Does String Gauge Affect Tone? 10's vs. 13's Comparison

I started playing in 1962. I've had a lot of guitars over the years, Martin, Fender, Gibson, Rickenbacker & on. I have 3 physical disabilities(all forms of arthritis) & I had to stop playing in 2002 because my hands got so bad. Then, about a year ago, I tried to find a way to play again. I purchased the same model Epiphone you use in this video. I am very pleased with this guitar, seeing I didn't want to invest a few grand on a guitar if I couldn't play again. I use 10 gauge strings on it because they are easier on my hands & they serve my purpose well. I learned a more minimalistic way of playing so I can at least play again. The reason for my story, from an old guy like me, is to say that if you love playing, do your best to find a way to do so, no matter what the problem may be. For me, playing again has filled a hole in my life & in my heart. Even with all the pain, it makes me happy, and shouldn't we always try for happiness in life ? Play on, my friends, play on !!

it took some time to find someone to simply compare the sound, thank you for that! Cheers!

I wanna put 13’s on my electric, and make the action masochistically high, that way I can develop some good finger strength, and I’ll be the only person around who can play that guitar because when someone else tries to play it they’re like “bro wtf”. Update 01/25/24 Both my guitars are missing their jack, but anyway Ernie Ball heavy top skinny bottom is the way to go 👍 also I weld now 💀

To me the 13s -- warmer, thicker. The10s -- brighter , thinner. Both useful

I gotta admit that I really like the 10s, and I didn’t think I would. ?? They seem a little more focused, a little clearer. The 13s sound almost muffled at times compared to the 10s.

I think heavier strings like 13's and 14's work well on non-standard tunnings. I prefer 10-11's for standard tunning.

I honestly thought the difference would be much more noticable. Thanks for this video !

I've always prefered lighter strings. The difference in tone between heavier and lighter strings has never really seemed like a big enough difference for me to care, and the lighter strings certainly don't sound bad. Lighter strings are easier to play, so as far as I'm concerned, they're the better choice.

Exactly what I was looking for and you even have the same guitar as me so it's twice as useful! Thanks!👏

I’m in the process of buying a new guitar and your experiment was super helpful in my decision for setup. Thnx - great job!!

I think the main difference is in the pick sound. with the lighter gauge you get higher volume but it comes with this twinkling sound in the right hand. the heavier gauge is so more smooth and warm on the touch. nice job!

I feel like the 13s have a better tone on the lower strings, but the 10s help you to hear that high E string a little clearer

When I was young I listen to music and wanted to play guitar. Took lessons and lived with some guys that taught me a lot and would go into the music store to stare at the multi $1000 guitars. Some friends and I went in and the shop owner showed us a cheap used guitar we promptly made fun of. We didn't like the cheap construction, no fancy inlays, obviously dead strings... After we moved on to badly play the forbidden song a very old guy that looked like your school janitor picked up the junk guitar and started to play. Lightning struck that room and to this day I have rarely heard such playing. I was young and knew everything so it took a long time for this to sink in. Its not the guitar at all its the performance. Most people in the audience won't have a clue what brand of guitar you have or strings are on it or care. They will hear your technical skill but that sounds like a machine, are you in there? Playing with abandon, lost in the music or just walking through it? Maybe I just need the courage and have more confidence holding a Martin D28, I need a crutch. Truth is none of my music hero's got there because they played a Martin D28. Hell Glen Campbell played an Ovation. But he played the hell out of it and it really would not have mattered to anyone in the audience if the guitar had Daddario or Elixer strings. I'm a lot more humble now and cannot use the excuse that I don't play better because I don't have a D28. But I never, never play the forbidden song in a music store...

I like the 10s better. There's better midrange and more clarity in the highs. Just better articulation and differentiation overall. The bass seems a bit fuller with the 13s, but, next to the 10s, it sounded a bit muddy. Thanks for doing this.

Clearly it is not a revolutionary difference between 13 and 10. I would say the most primary choise is what you prefer as sound. Thicker gauge did give a bit more sustain on the bass strings. But, non of them was bad. For a beginner I would defenitly recommend the lighter gauge.

Great playing! thanks for doing this comparison

It really depends on song or instrumental that I'm writing and recording. I tend to use 10's or even 9's (which are hard to find) when I'm finger picking arpeggios and strumming chords. If I'm mainly just strumming then sometimes I'll use 13 for a bit more loudness and less high end. The other big thing that people need to watch out for, is the over all tension that 13's put on the guitar string bridge and also on the neck. Acoustic guitars that are inexpensive tend to have bridge lifting issues down the road, a light gauge string like 10's or 9's are better to mitigate that.

Thanks for comparing the two, helped me to decide which ones I want to go for - 13 it is! :) Great guitar skills by the way!

I'm really digging your videos. I like the 10's, but it's all personal preference. I tend to be drawn toward brighter sounding guitars. Both sounded nice, just depends on what you're going after. Great video.

I am really very thankful that I don't have a very keen set of ears that most of you guys here have. They both sound the same to me. And if ever there is really a difference that most of you guys pointed out, I think it's barely noticeable to a usual crowd or audience who just love to listen to a good music.. This video confirmed that in choosing between two exactly the same set of specs of strings, I just have to pick the lighter gauge because of the more smooth and relax feeling it can provide than the heavy gauge strings can. Less tension, less stress and longer period of time to enjoy playing the guitar. Thanks for this video. Cheers!