Stratafied
Dr. Stratster
I’ve tried 9s a few times, but never really gave them a long enough tryout. Love 10s but my fretting is getting sloppy. 
Giving 9s a go.
- Thread starter Stratafied
- Start date
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abnormaltoy
Mouth draggin' knuckle breather
They take a bit of restraint when bending...but, you'll get used to them fairly quick.
Blackmore Fan
Senior Stratmaster
I know its not what people want to hear, but I find the string gauge discussion to be overplayed. There are historically great guitarists that played on horrific guitars when they started out. There have been great guitarists that played 8s and great guitarists that played 12s and 13s. A proper setup makes a TON of difference, and a ton of practice makes a huge difference as well.
Stratafied
Dr. Stratster
You’re right, after bending 10s for some time restraint is needed.
Stratafied
Dr. Stratster
Certainly quite a bit of different opinion’s on this subject.
Neil.C
Dr. Stratster
I like 9's on Fenders anyway due to the longer scale. 10's on Gibsons.
I have found that the hybrid scale 9-46 is a good compromise on Strats.
i use 8 -38's. i can not see myself going back up in string gauge and if i need to go to 7's as i age i am glad they have them.
when you play wrestle with a puppy or your little brother you have to turn some of your rough house settings down so you can both play and you not hurt the younger pup. i think everyone has experienced this.
this is how it felt to me when i went to the spaghetti strings. it is weird cuz i think us guys especially are always trying to macho "move up" a class, but this is not of ego, this is about having more control and less fatigue so the guitar is even more enjoyable. getting used to thinner strings has improved everything about my playing and i wish i did it sooner.
when you play wrestle with a puppy or your little brother you have to turn some of your rough house settings down so you can both play and you not hurt the younger pup. i think everyone has experienced this.
this is how it felt to me when i went to the spaghetti strings. it is weird cuz i think us guys especially are always trying to macho "move up" a class, but this is not of ego, this is about having more control and less fatigue so the guitar is even more enjoyable. getting used to thinner strings has improved everything about my playing and i wish i did it sooner.
I use different grave strings on different guitars. On my NightSwan with 24.75 Scale and my Brian May 24.0 inch scale I use 9’s. On my 25 and 1/2 inch scale guitars I use 9’s and on my Gibsons I use 10’s and 11’s. I really want to try 8’s on the Brian May, but that guitar was a pain in the ass to set up, and I don’t want to go through that again.
Stone
Most Honored Senior Member
Best for Me lately on my Yamaha Revstar RS-620 Are NYXL 9.5 -44
I’m giving them a go too at the moment. I use 9-12-15 though.
For me, the one advantage of heavier strings is for strumming - I do play Western Swing. But an instrument shouldn't be hard to play. Singers don’t make things intentionally difficult for themselves, so why should we?
For me, the one advantage of heavier strings is for strumming - I do play Western Swing. But an instrument shouldn't be hard to play. Singers don’t make things intentionally difficult for themselves, so why should we?
9s for me too.
Mouse
The Knees of Rock
I’ve mainly used 9-42 Elixer strings for as long as I can remember...well over 20 years or whenever that brand first came out. I’ve dabbled with 10s, particularly when I was in a band that tuned down to Eb but always returned to the feel of 9s. Strange how such a micro difference in thickness really does affect the feel and playability.
My take exactly. I played 10s on everything for decades, then realized about 5 years ago that hybrids work perfectly for me on Fenders. Gibsons, still 10s.
Thrup'ny Bit
Grand Master Curmudgeon
I'm currently using
