1 Topic by NPB_EST.1979 (edited by NPB_EST.1979 2008-06-18 07:16:38)

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

Topic: I laughed when I read this from AMS

roll
Incorporating Blues styles
Guitarists- if you ever get a rare chance to play a top pro's guitar, you might be surprised to find the action higher and the strings stiffer than you might have guessed. This is because a lot of pro players incorporate Blues styles- in particular the singing Blues bends made famous by B.B. King and Albert King- into their playing. Keep this in mind when chatting up your local guitar tech and, of course, experiment with different string makers and gauges to get the exact feel you are looking for. Rock on.

---So are they trying to get people to put 12's or even 13's on guitars??? Joe, doesn't B.B. King use 10's?
What's the exact feel you're looking for in a string according to these guys...carpel tunnel? hmm
oh - and I'm sure guitar techs LOVE to sit and BS about non-sense because they usually have so much extra time on their hands...I for one refuse to be the lingering customer who 'won't go away.' I like to talk to my tech about the matter at hand, thank him for his past good work and get the heck out of there!

- 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
  • From: Denmark
  • Registered: 2008-04-03
  • Posts: 96

Re: I laughed when I read this from AMS

Im using 13's on strats, and 11s on guitars with setnecks.

I know that JB uses 11s. And as far as I know, B.B is in for 10s. But Im not sure.

What did you expect to see out of a Torquay hotel bedroom window? Sydney Opera House perhaps? The Hanging Gardens of Babylon? Herds of wild beasts sweeping majestically over the fields?

Guitargeek's Website

3 Reply by NPB_EST.1979 (edited by NPB_EST.1979 2008-06-18 11:27:36)

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

Re: I laughed when I read this from AMS

Guitargeek wrote:

Im using 13's on strats, and 11s on guitars with setnecks.

I know that JB uses 11s. And as far as I know, B.B is in for 10s. But Im not sure.

Awesome, then I've got some questions for ya wink

What made you choose 13's for the strat?
Do you tune the strat to 440?
How do you like bending strings with 13's?
Do you find you need to play more often to keep your fingers in shape?

I fluctuate between 11's and 10's on my strat, and use 10's on my set neck guitars. I've thought about going 'all 11's' but I cannot justify it for any reason what-so-ever. Thats kind of why I laughed at the "tech tip."  To me, strings seem to be a trivial subject when describing why one could be dis-satisfied with their guitars, IMHO.

- 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: 2006-05-31
  • Posts: 184

Re: I laughed when I read this from AMS

Jeff Beck uses 9's.

I believe most Gibson and Fender guitars come with 10's as the standard set. I think it is a matter of personal preference and it may be helpful to point out that changing to a higher guage set will almost certainly require some reworking that most players should consider leaving to a qualified tech.

That being said, it has also been pointed out elsewhere on this forum that the higher guage sets are often used to enable downtuning stability (dropped d and the like), which makes it interesting since it seems that many of the shred oriented guitars come with lighter strings from the manufacturers.

NPB_EST.1979 is totally correct about the carpel tunnel. If those heavier strings are so "neat", why don't most guitars come with them from the manufacturers? I think the answer to that is pretty obvious. Particularly if you have tried to "play" an axe with the heavier strings when you have been on "standard" strings for some time.

Hmmmmm, I believe Eric Johnson uses 10's, but I am not totally sure.

Nothin' but the Blues
  • From: Oklahoma
  • Registered: 2008-03-28
  • Posts: 263

Re: I laughed when I read this from AMS

I use 11's on all my electrics since I find if I use a 10, I end up going sharp from pressing to hard.  I use lights on all my acoustics and extra lights on my 12 string.

  I tired 12/13's on my Tele and they felt like pipes.

Don't play leapfrog with a unicorn
  • From: Maui, Hawaii
  • Registered: 2007-11-24
  • Posts: 27

Re: I laughed when I read this from AMS

Eric Johnson uses 10's on strats and 11's on his gibsons.

  • From: Illinois
  • Registered: 2008-06-15
  • Posts: 52

Re: I laughed when I read this from AMS

IMO your string guage depends on the music youre wanting to play, and your level on the instrument.  If your only a beginner and say playing earlier blues, yes you might want a warmer tone, but you need to keep in mind where you are at experience wise and that your learning new things. Learning different bends and things might be easier if done on a lighter string. As you progress, then move up. Myself I play blues/rock and classic rock from late 60's and 70's, I'm only running 10's and within the last 6 months moved up to that. but heck i've only been playing hard for about a couple of years......i'm still a newbie i guess, lol.  I've heard oozes and @#&* gobs of people around home tell me " if you wanna play the blues, you have to use 13's and tune flat". Ever heard of Walter Trout?  The man is flat out awesome,  he'll make ya cry.  He plays 9's and tunes 440.  I'll get off the box, lol. Good topic!!

Brian

8 Reply by NPB_EST.1979 (edited by NPB_EST.1979 2008-06-18 18:41:35)

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

Re: I laughed when I read this from AMS

I'd like to find out how many players out there base their string gauge by what guitar legends, favorites, or pros are doing. I already see a couple "so and so plays these" posts. It almost ends up being a "shoulda-coulda-woulda..." using established players as evidence. I'm not really "knocking" that kind of mentality, but I think if you play long enough string gauge just isn't a big deal. More power to you if you're the kinda guy that wants to work his or her way up to using 13's, I just say for what?

When I started out in 1993, I used the hyrbids...9-52? Ya know, because Ace Frehley did...lol

- 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

9 Reply by tewker (edited by tewker 2008-06-18 19:42:12)

  • Registered: 2008-06-13
  • Posts: 137

Re: I laughed when I read this from AMS

I had a cheapo Marshall starter guitar for a while, and experimented with 11's, for about a month I couldnt touch anything without my fingertips stinging, not for me.

Doesnt Billy Gibbons use .08's on his guitars??? He has no trouble with tone!!!!

tewker

  • From: Denmark
  • Registered: 2008-04-03
  • Posts: 96

Re: I laughed when I read this from AMS

NPB_EST.1979 wrote:
Guitargeek wrote:

Im using 13's on strats, and 11s on guitars with setnecks.

I know that JB uses 11s. And as far as I know, B.B is in for 10s. But Im not sure.

Awesome, then I've got some questions for ya wink

What made you choose 13's for the strat?
Do you tune the strat to 440?
How do you like bending strings with 13's?
Do you find you need to play more often to keep your fingers in shape?

I fluctuate between 11's and 10's on my strat, and use 10's on my set neck guitars. I've thought about going 'all 11's' but I cannot justify it for any reason what-so-ever. Thats kind of why I laughed at the "tech tip."  To me, strings seem to be a trivial subject when describing why one could be dis-satisfied with their guitars, IMHO.

I started using heavier gauges, because the more I would play, the more I would 'overbend' the string, and it really sounded horrible! And I broke a LOT of high E-strings. So I went from 9s to 13s. I just love the sound of those heavy strings on a slightly overdriven guitar.

I tune to normal pitch, yes. At first, I tuned to Eb, but my bassplayer refused to play flat. Noob tongue

I like bending 13s. I can feel the string, and I wont overbend it.

Im a naturally 'strong' guy. At least my hands are. Of course, if I don't play my strat for a couple of weeks, it takes a little more strength to bend it, but it's not like I can't play it like I always do wink

What did you expect to see out of a Torquay hotel bedroom window? Sydney Opera House perhaps? The Hanging Gardens of Babylon? Herds of wild beasts sweeping majestically over the fields?

Guitargeek's Website

  • From: Lancashire
  • Registered: 2008-02-26
  • Posts: 700

Re: I laughed when I read this from AMS

I was on .11's guy who did last set up on all my guitars put .9's on tbh havent noticed a dif I did over bend but got used to it infact its much more comfortable now...

I've been tuning to A444 for sometime now.. dunno why just couldnt be bothered messing with the tuner I got seems to be blending fine in the band scenario i.e we dont sound out of tune etc...

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

Re: I laughed when I read this from AMS

Guitargeek wrote:

Im a naturally 'strong' guy. At least my hands are. Of course, if I don't play my strat for a couple of weeks, it takes a little more strength to bend it, but it's not like I can't play it like I always do wink

My hands swell up majorly after 8 hours of bass fishing, 8 hours of driving, or even 5+ hours of guitar playing. It's not my fingertips, but the meat on my palms and the muscles on my fingers....especially where the edge of the fretboard hits the base of the fingers... It's come to a point where I've been taking photos with dates, and next time I go to the doctor, I'm going to say "dude - check these out."

- 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

13 Reply by ken (edited by ken 2008-06-19 16:00:29)

  • ken
  • ken
  • Titanium
  • Offline
  • From: Orlando, FL
  • Registered: 2007-05-28
  • Posts: 949

Re: I laughed when I read this from AMS

I like the feel of 10s now. I used to use 9s, but they were a little too slinky feeling for me. There's no difference in sound, it's all feel. A lot of jazz guys use heavy strings, but they don't do a lot of bends.
I guarantee you can't tell what gauge string a guy is using by listening to him.

14 Reply by Geko (edited by Geko 2008-06-22 18:40:07)

  • Geko
  • Geko
  • Titanium
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2006-12-08
  • Posts: 838

Re: I laughed when I read this from AMS

Hi guys before two weeks i had a lesson by a good frind who shows me what he knows on guitar playing and we both are more or less rooki`s  so bevore we jam we went to our lokal guitar shop and have bought some whires and new strings for the acoustic guitars
and at the moment i play 9er Dean markley signature series,
so i tould the guy in the guitar shop
i like to buy 9 er DM`s and he ask the frind of mine do you need strings too ?
and he sayed yes
then the shopman asks him with a dirty smile do you like Real srings or do you play 9er´s too ?
i was so kicked between the legs!!! that i was to proud to buy 10`s big_smile
the frind i play with tould me later  that there is a feel and a acoustic difference  too
now i play arround two jears and its time to change
next time i try 10`s out
Geko

  • From: Illinois
  • Registered: 2008-06-15
  • Posts: 52

Re: I laughed when I read this from AMS

Geko wrote:

i was so kicked between the legs!!! that i was to proud to buy 10`s big_smile
the frind i play with tould me later  that there is a feel and a acoustic difference  too
now i play arround two jears and its time to change
next time i try 10`s out
Geko

First there is no shame in playing 9's.  Go listen to Walter Trout.  When first learning new things lighter strings make it easier, IMO.  Secondly, when you change to heavier strings, sometimes different things have to be adjusted. When i went from 9's to 10's, my guitar tech adjusted the tremelo and string height.

Brian

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

Re: I laughed when I read this from AMS

It's funny how trendy string size can be. It's all a 'for profit' market. They need to tell you what to buy and how big just to keep you hooked.
I think EVH plays 9's... but that's not enough to get me to switch. Heck, maybe even he's using 10's now!  LOL

I really liked DR strings before I moved back to Ernie Ball. I heard that most company's strings are made from the same factory anyway. Not sure if I believe it or not, but it would make sense.

- 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
  • From: Lancashire
  • Registered: 2008-02-26
  • Posts: 700

Re: I laughed when I read this from AMS

Aslong as your happy with the sound / feel I guess it doesnt matter in the slightest :x

  • From: Was NY now FL/GA line
  • Registered: 2007-12-16
  • Posts: 2,855

Re: I laughed when I read this from AMS

I can't find it but I thought JB mentioned that with top wrapping his strings, a heavier guage feels lighter to him. 11's feel like 10's or something to that effect.

Personally I use 11's because I like the feel.


Spider