Strings

as i m a newby to guitar i wondered if you could help me, i understand that different pick-ups give different tone, but that different strings do also, is there a string thickness that you would use on a particular guitar, for instance--accoustic guitars would you use 9,10,11
gibson type guitars 9,10,11
strat style guitars 9,10,11 etc
also is there any difference between string manufacturers and what would you advise me to use thank you keith (blonuck)

For acoustic, I tend to go heavier... a .013 gauge which is considered "medium" thickness for most acoustic string sets.

For electric guitar, I use .010's... a lot of great players use .009's, which make bending easier. Some might find that they lose a little tone going to the lighter string set, but that's a personal perception & choice. The .009's definitely are easier to bend than .010's, and .011's are going to be a real challenge for full note bends!

Since you're new, for electric guitar, try the .009's for a month, then try .010's and see what you think. You'll want to settle on one gauge though because its what you'll get used to as you practice. I wouldn't recommend trying .011's unless you have a really specific reason for it.

For a quality string set, try the Ernie Ball Cobalt strings. A lot of really good players swear by them.

Welcome aboard Keith! Learning guitar is a lot of fun - I'm sure you will enjoy it.

A consideration with changing string guages is that your guitar may (more likely will) require a setup afterwards. This is especially true with guitars that have tremolo systems like the floating bridge on a strat. When you go with a heavier guage, there is more string tension, which will lift the floating bridge higher than normal. This in turn rasies your action. Probably not what you were looking for :-).

On an acoustic, it's probably best to stick with the guage recommended by the manufacturer. A friend of mine accidentally put heavier strings which messed up his setup. Even after pulling the strings off and going back the the original guage, the truss rod had to be adjusted.

I'm not saying you shouldn't experiment (I am right now), but just be aware of what you may be opening yourself up to. It was an eye opener when I first put 11's on my strat that came with 9's!!

Regarding tone - yes the string guage impacts tone. On my strat, I switched to 11's for a number of reasons and used them for years. As I got back into it recently, I noticed that my strat sounded flat and dull. I realized that it was the string guage. I switched back to 9's and the trebbly twang of the strat came back. I like the feel of the 10's on my les paul, so my next experiment will be to put 10's on my strat. I hope to get a happy medium there - good feel with genuine strat tone.

Originally Posted by: maggior
I'm not saying you shouldn't experiment (I am right now), but just be aware of what you may be opening yourself up to. It was an eye opener when I first put 11's on my strat that came with 9's!!

Maggior, you're making it sound like its a huge issue to try different string gauges... its not. I don't really see the point of saying "don't experiment for now"; what is the utility in waiting? The only way Keith is going to learn about this stuff is if he tries.

Keith, if you have a Strat and you need to adjust the action, simply remove the back plate. You'll see the trem system springs with the screws that are used to adjust the tension. Simply adjust the screws relatively evenly (same amount of turns in or out) as needed to set your action to where you want it. You can even leave the back cover off for a while until you've settled on the gauge of strings you like and set the trem tension to where you want it.

Also, if you need to adjust your intonation, its really not that hard either. There's several good videos on YouTube that show you how to do it, and its pretty straightforward.

For acoustics... I've never heard of an acoustic guitar that was built for a specific string gauge. I certainly wouldn't buy one if the manufacturer suggested that changing the gauge of strings might lead to damaging the guitar.

This stuff really isn't that complicated. You should be able to try some different string gauges, especially in the .009, .010, .011 range without worrying that you're going to damage your instrument or require a full "setup"... especially for a fixed bridge instrument. I say give it a whirl and see how you like the different gauges. I've tried out .009s for example, just played them for a few hours, then switched back to .010s... sure enough the guitar did not self-destruct and burst into flames during the process! ;)

Originally Posted by: Slipin LizardMaggior, you're making it sound like its a huge issue to try different string gauges... its not. I don't really see the point of saying "don't experiment for now"; what is the utility in waiting? The only way Keith is going to learn about this stuff is if he tries.

I was just trying to point out that changing string guages may have some unintended consequences. As a newbie, he might be very unpleasantly surprised to find his floating bridge sitting much higher off the body that before.

I figured out on my own how to adjust the springs in the back. To me it wasn't too big of a deal, but it was more than I had bargained for. I also had some experience, though never with a floating bridge obviously :-). If I was a newbie, I think I would have gone into a panic. Imagine being a newbie and a simple string change turns into an exericse in learning how to perform a full setup.

The acoustic in question was a Taylor, so it wasn't some piece of junk. I had never heard of it before and perhaps he's ultra sensitive to his setup. I don't think it's a recommendation to avoid damage to the instrument, it's just that the setup (nut height, bridge height, truss rod tension) is optimized for a particular guage of string. Again - I don't think a newbie should be mucking about with their truss rod just to try out a different string guage.

Nothing will burst into flames, spontaniously combust, or split in half - very true. Worst comes to worst, you put a set of string that matches the old set back on and move forward.

I think there may be more string manufacturers than guitar manufacturers. ;) Maybe not more string types than guitar *models* but there surly is a bunch. This, http://www.martinguitar.com/strings/string-training.html , from Martin Guitar's page on strings provides a short background on strings.

Also from Martin's FAQ is this;

"Is it safe to use medium-gauge strings on my scallop braced guitar?

Yes it is safe. All of our six-string guitars designed for steel strings have been tested to withstand the tension of a medium gauge string. However, since each top is unique, take note if the top starts to raise abnormally. If this happens, go back to the lighter-gauge strings."

In turn, Gibson has a page that lists gauge recommendations for all their instruments. It does not; however, say 'why' or offer any brand or version suggestions.

Fender doesn't seem to care about gauge... 'No matter what gauge you use...use Fender strings." ;)

PRS lists what their guitars are set-up with and then cautions, "If you decide to change your string gauges from the factory installed string gauges, please be sure to remember that the guitar may need to be set-up to accommodate this change."

I imagine the rest of the manufacturers post some version of all of the above which gives us no meat about string gauge and its affect on guitars. Just remember, heavier gauge leads to more tension. More tension leads to a physical change in the instrument...maybe. :)

Man, you guys are making a mountain out of mole-hill... I've seen great players grab a pawn-shop Sears guitar and make it sound amazing... this whole idea that your guitar is going to need a "complete setup" because you went from .009s to .010s is just dis-information in my opinion. I honestly think you're making it sound like this HUGE issue when in reality, its no big deal, especially on a fixed bridge system.

With a floating bridge and the idea of "going into a panic"... come on Maggior... its a matter of turning a couple of screws in the back... not a "full setup". When you said you had "experience though not with a floating bridge", I mean, really? Like what? Experience winding the strings onto the guitar? I just don't see what "experience" someone needs to gain before they can attempt to switch .010s for .009s on a Strat and turn the trem screws on the back of the guitar to compensate for the new gauge.

Guys, its a guitar... its not rocket science. Experimenting with between the three adjusted sizes as suggested by the OP is not going to get him into trouble. You're going way beyond the original question... keep in mind in my original response I suggested trying .009s and then .010s... I think that's perfectly reasonable advice.

Originally Posted by: Slipin LizardMan, you guys are making a mountain out of mole-hill...

Shoot...it's a distraction from Congress. ;)

Maybe it's just me, but when you spend over a grand on an instrument and just changing string gages totally throws your action off, it is unsettling. It is a simple matter once you figure out that there are springs in the back and they can be adjusted. Sorry, but for a newbie it is not simple.

perhaps the op has a fixed bridge guitar and it won't be an issue. And if he has any trouble, he can ask here.

this is getting way off track...I agree to disagree and the op can sort out what he wants to do.

Originally Posted by: maggiorMaybe it's just me, but when you spend over a grand on an instrument and just changing string gages totally throws your action off, it is unsettling. It is a simple matter once you figure out that there are springs in the back and they can be adjusted. Sorry, but for a newbie it is not simple.

Yep... totally 100% disagree with you! Its simply a matter of removing the back plate, and then turning a couple of screws. What you would say to someone who needed to adjust their action on a Strat?: " take it to a luthier"? Many have a pretty decent minimum charge. Something as simple as that shouldn't be "unsettling".

Keith, I want to clarify a couple of things for you. I don't know why so much has been made of the idea of changing between one step of string gauges, its odd that the simple advice I offered has sparked such dire warnings & controversy. Oddly enough, I believe it was in one of the "tips of the week" to try .009s if you're on .010s to make bending easier. Anyways:

-trem adjustment on a Strat. If you have one, and need to adjust the trem setting, it is a simple procedure removing the back plate and adjusting the screws as needed.

-the statement: "I don't think a newbie should be mucking about with their truss rod just to try out a different string gauge." I never suggested that the truss rod should need adjusting. This is where I think you're getting poor information. Its unlikely that your truss rod will need adjusting changing between .009 and .010 gauge strings. Truss rods are really about helping with the stability of the wood of neck, which over time can bend simply because it is wood. Things like the weather (heat, cold, moisture content) are much more likely culprits for a truss rod adjustment than a slight change in string gauge.

-"there are more string manufacturers than guitar manufacturers..." from what I've read & heard, many of the different brands of strings out there come from the same place, they are just packaged differently. This is why I specifically suggested the Ernie Ball Cobalt strings, because they actually are different, and feel different when you play them. Again, it was just a suggestion if you were looking to experiment with some strings that are supposed to of higher quality. I encourage you to try them, as they are really not that expensive, and you might find they make a real difference in your playing & sound. With plain electric guitar strings, I've never really worried about one brand vs another or found much of difference when switching brands.

-regarding you question about tone, I stand behind my original comment that this is more of a personal perception and choice. Some players feel that the tone from .010s is fuller, "richer" sounding, while .009s are "thin" and "tiny". But there are tons of guitar greats that use .009s (Steve Vai for one) so really, it comes down to personal preference.

I thought your original question was a good one, and tried to offer some straight-forward advice. I assure you that removing strings from a Strat to try a one step lighter or heavier gauge of strings is not the ordeal that others are making it out to be. I'd encourage you to try it, "newbie" or not, you may find you really develop a preference that compliments your playing, and at the very least, you'll have a better understanding of how your guitar works. Since you're a full member, don't hesitate to ask Steve in the tech forum... he's great and can offer some solid advice with this stuff.

Good luck!