Does string gauge affect fret rattle ?

[Silverburst]

I was wondering: 009-042 tuned E vs 010-046 tuned E, same trem height and amount of neck bow.

Do thicker strings need to be tightened a bit more to achieve the same tuning? If so, I would guess this affects things like fret rattle (in a positive way)?

[Jacob K]

Yes, thicker strings generally need to be tighter to achieve the same tuning. And sure, that affects fret rattle. Also, some string brands/series are tighter than others. I was told that D'arrios, for example, are more spongy than Ernie Balls.

[GuitarBizarre]

Yes, tighter strings tend to rattle less, higher guages are tighter thus less rattle.

[Silverburst]

Thx. So it would be a good idea if I want to detune a half or a whole step I use a higher gauge as well. Could 009-042 tuned E have about the same rattle-ratio compared to 010-046 tuned D# or would a drop D still hold up as well.

[jemaholic]

The thicker gauge strings are physically fatter and if your action is low the fatter strings will take more room to vibrate- sometimes those fatter vibrating strings that need more room run out of room and vibrate against the frets.
PLUS- your tension on the neck is greater with thicker strings and it may be pulling the neck into a "bowing" curve that frets-out the string too.

Tighter strings don't move as much as loose strings either.

~j

[Silverburst]

So Jemaholic:
Fatter->more vibration space.
But fatter means tighter to reach the same pitch->less vibration.
So in the end... not that much of a difference ?

About the bow indeed, but I'd adjust the thrus rod, intonation and the whole setup to have the action back at where it was with my 009-42 setup so I'd have a fair comparison.

What do you mean exactly with "thighter strings"? More tension because of higher gauge, or the composition of the strings themselves (tighter and less tighter string brands)?

[The Euphor]

Both gauge and composition affects the tension of a string.

Fatter = more vibration space. Period. That is when it's tuned to the same pitch.

[waylay00]

But also, remember that lighter gauge strings are easier to press, so you can have them a little higher, but still feel like low action on bigger strings.

At least that's how I sense it.