Blues lead guitar tone tip on string gauge

[MIKELIMA35]

I just wanted to say, you are the best teacher i have seen online. I was thinking about taking lessons but i just watch your videos and learn a lot.

Thanks.

[napone0]

I've always liked medium strings

[Fjord76]

Buddy Guy uses 09 & he sounds "very good"(understatement) Jimi wasn't using heavy gauge & had a huge tone...I'm not sure everyone wants that fat&thick SRV tone anyway but I agree that if you like to hit the notes very hard,you'd better have heavy gauge strings otherwise it's gonna sound weird...

[Guest3782]

I use a stratocaster with 13-56 gauge strings tuned to Eb. It's great for finger strength and makes you fight for the bends you want, but unfortunately the tone is far too fat, and I can't get a clear, unadultered bright tone as well anymore...I think I'm gonna downsize back to elevens or even tens in normal tuning. I want my Mark Knopfler-esque bright tone back.

[stefanlowe]

hendrix used thins. and you cant say he had a thin tone..

[vidma6]

i wana buy ernie ball power slinky but i think i got tu buy a spring more cucs i have only 2

[Esmitherz64]

if yu dont use a pick will these strings mess yur fingers up?

[Metallicrazy]

i have a damien fr from schecter with a floyd rose, but i now like playing more blues, should i still use thicker strings?

[rdgibbard]

Actually doesn't using bigger stings allow for lower action? Thicker stings mean higher tensions which means less movement of the strings (and subsequent buzz). The nut determines the lowest point of the sting in relation to the frets, not the string gauge.

[rdgibbard]

Actually cant you usually set the action lower with thicker stings, since the tension is higher the movement of the sting will be less? It doesn't matter how large the string is. The nut will always determine where the lowest portion of the string will be at the frets.

[Patcherson]

hay can u make a video on haveing thick gauge strings for low tunning e.g. drop B tuning etc

[gbsnp123]

Hey! I used to be a big fan of Angus Young and of course I have Gibson SG. As you know, Angus uses 9's and I thought I'm going to change my gauge to 10's as I'm a big fan on Stevie Ray Vaughan now and I love his tone. And when I got used to heavier strings I'm going to change my gauge again. And again. To get a better tone.

But I think that SG and heavy gauge strings just don't fit together :D Should I buy a Fender?

[GeetarAdam]

Well, when it really comes down to it, the "SG" part really has nothing to do with it. It' just a body style. It has humbuckers, of course, but 10's will always give you a better sound than 9's, in my opinion. With 10's you start to get the beautiful harmonics and overtones and just little nuances that aren't present in 9's. Heavy strings have far more "color" to them. If you want single coil pups and a SRV or Hendrix sound, you'll have more luck with a fender than an SG.

[DizzyCGA]

You're my favorite person in the whole world, Dave

[DaveMorganNZ]

Hey man, love the videos. What string gauge do you recommend for metal playing, like Metallica? I'm a lead player too so I would still like to be able to do a lot of high bending.

Will I notice a fatter sound, coming from using 10-42 gauge strings?

Cheers.

[dontbthatguy8]

Recently i switched to .12's and i bought 4 different brands of .12 gauge strings and i noticed that the high E is the only gauge that is the same on all of them. The rest of the strings are all different gauges depending on which brand...what's up with that? Why is that? Can it affect my guitar?

[steriliuz]

My guitar teacher uses 13.strings. You know these jazzdudes...

[gavidascon]

haha nice,yeah i agree, dont u love how he didnt actually play the guitar :L x

[jzinser200]

I like to play blues and rock, like Clapton, Hendrix, John Mayer, etc. Also what gauge of picks should I use for this style? I have experimented with both 10's and 11's and I guess the larger gauge strings require thicker picks, but what is the best gauge for each size strings?

[rockongoodpeople]

larger strings do not necissarily mean you need thicker picks - I use .011-.052 gauge strings and medium fender picks. Try different picks and listen to the difference in sound as well as feel. rock on!

DT

[dimbagstudent]

this question has nothing to do with blues but i changed my strings from 10 to 9-42 and i been having problems with keeping it in tune, should i have an trust rod adjustment or should a change my action or both

thanx

[eliteslayer66]

nice influences what abotu srv, and the kings haha

[custom24prs]

SRV used .13 to .58, huge. The guy was strong and huge hands, but you get a lot of tone from that. A strat with huge strings, hot pickups (texas specials?) and the neck position, will get you a really great strat sound.  But you better be prepared for fighting those notes.

[jordno]

he was also known to use up to 0.18

[Beer992]

U guys know Dick Dale uses 0.18?

Go figure what a torture that is;).

[goldguitar666]

what gauge would u suggest for like metal playing preferably like power metal thrash metal

n stuff like that plz let me know and get back at me

[chriscoooley]

well if u tune down low ur definetely gonna want some high-gauge strings. but it is gonna make it a little harder if u shred a lot

[Syntax01001]

I use mixed gages...It takes a while to set it up properly but its worth it.

[RONAZIDANE]

dude seriously make an angus young inspired lesson youll get thousandss of viewwss ANGUS YOUNG INSPIRED

[vatonaught]

Absolutely correct...

[sphefx]

Amen. Angus Rules!

[chriscoooley]

already did dude

[AA1969]

11's do not sound better that 10's. They just sound different. For what I do, I prefere the sound of 10's.

[TheHomingByrd]

Dude, your so cool.

[thenamelewwastaken]

Go look at Billy Gibons- Albert Lee- Brian May and listen to what they did in their prime with 8's and 9's

It's down to personal preference,and playing style. There is no other law.

Metal players use 9s?When?!!1987?? Try tuning to C with 9's and see what happens.

[NAQW]

don't recommend 9's in C.

[rebelgamer94]

its suck not enough tension

[peterhopqk]

How about the string gauge for Reggae style?

[bahrainishredguitar]

i like thin (9s) strings (i play hard rock and blues) i can play with any gauge but i say go for the lighter strings and develope a very strong vibrato, thats what hendrix and clapton did

[fmilo2]

I play on 12-52's with high action on my electric. Sounds great for when I'm playing slide and blues. Watch out and don't do what I did and bump up from 9's to 12's straight away, took about a month to get the guitar set up right and to get used to.

[OLLyPOLLy]

What gauge is best for metal?? :)

[rockongoodpeople]

all depends on what feels best in your hands and sounds best to your ears. Many metal players like to set up their guitars with low action so they play fast - many use .009 gauge

rock on!

-DT

[zoredon]

.013 personally

[pabloguitar1]

i would say 010/011. 09 sounds really too thin in my opinion, but i guess you can go faster. i think it's better to have an overall big fat tone, rather than just being able to do fast bursts.

[pabloguitar1]

i would say 010/011. 09 sounds really too thin in my opinion, but i guess you can go faster. i think it's better to have an overall big fat tone, rather than just being able to do fast bursts.

[chriscoooley]

depends whether its down-tuned brutal metal, or standard tuning super neoclassical shred. i tune down to like C a lot, so i use 11's, but u might want thin ones

[ciftode]

this guy is great

[midgittt]

I agree entirely, any guitar sounds x10 better with high gage strings. I also recommend for blues the ErnieBall "Heavy top skinny bottom" strings; rhythm sounds good with the more basy tone, and for people looking to work into a higher gage it's a good set to train yourself on and still keep less bass/resistance on the G,B,and e strings.

[krg465]

Yes, Dave is correct. I truely believe that if you want your strat to really put out....you have to put a serious set of strings on it. I have a 98 mexican strat that I put dimarzzio area 58's and an area 61in (pickups). Where these were great improvements....uping the string gage was the finishing touch that it needed. Everyone loves to hear that Strat play. I would put it up against any strat made for sound. It definitely holds it's own!

[Howhai96]

im a noob at guitars. what is the action and what does it do?

[bazzman13]

action is how high the strings are off the fretbord of the guitar, alot of shreders and rythem players like to have it nice and low to make it easy to play, but if you take your action too low it can create buzzing sounds and flat notes in places, also having a slighty higher action helps if you play slide guitar

[jernov]

Dave, You should do a review on strings sometime.

not just string gauges, but brands as well.

[shavenstringer]

Stevie Ray used GHS Nickel Rockers 13's. Just remember tone is in the heart and in the hands.

[ZachThePillager]

It took me awhile to get to 11. I love 10's, but my strat has a set of 11's on it.

[TastyMetal]

I strongly recommend 13's. Stevie Ray Vaugahn style.

[zero2kx]

SRV also moved down to lower gauges later in his career because his fingers were so beat up.

[guitarrulesall]

he used 14 on number one. Not sure about number one.

[TechnoLife120]

i think the tonal difference depends on personal references. some may like the lite stings, they r twangy, other like the fat strings for fat tones.

[MasterDuke1]

Can u tell me your thought on DR strings

[shavenstringer]

Personally I like DR strings. They seem stay in tune better and last a long time. The sound however will be different to everyone. You will have try them for yourself. They can take a beating though.

[BluesTS808]

fucking stevie ray vaughan used 13!!!!

[steveypeavey]

stevie ray used telegraphs poles :)

[cspgettingfunky]

.11's?? dang, i use 12-54's... on my electric!

[Marine475]

Or just buy an acoustic guitar with 11+ gauge strings and in a month you'll find that every electric guitar with any strings is super light to play. Rock on good ppl!

[shavenstringer]

BB King and Billy Gibbons use light gauge strings.

[dizzyzack]

Hendrix used 9s and tuned down a half step.

[ishy5921]

From what I've read Hendrix used 10s (with thinner low strings, 10-38 as opposed to 10-42) earlier on in his career and ended up using heavier strings with band of gypsies. I play 10-38s on my electric, 12s on my acoustic.

[p09tart08]

i got 405 gauge strings on my guitar...yeah..you know you like that!!!

ROCK ON!!!

[steveypeavey]

i use 9's

kinda feel like a girl now :) you guys all using like fat strings lol

[Epiphonefan]

TTTTTTTTY ,.. i know SrV uses very heavy strings!

[GiGaMoG]

But I can still do blues with .09 and.10, can't I?

[rockongoodpeople]

absolutely - but the thicker strings will give you more tone. rock on!

DT

[titane22]

Hey Dave, my hands are too week for 0.10 strings... I feel a little stupid trying to strengthen my... fingers?!?! lol

[Ibbod0]

I use .013-.056 on my strat lol

[ercwlkr92]

if i go from 9 to 10 or 10 to 9 will there be alot of buzz or action difference?

(i need to replace my strings right now and im not sure if i have 9's or 10's on it right now and dont know what to buy)

[rockongoodpeople]

yes, bumping or lowering string gauge will require a set up. If you are not sure what gauge strings you have take your guitar to a music store and have a qualified repair tech take a look and they will tell you.

rock on!

DT

[leanonme78]

what strings do u recommend for my acoustic guitar it's a martin dm...love your lessons by the way ...rock on

[rockongoodpeople]

I like martin medium gauge acoustic strings - but if you have light gauge on your guitar and switch to medium you will have to get your guitar re set up. rock on!

DT

[49skate]

I have an ibanez(SZ 520) and it has a lot of buzz with small strings, but when i use thick strings the buzz get less or even disappears.

i use .010 .052

cheers

[ZeroSk8rs]

Cool vid. I think ive got 11 to 54 on my strat and they play really nice.

[96JUSTIN]

Yeah I noticed it especially when I went up to the heavy strings on my acoustic; tougher to play and its rougher on your fingers but the tone is amazing and well worth it!

[ImThEkOoLeStYeA]

i like big core santana strings i usually play 10's i think they sound just as good as 11's

[DearlyBelovedxx3]

Nice it helped thanks. ROCK ON!!!!!

[500passwords]

love the blues stuff, keep up the good work

[bmanmatterdaddy]

ha woot SRV style string gauge !! the guy was oozing with soul and voodoo man!

[nico3641]

.

Some might think that I'm just kidding, and maybe I am :)

.

But I thought that playing guitar might help me with the ladies. Will Dave release a DVD on this subject? Which chord drives the laddies wild? :)

.

[dontbthatguy8]

I use 11's and the first time I bumped up the dern strings tore up my hands...but in hindsight twas well worth it, the tone a lot better i feel...I'd like to go to 12's one day...

[pyromaniac444]

Any specific string recommendations?

[rockongoodpeople]

I like dean markley blue steel .011-.052

roc kon!

DT

[fiddycent2]

i have those on my guitar right now, they are pretty sweet, also check out cleartone's they last forever. i know someone who has had them on for at least six months and has played a few gigs, and the strings still arent dead

[Chris93Rock]

I have 0.9 and I regret nothing!

[DJBBQ]

coool

[modernway91]

these go to 11 XD

[mikeyFear0n]

rock on!

[jfnd777]

Right. Stevie used from 11 to 16 strings. that`s monstrous. but has a beautiful sound. thanxs for the vid.

[FFDepees]

you rock

[p09tart08]

I have a man crushj on you David Taub!!! LOL

ROCK ON!!!!

[p09tart08]

I'm the first comment...Y'all rock!!!!! ROCK ON