Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 15 of 20

Thread: Guitar Players- String Question

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    2,428

    Guitar Players- String Question

    Hello All-

    I was just wondering what gauge strings you guys play?

    Personally I've been using use a combination of two different string sets for decades. I like the bigger-gauge strings, better tone and sustain.

    My string gauges are as follows:

    11
    14
    18p
    30
    42
    52

    This is a combo of the top 3 strings from the Ernie Ball Power Slinky set, and the bottom 3 strings from the Skinny Top, Heavy Bottom set.

    Just wondering what others here are using....?
    Last edited by massacre; 04-05-2011 at 05:48 AM.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Collins, IA
    Posts
    149
    i use DR 11's on my telecasters. gotta be DR strings. i played slinkys for a long time and now i dont know why i ever did. DRs last longer and stay in tune better. i used to snap at least one slinky per night.
    for electric slide i use 12's or 13's depending on what i can find.
    on my nationals i use martin marquis. i think they are a 13 set, but i swap out the high E for a 16.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Location
    Central MA
    Age
    45
    Posts
    570
    I guess I'm more typical of the lighter gauge group.

    My electrics get D'Addario EXL110s (10-46) and my acoustic gets Martin Acoustic SP Custom Lights (11-52).

    I'm not a particularly aggressive picker, so those do the job.

    BTW, anyone interested in my starting a thread showing the build of a Firefly 1 Watt tube amp?
    -Matt

    2004 MM Silver Birch
    K&N FIPK, SCT XCal2 Tuned by Reinhart, AVIC-F90BT from John's Stereo
    Member of the SBC
    1995 Bronco XLT Red/White
    351W E4OD BFG 32x11.5-15
    1994 Mustang GT Black
    302 T-5 BFG 275/40R17 Fox TB Conversion

    Quote Originally Posted by CBT
    What a Marauder lacks in the Crown Victoria's fluffy pillows and lace image, it makes up for in the don't insult my car or I'll punch you in your man-pleaser department.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    2,428
    Quote Originally Posted by soultosoul13 View Post
    i use DR 11's on my telecasters. gotta be DR strings. i played slinkys for a long time and now i dont know why i ever did. DRs last longer and stay in tune better. i used to snap at least one slinky per night.
    for electric slide i use 12's or 13's depending on what i can find.
    on my nationals i use martin marquis. i think they are a 13 set, but i swap out the high E for a 16.

    I used to use Martin Marquis strings years a go, maybe the "slik and steel" sets?
    I always liked them, they sounded great and lasted a long time.

    I don't break strings a lot, and I do bend the crap out of them. The slinkys have served me well over time. I swear the old Power Slinkys were 12s, the newer ones are 11s.

    That's cool that you have Nationals, wanted one for a long time, just never got around to getting one.

    And a 16 for high E? That's insane!

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    2,428
    Quote Originally Posted by illwood View Post
    BTW, anyone interested in my starting a thread showing the build of a Firefly 1 Watt tube amp?
    ^^^ Absolutely!

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Location
    NH
    Age
    55
    Posts
    7,606
    Ernie Ball Super Slinky or Hybrid Slinky on my electrics. D'Addario flat top bronze on the acoustics (12-16-24-32-42-53). Nothing like practicing on thick acoustic strings then jumping on the thin electrics to make them sing. Didn't know you played Rob! Cool!
    11.931 @ 116.33 (MT ET Streets)
    12.073 @ 118.43 (Nitto 555)

    I love the smell of Nitromethane and rubber in the morning!
    Drag racers prayer:
    As I lay rubber down the street, I pray for traction I can keep, but if I spin and begin to slide, please dear God protect my ride." -Amen

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    44077-3545
    Age
    42
    Posts
    5,274
    Ernie Ball Regular Slinky (the neon green package)
    '03 Marauder | '91 Country Squire | '18 Flex Ecoboost | '92 Shadow VT1100
    former Panthers: '02 MGM, '04 MGM, '04 MGM v2.0, '04 MM, '07 P71 w/5-speed, '04 CVLX, '03 SAP P71, '10 P7B
    CLICK HERE and have your Marauder's COA info added to the database!!! | 2003 list ||| 2004 list
    Quote Originally Posted by offroadkarter View Post
    Reinhart's tuning skills were comparable to an ape slapping the keyboard in microsoft excel.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Location
    St. Paul MN
    Age
    65
    Posts
    300
    For standard tuning electrics,
    Fender-scale(25.5") .011 .014 .018p .028 .038 .048
    Gibson-scale(24.75") .010 .013 .017 .026 .036 .046

    Tuned 1/2 step down (I did this for years, years ago)
    All guitars .011 .014 .018p .028 .038 .048

    I play way too heavy-handed for thin strings. I keep the action plenty high for zero buzz ever and extra traction for bending. With the thicker strings it sounds fat and works great for slide too.

    The acoustic gets whatever. Crap guitar and it has electric strings half the time.
    2003 300A w/ trunk organizer, and 6 Disc CD changer
    VIN 628920 Built 8/8/2002
    Mine on 8/28/09 with 27,400 miles
    K&N CAI
    SCT X3 tune
    Ford Racing 4.10 gears

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Everett, WA
    Age
    38
    Posts
    185
    I alway use d'addario guitar strings in a 10 on my strat. There is something about my skin that makes strings rust away in a week and the d'addario seem to resist that.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Collins, IA
    Posts
    149
    Quote Originally Posted by massacre View Post
    I used to use Martin Marquis strings years a go, maybe the "slik and steel" sets?
    I always liked them, they sounded great and lasted a long time.

    I don't break strings a lot, and I do bend the crap out of them. The slinkys have served me well over time. I swear the old Power Slinkys were 12s, the newer ones are 11s.

    That's cool that you have Nationals, wanted one for a long time, just never got around to getting one.

    And a 16 for high E? That's insane!
    nationals are the best guitar in the world. totally worth the money.
    dont worry that 16 is tuned to a D

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Collins, IA
    Posts
    149
    Quote Originally Posted by massacre View Post
    ^^^ Absolutely!
    i second that emotion.

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    Greene County, SW Missouri
    Posts
    1,427
    Thomastik-Infeld Steel/Magnecore Round Wound Medium Light, .010 - .045 Power Brights, for the PRS Studio.................
    Last edited by Ozark Marauder; 04-05-2011 at 08:25 AM.


    2003 (300B)
    Build Date: 01/07/03
    Delivered: 07/14/03 @
    Crossroads Ford Lincoln Mercury
    Frankfort, Kentucky
    Adopted: 11/23/09 in Missouri

    #6483 of 7838
    Black/ Light Flint (1 of 115)
    Original Stock


  13. #13
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    2,428
    Quote Originally Posted by Mote View Post
    For standard tuning electrics,
    Fender-scale(25.5") .011 .014 .018p .028 .038 .048
    Gibson-scale(24.75") .010 .013 .017 .026 .036 .046
    ^^^ I find it interesting that you use different gauge strings for different scale lengths. I've always used the same string gauge on both scale lengths.
    Any advantage to the different gauge, or just a preference?

    I also use electric strings on my acoustic, but that's an old POS Yamaha that I got for free. I use it just for practice only. I remember using the Martin Marquis on my good acoustics (Alvarez), and the Dean Markley blue steel strings a couple times.
    Last edited by massacre; 04-05-2011 at 09:36 AM.

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Collins, IA
    Posts
    149
    Quote Originally Posted by massacre View Post
    ^^^ I find it interesting that you use different gauge strings for different scale lengths. I've always used the same string gauge on both scale lengths.
    Any advantage to the different gauge, or just a preference?

    I also use electric strings on my acoustic, but that's an old POS Yamaha that I got for free. I use it just for practice only. I remember using the Martin Marquis on my good acoustics (Alvarez), and the Dean Markley blue steel strings a couple times.
    shorter scale guitars have less string tension, so strings feel less stiff. alot of guys run heavier strings on shorter scale guitars to compensate for this.
    (ie, it makes their gibsons "feel" more like fenders)
    this is the first ive heard of someone running heavier strings on longer scale guitar....but hey, what do i know?!

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Location
    Central MA
    Age
    45
    Posts
    570
    For those that want to see that amp build, here is a shameless plug for it

    http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forum...ad.php?t=70223
    -Matt

    2004 MM Silver Birch
    K&N FIPK, SCT XCal2 Tuned by Reinhart, AVIC-F90BT from John's Stereo
    Member of the SBC
    1995 Bronco XLT Red/White
    351W E4OD BFG 32x11.5-15
    1994 Mustang GT Black
    302 T-5 BFG 275/40R17 Fox TB Conversion

    Quote Originally Posted by CBT
    What a Marauder lacks in the Crown Victoria's fluffy pillows and lace image, it makes up for in the don't insult my car or I'll punch you in your man-pleaser department.

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads

  1. Guitar Tech question
    By Motorhead350 in forum The Lounge
    Replies: 16
    Last Post: 01-19-2010, 10:06 AM
  2. Bucks Fans, Enjoy your new players!!
    By SID210SA in forum The Lounge
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 06-24-2009, 05:48 AM
  3. Blu-Ray DVD players
    By freakstatus in forum The Lounge
    Replies: 25
    Last Post: 09-18-2008, 01:54 PM
  4. Guitar players
    By 05GTMach70 in forum The Lounge
    Replies: 26
    Last Post: 03-08-2007, 05:44 AM
  5. Any guitar players?
    By Eric91Z in forum The Lounge
    Replies: 15
    Last Post: 12-01-2006, 01:33 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •