Trying the Stevie Ray Vaughan Guitar Strings... (RIDICULOUS) 

'SRV Inspired' Fender Squier FSR Available HERE 🎸➡ tinyurl.com/5dt9wkah

SRV's string set was more closer to .11's, for the middle 4 strings. The 2 E's were a .13, and a .56-.58. It's not a true .13 gauge set, but a custom hybrid set.

Stevie used some thick strings but I don’t think he used a wound third. I’m fairly certain it was a plain G string.

Recently moved up to 11’s from 10’s. Really digging it. Cannot imagine playing 9’s anymore. Now I feel like a real man.

Years and years of playing bluegrass using 13-56 its more of a feel-thing than sound. I cant use 12-53 because it feels slappy to me. Now playing alot of srv on my strat i use 10-46,i use it because of the feel. Not the sound. I can make a set of 10 sound better than a set of 9s,because of the feel of the strings. Most people use certain gauge because they like the feel not how it sounds. On electric guitar you can tweak the amp and pedals so much so no one in the aduience would ever say ”oh sounds like 13s”. Just play the strings that feels good. Great video as usual my man. Love to see the channel grow.

It’s all about tuning down that half step as SRV and Hendrix did. Makes the 13 set feel much the same as a 10 in standard tuning as far as feel. Biggest difference is in the total lower tonality in being tuned down.

He defo didn't play a wound 3rd, I play 11, 15, 18, 28, 38, 58 down to eflat. I think that was his setup in his latter days or something similar. They play like heavy 10s and is perfect for me. Even a 12 on the high E is not too bad. Great vid 👍 By the way the comments to play on 13s or your a pxxxy are completely hilarious obviously they will show us how it's done haha

GHS still makes the 11-58 pure nickels that he would've used. That aside, here's what I think are the real important parts of SRV's strings: 1.) Pure nickel round core construction. The wrap material and the core shape are both involved in shaping the tone. 2.) Slightly thicker strings to compensate for the Eb tuning. 10.5 or 11 up top are good starting points. Realistically, whatever you're comfortable with. 3.) Heavier bottom string in relation to the top. I believe the 58 on the bottom (and the occasional 13 up top) was just due to his aggressive playing and the heavier gauge helped keep it in tune. You see a lot of guys influenced by him use a light top heavy bottom (ex. Matt Schofield and Philip Sayce). A 52 is a good place to be for most players, but just like the top, whatever you're comfortable with. All that said, @pedalpawn, I enjoy your content. Keep doing what you're doing. Especially your memes. Arguably you and JHS are best in the game at that

He also tuned down 1/2 step which would help ever so slightly.

The reason that Stevie used 0.13" gauge strings is because he tuned down to match his vocal range. This is so that he could get the resistance from them being that they would slack if he used a lighter gauge string. So you have to remember that he was tuned a half step down. That wound third G string is actually traditional - the unwound G strings of today are modern. Traditionally unwound G strings didn't exist until the nineteen seventies. I use the wound G string on all my Fender fifties guitars for a thicker sound. I use 0.10" gauge strings but with a wound 0.18" gauge G string. Stevie Ray was heavy handed in fact when he shook people's hands it felt like a vice crushing your hand. I remember other people saying the same thing. He pounded on his guitars. Just look at Number One - the entire finish was rubbed completely off from him playing it constantly day after day and night after night. He never wiped it down so all his sweat and skin oil was acidic and wore it out!

WHY does everybody believe the LIE that SRV used 13s? Rene Martinez has said repeatedly that SRV used 11's and GHS still makes them.

9s sound clearer (like you said, it's got that "zing" to it) and 13s sound darker imo

Not only tearing your fingers! But your shoulder tendons and the little thingy where your finger tendons go through by the elbow articulation area and tendonitis eventually..ouch! Happend to me..3 years out after surgey..now a days i play a whole step down and using 10 to 46 ..easier playing without hurting yourself ..take care mate you are a valuable player! 🇲🇽🎶

I use 11’s and have done so for years. GHS used to make half size strings so I started of using 10.5’s and quickly discontinued those and renamed them Rene Martinez Big Core. Then it went to the Carlos Santana signature string before being discontinued. Afterwards I changed to DR Pure Blues. I have been using them for years and don’t desire to go bigger because I believe those are full of tone and anything bigger is just a torture to your hands. I’ve also heard Billy gibbons and Walter Trout has always played 9’s and you’d never known it from their tone. Play what works for you and keep rocking!

Your playing and technique are excellent 👌, save your fingers and stick with the 9's, cheers 😎🎵🎸

The only way to sound like Stevie, is to be Stevie.

My first guitars that i learnt to play with were acoustic guitars which generally had heavier gauge strings (12s upwards). I bought a second hand electric guitar for $25 that had 2 strings on it. I used 4 strings from my acoustic steel string guitar which were just long enough to reach the tuners. I always used the heaviest gauge strings i could buy after that. Just felt right. I could switch from acoustic to electric guitar seamlessly. At a jam years later with friends one day my friend asked me if he could play my Telecaster. So we swapped guitars and I played his Les Paul which was a first for me. First thing he told me was “how do you play lead on this? Strings are hard ti bend” His Les Paul had 9 gauge strings on them and the action was super low. All of a sudden my soloing went up in speed. I couldn’t believe how easy it was to bend strings and move to the next note. My friend said “what the $&@% was that? You’ve never played that quick” I said to him it must be your guitar - so easy to play. I told him that i learnt on steel string acoustic and always used 12s or heavier on electric guitar. It must be strength in my fingers and wrist over the years. My friend bought an acoustic steel string guitar the very next week. He was a great soloist on electric. Sadly leukaemia got him in his mid 30s about 20 years ago. Miss his company

From guage 12 upwards they sound like wires😀 I don't like 9's and have been playing 10's for 4 years, now i've discovered 9,5's-44 and they just feel right on my strat! Great job🎸🤘🎸

According to the “Texas Flood” biography those string gauges went down after he got cleaned up and out of rehab. I used to play 12s but can’t anymore. 10s and 11s work just fine.

Really enjoying these videos with the SRV guitar. Thanks.

My hands already hurt just looking at the strings! 😆

I use 13s because I play slide mostly. They give a much better tone for slide

Have you tuned your guitar down to e flat? That will reduce the string tension a bit. I have only played 13s on acoustic and they scared me. Especially tuning that high e. I don’t have the super loud picking playing style needed to get a good tone from them. I have 12s on my church tele clone with wound 3rd string. I did that to counteract my tendency to oversqueeze the strings out of tune. I have since calmed down but I still like them on there.

Directly from rene Martinez in the feb90 guitar player magazine is he used 11s. Ghs 1300 set nickel rockers 11 15 19 28 38 58 and then changed the 11 with a 13 unless his fingers were sore they would keep the 11. Played with a fender medium celliod pick. Backwards and would play with the shoulder. Also he didn't have high action. It was only the bass e that was high. He would use his thumb to slightly hold the guitar by the e string to help with vibrato.

Others I'm sure have pointed it out, but Stevie did not use a wound G (unless maybe on a one off jazz guitar or acoustic.) His gauge from low to high was .058, .038, .028,.019, .015, and finally anywhere from a .013 to an .011 by the end of his life - his tech said that his fingers were starting to feel the effects of all those years of playing thick strings, so if he had lived longer maybe he would have gone even lighter - who knows? Also, his strings were semi-flat wound, which have more tension on the wound strings and have a warmer, smoother attack while not being dark like true flatwound - they are less raspy than typical roundwounds. GHS still makes the set - called the "Lo-Tune" Nickel Rocker set. Finally, he used the top corners of the pick instead of the point, which made it easier to rake the strings and play fast, fluid rhythms.

If you're able to play 13s very good. You can play anything!!!

He didn't use 13s, he used 11s tuned down a semitone, so they would feel like 10s. He did use a heavier high E - a 12 or 13

The only other player (that I know of at least) that could absolutely manhandle 13 gauge strings on a Strat in the Texas Blues style was Eric Tessmer. That was back in the day (circa 2006) out in Austin, Texas. Eric would play lightening fast with huge bends, etc on 13 gauge strings. I honestly don't think there was any player since Stevie Ray Vaughan other than Eric Tessmer that could absolutely pummel 13 gauge strings like they were 9's on a Strat like that!

If you listen again with eyes closed there is minimal difference between the 2. Couple that with the difficulty in playing the 13s then its not worth it. The 9s do a stellar job (the crowd would hear zero difference). Rick Beato did a great video on this demonstrating how in many cases the lighter strings were "better" sounding in the studio recording environment.

SRV had massive man's hands and he played with a savage abandon. If SRV used a softer gauge, he would need his guitar tech to change the strings after every show and possible he would snap strings on one or two guitars per night. Also, your fingers are not conditioned to play with that set of strings, and would take commitment and a getting used to playing with sore fingers until you reach a level of familiarity with the thicker strings. A good example using sports. in college baseball, batters can use aluminium bats, in the Pros they only allow wood. I would imagine the feel is different and it takes some getting used to.

For every player that gets named having great tone with heavy strings, I can name just as many who play incredibly light gauge strings. ie FRANK MARINO. Go search out Frank Marino's gear. He says his guitars were so light with high action that nobody else could play them. then go listen to him! INSANE tone! I saw Billy Gibbons a few years ago in Austin and his tone was unbelievable thick, nasty, crystal clear, biting.....with 7's (he uses a 12 gauge G STRING!!!....TWELVE!) Many of the greatest solos from the 60's and 70's (and tones players are still chasing) were played on 8's and even banjo strings. Your tone comes from everything. the pick you use, the amp, the guitar, the pickups, your fingers, how you strike the strings etc

Stevie used GHS strings according to Rene. They sell a lo tune set that were what he was using for the last few years.

Haters gonna hate Chris . . . Means your doing something right. I use .011, .015, .019, .028, .038, .056 . . . Give it a try. ✌️

Hi, thank you for the video, great as always. Thick strings on a strat help you sound fuller in small venues next to the drummer where you can't really turn up your amp very loud. All these players come from this circuit and this is why they prefered thicker strings. When SRV became a big star and volume wasn't an issue he scaled down his gauge. But it wasn't 13's to begin with, just the top E. Les Pauls and gibsons in general sound much tighter and focused, they cut a lot better and that's why we have never heard anyone going to such excess on their gear and set up. On the other hand, nothing sounds like a strat turned up.

Didn't catch the cut while catching the strings the first time around and was like wait wat physics? Loved the vid!

SRV didn’t ever use a wound G string. He used a .19 on the G in the early days. He eventually used 11, 14, 18, 28, 38, 56…

11-52 to me is the perfect gauge for a strat in Eb. It retains the zing and the bounce to those faster licks and the fatness for the Lenny style chording. Bridge off the deck and three springs in the back! If the guitar goes slightly out of tune pull up on the bar to get it back in pitch.

I see what you are saying with the dead sound but Stevie also played with ridiculously high string action and jumbo frets. Maybe try that in a future video. Would love to see it.

I just got 12 gauge for my strat yesterday. I thought I could here more bass punch compared to the 11’s I had on before. But I don't know, could be an illusion. They definitely take more of a heavy strike before they flap out on you.

My srv has a 12 gauge set, but i play that set since 1991, tone enough. But please, its stays crazy!

I play 13s everyday and I've never had even a little bit of trouble with them...... but of course i do play in c standard lol. I'm surprised you didnt need to adjust your truss rod with all that extra tension

SRV's action was set HIGHER also, that was also a big difference, most guitar players ignore

SRV moved down to 11s towards the end. 13s took its toll on his fingers. Let's hear an 11-13 comparison.

Cool Video ! 👍🥰 If you really want to debunk Guage & Tone... ? Strap on a Set of fellow Texan's "Rev. Willy's Mexican Lottery Brand" 7s, and see how they handle the SRV Tone ! 😉 Mr Gibbons made some fine Tones with light Strings IMHO . 🫠 Cheers ✌️ 🤙

Back when i was a young pup, i put bronze wrapped on my LP to see what it would sound like.. It was warmer,mellow and not as loud.. Smooth as butter though

I think a good compromise are 10 to 46 on Humbuckers and 10 to 38 on Single Coils (Jimi Hendrix' choice). Greetings from Germany.

I think his Howard Dumble Amp for recording compensated for the deadness of the fat strings

13 15 19 (plane) 28 38 58 was his set you can buy a nickel rocker low tune set and replace the 11 with a 13. I play that set or a standard 12 set. Its not really for sound although it does effect it a little bit, its more about the feel.

Hiya Chris I tried the 13s destroyed my fingers couldn't bend the strings at all went too 11s still using them god knows how SRV used them take care mate

ive got a wound 24 gauge for my g string and its hard to get over a full bend. great for jazz though. i will def have a plain g next time i buy strings for sure edit: yours is def wound 3rd string too, says on your roto pack 26w. w for wound. def more a jazz string in my opinion. a plain 24 or 26 would be much easier to play!

Listening to the comparison I could barely tell them apart, if at all. When I closed my eyes and listened to a specific section over and over maybe I could hear a minute difference on the low end of the g string; could easily be in my head though. Honestly I played 8 gauge until I discovered 7s and now I generally use them unless I need a string type that doesn't come in 7s. I've never noticed a difference in tone and if you are going through a boost or anything I think its going to be removed before hitting the speaker anyway. Your point on the feel is interesting also, the only time I don't use light strings is if I record heavy rhythm tracks on a seven string guitar and I don't need to bend. The heavier strings resist you and you have to fight them and I like how this translates into tone and performance. I couldn't play leads or such with this though because my fingers are programmed for bending intervals on 8 gauge so my pitching would be awful.

I definitely agree with @JumboJimbo Stevie didn’t play an actual real “set” of 13’s. They were basically a set of 11’s, with a plain G string, but the top and bottom E strings ONLY were from a set of 13’s. So definitely a hybrid. So Chris, your actually playing an overall HEAVIER set here than Stevie would have used! Even given that, great playing mate!!

I use 10.5 or 11 gauge set in Eb, close enough for rock n roll.

Got arthritis now so 13s are out the question lol 😆 10s are just right don't know how guys play with 8s though but each to their own

I totally agree, Chris; a real 13 set sounds duller; the tension is just too high so they can't move enough to resonate enough. Alan Paul's new SRV biography Texas Flood is on Audible and I very highly recommend it; it touched on this question. As other commenters have said, SRV didn't play a set of 13's, he played a pretty weird custom set where the high and low E's were ridiculous but strings 2-5 were basically a 10 or 11 set. Far thinner overall than a set of 13's. Why? Martinez said SRV said it was a feel thing, that he could get his fingers under the heavier strings better. SRV is quoted in the very recent SRV biography by Alan Paul as saying they were simply easier for him to play - so what Martinez said. Stevie was very heavy handed, and when you play 8's you see why having some more tension is helpful and can help control the strings more easily. As for tone, Stevie often ran 2 and 3 amps at once with one or more cranked; at such volumes huge high and low E strings dulling your tone a bit does not matter. SRV also mentioned once that he liked how the huge low E could be yanked on to make that fat snap accent sound against the frets, and obviously when you're doing those shuffles using all 6 strings at once this huge string forces you to hit all the strings as hard as possible, bringing out of you a more aggressive attack and style. It sounds to me from Paul's biography like the younger SRV thought at one time playing a 15 or higher on the high E was a good idea, but time proved this to be zealotry in pursuit of a reason; it may have started as a flash thing, but he got to where he liked its influence on his style.

I have 2 guitars at 25.5 scale, one with 0.10 and the other 0.09. I prefer the overtones and slinkiness of the 0.09, but prefer to chug rhythm on the more resistant 0.10

I use 10-52s which is a nice compromise

The 9s sounded better to me… more energy and playing dynamics + more highs

Scott mackeon finish song in the video.

.09,s sound more open,.013 sounds beefier,rather not fight it like an acoustic guitar,but both are viable sounding,not for weak hands

im pretty sure that he used to use heavy bottom light top unstead of a 13 set

I go buy baritone strings-62 to 10. You need to buy the high E separately.

I don’t think it’s tone difference but playing difference. Your going to play it differently creating a different kind of expression or dynamic.

Mostly would have used was 13 15 19 28 38 and 58 at least that's what I read

Hybrid set up-12s for low strings 10s for higher strings. Those 13s did sound fatter and warmer to me.

What a fantastic video I actually enjoyed it have a wonderful day

11s are good. Fenders were designed for heavier strings. Definitely affects the tone. Not just magnetically but also the heavy strings get the guitar body moving a lot more

Hey Chris, I've been learning some of your playing everyday for about 2 months, lovin it. It would be helpful and interesting for me to know what gauge you typically use on your yellow strat, bc you play so fast. Am I right in guessing the SRV Squier in this video had 9's stock on it but you play something else like 11's or 10's on your yellow strat? Thanks mate

Look how much more effort you're having to put in with the .13s! That, to my mind, makes a difference - the more you put in, the more you get out! Like so many things in life.

I play on a set of 14, 18, 22, 32, 40, 55 and they take at least a month to get used to (and a shit ton of super glue… 😂)

As BB said, why you working so hard man.

Use what works for you. My motto. For me; I’m hooked on the Fender Bullet Hendrix Voodoo Child Vintage Nickel Strings: 10, 13, 15, 26, 32, 38 on all my Tele’s

Google here on RU-vid are you using the wrong strings good video

Where did you buy the set you have

He used 13’s to accommodate his aggressive playing style not so much for tone. He used 12’s around his time of death. Words from Caesar, SRV’s guitar tech.

I don't hear the difference, imh it even sounds better with the twang of the 9's. One question though, when you play in eb you use 9's or you change to 10 or 11's?

A clean thud.

Actually it wasn't 13 gauge set that Stevie was using it was a 11 guage set where Stevie guitar tech Rene Martinez just replace .11 guage high E string to a .13

I heard a difference. Especially in the lower strings

Awesome comparison !

You can go the other way and do what Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top plays = 07 - 38

Opinions are like Ahold every one got one

I wonder how I knew this dude was British before even clicking on the video

Stevie's strings were basically an 11 guage set with a 56 and a 13 on the E two strings. As far as i know?

What song is that riff from 6:55?

I saw a video where Renee claimed Stevie started tours with 13s but by the end of the tours he was playing 11s because of his fingers. Bending 13’s every night for hours at a time would catch up to him.

After he got off coke and booze SRV went to 11s because he said he could actually feel his fingers. Personally i like 11s for Eb tuning and 10.5s for standard tuning.

The 9's sounded better. why work that hard?! sheeeeeesh! Put the 9s back on and then throw a 26,46,52 on the bottom 3 strings.

Dude, I play 10-52 on strat, I have 9-42 on OFR guitar (will switch to 10-48 soon) and 11-56 on LP scale guitars. I found it difficult to play on strat with 11-56 already, so IMHO it doesn't make sense to catch this string caliber - there must be a compromise between comfort and sound.

Ever hear how SRV allegedly stuck some of the sole of his boot on his fingers? Apparently he was in the studio and tore his fingers up after not having played for an extended period. Maybe you should try that next🤣

So did you tune down to Eb E(flat) like Stevie when you used the used the heavier strings?

The wound G would be broken , those windings break down too fast. 11's are my fav. If You play heavy handed, 9's feel like noodles. I saw SRV, live , his hands were a blur.

And those women comments were harsh, They know how to tear a man down 😂 That's why we play and sing the Blues! 😂

The strings make a bigger difference when when you have a setup with bassman with tubes cranked playing at the volumes and he was playing at. Your only going to feel and hear the difference live

You should try playing 8's like Jimi

The 13s are not going to make enough of a difference for your average guitarist covering a Stevie tune. I only use 10s on a shorter scaled like a Les Paul, otherwise 9s all day, even tuned down.

Plain unwound g string. There's an interview in GP that lists the gauges.

There's a raspyness to the 13s that the 9s don't have.

You need to switch to a plain G string. I used 12's at one point and had to buy separate plain G's.

Play what makes you want to play