Off work at 7am after 24hrs and a quiet night on the ambulance, my five day break is just beginning, I've got coffee, a bacon sandwich, and there is 'That Pedal Show', greeting me like an old friend. Cheers from Maryland, USA, guys!
Dan’s string stretching “crimping” up and down the string is the method I use to start breaking the string in to help keep it in tune. I think an old guitar teacher in the Chicago area showed me that in the early 80’s and I’ve been doing it ever since. Never fails.
On tuning low to high causes the tuning peg gear to lash tight together instead of loose ( there is a fine hair of a gap between them) called positive tension.
I feel like there's so much emotion involved in this sort of thing, Every time I start experimenting with changing my string gauge I remember that the actual noticeable difference in tone translated to an audience is probably lost yet time practising my instrument and becoming less rubbish isn't. So I just shoot for comfort and then waste said practice time watching that pedal show \m/
+Cring0r You make a great point, and hopefully that was the message of this whole video. Play what makes you feel most comfortable.... because that's when you'll play best. :0)
22:10 - if only I learned that technique sometime in the last 40 years of owning a guitar. One of the greatest lessons to finally learn about intonation and fretting technique. My B string and G string notes always sounded horribly out of tune. Too much pressure. Thank you Mick! That Pedal Show - nuggets of tone and guitar knowledge that fills an otherwise incomplete education. Cheers!
Would be fun to do another one where you try to get as close as possible a sound from 8s and 12s just to see what kinds of EQ adjustments you might want to make using lighter or heavier strings.
Rick Beato did a pretty scientific approach to this exact same concept. Same Les Paul into the same amp and just tried a bunch of different gauge Ernie Balls. The results were pretty interesting. I went from being an .11 and .12 gauge guy, to now only playing .10's for the sake of tuning stability with a Bigsby. And I've never played nor sounded better
@@DistrictSoundLab Exactly, also even in Beatos conditions you can not be expressive or have dinamic range with 8s because they will choke or go out of tune just by staring at them.
When Mick was playing the strat with 9's, I actually liked the tone of the 9's better when he was playing lightly, but the 10.5's when he was playing heavily. There was more pop/treble in the light playing.
I use 9-46 D’Addario XLs. I’m also a bass player, so I’m accustomed to heavier strings. I’ve been playing 50 years. The reason I like 9s on guitar is you can be more nuanced in your playing. If you listen to guys that use heavier strings, like the two of you, the bending and vibrato is different. To me it sounds a little stiff. But that’s just for me and the way I play. But my Parker was sounding kind of choked on the high strings so I decided to stick 10s on it. I realized I couldn’t play them because I do a certain thing with my left hand where I pull off as I pick the note and it wasn’t working. (I ended up refretting the guitar which helped the high notes to sound smooth and full) So for me it’s about the way I play. I use purple tortex and pick pretty hard. I actually like when the string rebounds when you pick hard! But you guys are just used to heavier strings! It takes some getting used to lighter strings. I couldn’t play 7s or 8s. That’s too light! But you guys play great and get great tones. We all just play differently, and lots of great music has been made on light gauge strings.
As I recall you stated not too long ago the Bassbreaker was your favorite fender amp so... I think I know where you're starting out! But we shall see... :)
Great show as always! Four years ago I was unfortunate enough to have a brown recluse bite my fretting hand between the first and second joint of my thumb. It did effect my playing, and I had to compensate. For instance, no more Hendrix style over the top fretting of chords...classical style now. (Thumb bends about 70% of what it used to). While learning/relearning, I found that the 10's and 11's I played caused too much fatigue and cramping. So I settled on 9's. It was a struggle at first because they were unfamiliar and more importantly, unwanted. However, there is no problem now after working through the initial discontent. I compensated and actually improved. Best part is, I was able to convince my lovely bride of 30 years that new"pedals" would help ameliorate my situation and be essentially therapeutic. God bless her. She's the best! Thanks again guys!
Amused 2Death and That Pedal Show. Yes thats the one, nasty buggers could cause you to lose digits and such! I'm fortunate that I caught it very early...still lost some muscle tissue and such. Can't tell by looking at it unless I say " hey dig this" Glad it was the thumb and not a more relied upon digit or appendage!
If you don't like 9s, but 10s are too much for your thumb, you may want to try a set of {.0095, .0125*, .016, .021p**/.025w**, .034, .046}. *possibly only sold by Kalium. -may have to settle for slightly heavier **possibly only sold by Kalium. -may have to settle for slightly lighter.
Thanks guys great show! In my 47 years of playing I've experimented with string gauge and setup. I've found that when using lighter strings you can adjust the pickups I higher which compensates for the thinner sound...you get less 'magnetic pull' from the lighter strings. I've played 9's on my tele for country through to 13's on my arch top for jazz. As you've demonstrated a lot depends on the style of playing but I think the setup, pickup height and action plays a part in this. Best thing is to keep experimenting! Cheers guys Ricky - UK
+clinkman007 Cheers Ricky. Yep, what you say makes a lot of sense. Pick thickness too. It's all an ecosystem that needs to be balanced optimally for you and you alone. Thanks for watching!
I swear, every time Dan hears something so good, I see a black woman in church, having a Jesus moment. Kinda like how Rabea listens to Pete, shakes his head with that look, like a 1 year old eating a lemon. ...can somebody do a Dan and Rabea tone approval montage? I think it needs to happen.
I wonder, given how clearly thin the thinner strings sounded, whether tuning your pedals/amp to balance the strings might lessen the difference, rather than playing a setup designed around 11s with 8s. Edit - Having seen it all, I guess the old adage is true. Myself on Gatton's rig sounds rubbish. Gatton could smoke a Diddley Bow into a brandless amp. SRV didn't sound amazing because he played 13s, he sounded amazing because he's SRV.
Yup. I used to play 10s for years but i like the feel of 9s so much better it makes it way easier to play the way i do. I havent gone back to 10s ever since. 8s i actually hear a diff that i dont like. To me 9s to 10s sound so similar i feel like i have a better tone on 9s because of how easy it feels to play.
I fell hook, line and sinker for their marketing as a young kid. Look at all those names on the package! I love those guys! I'm using these.... I've since become a daddario guy but will still use ernie balls if need be. They are very good strings, no doubt.
I am currently in year 58 of guitar playing. Back in the '60s, I was using Gibson Sonomatic and Sonomatic Lights. Now, those were some guitar strings. A few years back, I enjoyed using D'Addario's "C" set tuned to EB, 12-60, I believe. When you thumped that bass string, it didn't go flying all over the place ... it just sat there and took it. I loved how they sounded, but as I aged (I am now 71.6), they became too hard to manage, as the thumbs seem to stay sore all the time these days ... Personally, I will always believe that heavier strings will sound bigger than skinny strings; and they require far less processing and equalization, which is probably what is happening with all those skinny string guys that someone listed below. I remember hearing that ZZTop boy uses 7's or 8's, and I have seen photos of the NASA rig he runs through. And recording studios can do wonders with today's equalization systems. Having said all that, I am a big fan of running Fender guitars through good compressors ... they just do amazing things for a Stratocaster run through a 1964 Super Reverb, no matter what size the string set. And BTW: Try some Stringjoys ...
There are so many variables that this can be a real tail-chasing game. String guage, setup, pick shape, pick rigidity, pick thickness, pickup height, amp gain structure, right-hand technique, and even more factors all play a part. If you want something you're not getting, you might have to do a lot more exploration than string guage. Great job on covering a difficult subject!
I think there is something in the tone of thicker strings but there's a line where the tone is affected because you aren't playing as fluidly as you can if the tension is to much. I've been playing .10s on my strat for a while now but when I go to .9s or tube to Eb (like I did today) I can't believe the difference especially with bends . I think the best thing is thicker strings and tune down like jimi and trower did they tuned to D - probably get away with 12-13s at D . I'm happy to play .10s in standard with a strat though - gilmour has a set with GHS which is slightly lighter in the higher strings and thinker in the lower and so is a good trade off as you don't bend the lower strings as much usually. Great show as usual anyway guys .
Man guys I think that was one of the best episodes in a long time. Keep doing these more esoteric experiments, it looked like you guys were having a blast. For the vote that is not taking place, I like when you guys get into tangents. Even when I feel like im familiar with a concept you are on about, it's still enlightening to hear veteran perspectives from people who think deeply about the philosophy of tone.
So Good! With a background in Progressive Rock, I’ve never been that enamored with “the Blues.“ I’ve always played bass (and synthesizers) in my bands over the years and a couple of years ago started playing guitar with my ‘80s band. I’ve since gone back and begun to study Billy’s style of blues and it’s got so much heart, soul, and grit that I’ve adopted him as my mentor for adding those chops into my repertoire.
It was really nice hearing the immediate A/B comparisons; when I've experimented with gauge changes I always have to remember what the instrument sounded like before I changed the strings, and that's not always easy for me. :) Really looking forward to an episode where different string materials (nickel vs. nickel-plate vs. NYXL vs. whatever else you can find/get donated) are put to the same side-by-side comparison. Great show as always... now that I've discovered That Pedal Show it's made my Fridays That Much Better. :)
David Glendinning I found different string brands and types work better on my different guiitars. I use Fender Super bullet 9-46 on my MN SSS Strat in standard tuning but NYXL's 10-52 on my RW HSS Strat in drop C#. I have tried loads of different combinations and these are what currently 'do it' for me.
Great episode, Guys! I, too, struggled with strings for years until I found Gretsch guitars (Duo Jets, specifically). 10’s were way too slinky and had no “fight back” to them. They felt and sounded like old wires on wood. Then I slapped some Ernie Ball 11’s on and suddenly I was home. They had punch, clarity and that bouncy feel that makes you feel like the strings are alive under your fingers. What’s interesting about 11’s on Gretsches is that because of the 24.9” scale length, the 11’s retain the nice tension you’d expect but are granted a little extra give that makes bending a touch easier without sacrificing intonation if I bear down hard. On the whole, I think Mick’s point about the fact that it’s not what strings are right but what strings are right for each individual is spot on. I know plenty of players that sound great on 10’s and even 9’s but for me, I need the fight of the 11’s to give me the rock ‘n roll feel.
Fantastic show today. This is proof that Dan and Mick can make a fun and informative show out of string changing!!! Also, an obligatory hello to Jason Isaacs! for all the wittertainees out there...
Sean Dyer, The sub are doing fine on the show. I especially like Edith! But Mark and Simon are sorely missed. In the meantime Dan and Mick are doing a fine job!!!
Hey guys! I really appreciate the show - I'm a very happy gig-rig user! A couple of notes... first, while interesting, this is also (at times) the most boring episode of That Pedal Show I've seen - and I say that with all the love and respect in the world. I just feel like it should have been edited down a bit more. That said - I listened to this episode in my mixing/mastering studio, and the difference in the low end on the Les Paul was astounding. The 12's sounded huge, and had fantastic low frequency extension, which loads up the gain stage quite differently, and you could really feel it thump you. When the 8's were on, that was almost gone - and it massively changed the harmonic content as well. I'm not sure how many listeners can hear the low end the way I could today, but I am certain you could literally feel that in the room, and thought it was worth noting.
Listening on headphones, the heavier strings on both the Strat and Tele were SOOO much bigger in tone, they made the thin strings sound just that. Thin, tinny, wasp in a biscuit tin teeth on edge unpleasant. But man oh man, the 12's on the LP? Crotch tinglingly AWESOME! But also to learn that heavier strings on a 7.25" fretboard stops the choking? GREAT! You guys are the best show on the UA-cam block, bar none!
I would argue that SRV is the exception to the rule .. who's tone do we love? EVH? 9s, Yngwie? 8s, BB King? 8s, Schenker? 9s .. I've always been suspicious of the heavy string theory ..
Yeah - true .. and his disciple Joe (Bonamassa) goes for 11s too .. Whilst EJ's not the pinnacle of tone for me, you can't deny how nice his guitars sounds are .. but my point still stands, I think the convention of thick strings=good tone has so many exceptions that it's simply not worth anything ..
+TheActressAndBishop That basic argument can and will go back and forth all day long. :0) Most of my fave players use heavy strings. But many don't. There's not much to glean from that. :0) Thanks for watching!
Oh yeah - and then you throw in people like Paul Gilbert who changes guage all the time .. I loved this video - it's a great debunking video .. and I liked the change of subject. Nice :-). Thanks guys ..
I think the thing that this video has illustrated isn't that either one is "better", just that there really is a difference and it isn't just in how it feels to play. I personally preferred the heavier strings in all cases (and I'll be ordering a box of 11s on payday this month!), but I think a band mix would make a huge difference and I can see that the brighter, less low-mid heavy tone of the 9s or the 8s could work much better in a dense mix, depending on the amp, the pedals and everything. Then again, in a different mix and with a different setup, maybe EVH would sound better with 11s. He doesn't use them because he prefers 9s but that's his choice. As these guys keep saying, there are no wrong answers, only better questions.
Different pickup there on the tele with .011's and .008's at 41:45. Also because you are not really objective about the different gauges there's no way it could sound or feel the same. That being said, I think the lighter strings really do sound different but I think actually better on the tele.
Nice catch! I thought there was something weird there... and so did Mick, as he asked Dan at 42:59 if he used the same sound on the Andy Timmons lick and Dan replied "Exactly the same sound!"
Ultimately, they made the right conclusions and it very useful. Regarding the continuity error, it's difficult even with professional directing, when there is a before and after using time delayed recording.... ....but yeah the pick-up switch was a clearly obvious sound really, even though I don't use my Tele that much, and I'm only listening on this phone. The major difference to me was volume. It was so obvious, because he was being more sensitive, and couldn't hit the strings as hard, so it was much quieter...... and therefore the output was weaker and so affected the signal path. Edge of breakup became a cleaner, further away from the edge, and some of the grit had gone. It's always best to keep a balance in life, and maybe they weren't as objective as they could have been. They're the same with 'cheaper' gear. They've always got good advice. I don't always believe their motives, but that's my problem There's nothing wrong having solid opinions built up over many years. Being opinionated, is different because that what makes you unable to listen. That's probably me too. Alhough it's good to remain open minded, even if your mentality is wired to a continuous improvement program, the more experienced you are, the more you think you're right, after all the adjustments and tweaks you have made, you are doing all this for the good of your playing. If you're a tone chaser, never satisfied, I would recommend practising with what you have. If you invest your time, research and money, you've got less reason to look back. You'll always try and make it sound good. If you're the type always practising because you feel there's more you need to achieve, you know what your like, carry on.
Wow... nice catch! I was so blown away by the difference, but now, knowing the pick up was switched to the neck position, that made a huge contribution to such a big difference. THANKS
I changed to 8 through 46 based on an old video where some guys discussed Billy Gibbons playing 7's so they'd try that for a week. I was playing 10 through 46 at the time and though I'd try something a little less drastic because I tune to drop D. I love it and I have stuck with 8 trough 46 ever since.
Favorite quotes on this video: Dan - "So its not a Vibrato, its a Brato" Mick - "Too much flesh on the strings man" Dan - "I'd be all over it like a mad woman's breakfast" Mick - "Stop calling" Would anybody buy those on a T-Shirt?
Because of this video, I changed the strings on my pink custom shop strat from 10's to 9's. Also because my wrist is been hurting for a couple of weeks now. The main difference I hear is a lower output and a more 'silvery' tone (don't know how else to describe it). But thanks to that I got inspired into playing differently. I started to play other chords for some reason, other licks, different vibrato approach. I love it. My effects react completely different. Like having a different rig. I do have to add that because of the lower output, I could boost the gain on my Two-Rock more, so the amp also sounded different. I think I'll switch more often in the future. Just to get that 'surprise' element.
just listening to Mick on 10.5 v's 9's and i think the 9's actually sound a little snappier.. might just be me though.. i actually think it sounds more "strat" like having that twang as well
in contrast.. just got to the Les Paul part and i would say the heavier strings have more of the authentic rock sound probably influenced by the music i have listened too.. definitely food for thought though.. I'm going to try putting lighter string on my strat and heavier ones on my Les Paul. Great video as always guys, thank you.
I use 0.10 on my strat and Tele and 0.11 on my SG and Les Paul. Because of the difference in scale length it plays almost the same. But the Gibson's sound much heavier (also because they have mini humbucker and P90, no humbuckers, hate those). It's how I like it best. :)
There's just something about the way string bending sounds when it takes a little work. Not so much that your hands are dying, just that little bit of tension that slows you down just in that last little bit of travel bending up to pitch. Love that sound.
Based on Dans closing comments, when will we see the "Every 1000th inch matters" T-shirts? ;) (You can have that for free, so long as I get a free t-shirt.. :) Interesting show! I started playing in order of Bass, then Acoustic, then Electric. As such I have a rather "firm" touch.. Constantly smashing low E and A strings out of tune as I whack my Les Paul and SG on 10's. Particularly in drop D. Dont get the issue on my longer scale guitars (your tension explanation explains!) Box of 11's on order..
I used 10-46s for years and years and didn't think anything about changing, until I decided to try tuning to Eb and fell in love. I loved the Eb sound, but I wanted to have the same "tighter" feel from having the higher tension on the bottom strings so I tried 10-52 and found that it was a perfect fit for my g&l bluesboy. I think it's more about the feel and what fits the guitar than it is about the sound, but it does seem like the heavier bottom strings have better rhythm sounds.
Great show and guitar playing! I use Thomastik-Infeld Jazz Swing gauge 12-50 on both of my teles, and I'm about to re-string my archtop with the same strings. I keep the teles tuned down a half step to accommodate the string tension. I love these strings! So warm and inviting! Has anyone else ever tried them? I'd love to hear your thoughts. : )
Great episode. It shows just how much and how little string gauge contributes to tone. While I could hear the difference it left me wondering how much turning up the amp could compensate. That said I am likely moving back to 10's from 9's because it seems to me that even with volume equalization the thicker strings will ring truer.
I love how y'all went through all of the myths and legends of changing strings. There's more than one way to skin a cat. The only string thing I think is wholly incorrect is the trapping the tag end of a string off under the part of the string wrapped around the tuner post to effectively lock it in place. The reason why is, when the part of the string wrapped across the top of the tag end, it causes a cam situation which drastically changes the ratio of the tuner and can make an "on off" tuning feel when trying to tune to a certain pitch when it's on that "cam". Simply mechanical problem with that method. Otherwise if you get enough wraps around the post to prevent string slipping from around the post you'll be just fine.
For me with arthritis in my hands the light strings work just fine. Like 9 to 42. Maybe those expensive strings we’re very old and went through some temperature changes. But maybe it was just a bad batch? When I used to play the D’ Dario’s the 9.5 alway broke. After you tune stretch the string by pulling up with fingers and retune again…I watch a Joe Walsh video and how to tune your guitar & mind you I’ve been playing for 50 years and it was very accurate and awe inspiring
It's crazy how the tone changes with a gauge change, without even changing settings. Lighter gauges sound too snappy to me, it's a matter of taste, but i use .12's cause i love the extra tension on thick strings
Thank you for an interesting comparison. When I started playing some 53 years ago light gauge strings did not exist so I started to use tape wound (as flat wounds were known in those days) as my fingers would get sore after playing for any length of time. Then along came Eddie Cochrane who used a banjo G string on the first string, the top 'E' to become the "B," "B" to the G etc. Move ahead to the present day and I find myself encumbered with diabetes and a delightful complication called peripheral neuropathy, which means that it is very uncomfortable for me to use heavy strings. I have one guitar strung with 9's, but I find that painful at times, so my other guitars are strung with 8's except for a Squier Strat that has Tony Iommi's stringing of 8,8,11,18,24,32, which I find very easy on the fingers. I tend to use my fingers instead of a pick as well, and have found that I play with a far lighter touch than I used to.
A list of Players who have used 9's and 8's (at times) and gotten big tones: Billy Gibbons (8's and 9's) Jimmy Page (9's and 8's) Jimi (9's at times) Clapton ( 9's at times) EVH (9's) Tony Iommi (8's ) Frank Zappa (8's) Alex Lifeson (9's) Shawn Lane (9's) Judas Priest (8's and 9's) BB King (8's but went heavier later) Malmsteen (8-52 supposedly) James Hetfield (used to use 9's) Angus Young (9's) Steve Lukather (9's) Joe Walsh (9's) Santana (9's) Walter Trout (9's) Iron Maiden (9's) Brian May (9's) Some players you may be surprised that use heavier strings: Phil Collen of Def Leppard (13s and 14s!!) Paul Gilbert 11's Randy Rhoads reportedly used 11's (in standard tuning) Dick Dale (16-60!) (not surprising but holy hell!) Scott Henderson (11's)
Another thing that this really brings to light is that a change of string gauge in the STUDIO could really make the difference in a recording. A lighter or heavier gauge might not fit your normal playing style, but it can give you that extra difference in tone when recording without having to try ten amps, mics, and pedals first... Great demo again. Really enlightening.
Been playing 12's for 20+ years. I started using them to help strengthen my hand and just kept using them. I played friends guitars and broke strings, broke string at guitar shops... I dropped down to 11's and it's pretty light, but I'm really trying to get accustomed to it. I tried to go with 10's but it was ridiculous. Baby steps I guess. I do love the sound of heavy strings, more bubbly than wet I think.
You guys were worried about how long the video was, but it blew by for me. I was surprised it was over so quickly. I think there is a macho factor to playing to playing with heavier strings. When you put the 12s on the Les Paul you said the strings were "man style". Players love to brag about how heavy their strings are. As you said though, if you don't feel comfortable playing heavier strings then you're not doing yourself any favors by using them.
you two never disappoint, very interesting video. my les paul and my fingers like 9's, my SG hates 9's and screams for 11's, different horses, different lasagne
I use 11's on my Les Paul, in standard tuning. I've tried 9's, but too floppy. Heavier strings make bends more controlled. I compare it to using the arm on a Bigsby vs a Floyd Rose. Much smoother with heavier strings.
Wade Wilson - I don't really care for the top wrap thing. I know it reduces the tension, but I actually like having to fight a little with the guitar. Preference thing I suppose.
I happily use 9s on a Fender Mustang. The notion that Gibson scale length is too short for 9s, when Jimmy Page and B.B King used 8s, is a bit much. Every player has a preference, and a lot of players fret very lightly because there's no need to have a heavy fretting hand, so if you have a sensitive touch, light strings are totally possible.
Just wanted to let you know guys, even I guess you already do, how important is for us (young amateur guitar lovers) what you do. I wait for every video as it was Christmas day, and I've learned so much from you guys. Best wishes from Barcelona and THANK YOU !
Tough video to make, you made the points of difference stand out and provided great advice. I have been playing for over 30 years and learned a great deal from you both. Thank you very much for this and all the other great work you do. Regards Steve.
Lighter strings had lower output on Tele. Would have to raise pickups slightly to get similar overdriven sound. Lights sounded better on heavier distortion. Lower output affected rest of tones.
hey guys, i know this is more of an older video, but i had to re visit this video due to having string issues. just wanted to say thank you for clearing a few things up for me and solving a few issues i was having. i dont think you guys realize how usefull and and help full your videos are to the guitar community! im a giiging musician and have been for some time now and watch your videos every week and everytime i learn something! so thanks again and dont EVER stop doing what you guys do! regards Lee
Sure, thicker strings sounds "bigger" = bassier, and has higher output. But volume adjust to the thinner strings and high pass the bottom end on both (like what is actually done in the mix) and i bet that the thinner strings will sound both sweeter and more defined.
I love your channel! Coming from a gearhead who's 1st pedal was a Maestro Fuzztain, greetings from the Sangre de Cristo mountains of southwest Colorado! You guys objectively cover gear with just enough "tech talk" to help it all make sense! The interaction and chemistry sets you heads and above! Thanks for all your hard work!
I use only Ernie Ball 9s on my Strats but my SG has 10s and my Les Paul's have 11s. Different guitars just sound and play better with different gauges for me.
Some of my favorite players use/d ultra light 7, 8 and 9 gauge strings. BB King, John Petrucci, Billy Gibbons, Jimmy Page, Link Wray, Kim Thayil, Carlos Santana, Tony Iommi, etc. I don't think anyone would accuse those guys of sounding thin, wimpy or not having any tone or "meat".
Meh, the strings don't matter as much as the fingers. The sad reality is most of us don't have the raw strength and ham hands that SRV had. Not to mention the intensity he would hammer the strings, normal gauge strings would have just snapped off the neck. But honestly I can't tell much of a difference between 9's to 11's tone wise. So I just use 10's and let my fingers do the rest. A decent set of pickups and tube amp is more than enough for 99 percent of us anyways. Happy pick'in fellas.
David Diehl I feel like you’re not listening if you can’t hear it. The difference is so significant. 10s are a good middle ground but 8s are horrible strings 9s aren’t great but definitely more playable. SRV used 13s. So yeh lost can’t use 13s but most people are capable of playing 11s.
I would tend to agree. I think most of the perceived difference is from how you play the different strings. I’d doubt there’s much difference in the signal
Love your show. I can listen to and about guitar all day. Great topic. I like the feeling of playing heavier strings, but this video shows me (at through my iPad speakers) that most of sound is “the player and the music”. Mick’s point is spot on, “the question is do YOU sound better playing (x) Strings”. I’m using 12’s (slack tuning) right now and thinking some bends are not effortless enough, and my hands get tire? But I do like the right hand feel, and hence the dynamic of heavier. In some of the examples, the lighter strings had less harmonic overtones, and sounded more focused with distortion? The Two Rock isn’t fair...it just sounds amazing! Loved the Les Paul with 12’s, clean. If it makes you happy, it can’t be bad! Rock on!
After 35 years of playing the D'Addario Balance set in NYXL 10's or XL 11's are my favorites. The even tension feel from string to string is spectacular.
Have to disagree about locking tuners slipping. For one thing, they are strung in such a way so that you don't have multiple windings around the post. In my experience, especially with heavy vibrato bar use, multiple windings around the post has been the root cause of my tuning stability issues. Once I tried a set of locking tuners I ended up putting them on most of my guitars and have never been happier in terms of tuning stability.
TsiratiugZ, me too, I put them on every Strat I own. Mostly for the simplicity and because I hate changing strings. I suck at the multiple windings thing. I still put a couple windings even with the locking tuners, and I always check that the locking mechanism hasn't loosened up.
@1:01:31 did it for me... I ordered the wrong gage strings last week, and last night at rehersals I constantly thought I was out of tune. But no... It is my low E and A string that keep bending up when I dig in. THANK YOU THANK YOU Dan (and Mick of course) for making so much sense every week!
Personally really heavy strings feel like I've got lead weights on my fingers. On the other hand, my fret hand control is not good enough to stop everything being constantly out of tune with really light strings, so there's got to be a balance there.
You nailed it with "does it sound better when YOU play them?" Whatever gauge, ultimately it's your guitar, your feel and touch, your tone. Amps and pedals can help a lot when trying to get a tone, but it's particular to each player's feel overall. Myself, after experimentation over years, I play 9s across all my guitars. I don't have big hands, I don't play heavy, and it all just works for me at that gauge. You guys like heavier (10.5s and 11s) and that works for you, and no one's arguing tone and ability from Mick and Dan! Fair play to all, whatever works so long as you have your guitar constantly in hand, and it feels right to you!
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10.5!!! I had been on the hunt for them, and since I live 15 minutes from daddario factory -went there and they gave me a few sets gratis! Absolutely perfect for my 1982 reissue '57 Strat.
11:38 That made me so happy. I don't have a guitar with a vibrato, but every time I play someone else's that does, I can't help but play bits of that song. Lenny live at Carnegie is some of the most beautiful guitar work ever.
Mick boy you f'ing rock! and I don't care what any body says.. Danny your another animal... I'm sry but this show is the best on the web!!!!!!!@@@@@@!!!!!!
I moved from 9s to 10s and 11s. With a maple fretboard, my fingers would drag along the fretboard and the strings felt lost between the frets and board. 10s and 11s allow me to feel the strings more and allows for better control. Rosewood fretboards [IMO] are easier to play provided they rosewoods is properly finished. Great show. Love how you're branching out from pedals. Goodness knows there are many facets to the guitar.
Overdriven Les Paul with 8's sounds amazing! I recall you or Cap and Chap talking about Billy Gibbons playing like that and seems like for a reason (or sevens if you say so)! Especially when Les Paul is thicker sound on average, it balances nicely with lots of gain that doesn't like if the sound is too full. On blues the thicker strings really show their pros, having those strong single note lead sounds with less gain! And chords sound more powerful too. The hard thing to learn is to play differently with thinner/thicker strings, when thicker need more power to just get them ringing and they sound awful when you just touch them, while thinner strings produce a really nice "pack" together but need to be careful not to detune just by playing. Thanks for a good episode once again.
The point Mick makes, about being able to play certain gauges "better" than others, as well as the piece about technique affecting intonation was really good I thought, makes perfect sense now I think about it!
every single guitar sounded better with lighter strings. I actually think you guys go overboard with the bass content in your amp/pedal settings, so when lighter strings come into play everything sounds better and more defined. honestly your drive sounds are always muddy to me. great video!
Yeah... I mean I use 10s exclusively... Keep making cool videos guys. One on different amp speakers would be really nice, differences between alnico and ceramic, different brands, models, after all they are such an important part of the whole setup, a different speaker can make a giant sounding fuzz pedal sound thin and lifeless etc etc.. Cheers!
I've noticed that low strings if they're too thin will tend to flop around and go wildly out of tune if struck hard. I actually use 8s but not in the usual sense, they're a 48 on the bottom and 34 24 16 11 then 8. The higher strings don't suffer from flopping out of tune when I hit hard, and I do hit them hard. Also the increase of tension by 2 lbs or so each to the next thickest string feels very balanced and intuitive. Plus on a Strat it makes it easier to bend 1 1/2 steps on the high string if I need to hit the E note bending on the 21st fret. Cheers guys and love the show as always!
shnmclr weird. I was reading this comment exactly when that song started playing on the vid. Like reading in a coffee shop and encountering an uncommon word like "harpsichord," and having somebody say the word at the same time.
Started off with 9 - 42 standard sets. Used Vinci strings for years (9,11.5, 16,24,34,42) but gravitated to Hybrid Slinkys - 9,11,16,26,36,46. I ended up making my own sets - 9,12,17,26,38,48, - this on Gibson scale length. I'm hoping to start up again and get my stuff out of storage and see you can get sets called Skinny top Heavy bottom - 10,13,17,28,40,52. Should be fine on Gibson scale length, I'd tend towards the Hybrid Slinkys on a Fender scale length guitar. Beefier strings are more to do with feel and intonation than tone (although I do think the extra metal makes for a beefier sound) ;- I like to dig in or thwack without the wound strings wimping out and flapping out of tune. On the string stretching, I have a gizmo that you run up and down the string and it stretches it all over. No idea what the brand is or what it's called. Used my hands in a cotton glove sprayed with string lube before that - too geeky? On the string gauge test, the heavier strings had it all over the lighter ones on all three guitars, for my ears anyway.
I’ve had stock 10s on my sg for 4yrs…lol, sounded great but I wanted to clean the fretboard and put 9s on it. Wow it sounds much thinner. Might be because the old strings dulled out, but they never sounded thin. I’m going back to 10s
So the difference is basically the feel not so much the tone..or on the .008 s nothing you couldn't fix with EQ..so other than different tensions, the sound is relatively close.Although the Tele with .008 sounded different. The rest were close. So players, find the most comfortable string for what style you play and go for it!
Guitardudeguy TMark/Osh this string thing is just one more guitar misconception. Leo Fender managed to break half of those but still someone else needs to come and make another revolution to break the remaining. Thick strings might be better for lower tunings but when it comes to the same tuning, that's just up to the player preference. For own experience thicker ones tend to last longer without breaking but are really a pain to the fingertips if you're soloing all the time; they also eat the frets way quicker.
André Fontes I agree, I use what feels right to me..I play alot of gigs and sessions and change strings constantly..it gets to be a real chore, mainly because I use several guitars in my performance including acoustic instruments..I do all my own tech. I prefer .012 on my acoustics and usually .009 on my Strats or .095..The .010 to .010.5 are for my Gibson scale guitars. It's just what I like. I play alot Blues/rock and Folk/blues which require alot of bending of strings. I solo all the time, so I go through strings fast. I tend to rotate in several guitars and usually have one main electric (strat). And use others for different sounds/genres. The Strat gets fresh strings every show. There's nothing worse than having strings go dead on you halfway through the show. If it's an outside venue, strings can die quickly due to change in temperature, humidity etc. The longer lasting string is a myth. I don't break strings. My guitars are set up properly..if players break strings, it's usually because of bridges,nuts,tension and age. The coated last a little longer to me, but not much. I still am changing strings the day before a show...every time. No exceptions. If you want to sound your best, change them. This is just my preference , as a veteran player for over 35 years. Some people use different strings for different genres , and that's fine. This is just my opinion from experience. And it works for me.
I am SO loving this channel. I’ve been playing guitar since my youth (I am now 55). I am a bass player by nature... perhaps “my first love” is closer to the mark. Played it a bit heavy-handed. I do the same on acoustic guitar (in my current group) because I keep the rhythm (2 acoustics/1 electric bass/all sing). I’m considering incorporating a Telecaster into a few tunes. Because I hit hard, I’m thinking 11’s will be the best way to go... along with some lessons and serious practice because I’ve never been a lead player, but I try my best to work it out presently. I very much appreciate your humor, honesty, opinions, and, most of all, your stressing the importance of TONE (whether with/without pedals/effects). I can’t afford a top shelf combo and I don’t need the power in my trio, but a Vox AC15 is in my future (along with a stock Boss Blues Driver and maybe an Xotic SP compressor). I’ve gotta go try my off-brand Telecaster w/Bud Z PUPS on some amps at the local shops to be sure. Thanks again, guys.
when I started there where no gauges,you bought a first,second ectect.the term play till you fingers bled ,was real !!!!! Then I read somewhere that Jeff Beck used a banjo first !!!suddenly it became easy to bend and play !!!! Hendrix used very light strings,didn,t hurt his sound !!!! I am now in my late 60,s ,still playing in various bands ,I used 8,s for most of my musical career ,then about 9 years ago I moved to 9,s .Now I use 9 hybrids on my fenders,and 10, s on the gibson,s . going heavier is not an option now ,arthritis in the thumb and ganglion in the wrist !!!! So my theory is ,play whatever is the most comfortable for you !!!!!
SoulIsTheGoal Hendrix was fond of using his b string in place of his e string and other things of this nature as well as tuning to eb cause he couldn't sing and he was a bit of a prick, the English boys like clapton and beck were a little to reverential to jimi, i prefer jimmy page and keith richards who didn't take to his bullshit jimi coukd be a real prick, the lightweight couldn't handle his drugs and stole all his best tricks , hell i can play broken chords
Great video! I've played 11's on all my guitars for years and loved em. I did a lot of chicken pickin and pedal steel style bends with no issues. Eventually the bigger strings took a toll on my hands. Every morning I'd run my hands under hot water for a few minutes to get them feeling loose. So I made the switch to 10's, raised the action a tiny bit, and now no pain! Tone is still great as well. Your setup plays such a massive part in all this. Anyway.. thanks for another great show!
Who sounds better than Billy Gibbons, think hard, minimal effects, generally Gibsony guitars and 7s - Mick is correct, you change your style to play light strings, if you feel you have to beat the shit out of a Les Paul to feel good, then use 10s - but that is a choice, I have strats and Les Pauls and don't beat the shit out of them an 8s sound great....
+William Parker Contentious comment looming. To me Billy Gibbons sounded better in the early days. I'd love to know what strings he was using then. These days, I prefer the tone of David Grissom by some margin. And quite a few other players . Sacrilege, perhaps. Same flies for later BB King. Mick here.
That's fair enough, I think BG always sounds like BG, and that's generally good. I think that any level of processing will hide the potential 'thinness' , so maybe 8s, though I love them, are not for the blues purists but for the rocker... Another thing to consider.. I have diabetes and that gives you numb/painful fingertips, I bought some 7s to try, less pain, but they need a higher action to work well
I think that Pipeline tremolo can do exactly what I want it to do in a song I am mocking up in my head right now. I gotta say, the last thing I thought I would want in 2018 is a fancy tremolo, but after hearing the Pipeline demo, a fancy tremolo is looking like it WILL BE my last purchase of 2018. Well done Tor!
i've had friends that say string gauge is irrelevant. . Heres the test that won them over. Tune your high E, B and G strings all to E. Play a single string lick on each string...you'll hear the difference. You have 3 different string gauges all tuned to the same pitch, yet each sounded different...
I've definitely been discovering it's how strong your hands are, how you feel when you play them(thanks Dan and Mick!), and what you are doing with the playing(hard/soft). Stevie strummed the hell out of his strings, so thicker makes sense, where as bending all the time more than a half step would lean towards using lighter strings. Ah, the journey of the craft!
Off work at 7am after 24hrs and a quiet night on the ambulance, my five day break is just beginning, I've got coffee, a bacon sandwich, and there is 'That Pedal Show', greeting me like an old friend. Cheers from Maryland, USA, guys!
+geetarbube Nice one! Thank you for the work you do. Now that's important shit!
That Pedal Show THANKS for your work...from another MARYLANDER🎸😊
This sounds cozy AF. Congrats!
Hello from Bethesda, MD!
heyo from Harford Country, MD. Not to far from Kent Island, home of Paul Reed Smith.
Dan’s string stretching “crimping” up and down the string is the method I use to start breaking the string in to help keep it in tune. I think an old guitar teacher in the Chicago area showed me that in the early 80’s and I’ve been doing it ever since. Never fails.
On tuning low to high causes the tuning peg gear to lash tight together instead of loose ( there is a fine hair of a gap between them) called positive tension.
I feel like there's so much emotion involved in this sort of thing, Every time I start experimenting with changing my string gauge I remember that the actual noticeable difference in tone translated to an audience is probably lost yet time practising my instrument and becoming less rubbish isn't. So I just shoot for comfort and then waste said practice time watching that pedal show \m/
+Cring0r You make a great point, and hopefully that was the message of this whole video. Play what makes you feel most comfortable.... because that's when you'll play best. :0)
22:10 - if only I learned that technique sometime in the last 40 years of owning a guitar. One of the greatest lessons to finally learn about intonation and fretting technique. My B string and G string notes always sounded horribly out of tune. Too much pressure. Thank you Mick! That Pedal Show - nuggets of tone and guitar knowledge that fills an otherwise incomplete education. Cheers!
Would be fun to do another one where you try to get as close as possible a sound from 8s and 12s just to see what kinds of EQ adjustments you might want to make using lighter or heavier strings.
30:22 I appreciate the breakdown from Dan about where the tension comes from when tuning up. Truly he is the Bill Nye of this show. Cheers!
Rick Beato did a pretty scientific approach to this exact same concept. Same Les Paul into the same amp and just tried a bunch of different gauge Ernie Balls. The results were pretty interesting. I went from being an .11 and .12 gauge guy, to now only playing .10's for the sake of tuning stability with a Bigsby. And I've never played nor sounded better
I saw ricks video and wished someone had done it with single coils and clean tones. Then found this video. This showcases why I love 10s and 11s
@@DistrictSoundLab Exactly, also even in Beatos conditions you can not be expressive or have dinamic range with 8s because they will choke or go out of tune just by staring at them.
@@zaldum386 yeah really not a fan. Loving the stringjoy 10-48 and the 10.5s for E flat Strats
When Mick was playing the strat with 9's, I actually liked the tone of the 9's better when he was playing lightly, but the 10.5's when he was playing heavily. There was more pop/treble in the light playing.
I use 9-46 D’Addario XLs. I’m also a bass player, so I’m accustomed to heavier strings. I’ve been playing 50 years.
The reason I like 9s on guitar is you can be more nuanced in your playing. If you listen to guys that use heavier strings, like the two of you, the bending and vibrato is different. To me it sounds a little stiff. But that’s just for me and the way I play.
But my Parker was sounding kind of choked on the high strings so I decided to stick 10s on it. I realized I couldn’t play them because I do a certain thing with my left hand where I pull off as I pick the note and it wasn’t working. (I ended up refretting the guitar which helped the high notes to sound smooth and full)
So for me it’s about the way I play. I use purple tortex and pick pretty hard. I actually like when the string rebounds when you pick hard!
But you guys are just used to heavier strings! It takes some getting used to lighter strings. I couldn’t play 7s or 8s. That’s too light!
But you guys play great and get great tones. We all just play differently, and lots of great music has been made on light gauge strings.
Ha ha Lee and I literally just shot this video!! It's going to be interesting to see if we reached the same conclusion :-)
+Rob Chapman ha! Yeah, fascinating stuff. Hope you're great matey :)
+Rob Chapman Looking forward to watching that Rob. Especially for gained sounds. Rawwwwwk!
No, you didn't.. The grown ups here did a much better job.
I have a feeling I watched you do a video on this years ago? First thing I thought of when I saw the headline.
As I recall you stated not too long ago the Bassbreaker was your favorite fender amp so... I think I know where you're starting out! But we shall see... :)
Great show as always! Four years ago
I was unfortunate enough to have a brown recluse bite my fretting hand between the first and second joint of my thumb. It did effect my playing, and I had to compensate. For instance, no more Hendrix style over the top fretting of chords...classical style now. (Thumb bends about 70% of what it used to).
While learning/relearning, I found that the 10's and 11's I played caused too much fatigue and cramping. So I settled on 9's. It was a struggle at first because they were unfamiliar and more importantly, unwanted. However, there is no problem now after working through the initial discontent. I compensated and actually improved. Best part is, I was able to convince my lovely bride of 30 years that new"pedals" would help ameliorate my situation and be essentially therapeutic. God bless her. She's the best!
Thanks again guys!
+Scb Lds Slightly scared to ask, but what is a brown recluse? He sounds nasty. Glad you're on the journey and still enjoying it. Thanks for watching!
Amused 2Death and That Pedal Show.
Yes thats the one, nasty buggers could cause you to lose digits and such! I'm fortunate that I caught it very early...still lost some muscle tissue and such. Can't tell by looking at it unless I say " hey dig this" Glad it was the thumb and not a more relied upon digit or appendage!
Scb Lds glad you kept your thumb! My aunt actually died from one, and this was in Michigan!
@@ThatPedalShow it's a spider highly poisonous tends to make the flesh decay around the bite
If you don't like 9s, but 10s are too much for your thumb, you may want to try a set of {.0095, .0125*, .016, .021p**/.025w**, .034, .046}. *possibly only sold by Kalium. -may have to settle for slightly heavier **possibly only sold by Kalium. -may have to settle for slightly lighter.
Thanks guys great show!
In my 47 years of playing I've experimented with string gauge and setup. I've found that when using lighter strings you can adjust the pickups I higher which compensates for the thinner sound...you get less 'magnetic pull' from the lighter strings. I've played 9's on my tele for country through to 13's on my arch top for jazz.
As you've demonstrated a lot depends on the style of playing but I think the setup, pickup height and action plays a part in this. Best thing is to keep experimenting!
Cheers guys
Ricky - UK
+clinkman007 Cheers Ricky. Yep, what you say makes a lot of sense. Pick thickness too. It's all an ecosystem that needs to be balanced optimally for you and you alone. Thanks for watching!
I swear, every time Dan hears something so good, I see a black woman in church, having a Jesus moment. Kinda like how Rabea listens to Pete, shakes his head with that look, like a 1 year old eating a lemon.
...can somebody do a Dan and Rabea tone approval montage? I think it needs to happen.
+DevilMayAsian Hahaha!!!
That Pedal Show sometimes when I'm feeling down I like to go back and watch dan listening to joey landreth play.
Whiskers B me too, always make me feel warm inside.
the 'djent face' ;)
Whiskers B Best show ever :-D
I wonder, given how clearly thin the thinner strings sounded, whether tuning your pedals/amp to balance the strings might lessen the difference, rather than playing a setup designed around 11s with 8s.
Edit - Having seen it all, I guess the old adage is true. Myself on Gatton's rig sounds rubbish. Gatton could smoke a Diddley Bow into a brandless amp. SRV didn't sound amazing because he played 13s, he sounded amazing because he's SRV.
Yep. Get the strings that feel good under your fingers, and play guitar
Yup. I used to play 10s for years but i like the feel of 9s so much better it makes it way easier to play the way i do. I havent gone back to 10s ever since. 8s i actually hear a diff that i dont like. To me 9s to 10s sound so similar i feel like i have a better tone on 9s because of how easy it feels to play.
I just play Ernie Ball strings because I liked the packaging as a little kid
John Lawrie saw an interview with j mascis where he said exactly the same, not a bad bedfellow ey
I just liked ordering "Ernie's stainless steel balls... extra stinky"
I fell hook, line and sinker for their marketing as a young kid.
Look at all those names on the package! I love those guys! I'm using these....
I've since become a daddario guy but will still use ernie balls if need be. They are very good strings, no doubt.
Same. It's only when I switched to a different string brand I realized how bad Ernie Balls are (at least for me). Using DR strings these days.
@Sky Studios DR's quality control went to the shitter in the past couple years. Sorry you missed the golden ages of their round wounds.
You guys play so nice together. I would love to hear an album. Pan Mick to the left and pan Dan to the right. It would be sweet.
I am currently in year 58 of guitar playing. Back in the '60s, I was using Gibson Sonomatic and Sonomatic Lights. Now, those were some guitar strings. A few years back, I enjoyed using D'Addario's "C" set tuned to EB, 12-60, I believe. When you thumped that bass string, it didn't go flying all over the place ... it just sat there and took it. I loved how they sounded, but as I aged (I am now 71.6), they became too hard to manage, as the thumbs seem to stay sore all the time these days ...
Personally, I will always believe that heavier strings will sound bigger than skinny strings; and they require far less processing and equalization, which is probably what is happening with all those skinny string guys that someone listed below. I remember hearing that ZZTop boy uses 7's or 8's, and I have seen photos of the NASA rig he runs through. And recording studios can do wonders with today's equalization systems.
Having said all that, I am a big fan of running Fender guitars through good compressors ... they just do amazing things for a Stratocaster run through a 1964 Super Reverb, no matter what size the string set. And BTW: Try some Stringjoys ...
There are so many variables that this can be a real tail-chasing game. String guage, setup, pick shape, pick rigidity, pick thickness, pickup height, amp gain structure, right-hand technique, and even more factors all play a part. If you want something you're not getting, you might have to do a lot more exploration than string guage. Great job on covering a difficult subject!
Is there ever going to be a That Pedal Show t-shirt with the Horn on it?
I'd buy that.
+Tïr Eoghain Blackman Great idea, thank you!
That Pedal Show put me down for one!
I'd but one. Rather like a Derek & Clive link, "that Pedal Show gives me the horn......."
Buy!
Or , That Pedal Show makes me horny baby :)
I think there is something in the tone of thicker strings but there's a line where the tone is affected because you aren't playing as fluidly as you can if the tension is to much. I've been playing .10s on my strat for a while now but when I go to .9s or tube to Eb (like I did today) I can't believe the difference especially with bends . I think the best thing is thicker strings and tune down like jimi and trower did they tuned to D - probably get away with 12-13s at D .
I'm happy to play .10s in standard with a strat though - gilmour has a set with GHS which is slightly lighter in the higher strings and thinker in the lower and so is a good trade off as you don't bend the lower strings as much usually.
Great show as usual anyway guys .
Man guys I think that was one of the best episodes in a long time. Keep doing these more esoteric experiments, it looked like you guys were having a blast. For the vote that is not taking place, I like when you guys get into tangents. Even when I feel like im familiar with a concept you are on about, it's still enlightening to hear veteran perspectives from people who think deeply about the philosophy of tone.
+Sleepthieves Thank you muchly! It's all a continuing journey. Thanks for watching!
So Good!
With a background in Progressive Rock, I’ve never been that enamored with “the Blues.“ I’ve always played bass (and synthesizers) in my bands over the years and a couple of years ago started playing guitar with my ‘80s band. I’ve since gone back and begun to study Billy’s style of blues and it’s got so much heart, soul, and grit that I’ve adopted him as my mentor for adding those chops into my repertoire.
It was really nice hearing the immediate A/B comparisons; when I've experimented with gauge changes I always have to remember what the instrument sounded like before I changed the strings, and that's not always easy for me. :)
Really looking forward to an episode where different string materials (nickel vs. nickel-plate vs. NYXL vs. whatever else you can find/get donated) are put to the same side-by-side comparison.
Great show as always... now that I've discovered That Pedal Show it's made my Fridays That Much Better. :)
David Glendinning I found different string brands and types work better on my different guiitars. I use Fender Super bullet 9-46 on my MN SSS Strat in standard tuning but NYXL's 10-52 on my RW HSS Strat in drop C#. I have tried loads of different combinations and these are what currently 'do it' for me.
Great episode, Guys! I, too, struggled with strings for years until I found Gretsch guitars (Duo Jets, specifically). 10’s were way too slinky and had no “fight back” to them. They felt and sounded like old wires on wood. Then I slapped some Ernie Ball 11’s on and suddenly I was home. They had punch, clarity and that bouncy feel that makes you feel like the strings are alive under your fingers. What’s interesting about 11’s on Gretsches is that because of the 24.9” scale length, the 11’s retain the nice tension you’d expect but are granted a little extra give that makes bending a touch easier without sacrificing intonation if I bear down hard.
On the whole, I think Mick’s point about the fact that it’s not what strings are right but what strings are right for each individual is spot on. I know plenty of players that sound great on 10’s and even 9’s but for me, I need the fight of the 11’s to give me the rock ‘n roll feel.
Fantastic show today. This is proof that Dan and Mick can make a fun and informative show out of string changing!!!
Also, an obligatory hello to Jason Isaacs! for all the wittertainees out there...
Fawkes1978 wassup wassup wassup
Sean Dyer, The sub are doing fine on the show. I especially like Edith! But Mark and Simon are sorely missed. In the meantime Dan and Mick are doing a fine job!!!
Hey guys! I really appreciate the show - I'm a very happy gig-rig user! A couple of notes... first, while interesting, this is also (at times) the most boring episode of That Pedal Show I've seen - and I say that with all the love and respect in the world. I just feel like it should have been edited down a bit more.
That said - I listened to this episode in my mixing/mastering studio, and the difference in the low end on the Les Paul was astounding. The 12's sounded huge, and had fantastic low frequency extension, which loads up the gain stage quite differently, and you could really feel it thump you. When the 8's were on, that was almost gone - and it massively changed the harmonic content as well.
I'm not sure how many listeners can hear the low end the way I could today, but I am certain you could literally feel that in the room, and thought it was worth noting.
Changed from 10-46 to 10-52, never been happier
Quincey Van Den Berg skinny top heavy bottom Ernie ball set, gauge of kings
Quincey Van Den Berg I love the skinny top heavy bottoms, too!! Favorite thus far...
HateHater I think they're the most versatile tuning wise (as long as you aren't going up)
yep! seems that way to me as well
Same here
Listening on headphones, the heavier strings on both the Strat and Tele were SOOO much bigger in tone, they made the thin strings sound just that. Thin, tinny, wasp in a biscuit tin teeth on edge unpleasant. But man oh man, the 12's on the LP? Crotch tinglingly AWESOME! But also to learn that heavier strings on a 7.25" fretboard stops the choking? GREAT! You guys are the best show on the UA-cam block, bar none!
I would argue that SRV is the exception to the rule .. who's tone do we love? EVH? 9s, Yngwie? 8s, BB King? 8s, Schenker? 9s .. I've always been suspicious of the heavy string theory ..
Yeah - true .. and his disciple Joe (Bonamassa) goes for 11s too .. Whilst EJ's not the pinnacle of tone for me, you can't deny how nice his guitars sounds are .. but my point still stands, I think the convention of thick strings=good tone has so many exceptions that it's simply not worth anything ..
+TheActressAndBishop That basic argument can and will go back and forth all day long. :0) Most of my fave players use heavy strings. But many don't. There's not much to glean from that. :0) Thanks for watching!
Oh yeah - and then you throw in people like Paul Gilbert who changes guage all the time .. I loved this video - it's a great debunking video .. and I liked the change of subject. Nice :-). Thanks guys ..
I think the thing that this video has illustrated isn't that either one is "better", just that there really is a difference and it isn't just in how it feels to play. I personally preferred the heavier strings in all cases (and I'll be ordering a box of 11s on payday this month!), but I think a band mix would make a huge difference and I can see that the brighter, less low-mid heavy tone of the 9s or the 8s could work much better in a dense mix, depending on the amp, the pedals and everything. Then again, in a different mix and with a different setup, maybe EVH would sound better with 11s. He doesn't use them because he prefers 9s but that's his choice. As these guys keep saying, there are no wrong answers, only better questions.
Ry Cooder - 12s.
I've bee playing for 35 years and never though of cutting the string before I wind it up .You're never too old to learn kids, thanks for the lesson
Different pickup there on the tele with .011's and .008's at 41:45. Also because you are not really objective about the different gauges there's no way it could sound or feel the same. That being said, I think the lighter strings really do sound different but I think actually better on the tele.
Nice catch! I thought there was something weird there... and so did Mick, as he asked Dan at 42:59 if he used the same sound on the Andy Timmons lick and Dan replied "Exactly the same sound!"
Yeah, I noticed too before Mick even asked.
Ultimately, they made the right conclusions and it very useful.
Regarding the continuity error, it's difficult even with professional directing, when there is a before and after using time delayed recording....
....but yeah the pick-up switch was a clearly obvious sound really, even though I don't use my Tele that much, and I'm only listening on this phone.
The major difference to me was volume.
It was so obvious, because he was being more sensitive, and couldn't hit the strings as hard, so it was much quieter...... and therefore the output was weaker and so affected the signal path. Edge of breakup became a cleaner, further away from the edge, and some of the grit had gone.
It's always best to keep a balance in life, and maybe they weren't as objective as they could have been. They're the same with 'cheaper' gear. They've always got good advice. I don't always believe their motives, but that's my problem
There's nothing wrong having solid opinions built up over many years. Being opinionated, is different because that what makes you unable to listen. That's probably me too.
Alhough it's good to remain open minded, even if your mentality is wired to a continuous improvement program, the more experienced you are, the more you think you're right, after all the adjustments and tweaks you have made, you are doing all this for the good of your playing.
If you're a tone chaser, never satisfied, I would recommend practising with what you have.
If you invest your time, research and money, you've got less reason to look back. You'll always try and make it sound good.
If you're the type always practising because you feel there's more you need to achieve, you know what your like, carry on.
I went scrolling, looking for this comment. I didn't go far enough before making my own comment saying the same thing. Oops.
Wow... nice catch! I was so blown away by the difference, but now, knowing the pick up was switched to the neck position, that made a huge contribution to such a big difference. THANKS
I changed to 8 through 46 based on an old video where some guys discussed Billy Gibbons playing 7's so they'd try that for a week. I was playing 10 through 46 at the time and though I'd try something a little less drastic because I tune to drop D. I love it and I have stuck with 8 trough 46 ever since.
Favorite quotes on this video:
Dan - "So its not a Vibrato, its a Brato"
Mick - "Too much flesh on the strings man"
Dan - "I'd be all over it like a mad woman's breakfast"
Mick - "Stop calling"
Would anybody buy those on a T-Shirt?
Because of this video, I changed the strings on my pink custom shop strat from 10's to 9's. Also because my wrist is been hurting for a couple of weeks now. The main difference I hear is a lower output and a more 'silvery' tone (don't know how else to describe it). But thanks to that I got inspired into playing differently. I started to play other chords for some reason, other licks, different vibrato approach. I love it. My effects react completely different. Like having a different rig. I do have to add that because of the lower output, I could boost the gain on my Two-Rock more, so the amp also sounded different. I think I'll switch more often in the future. Just to get that 'surprise' element.
just listening to Mick on 10.5 v's 9's and i think the 9's actually sound a little snappier.. might just be me though.. i actually think it sounds more "strat" like having that twang as well
+Andy Lord Mick here. I agree - they're lighter in the midrange so sound a bit spankier/scoopier. More Stratty, you might say! :0)
in contrast.. just got to the Les Paul part and i would say the heavier strings have more of the authentic rock sound probably influenced by the music i have listened too.. definitely food for thought though.. I'm going to try putting lighter string on my strat and heavier ones on my Les Paul. Great video as always guys, thank you.
Totally agree with you Andy - my preference too, but how much difference simply because they were "packet fresh" I wonder...
I use 0.10 on my strat and Tele and 0.11 on my SG and Les Paul. Because of the difference in scale length it plays almost the same. But the Gibson's sound much heavier (also because they have mini humbucker and P90, no humbuckers, hate those). It's how I like it best. :)
every strat should come with .9-.46 on it
There's just something about the way string bending sounds when it takes a little work. Not so much that your hands are dying, just that little bit of tension that slows you down just in that last little bit of travel bending up to pitch. Love that sound.
Based on Dans closing comments, when will we see the "Every 1000th inch matters" T-shirts? ;)
(You can have that for free, so long as I get a free t-shirt.. :)
Interesting show! I started playing in order of Bass, then Acoustic, then Electric. As such I have a rather "firm" touch.. Constantly smashing low E and A strings out of tune as I whack my Les Paul and SG on 10's. Particularly in drop D. Dont get the issue on my longer scale guitars (your tension explanation explains!) Box of 11's on order..
Yes! And the horn… great t shirt ideas Mick and Dan!
I used 10-46s for years and years and didn't think anything about changing, until I decided to try tuning to Eb and fell in love. I loved the Eb sound, but I wanted to have the same "tighter" feel from having the higher tension on the bottom strings so I tried 10-52 and found that it was a perfect fit for my g&l bluesboy. I think it's more about the feel and what fits the guitar than it is about the sound, but it does seem like the heavier bottom strings have better rhythm sounds.
Great show and guitar playing! I use Thomastik-Infeld Jazz Swing gauge 12-50 on both of my teles, and I'm about to re-string my archtop with the same strings. I keep the teles tuned down a half step to accommodate the string tension. I love these strings! So warm and inviting! Has anyone else ever tried them? I'd love to hear your thoughts. : )
have a ES 339 and a Danelectro Longhorn strung with 12 - 50 from Thomastik-Infeld. Definitely a great feel.
I've used them on my Epi Broadway and Swingster. Have been tempted to try flat 10s on my Sheraton.
Great episode. It shows just how much and how little string gauge contributes to tone. While I could hear the difference it left me wondering how much turning up the amp could compensate. That said I am likely moving back to 10's from 9's because it seems to me that even with volume equalization the thicker strings will ring truer.
I love how y'all went through all of the myths and legends of changing strings. There's more than one way to skin a cat.
The only string thing I think is wholly incorrect is the trapping the tag end of a string off under the part of the string wrapped around the tuner post to effectively lock it in place. The reason why is, when the part of the string wrapped across the top of the tag end, it causes a cam situation which drastically changes the ratio of the tuner and can make an "on off" tuning feel when trying to tune to a certain pitch when it's on that "cam". Simply mechanical problem with that method.
Otherwise if you get enough wraps around the post to prevent string slipping from around the post you'll be just fine.
For me with arthritis in my hands the light strings work just fine. Like 9 to 42.
Maybe those expensive strings we’re very old and went through some temperature changes. But maybe it was just a bad batch?
When I used to play the D’ Dario’s the 9.5 alway broke. After you tune stretch the string by pulling up with fingers and retune again…I watch a Joe Walsh video and how to tune your guitar & mind you I’ve been playing for 50 years and it was very accurate and awe inspiring
It's crazy how the tone changes with a gauge change, without even changing settings. Lighter gauges sound too snappy to me, it's a matter of taste, but i use .12's cause i love the extra tension on thick strings
Thank you for an interesting comparison. When I started playing some 53 years ago light gauge strings did not exist so I started to use tape wound (as flat wounds were known in those days) as my fingers would get sore after playing for any length of time. Then along came Eddie Cochrane who used a banjo G string on the first string, the top 'E' to become the "B," "B" to the G etc. Move ahead to the present day and I find myself encumbered with diabetes and a delightful complication called peripheral neuropathy, which means that it is very uncomfortable for me to use heavy strings.
I have one guitar strung with 9's, but I find that painful at times, so my other guitars are strung with 8's except for a Squier Strat that has Tony Iommi's stringing of 8,8,11,18,24,32, which I find very easy on the fingers. I tend to use my fingers instead of a pick as well, and have found that I play with a far lighter touch than I used to.
A list of Players who have used 9's and 8's (at times) and gotten big tones:
Billy Gibbons (8's and 9's)
Jimmy Page (9's and 8's)
Jimi (9's at times)
Clapton ( 9's at times)
EVH (9's)
Tony Iommi (8's )
Frank Zappa (8's)
Alex Lifeson (9's)
Shawn Lane (9's)
Judas Priest (8's and 9's)
BB King (8's but went heavier later)
Malmsteen (8-52 supposedly)
James Hetfield (used to use 9's)
Angus Young (9's)
Steve Lukather (9's)
Joe Walsh (9's)
Santana (9's)
Walter Trout (9's)
Iron Maiden (9's)
Brian May (9's)
Some players you may be surprised that use heavier strings:
Phil Collen of Def Leppard (13s and 14s!!)
Paul Gilbert 11's
Randy Rhoads reportedly used 11's (in standard tuning)
Dick Dale (16-60!) (not surprising but holy hell!)
Scott Henderson (11's)
Billy Gibbons actually now uses 7's....
Scott Henderson has twice melted my ears off - unforgettable concerts: truly one of the worlds best lead guitarists.
now That's an informed comment.
Don't forget Malcolm Young. .12 to .58 or as Angus put it, the heaviest ones he can find.
Another thing that this really brings to light is that a change of string gauge in the STUDIO could really make the difference in a recording. A lighter or heavier gauge might not fit your normal playing style, but it can give you that extra difference in tone when recording without having to try ten amps, mics, and pedals first... Great demo again. Really enlightening.
yo thats some sick intro jam, awesome to see you guys growing in your playing too! :)
Been playing 12's for 20+ years. I started using them to help strengthen my hand and just kept using them.
I played friends guitars and broke strings, broke string at guitar shops...
I dropped down to 11's and it's pretty light, but I'm really trying to get accustomed to it. I tried to go with 10's but it was ridiculous. Baby steps I guess.
I do love the sound of heavy strings, more bubbly than wet I think.
You guys were worried about how long the video was, but it blew by for me. I was surprised it was over so quickly. I think there is a macho factor to playing to playing with heavier strings. When you put the 12s on the Les Paul you said the strings were "man style". Players love to brag about how heavy their strings are. As you said though, if you don't feel comfortable playing heavier strings then you're not doing yourself any favors by using them.
That Les Paul with 12s on...there are no words. Thanks guys.
Love your work guys. Comparison on Dan´s Tele between 011 and 008 is "unfair" 41:47 cause of the different pickup positions. Ha! :)
you two never disappoint, very interesting video. my les paul and my fingers like 9's, my SG hates 9's and screams for 11's, different horses, different lasagne
I use 11's on my Les Paul, in standard tuning. I've tried 9's, but too floppy. Heavier strings make bends more controlled. I compare it to using the arm on a Bigsby vs a Floyd Rose. Much smoother with heavier strings.
Yeah, you can happily use 9s on a Fender but the Gibson scale length is just too short for them (just my opinion of course)
Burnt Gerbil I like 11s on my Gibson with a top wrap. Worth a try if you are interested. I find the tone and playability is great especially in e flat
Wade Wilson - I don't really care for the top wrap thing. I know it reduces the tension, but I actually like having to fight a little with the guitar. Preference thing I suppose.
I happily use 9s on a Fender Mustang. The notion that Gibson scale length is too short for 9s, when Jimmy Page and B.B King used 8s, is a bit much. Every player has a preference, and a lot of players fret very lightly because there's no need to have a heavy fretting hand, so if you have a sensitive touch, light strings are totally possible.
Just wanted to let you know guys, even I guess you already do, how important is for us (young amateur guitar lovers) what you do. I wait for every video as it was Christmas day, and I've learned so much from you guys. Best wishes from Barcelona and THANK YOU !
+Abel Munne Thank Abel, thanks for giving us your time and watching. Rock on!
After Mick changes strings for 10 minutes: "Possibly one of the most tedious things we will ever do on that Pedal Show..."
[Laughs in Tuner episode]
Tough video to make, you made the points of difference stand out and provided great advice. I have been playing for over 30 years and learned a great deal from you both. Thank you very much for this and all the other great work you do. Regards Steve.
+Stephen Parry Thank you Steve, appreciate the kind words! Thanks for watching!
Lighter strings had lower output on Tele. Would have to raise pickups slightly to get similar overdriven sound. Lights sounded better on heavier distortion. Lower output affected rest of tones.
hey guys, i know this is more of an older video, but i had to re visit this video due to having string issues. just wanted to say thank you for clearing a few things up for me and solving a few issues i was having. i dont think you guys realize how usefull and and help full your videos are to the guitar community! im a giiging musician and have been for some time now and watch your videos every week and everytime i learn something! so thanks again and dont EVER stop doing what you guys do!
regards
Lee
That's awesome Lee, thank you for the kind words.
Sure, thicker strings sounds "bigger" = bassier, and has higher output. But volume adjust to the thinner strings and high pass the bottom end on both (like what is actually done in the mix) and i bet that the thinner strings will sound both sweeter and more defined.
I love your channel! Coming from a gearhead who's 1st pedal was a Maestro Fuzztain, greetings from the Sangre de Cristo mountains of southwest Colorado! You guys objectively cover gear with just enough "tech talk" to help it all make sense! The interaction and chemistry sets you heads and above! Thanks for all your hard work!
I use only Ernie Ball 9s on my Strats but my SG has 10s and my Les Paul's have 11s. Different guitars just sound and play better with different gauges for me.
Some of my favorite players use/d ultra light 7, 8 and 9 gauge strings. BB King, John Petrucci, Billy Gibbons, Jimmy Page, Link Wray, Kim Thayil, Carlos Santana, Tony Iommi, etc. I don't think anyone would accuse those guys of sounding thin, wimpy or not having any tone or "meat".
Do 12s sound better than 8s.
10 mins in to practice. Maybe.
3 hours into practice. No
YOU TWO SOUND BRILLIANT IN THE INTRO PIECE... WOW!!!
Speaking of Guthrie Govan... any plans to have him on the show? He'd be an amazing guest, and I'm sure would grow your audience.
Played 9-42 for years and recently switched to 10-46 and it does change how you play straight of the bat.
Meh, the strings don't matter as much as the fingers. The sad reality is most of us don't have the raw strength and ham hands that SRV had. Not to mention the intensity he would hammer the strings, normal gauge strings would have just snapped off the neck.
But honestly I can't tell much of a difference between 9's to 11's tone wise. So I just use 10's and let my fingers do the rest. A decent set of pickups and tube amp is more than enough for 99 percent of us anyways.
Happy pick'in fellas.
David Diehl I feel like you’re not listening if you can’t hear it. The difference is so significant. 10s are a good middle ground but 8s are horrible strings 9s aren’t great but definitely more playable. SRV used 13s. So yeh lost can’t use 13s but most people are capable of playing 11s.
I would tend to agree. I think most of the perceived difference is from how you play the different strings. I’d doubt there’s much difference in the signal
Love your show. I can listen to and about guitar all day. Great topic. I like the feeling of playing heavier strings, but this video shows me (at through my iPad speakers) that most of sound is “the player and the music”. Mick’s point is spot on, “the question is do YOU sound better playing (x) Strings”. I’m using 12’s (slack tuning) right now and thinking some bends are not effortless enough, and my hands get tire? But I do like the right hand feel, and hence the dynamic of heavier. In some of the examples, the lighter strings had less harmonic overtones, and sounded more focused with distortion? The Two Rock isn’t fair...it just sounds amazing! Loved the Les Paul with 12’s, clean.
If it makes you happy, it can’t be bad! Rock on!
I prefer lighter gauge strings like 9s as it makes bending way easier for me.
Read more …
Me too.
After 35 years of playing the D'Addario Balance set in NYXL 10's or XL 11's are my favorites. The even tension feel from string to string is spectacular.
Have to disagree about locking tuners slipping. For one thing, they are strung in such a way so that you don't have multiple windings around the post. In my experience, especially with heavy vibrato bar use, multiple windings around the post has been the root cause of my tuning stability issues. Once I tried a set of locking tuners I ended up putting them on most of my guitars and have never been happier in terms of tuning stability.
TsiratiugZ, me too, I put them on every Strat I own. Mostly for the simplicity and because I hate changing strings. I suck at the multiple windings thing. I still put a couple windings even with the locking tuners, and I always check that the locking mechanism hasn't loosened up.
@1:01:31 did it for me... I ordered the wrong gage strings last week, and last night at rehersals I constantly thought I was out of tune. But no... It is my low E and A string that keep bending up when I dig in. THANK YOU THANK YOU Dan (and Mick of course) for making so much sense every week!
Personally really heavy strings feel like I've got lead weights on my fingers. On the other hand, my fret hand control is not good enough to stop everything being constantly out of tune with really light strings, so there's got to be a balance there.
You nailed it with "does it sound better when YOU play them?" Whatever gauge, ultimately it's your guitar, your feel and touch, your tone. Amps and pedals can help a lot when trying to get a tone, but it's particular to each player's feel overall. Myself, after experimentation over years, I play 9s across all my guitars. I don't have big hands, I don't play heavy, and it all just works for me at that gauge. You guys like heavier (10.5s and 11s) and that works for you, and no one's arguing tone and ability from Mick and Dan! Fair play to all, whatever works so long as you have your guitar constantly in hand, and it feels right to you!
Another stellar video idea boys. Excited to watch this one.
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10.5!!! I had been on the hunt for them, and since I live 15 minutes from daddario factory -went there and they gave me a few sets gratis! Absolutely perfect for my 1982 reissue '57 Strat.
I think you could string that red Tele with sewing thread and it would sound brilliant. That is one of the greatest guitars ive ever heard!
Mick is correct. Intonation or compensation is much about technique as it is about whatever instrument he person is playing on stage or in the studio.
This show should be on tv
11:38 That made me so happy. I don't have a guitar with a vibrato, but every time I play someone else's that does, I can't help but play bits of that song. Lenny live at Carnegie is some of the most beautiful guitar work ever.
+Jarrett Munton Wonderful right?!
Mick boy you f'ing rock! and I don't care what any body says.. Danny your another animal... I'm sry but this show is the best on the web!!!!!!!@@@@@@!!!!!!
observation!
+The Fight ah, cheers matey :)
+The Fight Too kind, thank you! What does anybody say, just out of interest? ;0) hahahaha!!!
I moved from 9s to 10s and 11s. With a maple fretboard, my fingers would drag along the fretboard and the strings felt lost between the frets and board. 10s and 11s allow me to feel the strings more and allows for better control. Rosewood fretboards [IMO] are easier to play provided they rosewoods is properly finished. Great show. Love how you're branching out from pedals. Goodness knows there are many facets to the guitar.
I was pretty surprised by how significant the difference in tone was. Thicker definitely sounds better when you guys play!
Overdriven Les Paul with 8's sounds amazing! I recall you or Cap and Chap talking about Billy Gibbons playing like that and seems like for a reason (or sevens if you say so)! Especially when Les Paul is thicker sound on average, it balances nicely with lots of gain that doesn't like if the sound is too full. On blues the thicker strings really show their pros, having those strong single note lead sounds with less gain! And chords sound more powerful too.
The hard thing to learn is to play differently with thinner/thicker strings, when thicker need more power to just get them ringing and they sound awful when you just touch them, while thinner strings produce a really nice "pack" together but need to be careful not to detune just by playing. Thanks for a good episode once again.
Fyi Billy tells the story at the end of La Grange on the at Daryls house video
+Thomas Stonehewer Of course, that's where I heard it - aha. I LOVE that show! (Mick here)
Hi Mick, yes they get a great live sound on that show
He's got a great house band too. I take it you're referring to Billy's story about BB King and his thin strings?
WhoWouldWantThisName Shane Theriot, great player.
The point Mick makes, about being able to play certain gauges "better" than others, as well as the piece about technique affecting intonation was really good I thought, makes perfect sense now I think about it!
What is it that Dan play at 42 min mark ongoing?
Please help me !
Cheers
Flownimo Andy Timmons
Electric Gypsy - Andy Timmons
The editing on this was great! By cutting quickly between identical licks and guitars it made comparing the strings very easy to do. Thanks.
every single guitar sounded better with lighter strings. I actually think you guys go overboard with the bass content in your amp/pedal settings, so when lighter strings come into play everything sounds better and more defined. honestly your drive sounds are always muddy to me. great video!
+Cortexturizer Fascinating how we all perceive things differently huh? Thanks for watching!
Yeah... I mean I use 10s exclusively...
Keep making cool videos guys. One on different amp speakers would be really nice, differences between alnico and ceramic, different brands, models, after all they are such an important part of the whole setup, a different speaker can make a giant sounding fuzz pedal sound thin and lifeless etc etc.. Cheers!
I've noticed that low strings if they're too thin will tend to flop around and go wildly out of tune if struck hard. I actually use 8s but not in the usual sense, they're a 48 on the bottom and 34 24 16 11 then 8. The higher strings don't suffer from flopping out of tune when I hit hard, and I do hit them hard. Also the increase of tension by 2 lbs or so each to the next thickest string feels very balanced and intuitive. Plus on a Strat it makes it easier to bend 1 1/2 steps on the high string if I need to hit the E note bending on the 21st fret. Cheers guys and love the show as always!
What is the Andy Timmons tune being played at the 41:42 mark
sounds like variations from "electric gypsy"
shnmclr weird. I was reading this comment exactly when that song started playing on the vid. Like reading in a coffee shop and encountering an uncommon word like "harpsichord," and having somebody say the word at the same time.
Started off with 9 - 42 standard sets. Used Vinci strings for years (9,11.5, 16,24,34,42) but gravitated to Hybrid Slinkys - 9,11,16,26,36,46. I ended up making my own sets - 9,12,17,26,38,48, - this on Gibson scale length. I'm hoping to start up again and get my stuff out of storage and see you can get sets called Skinny top Heavy bottom - 10,13,17,28,40,52. Should be fine on Gibson scale length, I'd tend towards the Hybrid Slinkys on a Fender scale length guitar. Beefier strings are more to do with feel and intonation than tone (although I do think the extra metal makes for a beefier sound) ;- I like to dig in or thwack without the wound strings wimping out and flapping out of tune.
On the string stretching, I have a gizmo that you run up and down the string and it stretches it all over. No idea what the brand is or what it's called. Used my hands in a cotton glove sprayed with string lube before that - too geeky?
On the string gauge test, the heavier strings had it all over the lighter ones on all three guitars, for my ears anyway.
I’ve had stock 10s on my sg for 4yrs…lol, sounded great but I wanted to clean the fretboard and put 9s on it. Wow it sounds much thinner. Might be because the old strings dulled out, but they never sounded thin. I’m going back to 10s
So the difference is basically the feel not so much the tone..or on the .008 s nothing you couldn't fix with EQ..so other than different tensions, the sound is relatively close.Although the Tele with .008 sounded different. The rest were close. So players, find the most comfortable string for what style you play and go for it!
Guitardudeguy TMark/Osh this string thing is just one more guitar misconception. Leo Fender managed to break half of those but still someone else needs to come and make another revolution to break the remaining. Thick strings might be better for lower tunings but when it comes to the same tuning, that's just up to the player preference. For own experience thicker ones tend to last longer without breaking but are really a pain to the fingertips if you're soloing all the time; they also eat the frets way quicker.
André Fontes I agree, I use what feels right to me..I play alot of gigs and sessions and change strings constantly..it gets to be a real chore, mainly because I use several guitars in my performance including acoustic instruments..I do all my own tech. I prefer .012 on my acoustics and usually .009 on my Strats or .095..The .010 to .010.5 are for my Gibson scale guitars. It's just what I like. I play alot Blues/rock and Folk/blues which require alot of bending of strings. I solo all the time, so I go through strings fast. I tend to rotate in several guitars and usually have one main electric (strat). And use others for different sounds/genres. The Strat gets fresh strings every show. There's nothing worse than having strings go dead on you halfway through the show. If it's an outside venue, strings can die quickly due to change in temperature, humidity etc. The longer lasting string is a myth. I don't break strings. My guitars are set up properly..if players break strings, it's usually because of bridges,nuts,tension and age. The coated last a little longer to me, but not much. I still am changing strings the day before a show...every time. No exceptions. If you want to sound your best, change them. This is just my preference , as a veteran player for over 35 years. Some people use different strings for different genres , and that's fine. This is just my opinion from experience. And it works for me.
I am SO loving this channel. I’ve been playing guitar since my youth (I am now 55). I am a bass player by nature... perhaps “my first love” is closer to the mark. Played it a bit heavy-handed. I do the same on acoustic guitar (in my current group) because I keep the rhythm (2 acoustics/1 electric bass/all sing). I’m considering incorporating a Telecaster into a few tunes. Because I hit hard, I’m thinking 11’s will be the best way to go... along with some lessons and serious practice because I’ve never been a lead player, but I try my best to work it out presently. I very much appreciate your humor, honesty, opinions, and, most of all, your stressing the importance of TONE (whether with/without pedals/effects). I can’t afford a top shelf combo and I don’t need the power in my trio, but a Vox AC15 is in my future (along with a stock Boss Blues Driver and maybe an Xotic SP compressor). I’ve gotta go try my off-brand Telecaster w/Bud Z PUPS on some amps at the local shops to be sure. Thanks again, guys.
+Ken Collins ah, cheers Ken. You’ll love the AC15 :)
when I started there where no gauges,you bought a first,second ectect.the term play till you fingers bled ,was real !!!!! Then I read somewhere that Jeff Beck used a banjo first !!!suddenly it became easy to bend and play !!!! Hendrix used very light strings,didn,t hurt his sound !!!! I am now in my late 60,s ,still playing in various bands ,I used 8,s for most of my musical career ,then about 9 years ago I moved to 9,s .Now I use 9 hybrids on my fenders,and 10, s on the gibson,s . going heavier is not an option now ,arthritis in the thumb and ganglion in the wrist !!!! So my theory is ,play whatever is the most comfortable for you !!!!!
Hendrix used 10's or 11's and called Jeff Beck's 8's equivalents "pussy strings". Jeff immediately changed to 11's.
SoulIsTheGoal Hendrix was fond of using his b string in place of his e string and other things of this nature as well as tuning to eb cause he couldn't sing and he was a bit of a prick, the English boys like clapton and beck were a little to reverential to jimi, i prefer jimmy page and keith richards who didn't take to his bullshit jimi coukd be a real prick, the lightweight couldn't handle his drugs and stole all his best tricks , hell i can play broken chords
You must be excited about strings !!!
Great video! I've played 11's on all my guitars for years and loved em. I did a lot of chicken pickin and pedal steel style bends with no issues. Eventually the bigger strings took a toll on my hands. Every morning I'd run my hands under hot water for a few minutes to get them feeling loose. So I made the switch to 10's, raised the action a tiny bit, and now no pain! Tone is still great as well. Your setup plays such a massive part in all this. Anyway.. thanks for another great show!
Who sounds better than Billy Gibbons, think hard, minimal effects, generally Gibsony guitars and 7s - Mick is correct, you change your style to play light strings, if you feel you have to beat the shit out of a Les Paul to feel good, then use 10s - but that is a choice, I have strats and Les Pauls and don't beat the shit out of them an 8s sound great....
+William Parker Contentious comment looming. To me Billy Gibbons sounded better in the early days. I'd love to know what strings he was using then. These days, I prefer the tone of David Grissom by some margin. And quite a few other players . Sacrilege, perhaps. Same flies for later BB King. Mick here.
That's fair enough, I think BG always sounds like BG, and that's generally good. I think that any level of processing will hide the potential 'thinness' , so maybe 8s, though I love them, are not for the blues purists but for the rocker... Another thing to consider.. I have diabetes and that gives you numb/painful fingertips, I bought some 7s to try, less pain, but they need a higher action to work well
In my opinion billy gibbons sounds like ass. Crap tone, crap licks, crap songs. Most over rated player in history of rock.
I think that Pipeline tremolo can do exactly what I want it to do in a song I am mocking up in my head right now. I gotta say, the last thing I thought I would want in 2018 is a fancy tremolo, but after hearing the Pipeline demo, a fancy tremolo is looking like it WILL BE my last purchase of 2018. Well done Tor!
i've had friends that say string gauge is irrelevant. . Heres the test that won them over. Tune your high E, B and G strings all to E. Play a single string lick on each string...you'll hear the difference. You have 3 different string gauges all tuned to the same pitch, yet each sounded different...
John K , very cool idea. Gonna try that. Thanks.
That is quite interesting actually!
You are also playing over 3 different pickup pole heights (strat) so not really very scientific. Plot them all onto the high e string spot and see.
I've definitely been discovering it's how strong your hands are, how you feel when you play them(thanks Dan and Mick!), and what you are doing with the playing(hard/soft). Stevie strummed the hell out of his strings, so thicker makes sense, where as bending all the time more than a half step would lean towards using lighter strings. Ah, the journey of the craft!