Blues lead guitar tone tip on string gauge

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Here we discuss string gauge for more tone, especially when playing blues. More lessons at www.nextlevelguitar.com

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Blues
• lead
• guitar
• tone
• tip
• on
• string
• gauge

[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

[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

[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.

[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.

[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?

[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.

[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?