Hey there: Anybody else have this problem? Been using .009 thru .042 strings forever. Tried once years ago to use 10's, hated them (too much tension). Would love to use 10's because I figure bigger strings, bigger tone. So I just put regular slinkeys on my Les Paul and intonated it. Absolutely hate the tension still, but noticed immediately how much better the guitar intonates and stays in tune. Also does sound a little thicker. Feels like I'm playin freakin telephone wires after being raised on .009's though. So I have this dilemma now, the .009's play like butter and the .010's are more stable but stiff by comparison. The .009's can be a bitch to keep in tune if you play a lot of lead but they feel good! Anyone else go through this ? Did you tuff it out and learn to like .010's or stick with what feels good ? Thanks bros...
- Thread starter ljberbi
- Start date
DrKev
Moderator
I used 10s for a very long time and then decided to try 9s again. The change in tone means nothing to me really. Yes, it's there but I didn't care that much and in a band situation it's lost in the mix anyway so whether it was 10s or 9s made no difference to me, the band, or the audience. I find tuning stability is as much to do with maintenance of the guitar as it is with the strings and I always a tuner anyway so again the 10s had no great advantage to me. I voted for comfort instead and stayed with the 9s.
Of course when I originally went to 10s, many years ago, after a few weeks I didn't notice the tension any more. The fingers will get used to it. How long it takes depends on how often you play.
K.
Of course when I originally went to 10s, many years ago, after a few weeks I didn't notice the tension any more. The fingers will get used to it. How long it takes depends on how often you play.
K.
agt
Well-known member
I started with 9s, then went to 10s, and for the past ten years or so I've used 11's for similar reasons. I play rock and use standard A 440 tuning.
Pros of heavier strings: Better intonation, bigger tone, more tension/positive feel/less squirrelly.
Cons of heavier strings: Bending is definitely harder. At least initially.
The thing is that you can do something about the bending difficulty: after a few weeks, once you have built the strength, heavier strings don't seem any harder to bend than the lighter ones.
But, in my experience, nothing can compensate for the intonation and tone issues of light strings.
Pros of heavier strings: Better intonation, bigger tone, more tension/positive feel/less squirrelly.
Cons of heavier strings: Bending is definitely harder. At least initially.
The thing is that you can do something about the bending difficulty: after a few weeks, once you have built the strength, heavier strings don't seem any harder to bend than the lighter ones.
But, in my experience, nothing can compensate for the intonation and tone issues of light strings.
D'Addario vs. Ernie Ball
You guys all make some excellent points with regard to my string gage issue, I appreciate the input. How about another subject...string brands. Is there really any measureable differences between D'Addario and EB ? If so, what are they. Would love some input on this from guys whom have experience with both strings. Rock on!
You guys all make some excellent points with regard to my string gage issue, I appreciate the input. How about another subject...string brands. Is there really any measureable differences between D'Addario and EB ? If so, what are they. Would love some input on this from guys whom have experience with both strings. Rock on!
DrKev
Moderator
To my ears, every brand has a different sound and feel (i.e. tension, comparing like gauges). I didn't like the sound of d'Addario's as much as anything else so I stopped using them. That was 15 years ago. Of course now I don't care about tone so much but I'm very happy with my Slinkys - I love the way they sound and feel and I know I can rely on the quality and consistency. It's also important to me to support a company that I can respect and is dedicated to quality and customer service. For me EB wins all round.
Norrin Radd
Well-known member
Can anyone explain, in a technical fashion, why heavier strings intonate better? Thanks!
MrMusashi
Well-known member
more mass needs more tension to vibrate at the same frequency. this gives more stable vibration in the string. just try picking very hard on a .42 string (regular e tuning). you will notice the note changes as the string vibrations become smaller and smaller. almost like a lil pitch bend..
now string it with a 46 and you will notice a difference.. try a 52 and it will be an even bigger difference.
MrM
now string it with a 46 and you will notice a difference.. try a 52 and it will be an even bigger difference.
MrM
marsguitars
Well-known member
Nicely put, MrMusashi.
It's all about mass, tension and frequency.
But the best bet is try things and find out for yourself. Strings are cheap - experiment!
It's all about mass, tension and frequency.
But the best bet is try things and find out for yourself. Strings are cheap - experiment!
Brian
Ernie Ball Customer Service
- Joined
- Jul 31, 2002
- Messages
- 254
Check this video out that we did with John Petrucci.
http://www.ernieball.com/jp/main.html
He describes string gauge / tension etc.
Pretty cool...
http://www.ernieball.com/jp/main.html
He describes string gauge / tension etc.
Pretty cool...
phatduckk
Well-known member
great video dude. thanks
marsguitars
Well-known member
Great video! I like the way he describes his strings as 'rubber bandy' with 9's tuned down to C, but tight when using NES 12's. And even with all that distortion/overdrive you can hear the difference with the Not Even Slinkys - nore clarity from each note. A brilliant demo.
benjaminsherman
New member
Biggest issue I find this lighter guage strings is how easy it is to unintentionally push the strings out of tune slightly on chords. I like the stability of heavier strings
