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previous: JohnC Hello!I need some help with... -- 9/4/1999 6:20 PM

Re: String gauge sets, help please.

9/5/1999 4:23 AM
Hi	Re: String gauge sets, help please. Just personally, I think you "should" do whatever you want. The difference in pounds-per-square-inch pressure on the neck rises pretty dramatically in steps up in gauge, but if the difference between the thinner strings and heavier strings made that much difference someone would have noticed over the years. I mean, if it made all that much difference necks would always warp toward the heavier strings, wouldn't they? But I notice if they twist it (in my humble experience) is usually toward the treble strings. Anybody else notice this? As for using customized string sets, Hendrix used 9-38s, Gilmour uses 10-50s I believe, so does Eric Johnson. I have known people who not only mix the gauges differently from standard sets but I've known people who will use GHS for particular strings (like the G and A, for instance) and Ernie Ball for another string and Fender for another, etc. There's obviously no hard and fast rule here. Again just personally, I favor nickel-wound strings on strats over nickel-plated, to my (standard disclaimer) ears they just "sound better". It seems more noticeable to me than the difference between 9-42s and 10-46s usually (although some guitars just seem to want heavier strings). Not an answer at all, was it? Maybe I should give up music and go into politics? Hi

9/5/1999 4:23 AM

Re: String gauge sets, help please.

Just personally, I think you "should" do whatever you want. The difference in pounds-per-square-inch pressure on the neck rises pretty dramatically in steps up in gauge, but if the difference between the thinner strings and heavier strings made that much difference someone would have noticed over the years. I mean, if it made all that much difference necks would always warp toward the heavier strings, wouldn't they? But I notice if they twist it (in my humble experience) is usually toward the treble strings. Anybody else notice this?

As for using customized string sets, Hendrix used 9-38s, Gilmour uses 10-50s I believe, so does Eric Johnson. I have known people who not only mix the gauges differently from standard sets but I've known people who will use GHS for particular strings (like the G and A, for instance) and Ernie Ball for another string and Fender for another, etc. There's obviously no hard and fast rule here. Again just personally, I favor nickel-wound strings on strats over nickel-plated, to my (standard disclaimer) ears they just "sound better". It seems more noticeable to me than the difference between 9-42s and 10-46s usually (although some guitars just seem to want heavier strings).

Not an answer at all, was it? Maybe I should give up music and go into politics?

Hi

Replies:

JohnC >But I notice if they twist it (in ... -- 9/6/1999 1:12 AM