Another string gauge discussion.

[Ed DeGenaro]

Yeah I was about to say that's kind of a drastic change. Especially to how they're gonna feel to your hands. I'm firmly in the camp of pick a string gauge, and once you're used to it, stay with it. But I'm playing stuff that's right at the outer limits of my abilities, so I don't want to introduce any variables to my technique.

Based on what you've said, I'd switch to 10's, then work on your legato.

Funnily enough I tried to be the opposite for so long and always return. Lol

Most of my life I played 9 to 42, about 30 years ago I went up to 12th, after my left forearm wasn't happy I returned to 9th.
About 20 years ago I stayed at 9-46 for a while.
Back to 9-42, felt like coming home.

The last few years 10-52, recently 9.5 to 44 and just reurned to 9-42 and again like coming home.

Now this is for 25.5 scale length.
On the others and acoustics I'm rather agnostic about it.

 

[Alex Kenivel]

IMO its all about string tension and how hard or soft one personally plays. If one is used to 11s and switch to 9s, they'll probably need to compensate with a lighter touch.

I currently play 9-46 in standard 6 string tuning. I'd go heavier for lower tunings to keep the tension about the same and not drastically change my playing style.

If I want to down tune one of my standard tuned guitars I have to have a really light touch or I'll pull/pluck notes out of tune.

 

[HomespunEffects]

IMO its all about string tension and how hard or soft one personally plays. If one is used to 11s and switch to 9s, they'll probably need to compensate with a lighter touch.

I currently play 9-46 in standard 6 string tuning. I'd go heavier for lower tunings to keep the tension about the same and not drastically change my playing style.

If I want to down tune one of my standard tuned guitars I have to have a really light touch or I'll pull/pluck notes out of tune.

I play all my guitars in standard tuning. Well, I do mess around in open E from time to time.

 

[Mooselake]

I have .009s on one guitar, and .010s on the rest. I tried the .009s because I really wanted to force myself to not have such a heavy hand. Fundamentally I don't notice s lot of difference except for the obvious things like the strings are smaller and bend a little easier. For me the .009s stay in tune pretty well, and I don't notice anything related to jumbo frets, which I have on the .009 guitar. I still bang the .009s to hard frequently, which gives me some rattle, but that's a technique thing.

 

[Alex Kenivel]

I play all my guitars in standard tuning. Well, I do mess around in open E from time to time.

E standard is my preference, most of my guitars are in standard but there are a few songs here and there that I like to play that are in D or C# standard so I end up down tuning one of my lesser-used guitars that are strung with the same 9-46 sets and just play lightly. I really should gauge up that one guitar and designate it the lower tuned one.

 

[JoeBfstplk]

I have been using 9-46 since the early '90s. Last few years, I switched to Stringjoy Signature strings Their 9-46 set has a few gauges in between the 9 and 46 that are different from the usual ones. I like their balance better. Recently tried their Broadways 9-40 set on my old Strat, and the vintage Strat tone was there in spades - deeper, sort-of spongy low strings, due to the lower tension. Put the same on my CS Strat soon after. One of my Teles (the red Fender) got 10-38. That set's interesting, and I think it's there to stay. The rest of the herd are still on 9-46, though. The extra twang on the low strings is nice for clarity....

 

[HomespunEffects]

E standard is my preference, most of my guitars are in standard but there are a few songs here and there that I like to play that are in D or C# standard so I end up down tuning one of my lesser-used guitars that are strung with the same 9-46 sets and just play lightly. I really should gauge up that one guitar and designate it the lower tuned one.

I did used to have one guitar tuned down to dropped A. A E A D F# B I guess that’s like seven string tuning. Back then the only seven string was the Universe. That’s where my experimentation with heavy strings began. One day i just tuned it up to E standard and it just felt right.

 

[HomespunEffects]

I guess i should have also mentioned that I reintonate my guitars if I change string gauge. My thinking is that if I have a heavy hand on lighter strings intonating would prevent me from pushing every note out of tune.

 

[FuzzyAce]

I guess i should have also mentioned that I reintonate my guitars if I change string gauge. My thinking is that if I have a heavy hand on lighter strings intonating would prevent me from pushing every note out of tune.

Same here. It's a good practice anytime you change string gauge, because it will need adjustment.

 

[The-Kid]

I mean I already said but try down tuning a bit...... give it a shot and see what you think. Go to D and if that is too much E flat or try both and see what's up.