whilst we are talking about strings...
Discussion
My advice is do it. I used to use very light gauge strings, but since i moved up to 11s i have never gone back. You do get a much beefier and fuller sound. Incidentally, i wil be restringing my Jackson RR5 this very evening with D-addario 11s - currently has some 9s on it so the difference will be astonishing.
However, it will affect the set up of your guitar. Depending on the instrument you have, you may need to tweak action/bridge height, string height and string intonation, and maybe even truss rod. Dont let this put you off though, there are great tutorials on all of these on the internet, and once done you will benefit from the heavier strings (plus fewer string breakages!)
However, it will affect the set up of your guitar. Depending on the instrument you have, you may need to tweak action/bridge height, string height and string intonation, and maybe even truss rod. Dont let this put you off though, there are great tutorials on all of these on the internet, and once done you will benefit from the heavier strings (plus fewer string breakages!)
It really depends on how your guitar is setup at the moment. Stick the 10's on and see how it plays first.
Also, your truss rod's primary function is to adjust neck relief so check out some guides as mentioned above.
I play with 12's on my electric and tune a half step down, definitely beefs the tone up!
Also, your truss rod's primary function is to adjust neck relief so check out some guides as mentioned above.
I play with 12's on my electric and tune a half step down, definitely beefs the tone up!
Just to update. I restrung my Jackson rr5 this evening, going up from 9s to 11s. Had to adjust bridge height and intonation, but no truss rod adjustment required. Action prob a smidgen higher than before but it's barely noticeable so I'm happy. Feels and sounds so much better with heavier strings on.
Good luck with the string change. And remember if they don't suit you can always change em for different ones
Good luck with the string change. And remember if they don't suit you can always change em for different ones
i,ve just gone thicker again and gone with daddario strings designed for low tuning.i've thrown away the packet now but i'm sure they are 13's.i tune my E to D and then tune everything down a further 2 steps so my lowest string is actually C. lends trememdous weight to the sound of an already chunky sounding les paul i can tell you! the only adjustments i had to make were at the bridge setting the height lower.not massive adjustments due to having 11's on previously but needed doing all the same.my head didn't need changing this time but my les paul is a left hooker wheras on my strat i will have to re file the nut again to fit them on(a right handed guitar played upside down)
king tart!!
Gokartmozart said:
Anyone use hybrid setups - skinny top heavy bottom.
Have only started playing/learning since September last year.
Have 9's on Ibanez RGD and 10's on a Vintage VL100 and have wondered if it's worth
experimenting say with 10's over 11 or 12's.
hybrid sets are ok if you are twiddling in the house at low volume on a combo amp.i'm afraid it's a little different if you are banging out at volume.i suppose it varies with your playing style but i found many years ago that whilst it facilitated easier and more bendy strings for lead work it played havoc with the balance on full chord playing.Have only started playing/learning since September last year.
Have 9's on Ibanez RGD and 10's on a Vintage VL100 and have wondered if it's worth
experimenting say with 10's over 11 or 12's.
i play a lot of riffs that are quite "chuggy" and low end but spread out for bridges and choruses and so on .playing like this, hybrids are terrible because the smaller guage strings (G B E)get drowned out by the (relatively) thicker E A and D strings.i had tried to compensate for this by winding my pickups up on that side to get closer to the strings but to no evail.
Gassing Station | Music | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff