Another string gauge discussion.

[HomespunEffects]

I like heavier strings but have been working on legato technique and put a set of 9s on my Surfcaster. I absolutely hate it but I’m going to work with it over the next couple weeks.

Questions:
Do you find that heavier strings stay in tune better?

Do you find that jumbo frets work better with heavier strings and heavier strings work better with bigger frets?

 

[duzie]

I have .08’s on an SG and also a V that stay in tune reasonably well.
.09’s on a Tele that stay dead on in tune.
I’ve not had an issue with lighter strings staying in tune.

 

[norminal]

Do you find that heavier strings stay in tune better?

I don’t find that one string gauge particularly stays in tune better than another. In my experience, most tuning issues are usually related to slippage at the tuners, an improperly cut nut, or issues at the bridge.

Do you find that jumbo frets work better with heavier strings and heavier strings work better with bigger frets?

In my experience, no.

 

[HomespunEffects]

Do you find that heavier strings last longer? I’m not specific asking about breaking but that’s open for discussion.

 

[HomespunEffects]

I have .08’s on an SG and also a V that stay in tune reasonably well.
.09’s on a Tele that stay dead on in tune.
I’ve not had an issue with lighter strings staying in tune.

I’m almost afraid to try 8s. 9s feel like nothing is there.

 

[FuzzyAce]

Questions:
Do you find that heavier strings stay in tune better?

Do you find that jumbo frets work better with heavier strings and heavier strings work better with bigger frets?

Funny you mention, I've been thinking about this the last few days. I just changed strings on one of my main guitars down to 9's, and also detuned.
I do think it's harder to keep the intonation proper in the beginning. I recorded a track yesterday and was fighting the guitar because of the lighter gauge and having subtle issues with pitch because my hands have grown accustomed to 10's or 11's the last few years. I also use jumbo frets.
So I think there is a combination of elements that can make light gauge strings seem to not stay in tune as well, unless you have a super light touch. Jumbo frets can exacerbate the problem if your touch is heavier.
Another thing is a guitar may need to settle in some when gauges are changed, due to tension and intonation adjustments.

 

[norminal]

Do you find that heavier strings last longer? I’m not specific asking about breaking but that’s open for discussion.

Nope. I guess technically they could due to the increased surface area of the larger gauge, but I bet the differences are negligible. We’re taking around 1 thousands per square inch extra between gauges.

 

[HomespunEffects]

Funny you mention, I've been thinking about this the last few days. I just changed strings on one of my main guitars down to 9's, and also detuned.
I do think it's harder to keep the intonation proper in the beginning. I recorded a track yesterday and was fighting the guitar because of the lighter gauge and having subtle issues with pitch because my hands have grown accustomed to 10's or 11's the last few years. I also use jumbo frets.
So I think there is a combination of elements that can make light gauge strings seem to not stay in tune as well, unless you have a super light touch. Jumbo frets can exacerbate the problem if your touch is heavier.
Another thing is a guitar may need to settle in some when gauges are changed, due to tension and intonation adjustments.

It also takes a LOT longer for lighter strings to stretch and settle into holding tune.

I’m specifically talking about the open strings being pulled out of tune not pressing the note out of tune by pressing too hard.

The .009 string seems to come unwound at the ball end as well.

 

[Aelred]

I tend to use what the guitar comes with/is setup for.

9's on Strat, PRs SE 245 and Tele
10's on ESP and Reverend

I don't find the Strat takes longer to settle than the Reverend, and have never had 9's unwind at the ball end. Just lucky I guess.

 

[HomespunEffects]

… and have never had 9's unwind at the ball end. Just lucky I guess.

Not even once?

 

[FuzzyAce]

It also takes a LOT longer for lighter strings to stretch and settle into holding tune.

The .009 string seems to come unwound at the ball end as well.

What brand are you using? I haven't that issue in a long time and it was Ernie Ball I think from years ago. Probably a manufacturing defect.
I have noticed with the ups and downs of weather lately my guitars are not holding tune as good, and yes, I do think the lighter gauge strings are more sensitive to staying in tune. Although about 5 years ago I tried only using 8's and that lasted for a year or so. It definitely forces you to change your touch and I did like the tones I was getting at the time. But I've been back with 10's as my standard again and really feels like home. I like that gauge because it does well in Eb or E standard. It handles drop D ok but I don't use that a lot. I have other guitars with 11's so I can detune them more effectively.

 

[Aelred]

Not even once?

Not once to my recollection.

 

[HomespunEffects]

What brand are you using? I haven't that issue in a long time and it was Ernie Ball I think from years ago. Probably a manufacturing defect.
I have noticed with the ups and downs of weather lately my guitars are not holding tune as good, and yes, I do think the lighter gauge strings are more sensitive to staying in tune. …

I always use Ernie Ball Slinky. I like Burly the best.

 

[FuzzyAce]

I always use Ernie Ball Slinky. I like Burly the best.

I pretty much stick with D'Addario. They've been the most consistent to me. Occasionally I'll use GHS too.

 

[Eagle]

It also takes a LOT longer for lighter strings to stretch and settle into holding tune.

I’m specifically talking about the open strings being pulled out of tune not pressing the note out of tune by pressing too hard.

The .009 string seems to come unwound at the ball end as well.

No actual reason for either of those to be true.
The string unwinding is a problem across gauge and brand. String up well and stretch tune and 9s are as stable as quickly as10s.

 

[HomespunEffects]

I pretty much stick with D'Addario. They've been the most consistent to me. Occasionally I'll use GHS too.

I’ve tried them, just didn’t like them. I always go back to EB. I also always go back to 11s because no matter how many times people try to tell me that 9s hold tune like 11s, I cannot confirm.

I have two packs of 9s from different three packs on the bench without a high E because they keep unwinding at the ball. That was the original reason I quit using 9s many years ago. It’s all coming back to me.

 

[Eagle]

I’ve tried them, just didn’t like them. I always go back to EB. I also always go back to 11s because no matter how many times people try to tell me that 9s hold tune like 11s, I cannot confirm.

I have two packs of 9s from different three packs on the bench without a high E because they keep unwinding at the ball. That was the original reason I quit using 9s many years ago. It’s all coming back to me.

That’s an EB problem mostly. I have taken to soldering them.

 

[newholland]

i havent found a guitar, for me, once set up properly didnt work well regardless of fret size with heavier strings. staying in tune, ive had structural issues with neck joints not allowing me to stay in tune (sgs and short tenon double cuts)- but that my horrible left hand technique. staying in tune seems more a function of a well cut and maintained nut, and good down pressure across it. ive had some issues staying in tune recently renecking a guitar- but i didnt use string trees at first. as soon as i put them on, i can generally throw that guitar down stairs and find it in tune- but i dont attribute it to the strings themselves, really. i have also never ever had a string unwind at the ball end either. ive sure sheared them off... but never had a string fail from winding.

FWIW, to me anyhow, 9's arent really heavy strings. wound g sets are heavy strings. i play .12s and have forever because they offer enough resistance, and im used to acoustic mediums. its not a tough guy thing- its just more a playing style thing- and i am not good at playing gently, nor am i surgical nor a big bluesy bender

 

[Eagle]

Any quality guitar with no issues will work perfectly fine with very light strings.

 

[newholland]

Any quality guitar with no issues will work perfectly fine with very light strings.

unless im playing it but thats a me prob, not the guitar...