 12:20 AM

tossed on the 10-60 today! I like it a lot. Super fat sounding! Works great with my Timmons and Liquifire pickups.

**RocketRalf** · 03-21-2010, 10:55 AM

Thicker strings definitely produce a darker tone and more sustain. I liked the 10-52 set a lot too. The lower strings are great for trash and some drop tuning. For standard tuning a standard 10 set might work for me too. I don't think I'm going back to 9s, at least not in my Silo.

**Progdude** · 03-21-2010, 01:28 PM

Yeah 9s feel so rubber band like. I need strings with some tension! 10-60 in standard tuning seems to be doing it for me at the moment.

**marsguitars** · 03-23-2010, 03:31 PM

I've always used 10s or 9s (or even D'Ad***** 9.5s), but am becoming more convinced that I should go for heavier strings and just toughen up to get strength for bends! What's max bend you can do on 2nd string at, say 9th fret with 11s?

**Progdude** · 03-23-2010, 10:11 PM

Originally Posted by marsguitars

I've always used 10s or 9s (or even D'Ad***** 9.5s), but am becoming more convinced that I should go for heavier strings and just toughen up to get strength for bends! What's max bend you can do on 2nd string at, say 9th fret with 11s?

Well first try on my Silo with 10-60 (only the low end is beefed up) the second string a is a .13. So from the G# (9th fret 2nd string) I nailed a C#.

On my Fender American Deluxe with just 10s on it. I nailed a D this time.

Try bending the first string at the 2nd fret more than a step and a half. Thats tough.