String gauge

[Car 54]

Hi all,

What's the heaviest string gauge that'll work well on FR equipped Ibanez guitars? I have an RG Series with extra lights (8's) that sound awesome but never tried anything else. Are some models better than others at handling heavier gauges?

[ColinMmmmm]

I'm currently using a set of Ernie Ball 10-52's on my RG2550. I love 'em. I had to add another spring to the back though. Well I didn't HAVE to, but otherwise I would have had to tighten the claw screws a ridiculous amount.

[ezcrane]

I have Ernie Ball 12-56 with 5 springs tuned to B on one of my RG770s.

[reguv760]

I have Ernie Ball 12-56 with 5 springs tuned to B on one of my RG770s.

THE Carcass setup! I think the saddles can handle up to 58 gauge... 9's are good for a tad more tension than the 8's... 10's work well with Eb, might be too tight for standard.

Reg

[Car 54]

When I bought my RG 3xxxx the previous owner had 8's on it and the setup was perfect so I never tried anything else. Now that I'm used to this setup I'm noticing there are some definite advantages to the lighter strings. For one theres a nice brilliance to their tone that seems to go well with humbuckers. At least as far as clean amp sounds are concerned. Second is good tuning stability. Maybe a result of the lower string tension? And last whats really cool is what appears to be excellent intonation across the fretboard. Makes adjusting the saddles a breeze.

I still prefer the feel of heavier strings but would rather find a different guitar for them than change this one.

[HeavyMetal4Ever]

There's no hard and fast rule, but most floating bridge equipped guitars come set up with 9-42 guage strings when tuned eadgbe.

But if you like the way it plays now, why change it?

Rock on!