• Registered: 2012-07-04
  • Posts: 9

Topic: Joe's String Gauge

Hey Guys. My question is, which string size uses Joe??

  • From: Ridgeland, MS
  • Registered: 2009-08-12
  • Posts: 1,248

Re: Joe's String Gauge

11-52

  • From: New Hampshire, USA
  • Registered: 2010-12-21
  • Posts: 3,650

Re: Joe's String Gauge

11-52 as stated I think Joe uses Ernie Ball. You should give Curt Mangan a try they are awesome get pure nickel: 11-15-22p-30-42-52.
check their web site you can order them on line. These string fell great under your fingers and sound even better.
Cheers Ron

"Joe B saved my soul, forever grateful Ron"
"Some people dream of worthy accomplishments while others stay awake and do them"
Skinner #1,JBLP 145(aged),252, (unaged),#285HM, Bburst #026, Joes 052 BCC black LP, Strat> RT,EC Gilmour,Beck,Lenny LP> PK 83,CC#2,3,4,9,Amps>Carol Ann RAH JB-100 SN 001,JB100 Red SN02,OD2, OD3,Tucana 2&3 Triptix,Twinkle land, Plexi ,JB Jub, Jubs,Plexi,Satch,Two Rock>others
  • From: Rio, Brazil
  • Registered: 2012-02-18
  • Posts: 43

Re: Joe's String Gauge

It's a bit strange... I believe that he is using now Ernie Ball Slinky Cobalt. But if I'm not wrong, this line has no 11-52. There's a few of gauges near of that:

http://www.jouellinestrings.com.au/imag … _power.jpg

http://www.jouellinestrings.com.au/imag … eefyco.jpg

http://www.jouellinestrings.com.au/imag … skinny.jpg

Anyway, Joe is not from this world... LOL .011 !!! I use 10-46 and that's my limit. Joe bend his string as if it was made of butter.

  • From: York, PA
  • Registered: 2010-08-27
  • Posts: 1,749

Re: Joe's String Gauge

When you're endorsed by Ernie Ball, they'll send you whatever gauges you want. No, they don't make a set of 11-52 for the public market so if you feel that is what you need then you'll have to look into another brand as stated above. I don't care for that gauge either. Like you, I prefer 10-46 or up to a 48 on a LP. I think a 52 on the low end feels like a bass string.

  • From: New Hampshire, USA
  • Registered: 2010-12-21
  • Posts: 3,650

Re: Joe's String Gauge

helrazr84 wrote:

When you're endorsed by Ernie Ball, they'll send you whatever gauges you want. No, they don't make a set of 11-52 for the public market so if you feel that is what you need then you'll have to look into another brand as stated above. I don't care for that gauge either. Like you, I prefer 10-46 or up to a 48 on a LP. I think a 52 on the low end feels like a bass string.

You should try it sometime. Yes you will need to have it readjusted for the heavy gauge strings but you may be surprised of the tone.
Cheers Ron

"Joe B saved my soul, forever grateful Ron"
"Some people dream of worthy accomplishments while others stay awake and do them"
Skinner #1,JBLP 145(aged),252, (unaged),#285HM, Bburst #026, Joes 052 BCC black LP, Strat> RT,EC Gilmour,Beck,Lenny LP> PK 83,CC#2,3,4,9,Amps>Carol Ann RAH JB-100 SN 001,JB100 Red SN02,OD2, OD3,Tucana 2&3 Triptix,Twinkle land, Plexi ,JB Jub, Jubs,Plexi,Satch,Two Rock>others
  • From: York, PA
  • Registered: 2010-08-27
  • Posts: 1,749

Re: Joe's String Gauge

I tried a set of GHS boomers I think they were, that came with a 52 Low E string and I just didn't like the feel of it.. Tried 3 sets on my LPs and an SG. I think if I were playing through 100 watt heads at loud volumes they would definitely effect the sound in a good way though.

  • Registered: 2012-05-30
  • Posts: 485

Re: Joe's String Gauge

I use 11-48 Ernie Balls on my electrics and now that I've adjusted to them, they're fine - in fact I can't get on with a guitar strung with 10's now..!!

I even tried 12-56 on my old LP, but didn't take to them...oh and tried them on a Strat tuned down a half-step...sounded pretty cool, but I found myself forever adding a capo to bring it back to standard pitch at jam nights so that only lasted 1 set of strings...!!

Might have to try some Cobalt Slinky's though...

Guitars: Fender American Original 60s Strat, Fender American Vintage 52 Tele, Gibson Les Paul Traditional
FX: Various including - Ceriatone Centura, Fire Custom Shop Carpe Diem
Amp: Fender ML212 Deville + 212 extention cabinet

9 Reply by dave_5150 (edited by dave_5150 2012-07-23 09:47:32)

  • Registered: 2010-02-01
  • Posts: 175

Re: Joe's String Gauge

I think thicker low strings (eg. 52 low E) makes more difference to the overall tone than thicker high strings (eg. 11 high E) on Les Pauls . For example I get a better tone with 10-52's than with say 11-48's

I'm now using Dean Markley 11-52's and love them.

  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: Joe's String Gauge

The packs Joe uses are silverchrome packs with no printing on them. The set I saw says ProtoX on them, which to me leads me to believe they were Cobalts before they were released to public.

Joe does play 11's, and whenever I try them I have a hard time telling the difference between them and the 10's aside from ease of bending. I'm not sure if I just adjust accordingly or what. 10's are easier to find in a pinch so I might use up all my 11's and go back.

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool
  • Registered: 2012-05-30
  • Posts: 485

Re: Joe's String Gauge

NPB_EST.1979 wrote:

The packs Joe uses are silverchrome packs with no printing on them. The set I saw says ProtoX on them, which to me leads me to believe they were Cobalts before they were released to public.

Or maybe a signature set is in the works....

Guitars: Fender American Original 60s Strat, Fender American Vintage 52 Tele, Gibson Les Paul Traditional
FX: Various including - Ceriatone Centura, Fire Custom Shop Carpe Diem
Amp: Fender ML212 Deville + 212 extention cabinet
  • Registered: 2012-03-29
  • Posts: 84

Re: Joe's String Gauge

I have started playing IQS strings by an Italian company 11-52 and they are brilliant

Smitty Custom classic Strat in sonic blue
Smitty Custom classic Gold top Hog tele
DR Z m12
  • Registered: 2012-07-04
  • Posts: 9

Re: Joe's String Gauge

thanks to all for the answers! @ cindyron: i will! sounds good! wink

  • From: Sellersburg, Indiana
  • Registered: 2012-07-27
  • Posts: 11

Re: Joe's String Gauge

Lucas Hein wrote:

Hey Guys. My question is, which string size uses Joe??

If Joe uses Cobalts I wouldn't be surprised at all !

I use the Slinky Cobalt and they are the best sounding / Lasting strings I've ever played.
(including all cryogenics)

They are simply amazing strings. Louder and last longer with sweet tone!
My set is 42-32-24-11-9.

(I like the "hybrid slinky" gauges, but with the action
on this guitar, the low E will vibrate into the frets if I get too wild with the picking hand with anything heavier. smile  )
Finally a 9 that doesn't snap easy !

(Addicted to TONE)

  • From: New Castle, DE USA
  • Registered: 2011-01-03
  • Posts: 1,256

Re: Joe's String Gauge

I've also been very impressed with the Cobalts I've tried...

Terrance Shuman
New Castle, DE
  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: Joe's String Gauge

yes. I think I like the Cobalts... Only thing I don't like is the price. But they feel good and dont die easily

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool
  • Registered: 2010-09-30
  • Posts: 163

Re: Joe's String Gauge

I haven't tried the cobalts...

Do you all find them to be brighter sounding?

I use nickel plated strings on a lot of my guitars, but prefer the warmer pure nickel strings on my Gibsons as when I'm playing these, I'm playing more blues based styles and am after a more vintagey tone.

The bonus is the softer nickel wears the frets more slowly. I'd imagine that the harder cobalt does the opposite?

  • From: Santa Barbara, CA
  • Registered: 2011-09-02
  • Posts: 110

Re: Joe's String Gauge

I use 11-54s on my Strat and 12-56s on everything else. All guitars play and bend like butter for me.