Heavier strings are better for dropped tunings. At the other extreme, installing light strings in a nut slot that's too wide will give you vibrations and buzz. Playability, bending, vibrato. As a result it takes greater physical effort to fret and bend notes, with light strings the reverse is true. I go backwards and forwards all the time between 10-52 and 11-54 on both LP and strat/ tele styles, and on a few of my own builds the nut isn't as well cut as it should be. The choice of which gauge string to use is a personal one, based on your playing style and the tone you are trying to achieve. I prefer light strings (I play 8-46) because it is easier for me to add tremelo and stretching. I have a couple of Ibanez guitars with the Zero Edge tremolo system. Some will take a gauge change and not even flinch. Gibson guitars have a scale length advertised at 24 and 3/4". Will changing to heavier or lighter strings change your instrument's intonation? Strings for strummers – both in thickness and durability – are quite different from strings for pickers. Players who choose lighter strings have weighed the pros and cons and choose playability over volume and tone. It's the measurement (in inches) of the outer diameter of your chosen strings, and tells you how they will feel and sound. Are the open strings … You can determine the ideal string gauge with this reasoning. Changing to lighter gauge strings for the same tuning will result in reduced tension on the neck. And of course, there are lighter and even heavier string gauges than this as well! Heavier low strings and somewhat slinky high strings, I love them. Greetings, tone hounds! the height of the strings above the fingerboard) to suit your chosen string gauge. The Gauge of the Strings Matters. They’re perfect for me. It may be a good idea to take your guitar to a luthier for a setup after changing the strings. Typically, electric guitars are strung with a set of strings that include a first string measuring 0.009, or a set of “9s” as guitarists usually say. Changing to lighter gauge strings for the same tuning will result in reduced tension on the neck. I recently changed my strings on my stratocaster from 9s to 10s. Try playing different turnarounds to add variety to your blues. This made me curious. I know that nut and bridge slots may have to be enlarged for heavier strings, but what about bridge placement? I change strings pretty regularly on six guitars, and I set intonation immediately after I change and stretch strings if it needs it. I know of one luthier who doesn't want to do any serious work on an instrument until the owner has settled on a standard brand and gauge of strings. The best of both worlds! Light strings project less volume and provide a "looser" sound. Why String Gauge Matters. Another thing to consider is that you cannot go back easily to a lighter gauge after making this change without replacing your nut because the new strings will require the nut to be filed down, because they are bigger. Moving from heavier strings to lighter strings is much easier to do than the other way around, and only changing from 10 to 9 is simpler than making a bigger jump (like from 11 to 9, or 10 to 8). Acoustic guitar strings are sized by gauge--the higher the number, the thicker the string--and are sold in sets. It will probably be necessary to slacken the truss rod accordingly. Generally, lighter gauge strings are easier to play, brighter, produce less sustain and volume, and break more easily. One is that sort of chronically in electric guitar string sets, there’s a much lighter gauge B-string than there ought to be. This website uses cookies. I change strings pretty regularly on six guitars, and I set intonation immediately after I change and stretch strings if it needs it. Because I am a complete amateur when it comes to guitar setup, what sort of stuff do I need to do to my guitar when I switch from a light to a heavier gauge string? If you're in doubt over the correct length to choose, speak to your local dealer. Here’s the deal: a guitar’s 12th fret is theoretically located halfway between the nut and the bridge, creating the octave note for the open string. You might be able to get away without doing much to change your setup at all, but to be perfect you will probably need to do some tweaks to the truss rod, trem, and intonation. So, light gauge strings will produce less tension than heavier gauged strings. In standard tuning—E, B, G, D, A, E— on an electric guitar that has a normal scale length—24.5″–25.5″—these gauges offer a balanc… Reply . 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