Recently turned 58 years old. Started out playing on 9’s back in school. Then sometime around the year 2000, I had read about how heavier guage strings will give you better tone, so I bumped up to 10’s. Then, during a period of boredom during the pandemic, I purchased 2 guitars from an on line retailer. I didn’t realize until after I had gotten them that they shipped with 9’s. They felt great. Now all my guitars have 9’s. 😄
Of the 55 years I've been playing, I used 9-42 for 40 years, but ten years ago I moved up to 10-42. If you play enough 10s will feel like 9s; It's just a matter of getting used to them.
when Ernie Balls first came out you had to go to a music store and select individual strings from a string file kept in a in a box or a drawer behind the counter. it wasn't 'till later Ernie Ball packaged sets.
Most of the time, you only snapped one or two strings and those were the replacement strings. Those were mainly ernieball. (Ernieball being the main single string replacement)
That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard… not you, Ernie Ball themselves. I understand selling singles but to not sell a whole set is completely backwards. They’re cheap just buy a set uk? I would never buy a single string. Ik why people do for diff tunings etc I get it, but a lot of dudes will spend $9,000 on a guitar and then use the same $8 strings for 5 years. I change my strings like once a month. I like to keep a clean guitar too, though. Gotta have those strings off to do a good deep clean and oiling. I’m reminded of an old episode of Mythbusters where they tested the bacteria germs and viruses on random household objects , and the toilet was way cleaner than the TV’s remote controls were. I wanna say they even found a potentially deadly type on the remote. The toilet was actually one of the cleanest objects due to frequent water flowing when they flush. The remote and the computer mouse were lit up like vegas. So imagine a guitar that has 6 month old strings? I’m not a germophobe or scared. I just like to stay hygenic uk? And I like having new strings they feel and sound better than month old strings.
Started learning in 68 on a $25 Montgomery Wards acoustic that had about 3/4" string to fret clearance (OUCH!!), by 73 I got very frustrated and was about to give up on playing. My dad had a customer that ran a big music store in K.C. and sold him a used trade-in Byrdland that had 9s on it. He told my dad it was the best setup for a kid learning to play guitar to ease finger tip pain. Been playing 8s/9s ever since on my LPs. Even my acoustics are strung with 10s. I really have no use for heavy guages. Great video guys!!!
Hi ya Keith! I use 9's on my Gibsons and my Tele as well. On my Strats with the floating tremolo I use the Ernie Ball Hybrid ones which are light top heavy bottoms. The wound strings are the ones they'd use in 10 gauge sets and the unwound strings are like the 9 sets. I find myself strumming harder when I play my Strat so the thicker wound strings buzz a bit less 👍 Really dig all the topics you've been covering too, thanks for all that you do man.
B.B. King said why use thicker strings and work harder . I forgot who he said it to . I use GHS Boomer's 9-42 on my telecaster and 10-46 on my SG guitars . Picks I make my own out of old credit cards and they are various in gauge type . I use jazz picks as well. I also do a set up on my guitars because I can't afford someone else to do this for me .
He said it to billy gibbons who I think was using 11s or 12s. Billy being the smart man he is went down to 7s. I'm on 8s like BB and thinking of trying 7s!
I am old. 9-42 means that I can play for an hour, I'm only good for five minutes with heavy. Be kind to yourself as you age. This is no different than taking brisk walks, instead of jogging.
Same. I'm 42 and the same way since I've broken my fretting wrist three times over the years skateboarding and racing bicycles. I thought I was supposed to play 11s but 9s mean I can play for an hour. Not 5-10 min.
I've made a habit of setting the action as low as possible, without buzzing, on all of my guitars, regardless of string weights. That let's me play for a few hours as often as I want. Though, at 76, a touch of arthritis has slowed my arpeggios down slightly.
I’m 70 and play mostly bluegrass on acoustic guitar, I’d used D’Addario mediums 13s until recently. On my electrics I’d used 11s mostly. I’m getting arthritis in my hands and had a hard time playing my usual 3 hour sets. Now I’m down to 9s on my electrics and 10s on my Martins. No difference in sound but the ease on my hands is noticeable.
I think EB started calling them "custom" sets because before there were the [now] traditional sets people would have to make their own sets from individual strings in bins and those were the most popular, and because a wound G string was common and guitarists would buy EB's banjo strings to use for the wound G and the other upper strings. If you really want slinkier strings, round cores will feel a lot more bendy than the hex cores most strings use. Definitely make a history of Ernie Ball!
Keep reading lately about what strings you "should" be using. The ones you should be using are what feels good to you. Started off on 9s over 30 years ago, frequently broke the 9 and moved up to 10s which feel perfect for me. Moved to 11s on a Les Paul Junior and they feel great, just the right tension, ultimately there is no right or wrong.
Great topic. Ever since I started playing I 've used 9's. I used them on my very first acoustic and my Ibanez electric. My hand and fingers would often get tired but I figured it was normal. Kind of the trials and tribulations of playing guitar. About 20 yrs ago, I bought a US Fender American Strat, continued to use 9's, and continued to get tired while playing. I avoided switching to a lighter gauge because I heard you lose tone and volume. I finally made the switch to 8's and always broke the high E because of my playing style and hard picks. So switched to soft and medium picks. It's been 4 months since I made the switch to 8's and not only did I stop breaking the high E but can play more relaxed and no longer get tired hands and fingers. I don't have to play so hard anymore. My Strat is like a completely new guitar. It feels much better, plays much better, has much better touch, and sounds much better. I'm kicking myself for not having made the switch earlier. It's like rediscovering the guitar. Incredible how such a small change can make such a massive difference.
I have a Godin SDXT with D’Adario lights, an Epiphone DC with Ernie Ball Slinkys…they’re .009s and my wife’s old Ovation has Dean Markley strings and if I remember right, are bronze wound…been a while since I replaced them…good video. I remember watching Paul David’s doing a video on strings about a year ago…
I am 66 years old, when I played the old timers were playing flat wound strings, The the Ernie Ball suerslinkys came out every one was trying to sound like henrdrix. This was the stings that were sold at music stores EB super slinks easy to buy a couple of strings when you break one. Graviated to 10's then, i tried 9's after many years and found out the thincker string sound better was a myth. The great James Burton used very skinny sit.
I've gone from Fender Silver Bullets 10's on my pre-CBS Jag in the 60's to D'Addario NYXL 0942's on my Tele & DBZ Bolero & NYXL1254's on my ED-335 & Ovation '84 Anniversary Edition acoustic now.
I have been introduced to Blue Magic strings and I really like them!! I often play in Florida humidity, and they seem to last quite a bit longer than my old brand. 46:39
Hey Keith, glad to hear you got an Amplified Nation Amp…I just got one myself last week…an Ampliphonix and Gain model. It’s the only amp I have that I can plug straight into without pedals and get a great tone out of blowing the roof off the house.
I put 10-46 on my electrics...I like a bit of fight but not pain ! I might try 9s soon as my joints hurt after playing for 30 mins now ! Love your channel Mr Williams
I'm an ageing player (62) who's been playing 11-49 (standard tuning) on ALL my guitars (21) for over 25 years. After 'that video' I decided to try 10-46 which I now have on about four of my guitars. Months ago I even bought a set of 9-42 which just sit beside my computer waiting for the day when I finally install them.
I've used 9.5-44 for years. Recently with a 48 on the low E. But I'm quite happy keeping the same gauge even if I'm downtuning to D standard or Drop-C. Locked bridge, medium action, works for me. Usually 10-46 or 10-52 on my Les Paul, but that's always in Eb and a shorter scale length. One thing I do love, which most people would think is crazy light, is tuning my 12-string Ovation acoustic down to C standard, with 10-47s on it. It sounds huge, and is so much easier to play!
Great show Keith. Your questions produced a roundtable-like exchange that complemented Rick’s “Does Size Matter?” video very well. I play 12-53s on acoustic guitars (D’Addario Phosphor Bronze) and 10-46s on electric guitars (D’Addario Nickel Wound XL). Following this video, I will try 9.5-44s on one electric guitar (to start).
As a kid, I played Fender 150's, which were 10-38. Played those for decades. But these days, they are not a standard guage. But, to be honest, I hit the strings too hard for 38 on the low E :)
Ditto. I used the Fender 10-38 (Rock N Roll) package from 1969 until they were no longer available; mostly on Fender Guitars. Years ago, I think I read that Roger Mayer had determined that 38s sounded best (more funky) on Hendrix's guitars.
Yes, Hendrix and his bass player sometimes tuned to Eb. Some of his string bending was pretty extreme. btw, Roy Buchanan used the same 10-38 string set!
That set is still available as the "Hendrix Signature Set." False advertising I know, but you can get them if you want them. I buy "unbranded" strings in individual gauges and can get a dozen (yes, 12) sets for a little over $25.00. You just have to know where to look and forget about the name brand on the string. Keep them clean and they are all the same.
Most of my electric guitars are strung with 9-42s, except for my signature Mustaine VMNT with is strung with his signature 10-52s. For some reason those strings feel good on that guitar.
Using the Rev's very own Mexican Lottery strings. 8's on my PRS Santana and my Mexican Tele. On the '92 Mexican Strat there are Elixir 9's. Although, the Strat is tuned to Eb. 64 years young with arthritic hands. My hands thank me. Playing light strings demands a light touch. That light touch, though, allows one to play at higher volume without sounding too loud. Thus, I find them to be dynamically amazing. Dig in and get loud and back off and lighten up. I let the amp do the work. I use Fender tear drop Jazz picks, 354 shape, Dunlop 427R Jazz III's (Ultex), medium gauge regular picks and my fingers. The picks impact the strings differently. As do old picks vs new picks. They sound different, even of the same type. My philosophy is play what sounds and feels right to you. I do.
As a blue collar worker, the only good advice I ever got from a chiropractor, was the rubber band exercise! 25 years ago. Been doing it ever since. As a non pro guitar player, at 52, I play mediums on the acoustic and 11-48 on the electric. I can usually play till I get bored, without pain. Although I have 'had thumb problems, so I can't play barre chords endlessly.
Started with 11s in the 60s, that was considered lite gauge back then, finally when ernie ball came out with slinky’s, -10s were all I used for the next umpteen years, moved back to 11s a few years ago-started getting arthritis & now on 9 1/2s-they’re pretty nice
Great video as always Keith! I love stringjoys custom set 10-48 with a wound 3rd but when I can’t get them I play the purple Ernie balls which are kinda similar. Biggest difference for me is the durability of stringjoy is amazing
@Five Watt Eorld. I like light gauge strings especially 8s. Its a myth to have a biigger tone you have to play heavy gauges. Look at the man Billy G....the Rev struts his stuff on 7s. The best rock tone comes from Billy. Awesome channel 🎸👍
I've been an Ernie Ball fan my whole life. I've been a 10's guy forever, but in the last year I moved back to 9's on a couple of my guitars. I love the contrast between the two for some reason. 🤔👍🎸🎼🎵🎶🇺🇸
I think the great string debate rages on because people’s biology varies so wildly. My hands are kind of big in relation to my frame and they’re pretty strong because of the work I do. I play 11’s comfortably for hours. My dad plays 9’s and I always have trouble playing in tune on his guitars because I’m not used to them. And I play blues so I’m bending all over the place. And I’ve gotten to the point where if my “B” string is a little out of tune I can just adjust the position and pressure of my finger and play in tune with perfect-ish intonation. But not on 9’s! And definitely not 8’s!
10s for 40 plus years playing electric guitar. No desire to change. Switched from Dean Markley to Ernie Ball in the early 80s and recently adopted D Addario XS . 25 1/2 scale length biggest factor.
Ernie Ball now has flats...I've always liked Chromes but wanted 9s and the local store ordered them. I also like the Reverend Willie's strings in 8s and 9s on electrics. Silk and steel on acoustics. Whatever makes it easier to enjoy playing with out pain .
Nice to see Beato relaxed If you are a real guitarist it doesn’t matter You might have preference but if you can play, you can play 9/42 is a nice place to sit, covers all bases
I broke a lot of high E strings when I played with Ernie Ball 8-38's. They would break just by tuning the guitar to pitch. I now play 9-46 Ernie Ball Hybrid. I put foam under the low E string to give it a tighter feel.
Well I played 10’ for a decade, now Im down to 9/46 and I must say I really dig that size. Honestly we all have different hands some have small thin hands, others have big muscular hands, different hands strengh = different strings gauge.
I'm playing 008s on my late 80s partscaster with a Kahler flyer. Stays in tune for days without adjustment if you only use the trem for "shimmer". I can apply vibrato to individual notes in a chord and the bending is ridiculously easy - oh, and 008s sound way better than anything thicker - don't let the SRV school of Blues masochists fool you.
I mostly have used 9s and resisted going heavier But I have different gauges on different guitars, depending on what I like I recommend people look at options & pick what they like
I use different strings for different guitars and different applications. Though I have never tried 8’s. I was a D’Addario guy for decades but I find that they diminish the Fender-ness of my Fenders, so I switched to Ernie Balls. Still use D’Addarios on my Epiphone Emperor, my Schecter Partscaster and my 1962 Coronet. Last week I started using Stringjoys on some guitars. Live they are something special. On my acoustics I use phosphor bronze, regardless of brand. Playing good slide guitar on 9’s is not a sure bet, particularly live. I do it when I don’t want to bring multiple guitars to a gig, but I don’t love the experience and then I really don’t bother tuning down to open G or open D. I use mediums for that. I have a vintage Epiphone Coronet set up for that. I have one Tele set up with Ernie Ball heavy on bottom, so that’s.58 to .10. So you can do any fingerstyle, dropped D, slide - any of those techniques and no worries about crapping out the low notes. I put 9’s on my Strats and 10’s on my Les Paul and my teles.
On my Strat tuned to Eb Standard, I use D'Addario EXL 10-46, but replace the 10 with a 9, as this makes bends feel more balanced across the treble strings. So that probably makes the Hight E feel like an 8 in Standard Tuning. A critical factor regarding string tension is the string length from the saddles to the tuners. A reverse headstock with inline tuners should produce the most balanced tension across the strings. With that configuration, the bass strings won't be as floppy, and the trebles should feel more slinky. This assumes a locking Nut is not being used.
Ty Tabor (coughSTRATcough) uses relatively light strings, a very light touch, and really thin picks that he holds more perpendicular to the strings than parallel
I’ve been trying to implement the “it doesn’t matter” attitude, like Rick was suggesting. I used to be very concerned with all the elements to the guitar, and very picky trying to find the perfect configuration, and now all that talk exhausts me. Is it fun to play, does it sound good, is all that matters
I just recently switched from .010's to .009's on my 25 1/2" scale guitars. I think I'm going to stay with .010's on my 24 3/4" scale guitars because I like the tone and they play as good as my 25 1/2" scale guitars with the .009's. I also have a Carvin DC 127 with .011's that is tuned down a whole step and sometimes to drop C. My acoustics are all strung with .012's. I like the Elixir Optiwebs on all of them. I gig 3 nights a week for 4 hours. The Elixirs sound and feel very natural to me and last a very long time.
I used to use 10s on everything. For at least a decade. But during lockdown I decided to play more guitar again and thought, why am I trying to do hard. So put 9s on 24.75 and 8s on 25.5. I feel like an idiot for not making this decision earlier. It's the best thing I ever did. That and use much thicker picks with bevelled edges. I use a brand called jaketto 5mm thick
I've offered Dunlop money, blood, my first born and sexual favors to make my favorite pick (Big Stubby) in Ultex and Delrin. No luck. The Nylons are ok and the hard plastic ones chip out, especially the lighter gauges. But I love the feel of the Big Stubby shape.
8-38 for me. Once I got used to them, there’s no going back. The brightness and the way they just “get out of the way” keeps me coming back. Played 9’s for years, but they actually feel a little awkward by comparison now…
You should try some Rotosound strings. The lighter gauges are just incredible to play. I've swapped from Ernie Ball to Roto, and I don't think I'm going back.
I use 10-46 on my PRS, but all others are 9-42. Neither is an issue as I usually pick them up after warming up on acoustic. Though I am thinking of compromising to 9.5-44 on all
Heard somewhaere , or read, anout who makes the Rev's strings. Dunlop. Why I play them in 8's when I could get others more popular brands is my ear hear's things (harmonics?) that I don't hear in other strings.
I love Ernie Balls but when I lived in Port Antonio near the sea, the Ernies rusted like russian steel, which is to say, within minutes. Fender packages I would double zip-lock and they would last a couple months before rotting.
Could you guys do a deep dive into Gibson pickups from the originals PAfs, TTOPS, into Tim Shaw era? There’s so much to know when trying to identify these pickups I figured it may make some interesting and informative content.
15:30 I have a hundred different types of picks, but the only ones that never wear down, or break, are Australian 5 cent coins (similar to Brian May’s use of the British sixpence). And they only cost 5 cents!..
I used to play billy Gibson 7 gauge strings. Looking back I can’t believe I used to play something that light. I find it impossible to go back to that and many guitars can’t even handle it
My bass player say's the same thing. In fact he says they get better after playing them for a while and he always wipes his strings down every time he puts his bass away.
Ernie Ball 9s go on everything electric I own. I've lost count of how many college friends, most of whom were Millenials vs my Gen-X geezerhood, to EB 9s. Most were playing thrash and grunge in bands. They'd play my guitars with 9s and wonder why it was easier. I'd tell them the story about BB King asking Billy Gibbons "Why do you want to work so hard?" about his thick strings. Billy mistakenly thought thick strings is how blues guys got their tone. When I could, I'd hand them a pack of 9s and say, "Stop using bridge cables." Sometimes I'd run into someone who was playing 13s, because that's what Stevie did, and they'd wonder why it was so hard? I'd tell them, "You're not Stevie," and explain that even Stevie was down to 11s at the end. I put 8's on my daughter's Squier Tele because she has muscle weakness and camptodactyly (permanently bend pinkies) so it's easier on her to fret, and I have a blast when I play it! If anyone wants to tighten up their playing, put some 8s on a guitar and be forced to learn how to strings that seem to react to you breathing on them, then go back to playing on thicker strings. "You sure ain't playing drop-C on those." - Sammy Hagar to Billy G, busting his horns about the 7s. 😆
9.5s with a Nylon .88 pick for Rhythm or 1.38mm Jazz iii for lead for me on a Gretsch Hollowbody with a Bigsby. EB just came out with Flat 9s that i want to try.
I have been using the Ernie Ball Hybrids on a Les Paul; which are like a set of 9s on strings 1-3 and 10s on strings 4-6. I like them. I like feeling like I can bash on the heavier strings. But I haven't decided if I'll stick with them or go to straight 9s... No way would I use heavier though. I tried, they don't sound any different and they are harder to play, so I don't see any point in it.
