Are 9.5 EB’s in the future?

[candid_x]

I love EB strings, but 9’s for are too thin (for me) and my smallish old hands don’t deal well with 10’s, as I use a fair amount of bending and vibrato. I have found what is for me the ideal gauge, made my an EB competitor (who I’ll not mention here): 9.5-11.5-16-24-34-44.

Does EB have any plans in the future to come out with this gauge or something similar? It’s soon time to restock and I’d like to know if I should hold off on restocking or not?

Thanks,
Bruce

 

[Big Poppa]

the tolerance for wire is a quarter of a thousandth on an inch so the answer is no and if I blindfolded you .....

Do me a favor get a micromenter and check your 9.5's and let me know what they measure

 

[candid_x]

the tolerance for wire is a quarter of a thousandth on an inch so the answer is no and if I blindfolded you .....

Do me a favor get a micromenter and check your 9.5's and let me know what they measure

Hi BP,

Thanks very much for responding to this.

I just A/B mic’d the high E on each. True to claim, the EB is .009 and the other is .0095.

I’ve A/B-played these before on several occasions, on the same guitar and on three different guitars. The difference in feel and flexibility is obvious, even with blindfolds. But I was never sure if the difference was only in the diameter or if it had something to do with the alloy itself. The middle two strings, though same in diameter, do seem a bit stiffer on the other brand.

I can’t fairly compare the power or authority of these different brands, as the low E and A have a .002 difference.

Naturally, I've tried EB 10's on more than one occassion, and they're just too heavy for me to deal with easily.

Bruce

 

[JDouglee]

9.5s are great! Nice if 9s are too "slinky" for you and 10s are too stiff for bending.

Yup, it IS noticable.

 

[candid_x]

Anyway, BP, I do appreciate receiving your answer - no.

 

[Jimi D]

candid x - I've been putting a single .010 E string with a set of Hybrid Slinkies on my single-coil equipped guitars for a while now - you could do the same with Super Slinkies and find a feel very close to the .0095 guage set you suggest above... my 2¢

 

[Norrin Radd]

I honestly can't believe that there is that much noticeable difference (outside of the inside of someone's pysche) between 9.5s and 9s or 10's. That seems like a really small quibble to me. BUT, if it makes playing easier for you, than buy the other set.

Frankly, if you were my kid, I'd tell you to sack up. I've got small hands too and I play STHBs (10-52s). Sure, they're not easy to bend - but they do. And the tone is noticeably better than 9s. If I were you, I'd give the 10s a serious shot (meaning: put them on your guitars for at least 3-6 months and let your fingers and hands get used to them), then, and only then, give an honest evaluation to yourself. I think you'll find that the 10s have become just as easy to play as the 9.5s AND your tone will be just a tad richer. AND, if you decide you don't like the 10s, your hands will now be slightly stronger and your callouses a bit tougher and you should have increased the over technical accuracy of your playing when you go back to the 9.5s.

My .005 cents.

 

[candid_x]

Jimi, thanks for the suggestion, but it isn’t just the E string that’s different.

Norrin, “frankly”, I’m not your kid, and I didn’t just fall off a turnip truck. I find both your and BP’s insinuation that I’m talking out of my ass to be insulting. Have either of you tried Boomer 9.5's yet?

It’s no big deal. I’ll use what works for me.

 

[Big Poppa]

whoa baby candid there are two ways you can look at this...one you asked me MY OPINION and you take that opinion and totally disrespect it. Its my opinion. I understand tolerances and know that you can feel a half a thousand (thanks J dougee, welcome back) I have never said that you are wrong I just told you that we didnt want to come out with them. I never insinuated that because you like 9.5's that you are wrong either or talkin out of your ass...I think you fired a cheap shot at me. You know I actually get to run this company and know the chances of getting pegs on the wall in retail for half thousandth sets. My micrometer suggestion is that you will see a varience even with oyour favorite string maker as there are only two prime suppliers for wire for all of us string companies. I wasnt dissing GHS or Daddario either

Do you find them hard to get in regular stores?

 

[Smellybum]

I haven't seen 'em in the UK for years....

 

[candid_x]

Hi BP,

My question was simply “Does EB have any plans in the future to come out with this gauge or something similar?” Just to be clear, I was anything but disrespectful until Norrin’s smug remarks, and I felt that your “if I blindfolded you” comment suggested that I wouldn’t be able to tell the difference on a strung guitar. My apology for that misunderstanding. I did notice slight variances with the mic gauge, but the mean still measured a .0005 difference.

If anything, I figured you might appreciate knowing your competitor’s products, and I know for a fact that I’m not the only one who has made this switch, so there is a market, albeit small, which is moving away from your brand. Thought that would be of interest to you.

I’ve been brand loyal to EB strings since I started playing or shortly thereafter, which was 40 years ago, using both 9’s and 10’s intermittently. Always dug ‘em, except that there seemed to be a gap somewhere between 9’s and 10’s which could be filled. The 9.5-44 filled that gap for me. I know you’ve expanded to hybrid sets and wondered if you’ve considered something along the lines as I’ve described. That’s all I was simply asking.

Anyhoo, to answer your question, I buy them online from Musician’s Friend, by the dozen. I change strings often and am on my second dozen. Where I live there’s just one mom-pop music store, and they have very little in string inventory.

Thanks again for your response.

Bruce

 

[robelinda2]

its a tough one. I hear ya Bruce. i use 9's, 10's and 11's, depending on the gig. country gig - 9's. Eb cover band - 11's. in general i like 10's. i have tried the Boomer 9.5 and i did like them, 9's are too weak. however i didnt continue to buy them as the shops in my area dont stock them, but they also dont stock EB 10's either! everywhere has D'Addario and its so annoying. One shop even told me Ernie Ball hasnt made strings since 1977, despite the fact the guy was standing in front of the string rack which was displaying EB super slinky's!

 

[Big Poppa]

bruce fine I still say that you will have .0925's and .00975s from time to time.....

For every player I lose to 9.5's we are fortunatley gaining mnore...Like John Mayer!

 

[JDouglee]

Whatever works for ya, I think. I still use 9s on some guitars, but one that really
works with 9.5s is my JP7 (with added .056). The audience can't tell what strings
are on there, but they see that axe so there ya go. ;o)

 

[roburado]

bruce fine I still say that you will have .0925's and .00975s from time to time.....

For every player I lose to 9.5's we are fortunatley gaining mnore...Like John Mayer!

What gauge does John Mayer use?

 

[peterd79]

I asked on the guitar side... but i've yet to hear anything...

I know that when he was using D'Adarrio strings he was using 11's and if that his preference I would assume that he might be using The Power Slinky (11-48)... I'm going to go pick up a set and try 'em today... see what it sounds like...