Switching string gauges?

[waylay00]

I was at my lesson today, and my teacher had a newly acquired RG770 sitting there, so I had to play it. It was strung with 9s. I didn't realize how well I was playing on those strings. I've always used 10s, but I've begun to notice that I play a LOT better on 9s.

However, I'm concerned that I'll lose the low end of 10s if I move down to 9s.

I'm thinking about trying the D'Addario EXL125 hybrid set with the 9s on highest three strings and the 10s on the lowest.

But then there's the 9.5 set. And the regular ole 9 set. Ugh! Decisions, decisions!

What are your thoughts on this issue? Has anyone used the hybrid D'Addarios?

[axemanrio]

I have always used 9's for standard tuning, 10's when tuning half/whole step down. Works great for me.

[elcid]

Keep the 10s you'll get used to it.

[ME.]

The D'addario EXL125 is a great set of stings. Try them.

Colin

[waylay00]

Originally Posted by elcid

Keep the 10s you'll get used to it.

I've been used to them (been playing them for two years now). I can play well on them, I just notice that I am able to do a lot more technically-demanding things with the lighter strings. I ordered a pack of the EXL125s a second ago. I'll see how they are.

I'm keeping the 10s on my Strat too. It feels "right" with 10s.

[Matheau]

Try them out and see how they actually sound. I've swapped between 8's (for some reason the store decided to set it up with them), 9's, and 10's on one guitar, the difference in tone was close to non-existent. On the other hand I switched another guitar from 11's to 10's and the tone went absolutely awful. Different pick-ups and guitars respond differently.

Thicker doesn't necessarily mean better.

[Rachmaninoff]

No more thoughts, just go for 9's.
You felt yourself that you're better on 'em.

[Dee]

^^ I agree with Rach. Use the strings you play best on. Simple as that!

I use a custom 9 set, only difference is the B (I use a 12 instead of 11) and the low E (44 instead of 42). This turns it into a progressive tension set which feels and sounds great. Compared to a 10 set, I highly doubt there's a difference in tone that can be heard by anyone with a pair of ears, just as Matheau said.

Originally Posted by Matheau

...the difference in tone was close to non-existent...

[CaptainD00M]

Ahem...
9-46's.

Does this not solve all problems?

Since i switched to 25.5" necks i've only used 9-46's in standard, i see no drawbacks to them and only advantages.

[Jason Stone]

Originally Posted by ME.

The D'addario EXL125 is a great set of stings. Try them.

Colin

+1 Recently started using these and the low end sounds great. Much better than the EXL120s to my ears.

[Dee]

Originally Posted by CaptainD00M

Ahem...
9-46's.

Does this not solve all problems?

Hmmm... maybe, maybe not. The first 3 strings of a 9 set and the last 3 strings of a 10 set? The tension goes wild in the middle between the 16 and the 26. Too much of a jump for my liking.

9-12-16-24-32-44 = the bomb-diddly.

[Dee]

9-46:

E .009" PL == 13.13#
B, .011" PL == 11.01# <--- even lighter than the high E. Not good.
G, .016" PL == 14.68#
D, .026" NW == 18.41#
A,, .036" NW == 19.54#
E,, .046" NW == 17.48# < even lighter than the D. Not good.
total == 94.25#

[Ayrton]

No one ever accused ZZ Top of having a bad guitar sound, and Billy Gibbons uses 8s.

Use the strings you play best on.

[elcid]

Yeah but Billy Gibbons only weighs 65 pounds, that's his excuse.

[kotornut]

Originally Posted by CaptainD00M

Ahem...
9-46's.

Does this not solve all problems?

I agree with you. That's what I use and it feels great.


Dee has a point, but I don't feel uncomfortable playing now, nor is there a huge tonal character increase and I don't need to spend twice the money.