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Hammurabi
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Hammurabi
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01/14/2004 10:29 pm
I've always been led to believe that thicker strings sound better, but I've noticed that many artists such as Pat Martino use 9s.

So, what's your all's opinions? How much does string size effect tone?
"If one has realized a truth, that truth is valueless so long as there is lacking the indomitable will to turn this realization into action!"
-A.H.
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# 1
Tele Master
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Tele Master
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01/14/2004 10:31 pm
I guess, what sounds come off your strings are your own opinion. I like 10's because they aren't as thin(I find they feel better on my fingers) and I like the sound of them. I use GHS Boomers. They last long, and sound good.

I love Jimmy Page's sound, but he used 9's.
Electric Guitars are the inspiration for cries of "Turn that damn thing down"-Gibson website
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# 2
Slasher
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Slasher
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01/14/2004 10:57 pm
I use 11-48s. Not too thin not too heavy. Ernie Balls what I use. They feel good and you get a good warm tone. I've been playing with the idea of putting heavier strings on the low E,A,D n lighter strings on D,B,E. Anyone ever tried this?
Remember, the chickens that fly will always beat the rubber plants that bounce!
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# 3
Hammurabi
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Hammurabi
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01/14/2004 11:20 pm
Ernie ball makes hybrids 9-46, I think.

So are you all saying it's a matter of feel, or does thickness effect sound?
"If one has realized a truth, that truth is valueless so long as there is lacking the indomitable will to turn this realization into action!"
-A.H.
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# 4
Slasher
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Slasher
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01/14/2004 11:26 pm
It does affect the sound. I used 52s by accident once (stoopid guitar shop) n it did sound a lot heavier than usual.
Remember, the chickens that fly will always beat the rubber plants that bounce!
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# 5
SPL
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SPL
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01/15/2004 12:54 am
The gauge of strings you use does affect your sound. I play with 11's simply because I think they sound fuller and have a better feel...
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# 6
the fool
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the fool
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01/15/2004 6:44 am
i guess it depends on your style. if you like to do a lot of bending, go for 8's or 9's. If not then use any string you want. The lighter the gauge the brighter, while the thicker the gauge, the more fatter and warmer tone. I have two guitars- a fender equipped with d addario 12's and my epi hollowbody with ernie ball slinkys 8's. I use the fender for rhythm work, fingerpicking, power chords etc. while I use my epi for solo and lead guitar playing.
"Lets see… well I play the guitar and when I'm not playing the guitar, I think about playing the guitar. My other favorite instrument, is the guitar and if I aspired to play any other instrument, it would be the guitar...

I can’t sing so I sing through my guitar. So when the sound guy says: “Your guitar is too loud!” I think: "Why does he never say that to the vocalist?"
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# 7
Hammurabi
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Hammurabi
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01/15/2004 7:01 am
Would a hybrid set of strings fro mthe top end of 9s to the bottom end of 11s twist the neck or something like that?
"If one has realized a truth, that truth is valueless so long as there is lacking the indomitable will to turn this realization into action!"
-A.H.
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# 8
the fool
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the fool
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01/15/2004 7:22 am
No- as long as you have it set up properly. You always have to set up your guitar if you change your gauge- it doesnt matter even if you're going from regular to hybrids. My friend even finds that he had to get his guitar set when he's switiching from a different brand, even though he's using the same gauge. I used to do experiments on my strat. Since I like to do a lot of bending when I play lead and I like to pick and play the bass at the same time while playing rhythm, I wanted to get the best of both worlds so I experimented by putting very thick strings on the bass and 9's on the treble strings. It sounded terrible at first so I have to have it set up so that the neck could properly accomodate the different string tensions. After the set up, the buzzing and the sharpness of some of some of the notes disappeared.
"Lets see… well I play the guitar and when I'm not playing the guitar, I think about playing the guitar. My other favorite instrument, is the guitar and if I aspired to play any other instrument, it would be the guitar...

I can’t sing so I sing through my guitar. So when the sound guy says: “Your guitar is too loud!” I think: "Why does he never say that to the vocalist?"
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# 9
the fool
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the fool
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01/15/2004 7:25 am
If you're using hybrid light strings, I don't think it will twist the neck. You'll just hear a lot of rattling and buzzing because your neck is much more used to the different tension of your previous gauge. If you're talking about really heavy gauge strings- then you might just twist the neck if you don't set it up properly.
"Lets see… well I play the guitar and when I'm not playing the guitar, I think about playing the guitar. My other favorite instrument, is the guitar and if I aspired to play any other instrument, it would be the guitar...

I can’t sing so I sing through my guitar. So when the sound guy says: “Your guitar is too loud!” I think: "Why does he never say that to the vocalist?"
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# 10
hairbndrckr
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hairbndrckr
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01/15/2004 1:18 pm
I have been using .009's for years. Never tried any other guage.
Also I am a cheap bastard, so I use Dean Markley Toneblasters. (Watch for shameless plug) They come in a twin pack, so I get 2 sets of strings for the price of one. I get them here for $5.99 a pack. He also carries .010's for those of you who like that guage.
So. If you throw a cat out of a car window, is it considered "kitty litter"?
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# 11
Jolly McJollyson
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Jolly McJollyson
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01/15/2004 4:40 pm
I do prefer the tens. The nines play WAY too fast and slippery. Tens give you a fuller tone AND a firmer string.
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# 12
PRSplaya
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PRSplaya
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01/15/2004 7:50 pm
I use D'Addario's that are 10-52 which I think are basically 10 on the treble and 11 on the bass. I like the extra chunkyness when doing rythm stuff and the slightly brighter 10's accompany the chunky 11's very nicely. I also tune down 1/2 to a whole step so 9's just aren't very practicle for me. Plus I played the acoustic a long time before moving to an electric so that's another reason I use heavier strings. 9's feel too brittle and sound too thin to me.
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# 13
TheWizard
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TheWizard
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01/15/2004 9:51 pm
how long do strings last normally for you guys?

I mean how long do they have that new string twang?

mine seriously last for less than 3 days because of how much my fingers and hands sweat, it really sucks

anyone else have this problem?

off the subject but does enyone know how much it costs to replace a plastic nut with a brass one?
Alas Gandalf lives, Middle Earth is again safe...
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# 14
Slasher
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Slasher
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01/15/2004 9:54 pm
I can go for 6 months without restringing. I no I should more often but I simply cant afford to do it to 6 guitars that often. Gunna have to soon tho cos I snapped the high E on 1 o my Les Pauls today. I have been hammering that string quite hard tho...
Remember, the chickens that fly will always beat the rubber plants that bounce!
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# 15
iamthe_eggman
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iamthe_eggman
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01/15/2004 10:02 pm
EVH changes his strings as they break. I guess there must be a happy medium in there, somewhere.

I like 10's, GHS Boomers are my brand of choice right now, and I use Elixirs [u]exclusively[/u] for my acoustic. Everything you've heard about Elixirs (for acoustic) is true (well, the good things you've heard).
... and that's all I have to say about that.

[U]ALL[/U] generalizations are [U]WRONG[/U]

[/sarcasm]
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# 16
Lordathestrings
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Lordathestrings
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01/15/2004 10:34 pm
I use only D'Addario strings. There may be better strings out there, but I'm happy with these, so I stick with 'em. My Yamaha SBG1000s wear EJ21 jazz strings .012 - .052. My Washburn A20-CS and my Odyssey V have EXL110 .010 - .046. My bass has light strings on it to make it easier to change back and forth from the six-string guitars. And my acoustics all run 0.12s, again to make the change from electric to acoustic easier.

Effect on tone? Big time! The jazz strings on the SBGs give me a really solid sound. It makes playing clean such a joy, because there's so much rich depth to the tone. The guitars with .010s on them sound good, and I can bend notes, but I've gotta admit that after playing the heavier strings, they seem to be missing something.
Lordathestrings
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# 17
the fool
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the fool
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01/16/2004 7:12 am
amen to that mr. moderator. I use d'addario too- 11- 12 guage strings on my strat- I think they're the best out there that I've used so far. I haven't tried the 8's though. Are they better than the 8 guage (well, a lil bit thinner than the normal 8 guage- its hybrid i think)ernie ball slinky's?
"Lets see… well I play the guitar and when I'm not playing the guitar, I think about playing the guitar. My other favorite instrument, is the guitar and if I aspired to play any other instrument, it would be the guitar...

I can’t sing so I sing through my guitar. So when the sound guy says: “Your guitar is too loud!” I think: "Why does he never say that to the vocalist?"
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# 18
Azrael
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Azrael
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01/16/2004 8:20 am
i used to use the 009ers from Elixier ( i abslutely love those strings ) but on my new guitar (it should be finished very soon) i will use a 010 set, not sure what to do with the remaining 40 packages of 009 elixiers though.. *LOL*

[FONT=Times New Roman]Holiness is in right action and courage on behalf of those who cannot defend themselves. What you decide to do every day makes you a good person... or not.[/FONT][br][br]

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# 19
the fool
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the fool
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01/16/2004 8:36 am
You can send me one.... (or two?)
"Lets see… well I play the guitar and when I'm not playing the guitar, I think about playing the guitar. My other favorite instrument, is the guitar and if I aspired to play any other instrument, it would be the guitar...

I can’t sing so I sing through my guitar. So when the sound guy says: “Your guitar is too loud!” I think: "Why does he never say that to the vocalist?"
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# 20

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