You’re Probably Using The WRONG Guitar Strings

I've found that my problem is far worse. I'm not using the wrong strings, or the wrong guitar. I'm using the wrong guitarist.

I love how as guitarists, we can find such joy in obsessing over things that most people don't notice or care about.

I concur with Rick's impression of the lows tightening up with the ultra light .008 set, but there are a few other factors worth addressing. The difference of +10% total ferrous mass is present between a .009 and a .010 E-string, and that additional mass has a measurably greater effect when it's creating signal by vibrating in the pickup's magnetic field. As particular as many players are with their signal path, it's a factor worth considering. Also, there is a correlation between a string's length/diameter ratio and the balance between fundamentals and harmonics of the note produced. Assuming the consistent scale length of the guitar, the strings with greater diameter will have more harmonics added to the fundamental tones due to properties of the original "string physics". This principle is why they make 9-foot grand pianos and they are generally better to record than a church basement spinet upright. Finally, strings with less tension have a greater tendency toward transient modulation, especially on the heavy strings, and laying into them hard with the right hand drives the note sharp before the tension equalizes along the string length. It's easy to see with an old fashioned VU-meter guitar tuner. This upward pitch deviation can hit the ear in a way that makes the intonation sound iffy, and laying back with your right hand to compensate can sound like some of the intent of the player is muted. In fact, any increase in tension (like bending) is more audibly pronounced with lighter strings, so the common issue of first fret bass notes being slightly sharp compared to the open tuned string is generally more pronounced with lighter strings. I often place a slightly heavier 6th on an acoustic with .011s and it helps the intonation between the open pitch and the first few fretted notes. I have usually gone with a .009-.046 or .010-.048 for electric, but I can't argue with the results of all those amazing guitarists using a .008 set. Billy Gibbons currently uses .008s, but many classic ZZ tunes were recorded with his self-described "baling wire" strings. Askill's "Physical Properties of Musical Sounds" is a great reference for some of these queries. I was lucky enough to take a course with the author years ago.

What about differences when playing clean? That should be much more revealing than distorted sounds?

I played 11s for years then heard Gibbons say that he was using 7s of 7.5. So I figured what the hell and tried them, and found out I was a dumb ass. When playing 11s I would break strings all the time. Now when I use 8s I almost never break strings, my hand lasts longer, I got a raise, lowered my house payment, and my wife and kid respect me. Honestly though lighter is better.

My girlfriend said it doesnt matter. Then dumped me for a guy with size 13 strings *lowers head in shame, kicks sand

Would like to hear this with single coil guitars (and a clean/crunch comparison). Wonder if the highs might get too harsh with the lighter strings. For an LP through a Marshall, the 9s do sound darn near ideal and sound like they'd slice right through the mix.

Honestly I liked the 11s sound. Had a nice warm roundness to them, and a heavier low.

For me, this is the real String Theory.

I am learning!! Amazing!!

I've played with .008s for decades on my Les Pauls, Teles and everything else. I find that you can compensate the tone electronically but the lighter strings give a livelier attack that can't be dialed in with heavier strings. When your pick attacks the strings it causes a burst of harmonics that travel up the string. Thinner strings are more flexible so they contort more to allow those harmonics to happen. It's like a splat on the attack that's missing from heavier strings. You can adjust how much splat you get by how much or how little you flick your right wrist as you dig in with your pick. When I pick up a guitar with thicker strings, I wind up playing way too hard because I can't flick my wrist enough to get that splat. It's just not there.

From a sound perspective big strings make more sense on single coil guitars, especially with styles with more single note stuff. It’s fairly well known humbuckers can sound a bit bloated, especially with gain, so makes sense bigger strings don’t sit as well in a mix. Would like to see how the SRV effect works with different string gauges on a strat.

Paul McCartney when asked what kind of strings he use: "long, shiny ones".

The "physical" feeling of the strings is as important as their supposed intrinsic sound, as it determines the way you play in many subtle aspects....

You are scientists of sound. I am really thankful for your experience to reveal and criticize each one of examples .I appreciative.

I made the mistake of switching from .46-.10s to 11s the night before a recent session, and when I tell you that you will feel every muscle in your hand straining to bend and barre and pull off... never mind that it might have messed up my frequency response!

Please repeat this test with a clean setting on the amp and single coils.

You know, I used to care about stuff like this. I used to analyze every little thing. String gauge, brands of tubes, picks, saddles, bone nut vs blah blah blah. My advice? Find a string that feels and sounds good to you. Find a pick that feels good between your fingers and has the right amount of give etc. Don't overthink it! Use the time you'd be wasting on obsessing over the tiniest details on becoming a better player and a better songwriter. Honestly, nobody can tell the difference between your string size, they ONLY care if you are playing a song that they want to hear.

Hey Rick, doing the same for acoustic guitars would be amazing!

Would be great to see the frequency analysis of these recordings so you could see exactly which frequencies change with the strings.