The Most Underrated Electric Guitar String Gauge - 9.5-44 - Ask Zac 203
Вставка
- Опубліковано 29 вер 2024
- For years I went back and forth between 9s and 10s on my Telecaster, always frustrated with both gauges for different reasons. 9s, although easy to bend, were just not as full sounding, and I had to be careful not to "overplay" them, as they really needed to be played with a light touch. 10s, while certainly fatter sounding, always felt a bit too stiff for my liking. There just seemed to be too much of a difference in tension between the two sets. Finally, a friend clued me into the 9.5-44 D'Addario set, and I found it to be the perfect happy-medium between the 9 and 10 gauges.
To Support the Channel:
Patreon / askzac
Tip jar: paypal.me/AskZac
Venmo @AskZac
Or check out my store for merch - my-store-be024...
Strings:
D'Addario NYXL 95-44
amzn.to/41rnl0V
2023 Danocaster single cut in Duco red
2023 Headstrong Lil' King with 12" Eminence GA-SC64 speaker
headstrongamps...
Mirage compressor pedal
#askzac #guitarstrings #daddariostrings
If people mock you for something, that means you’re usually on the right track imo.
Huh?
Non factor
I have been using Erine ball regulars for 30 years now. I used 9's for a bit, but i pull those out of tune easy.
So i went back to 10's.
Erine ball makes a hybrid that is 9's on the treble and 10's on the bass side, and i been thinking of trying them for a while now.
Thank you for the good information. 👍
I’ve been piecing together my first partscaster thanks to your influence Zac. When I had Ellis pickups installed, I had my luthier set it up with a set of 9.5’s I happened to have. Having gone from 11s on all my guitars (and even 12s in my Jazzmaster), putting 10s on my telecaster was a big step, but I really like them. Tons of fun. But the 9.5’s were a step too far. They just felt like nothing. Finally got a Glaser bender installed and went back to D’Addario 10s and everything is right with the world.
Long story short… thanks for all the advice on building your own Tele, but I need to pass on 9.5’s. I’m sticking with 10s.
Use whatever strings feel comfortable to you on the particular guitar you play, the tunings you use and the type of setup you like.
I play Gibson scale guitars and need quite heavy low strings for the way I play but can't deal with the high strings being 11s or 12s because they are too hard to bend. 10-52 heavy top skinny bottom are my favorites lately. If 9.5 - 42 makes you happy on Fender scale then go for it.
I've been using GHS Boomers in 9.5-44 for years. A perfect compromise.
I started using them after you talked about them before. I’m 67 with arthritis.
I play the 9.5-44 D'ads on fender scales, that little bit of extra string tension is just right without the stiffness
I've been digging the D’Addario balanced 9-40 set on my Tele. I've got a set of Stringjoy 9.5s but haven't tried them, too much fun with the 9-40s. I've learned to relax on the playing with the lighter strings.
Been using S.I.T. Power Wound 9.5 to .44 strings. Never looked back.
I was an early adapter of 9.5-44 on my Teles. I think about 8 years ago. For my latest purchase of my Tele and Strat, I've kept the original 9-42. There are at least three brands that do the .0095 thing although the Ernie Ball has a .012 rather than a .0115 for the second string. I think my aging makes me keep the .009s for easier whole step bends. I use 10-46s for my Gibson scale electrics which feel about the same as .009-.042s on a Fender scale.
Great video Zac, I am using EB Primo Slinky on all my guitars now ( 2 Strats , 3 Teles ) love the way they feel and sound !
Those NYXL .0095s go on my main Tele. There definitely is something to that “in-between” sweet spot gauge.
Back in the ‘90s you could sometimes find the XL .0095s in some of the music stores around me and I remember trying them out on a Strat, but I was mostly .010s or .011s back then (still .010s on my Strat, actually).
I was getting clowned on in a guitar center one time for using 12s. Said I liked having a more substantial string to ‘grab’ onto and thin strings were rough on me on slides and bends and such. Guy said maybe I should toughen up and learn to do it 10s. Lmao. When they ran out i grabbed some 10s and they’re alright. Can’t imagine 9s though that sounds painful.
thanks for discussing this, the different gauges really make a difference especially as you age and arthritis/carpel tunnel etc come into play...i was using med/light set on my acoustic guitar but now that is too much, ha ha (great with my maple Taylor,vsound wise though).I've been using Martins but D'Addario's really are the best
Got a set of 9.5-44, D'Addario EXL120+ right in front of me, to go on my tele type, next string change.
I also have some 9-46, that I want to try.
I tend to use 10(D'ddarrio 10s) on acoustic guitars and on my electrics I like 9 (ErnieBall Hybrids)..Thanks Zac
9.5's are GREAT!
I've been using them forever...Ernie ball primo slinky!
I've been using 9.5s for years, but on some guitars I use heavy bottoms.
🙌🏼 9.5 🙌🏼
Been using 9.5s for about 5 years. I agree NYXLs last longer and stay in tune better, well worth the money.
9.5 on fenders alllll day. Weirdly I like 9-46 on gibsons. I might have to try 9.5-46
I have always played 10s and 11s. I like the fatness, especially in my 3-piece. I am getting older, weaker and would like to give em a try.
Wow I'm gonna try those 9.5s if available in the UK, thanks.👍
They are
@@AskZac thanks 🤩
Also i like the 46 low E string.
With the 42 low E i had to pick tge lowE softly or it would go out of tune. I always wondered why? Maybe someone can shed some light on that?? I figured the nut slot was a little loose? 🤷♂️👍
Sold. I try a set.
Just used some players points to buy a three-pack. (I buy a LOT of D'Addario strings...)
8---38 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm in the 10+ group. 9's feel gross to me. Actually repulsive. Strange, but from a practical sense, 9's don't work for me.
I just can't get into light guage strings. Not a fan of the feel or tone of 9s or even 10s on a Tele or Strat.
I make my own balanced tension set of 11's from GHS pure nickel "rollerwound" strings: .011 .015 .020w .026 .036 .048
I played 9’s on Strats, 10’s on Les Paul’s for years, always Ernie Ball’s. Last year I changed to EB Primo Slinky’s, 9.5-44, & on all electrics. Perfect for me, &. glad I did.
Exactly the same story with me except using NYXL the whole time.
Yes I'm using those strings on all my guitars now ,,absolutely love them !!
Interesting. I’ve never heard of 9.5s. Like you, I’ve been putting Super Slinkys (9s) in my Strat and my Tele with a Bigsby, and regular Slinkys (10s) on my other Teles and LPs. This 9.5 idea is interesting.
@@bldallas Yes, check them out, I’ve never looked back. 👍
Like BB asked the Reverend- "Why you working so hard, boy?"
Finally, someone in the community who pronounces D’Addario the right way!
👍
I’ve never heard it the wrong way and wondered what brand of strings they meant. So I think its good however you pronounciate it
We’re not all European
Ive been saying DEE Addario for a long time.
It's pronounced dad-ario.
I am glad I switched to Stringjoy 9.5-44s. Because they feel right, last a long time and are made in...Nashville! 😊
Been using the D'Addarios but it pisses me off that they're more expensive than standard sets... maybe I'll try those Stringjoys
@@rickya3877 I never liked the Daddario strings
Hi Zac; enjoy your work, (Vintage Guitar onwards!). I didn't notice you mention it in your video, (perhaps other commenters have?) but one of the most beneficial things about the 9.5 set is in relation to scale length! When I play a set/gig, I typically switch back and forth between Gibson (24 3/4" scale) and Fender (25 1/2") guitars. I use a 10 set on the Gibsons, and the 9.5 set on the Fenders! This makes pitch accuracy much better for bends on both guitar types. On a Tele when you're doing (mechanical style) pedal-steel bends etc, where you're trying for accurate pitch, this helps, and when you're playing a Les Paul for instance and maybe playing in a more bluesy style this is not as important (pitch accuracy) and you're going more for feeling, and the heavier 10 set helps with sustain etc. Keep up the good work! Regards: Chuck
I’ve been using the D’addario 9.5 - 44 gauge for years on my Teles; ever since I read an interview that Brent Mason used them. I found them to be the perfect balance on Teles, where I can get the “spank” of “9’s” but enough tension to be able to be able to do banjo rolls, and not sound too “thin.”
I’m a real man, so I string my guitar with elevator cables! I have to glue my fingers back on after every gig, and I’ve snapped 17 vintage guitar necks like toothpicks, but it’s the only way to get the tone!
This discussion sort of raises the question of what people use, or *should* use, with the various shorter scale Fenders, like Mustangs, Jaguars, or Duo-Sonics.
I got my first set of light gauge strings in 1970 from, of all people, Ted Nugent. I was writing for a local music tabloid and was sent to interview Nugent the day after a festival the Amboy Dukes appeared at. Ted let me try his blonde Byrdland, and when I expressed amazement at how easy it was to bend strings, he told me the secret was light gauge (although no mention was made of the ultra-short - 23-1/2" - scale of the Byrdland). As a kid who bought his Black Diamond string sets at the local department store, I replied "Light gauge?", not knowing such a thing existed. Ted said "Here, let me make you up a couple of balanced sets", and pulled out a brief case that had every single string gauge from Ernie Ball, in numerical order. He proceeded to sift through the gauges like a library card catalogue or Rolodex, and gave me two sets he considered balanced. Given that it was a long time ago, I couldn't tell you if they were 8-42, 9-44, or even 10-46. All I knew was that they were MUCH easier to bend than the medium gauges I had been using until then. I was hooked. Ted's politics drive me nuts, but he was patient and generous with me, and I appreciated it.
What an experience.
@@AskZac Unique, to say the least. It was Mother's Day as well, so I was sitting nearby while Ted phoned his mom. He can be a dick when the camera is on, but deep down knows how to be considerate. My best friend accompanied me to the interview. He suffered from a congenital form of skin cancer and was horribly disfigured as a result. Ted never batted an eye. But that was almost 55 years ago. People can change.
Ted makes a great frisbee, too.
I’ve been using 9.5s for a while now and was so glad when they made these in nyxls. Great video as always!
I used 9.5-44 years ago. Then switched to 10s. I always thought the 9.5 set as being closer to 9s than 10s. Mainly because the 3rd and 4th strings are not half steps; their guages are from the 9 set. But I'm guessing a 16.5 and a 25 would not have been as widely accepted (particularly a 16.5 G string).
Been using these since around the mid-90s. They just made logical sense for fretting and bending.
No sense in telling anyone I'm using 8-38's ,Les Paul always called 'em sissy strings lol.
I’ve been using a custom version from Stringjoy with a 12.5 B string. The 11.5 is just too light for me.
That's the cool thing about Stringjoy: you can customise your sets. 😊
I used 9-46 (9-11-16-26-36-46) GHS Boomers for years and buying 14's on the side to replace the 16. This started around 1984. In recent years I've gone back to the 16 so that I don't have to bend it as far... This set also lends itself to tuning a half step down. Bending the 16 in the second fret is the only place that gives me grief but I've learned to compensate. Its all better than the Black Diamonds that were the only thing available in the 60's. If I were still playing live I would have one Tele with heavier strings tuned a step down and one with the 9-46 in standard tuning......I doubt that I would use a Strat on stage since 2 of my Tele's are Nashville 7 position guitars.
Another really good video Zac, thanks. I use the 9.5s on a Tele too but they're the Ernie Ball Primo Slinkies, same gauge as the D'Addarios I think. The part about bending thinner strings further never occurred to me before but yeah, it's true!👍
Omg finally a pro who agrees. I first tried 9.5s on a Tele. Put it on rack. One day needed a Paisley G-Bender lick, grabbed that Tele and was in love. No more hybrids!
I was a 10s guy for years, then a friend and his brother bullied me into switching to 11s... and I lost a lot of joy and pleasure from playing for a bit. I switched back to 10s after a while, then tired 9.5s based one of your videos... currently using 9s or 8s, depending on the guitar.
You have to be pretty weak to struggle with 11s…. They aren’t heavy at all
Funny you mention this. When I was playing a lot of Strat I used Turbo Slinkys, 9.5-46. Same reason, 9 was too light, 10 was too heavy.
Guess it means we should share experience more.
Now I just play 11s on my PRSs and Gibsons.
If D'addario made Turbo slinkys I'd buy them, I break the 024 D strings, 26-36-46 hold up to my rhythm playing, but I've used 095-44 a lot. A reinforced set would be even better 😉 Also they work a little better when tuning down a half step (Turbo slinkys).
Great set
It’s the best, been using for years, thought it was a secret lol
Been using these on my Fender scale guitars since D'Addario put them out...Hey D'Addario - why are they more expensive and why aren't they readily available in the large bulk boxes?
GHS 9.5s are the best strings ever.
Absolutely agree, been using 9.5-44 on all my guitars. 9s are a bit too light,, and bend while playing chords, when you don't want them too, and 10s are a bit heavier than I want.
I've used String Joy 9.5's for quite awhile.
Luca Benedetti uses his own D’addario custom set as 10 13 15 25 35 45 on his Tele. It’s a smart set too.
Hmmm I’ll have to check these out. I recently got into the DR pure blues 9-46 set and been really happy with them but unsure if I’ve fallen for the slinky higher strings, or the round core DR’s.
Been a fan and user of the 9.5-44 for about 15 yrs. EB has a set of them also. The past two years I have been using a set of Fender 10-38s (I know it sounds weird) based on a Mike Stern interview. I really love how balanced they feel. Obviously thought the low E 38 would be too slinky but they feel great.
I’m much older but I’ve had the arthritic joint for ages. I agree about the 9.5 I use half sizes on my acoustics too. Thanks for this video!
Back in the 80s. Dean Markley Magnum 10s. Don’t think they exist. Nowadays 11-49.
I switched to 9.5-44 a while ago. Happy I did.
Another odd set that you might look into is the D'Addario EXL110+ (10.5 - 48). These are perfect on the Jaguar and Jazzmaster, both with those wonky vintage bridges.
I was a 11-49 on Gibson scale and 10s on fenders. Lighter strings can be thin sounding. If you want this cool but for more tonal depth a slightly heavier string offers more but you’ve got to work for it more too.
11s on a Gibson are great, but often I have been using 12s
I use mostly 13-56 on hollow body guitar mostly because I use heavey acrylic nails and the glide so well over heavy strings.On solid bodiesd, mostly 10's because my ear thinks they sing better than anything above that. I recently got a Gretsch that came with 9's. I can't stand them so, I'm keeping them on until I know how to play light strings properly. I'm envious of players who can control light gauge strings. I have no problem with making a fat tone w/light strings, same as using 13-56 so it's just a matter of overplaying with the right hand for me.
Regarding Arthritis, If you ever can, Adult Stem Cell treatment at CPI may help.
String gauge makes such a difference! 9 to 9.5 definitely makes a difference so that "be a man" mentality is so dumb.
When I started out as a kid, eventually I ended up playing a Gibson with 9's and did so for many years.. Now my main guitar is a Telecaster and with that longer scale length, I ended up moving to 8's because I developed a light touch as I was learning on the 24.75" scale w/9's. Fits my lighter touch and makes bending near the nut a lot easier. For rhythm stuff I have a 335 with 10s. Fortunately nobody gives me a hard time for the 8's.
String gauge makes such a difference! 9 to 9.5 definitely makes a difference so that "be a man" mentality is so dumb.
When I started out as a kid, eventually I ended up playing a Gibson with 9's and did so for many years.. Now my main guitar is a Telecaster and with that longer scale length, I ended up moving to 8's because I developed a light touch as I was learning on the 24.75" scale w/9's. Fits my lighter touch and makes bending near the nut a lot easier. For rhythm stuff I have a 335 with 10s. Fortunately nobody gives me a hard time for the 8's.
D’Addario 9.5s on Strats and Teles are perfect for me, I’ve been using them for years. Nicer than Hybrids.
They don’t feel too skinny under my fingers and the tension is perfect. I use 10s on my other guitars but my Fenders love 9.5s.
Thanks Zac. I just ordered 2 sets. I've been playing a 10-46 set for the last 15 years or so since Fender stopped making the old 150L sets that I used for a lifetime. I actually like the heavier bottom end of the 10-46 set , but prefer the 15 G string of the 150Ls. Hope I like these.
I picked up a pack of these on a whim for a new guitar, and after a week or two now I'm in the process of switching over to them for everything. It solved my issues with 9-46 strings. The tension feels so much better and more balanced than regular 9s but not as stiff as 10s on a Fender scale.
I went from 9s to 10s to 9-46 on my Tele before trying 9.5s. Still playing the 9.5-44 and haven't looked back.
I am a daily player of 60 uears. I have been 10's until 15 years ago when I came upon the 9.5's They are great! As soon as they came out i bought the 9.5-44's but i like a 12 B string. and sometimes the full 17 G string.
I use mostly 8's or 8.5's. but I have a Strat with a brass trem block and brass roller saddles. 9's or lighter are too zingy and 10's are lifeless. 9.5's dialed it right in. Go figure. The 8.5 compared to 8's on most others help keep the e strings on the fretboard. I am 69 and arthritic btw.
I love 9.5-44, and have also had years of veering back and forth between 9s and 10s. The 3rd and 4th strings in a 9.5 set are actually the same gauges as in a 9 set but they are much better balanced with the other strings in a 9.5 set.
9.5 on Fender scale, 10 Balanced tension on Gibson scale and that for years !!! Even if my luthier thinks I am kind of a maniac and some players tell me I should use men string gages ... What a bout Jimmy's 10 to 38 !!! I also use these on some guitars ...
I suffer from arthritis in the same place.
Thought it was just from playing the guitar.
It doesn't affect me much with my main instrument
(saxophone).
I'll swap from 10's to something lighter and see
if it brings any relief.
Just ordered strings. Decided to try pure nickel. I’d read that they were a little bit softer. I use 10s normally on my 335 so I went up to 11s. I went with 10s (still pure nickel) for my ASAT. Does that sound right? Or is there not enough difference to warrant a whole step up? I have been predominantly playing acoustic rythym as lead vocalist and sortof band leader for a while and been away from electric, so I was also kinda thinking heavier on my 335 might suit me.
I discovered these almost ten years ago, but they were not readily available locally. Now I get a half dozen sets whenever I find them. I think that are a little to slinky for my Gibson scale models, so I've stayed with 10's on those. But all my Fenders have 9.5's installed.
Been using those since they came out, flexibility of 9s & staying power of 10s-haven’t broken one in years
My archtop jazz box guitar feels best with a base set of 10 half rounds with basically 11s on the unwound strings. I use the D'Addario string tension data to select the G & B strings for equal tension. Now I can easily play finger style "acousticy" pieces on an electric guitar. I prefer that to a real acoustic guitar because I like to add delay, chorus and reverb.
I can't use D'Addario strings. It doesn't matter about the gauge, or the string metals & wraps, but I solder the ball ends on my strings so they won't break. I cannot solder to their aluminum ball ends. I am grateful that Ernie Ball makes 9.5s now.
Interesting. I go between 10s and 11s sometimes 9s. I’ve thought about trying 9.5 or 10.5 at least on the high e. I’ve never noticed a big difference on the rest of the strings, usually 10s feel the best. I top loaded an old Mexican tele with 11s and it’s surprisingly pretty easy to play and has a good thump.,
Thought the difference between 9s and 9.5s sound minuscule, there are a lot of very minor measures on a guitar that have significant impacts on the “feel” of a guitar. The difference between typical Gibson and Fender scale length is only 3/4 of an inch, but makes for a much different feel. Or things like action or neck relief. The difference between a “ thin” and “thick” necks is really pretty small.
I agree, 9’s are too light. I put 9.5 on my Tele, Strat and 335. Even the acoustic.
my top three are .011, .015, .019. bigger strings = bigger sound.
I gather the recommendation of a set of 9.5 strings as the "perfect" gauge set is relative to a 25.5" scale length, right? And not necessarily the preferred gauge for a 24.75" scale length.
Ernie Ball 9.5-46 are great too. Like a 10 set, just a touch slinkier on the top.
I switched to 9.5 a year and a half ago. I had read Hendrix subbed a 15 in a 10 set to make his guitar less g dominant. Then I noticed the Gilmour set goes 10,12,16. So when I saw the 9.5 sets I tried them out and love them.
I have a muscular condition that makes all my muscles weaker and that includes my hands so I totally understand using different string gauges based on what my hands can allow. It definitely gets frustrating trying to balance playability with tone and getting the feel right. Usually I find a string gauge that I love the sound and the feel under my fingers but then it’s too heavy for me to bend the strings. 😅
10-38 for me, also underrated imo, jimis gauge =)
Meant to say it’s a Fender Custom Shop reissue I built inspired by Zac’s real one!
I switched to these,my old hands like them.Used to use 10-52
I want to try a set of those. Curious to see if they'll get along with a Bigsby vibrato and floating bridge on my go-to Gretsch
I play 9s all around. Thinking of slapping on 10s for the Casino
Thanks for the heads up on these. Make three tone bends so much easier on a Les Paul. Waiting for a new set of bridge saddles before they go on my Tele. Curious to see what they are like on a guitar with a trem.
Be a man and play 10s tell that to Chuck Berry and Brian May and Tony Iommi
i play bass 90% of the gigs i do . i have found that anything less then 11's on guitar i bend out of tune to much
I have 9.5 on my strat and they're great. I have 10s on most other guitars.
That are my most used set. 44-9.5. I use Ernie Balls
I use D’Addario Strings on my NS Electric Violin.
9.5?!
Carlos Santana uses this same gauge only made by GHS
They are awesome on the Paranormal Nashville Strat.
lol- “This is wood, right “ 😂