Went from 11s to 9s, where have they been all my life...

[bynapkinart]

A few days ago during a particularly long and exciting jam session, my hand got ridiculously tired. I play with a lot of bending, but I guess 5 hours of it on 11s was just too much and I just couldn't play anymore.

I decided to do something I've never done in my life and bought a set of super slinky 9s and put them on my Gibson-scale Hamer Special. Everything in my was telling me that I was making a huge mistake and that I would be missing out on such amazing tone. Woah, was I wrong.

The 9s are definitely slinky, and require a much lighter touch than 11s. They just have so much life in them though! Through the vintage DiMarzio PAFs in my Hamer they sound so much woodier and respond so much better to pick attack changes than the 11s did. Not only that, but all of the sudden the guitar has a magnificent range of clean tones that are really responsive to the tone knob, unlike the 11s which tended to overpower on full open and get a little farty on 1 or 2. The 9s have a really crisp sound to the higher notes, and even with the tone knob completely open the tone is so much more balanced than with the 11s.

Has anyone else had a similar experience? I just can't believe that with less string you get better tone, but it appears that that's exactly what's happening on my Hamer.

[bilbal]

You said you notice a difference with your cleans. How about dirtier tones?

I recently went the other way and like you, I have noticed that it's changed my picking style noticeably. Also, I feel that my tone has become thicker and meatier from the larger strings. As far as fatigue, I haven't seen a change either way.

Glad you're digging the change. Sometimes little adjustments make a huge difference.

[EADGBE]

Yeah 9-42 are awesome.

[slap dat]

I recently had to switch from 11s to 10s and then eventually to 9s due to a temporary medical condition. My experience has been somewhat similar to yours. In my case I don't know if the tone is better so much as my dynamics are much better which ultimately contributes a lot to the tone. I can do vibrato and pinch harmonics like I never could with heavier strings and I can now put a lot more subtle dynamics into my bends.

At this point I could start moving back to heavier strings, but I'm torn as to whether to go there or to stick with 9s at least for a while.

[bynapkinart]

You said you notice a difference with your cleans. How about dirtier tones?

I recently went the other way and like you, I have noticed that it's changed my picking style noticeably. Also, I feel that my tone has become thicker and meatier from the larger strings. As far as fatigue, I haven't seen a change either way.

Glad you're digging the change. Sometimes little adjustments make a huge difference.

I think the best way to describe it would be if you had a tone knob that went from Gibson to Fender (1 being LP and 10 being Strat) the Hamer went from about a 2 to about a 4. Cleans are a bit glassier and a bit more springy and light, dirty is a bit more biting and punchy. That being said, they're PAFs so even the bridge still sounds like a much meatier and fuller Tele bridge.

I think I like them a bit more because in the summer I got very, very into the ukulele, and developed a lighter touch playing ukulele so much. I'm tailing back into guitar more now, and I think that's why I got fatigued. The 9s allow me to focus more on technique instead of fighting the strings so much doing Gilmour bends.

I will say that my many months playing uke has improved my technique so, so much. Playing such a (relatively) limited instrument I think forced me to improve my technique. I don't know that I could play 9s this time last year.

[dvilla76]

:agree

I've been playing 9's for over 30 years. Tried 8's and thought they were much too slinky and 10's effected my bends - never even considered anything higher. As for tone, the 9's deliver especially with the right pickups and amp.

I see some on this site talk about and swear by 11's, 12' some even 13's. I'm not really sure what their playing styles are - I guess if you only play chords or jazz runs the heavier gauges are fine but for aggressive Blues/Rock/Metal or anything that requires bending and vibrato 9's are the ticket for me.

:rockin


ymmv

[Laroosco!]

I've used 9-46 on my Strats for 20 years. I love them

[bynapkinart]

:agree

I've been playing 9's for over 30 years. Tried 8's and thought they were much too slinky and 10's effected my bends - never even considered anything higher. As for tone, the 9's deliver especially with the right pickups and amp.

I see some on this site talk about and swear by 11's, 12' some even 13's. I'm not really sure what their playing styles are - I guess if you only play chords or jazz runs the heavier gauges are fine but for aggressive Blues/Rock/Metal or anything that requires bending and vibrato 9's are the ticket for me.

:rockin


ymmv

It's funny you should say that because I play chords, jazz and blues pretty interchangeably. I was wondering how it would effect my jazz sound but I play a pretty weird jazz sound anyways...I guess for a lot of the classic jazz players who play on big jazzboxes it would be bad to go light, but my solid body has a tone knob for a reason!

[cffluntouch]

I've enjoyed the Curt Mangan 9.5's. I find them to be a nice compromise. Sometimes 9's feel too light.

[twoheadedboy]

I switched to 9s, and the tone is so much woodier. I switched to 11s, and the tone is so much woodier. No one knows what that descriptor means.

[XXTwighlight]

Geez, I went the opposite (9-11's) and said the same thing.
To each his own though...no right or wrong.
But I like the fact that 11's stay in tune better, have a stronger upper chord support, and I havent broke a string in well over a decade.

BUT! I can only play Ernie Ball Power Slinkys because they are compensated in that the low E is thinner than a standard set of 11's. Otherwise its getting too thick in a true size 11.

[bynapkinart]

I switched to 9s, and the tone is so much woodier. I switched to 11s, and the tone is so much woodier. No one knows what that descriptor means.

Reedier, then? Like a trumpet versus a sax? That little fuzzy sound you get with a sax versus a trumpet?

Does that work better?

[OM Flyer]

If I have to, I'll go as light as .10s on a Fender-scale guitar, but if it's a short neck, I gotta have .11s. I like it when the guitar fights me a little!

[bilbal]

I recently switched from 9s to 10s on my Nash strat. Though not a huge difference, it's made the guitar seem so much more playable to me and really brought out the tone these Lollars can give.

[Mcclassic]

Great it worked for you!, I have been using 9's all my life for most of my guitars (except possibly only 2) and love it.

[Laroosco!]

I always hear people talk about 9's not staying in tune. This is nothing that a proper set up won't fix.

[teleman55]

9s are it for me, for years. That's on Fenders. On Gibson scale, I use 10s. They feel the same as 9s do on a Fender. Got 11s on one Tele I just use for open tune slide.

[arthur rotfeld]

I'll usually use 10s on solidbodies, but I'll string up with 9s for certain sound. I strung up like that to record the Stairway solo as a demo. It's a good reason to have a duplicate guitar, one light, one heavier.

[johnny5]

In my experience it is very guitar dependent. I find that some guitars like 10s, some 11s. My old SG loved 11s and my newer one sounds dead with them.

[Catoogie]

I dropped the tailpiece on my new Les Paul Deluxe all the way down to the body and lowered the bridge and the stock 10s feel like 9s tuned down a half-step.

[twoheadedboy]

Reedier, then? Like a trumpet versus a sax? That little fuzzy sound you get with a sax versus a trumpet?

Does that work better?

Works for me.

[stevel]

I'm kind of surprised the OP went that way because IME most players start on 9s (on electric) as that's what comes on typical electrics stock nowadays.

A few go down to 8s, many stay with 9s. A few go up to 10s (those who break 9s) and 11s. I used to play on 11s 4 nights a week (and taught lessons during the day). Pop/Rock, not jazz. I'm on 10s now and considering going back to 11s.

Some obviously want to go the SRV "bridge cable" direction.:bonk

But in ye olden days, there was no such thing as a set of 9s. Electrics came with 12s on them (and a wound 3rd no less). I'm always amused by the "vintage" guys who want everything "period correct" but put on a plain 3rd.

FWIW, changes in tone can also be accomplished by string composition (nickel-steel, pure nickel, etc.) and pickup height (or string position relative to the pickup). If you change from 11s to 9s there's a good chance the neck relief is going to change too, potentially putting the strings closer to the pickups. Since a quarter turn of a pickup height screw can make a big difference in tone, it could be enough to be a significant part of the tonal change the OP experienced. IOW, it may be more than just the gauge difference at play.

Steve

[mesa/boogieman]

I LOVE light gauge strings. I've used 9's ever since I started. I've tried 10's and I just don't feel comfortable bending them. I actually tried 8's for the 1st time this year and I really really love those on 25 1/2 scale guitars.

[jeo_tokai]

True that the gauge of your greatness is not the gauge of your string. I see the difference between 11's to 9's are more of a battle on "tone vs. technique"

[HoboMan]

I always hear people talk about 9's not staying in tune. This is nothing that a proper set up won't fix.

I've used 9-42 for the better part of 30 years and have never had tuning problems that couldn't be fixed by adjusting the guitar (nut slots, new bridge etc).

Very rare that I have to tune during a set. I tune up before a set and rarely have to adjust anything and I bend the hell out of my strings.

[Lotis]

I like the 9 to 46 EB Hybrid set on Fenders. 10's on Gibson's.

[scottlr]

I was a 10s guy for many years playing full time. After not playing 6 nights per week for many years, I went to 9s on everything (Gibsons and Fenders). Just recently I tried a set of 8s on one of my Teles, and so far, I like the feel just fine. The 8s on the Tele feel much like the 9s on my LP. I plan to try a set of 8s on one of the Strats next.

[IPLAYLOUD]

If one more guy plays my Esquire and says "What are these, NIIIIIIINES??" while making a squinty face, I'm gonna bop him.

I actually used 9.5s for a while so I could say "No, theyr'e not."

[JosephN0624]

I've used 13-56 for a while now. I will never use light gauge strings again. It did take a while for my hand to be able to play longer sessions though.

[strat71]

one day, i changed from .11 to .10 on my les paul, and noticed that it was way more easier to put out harmonics from my gtr... big strings need more powerfull right hand attack to sound the same as smaller gauges..
Ben

[Hamer95USA]

Hey bynapkinart,

Glad to hear that your change in string guage has worked out. Be sure to have your guitar intonated for the new string guage on your guitar. I was a .010-.046 string guage kind of guy for a long time. I noticed though in early 2000 that my left hand was starting to get pain when I go for long stretches on the fingerboard and was giving myself tendonitis. I decided to .009-.042 for Strat/Tele guitars and .009-.046 for Gibson style guitars. I found the guitars easier to play, no fatigue, and can pull off a lot more different techniques from the guitar. The heavy strings = more tone perspective can damage your hands for some players if your hands are getting fatigued from heavy string guages. FWIW, Billy Gibbons uses 8 guage guitar string sets on his guitars onstage and gets an awesome tone.

Guitar George

[phoenix 7]

Made the switch last week as a result of a finger injury. Did it just to help my hand and discovered how great 9's sound! Gave my R9 the little bit of zing, clarity and bite it needed.

[MartinC]

i went to 9s on my Suhr Classic after fighting with it for a couple of years. With 10s it always seemed like the string tension was higher than on my Strat with 10s

I haven't looked back. No tone problems, but much better sounds and fun to be had because of the lack of fight.

[Scumback Speakers]

I've been playing 9-42 strings forever. One thing to note is that pickups and pickup height play a huge role in how they sound. For example...I've got four Orville Les Paul standards (various finishes) with four different sets of pickups. All have the same pots/caps/wiring, bridges/tailpieces, etc.

The Throbak SLE 101 LTD in one Orville are beautiful, shimmering PAF tone.

The Motor City BlackBelt #2 pickups in another are thicker/meatier, a bit more aggressive.

The WCR American Steele set in the third are lovely, sitting 1/2 way between the Throbak's and Motor City pickups, a wonderful all around tone.

Then there's the fourth Orville...the one with the Burstbucker 1 & 2 set. They sound fine at low volume, but don't give them any volume or boosted gain tones. The neck pickup is ok, but the bridge pickup (less than 8.2k) turns into this razor thin/nails on the chalkboard/vasectomy inducing screech that is totally unusable.

So your pickup choice/height are definitely important when using lighter gauge strings, IMO.

[woof*]

I started as a kid on 9's. In my 20's I moved to 10's because I got tired if going out of tune or breaking strings onstage. In my 30's I jumped to 12's in search of more tone and found it there, but after a few years and the damage to my fingers I moved back down to 11's and have stayed there the last 15-20 years. These are strats and tele's by the way. I know zillions of guys use 9's and stay in tune with great tones, but it has not worked for me.
As I age I might move lighter, but so far my hands seem fine. I'm happy anytime a fellow player finds his perfect match and setup.

[Nurk2]

I'd be concerned about what lighter gauge strings might do to my left-hand intonation.

[esoteric pete]

as long as the guitar is set up correctly for the string guage, 9's are great. i prefer 10's, but with a gibson style guitar, or humbuckers (being a bit fatter naturally) you can get away with a smaller guage easier..

i always say play whatevers most comfortable, as you will play better if it FEELS good.

[Dr. Tweedbucket]

I'm thinking 10s are the way to go. I also like the hybrid 46 to 9s.

[Roe]

I had to start using thiner strings years ago because of an injured arm (arm is better but I never went back to the heavy strings). I used to think that thicker was better, but now realize that my favorite players usually used 9s. For solo playing, I find 9s and 9.5s to sound more expressive, largely because bends and vibratos are much easier. However, I like a little heavier wound strings, since it gives me a little punchier lows.

On most guitars, I'm using SOS 9.5-46
EJ strat & Esquire: pyramid nickel 9-46 (the EJ strat is particularly stiff)
es175 and mal young gretsch: pyramid nickel 10-52
es335 clone: SOS 10-52 (this particular guitar was too easy to bend actually)

[hogy]

I went from .011 - .058 (which I used for years) to .010s, then .009s, now .008 - .038. I get great tone out if these light strings, and they make me play differently (better, IMO). I'm sticking with the .008s on most of my guitars.

[jaycee]

My hand gets fatigued if i play .10's tuned standard. Why fight it? I use .10's on my Eb-tuned guitars and .09's on my standard tuned guitars. I might try a 9.5 set though. That might be a nice compromise. Heavy string gauges are (ime) highly overrated.

[Derelict]

why fight it?

i use 9s in Eb on a 25" scale guitar.

[DirtyJerzey]

I was playing 13s on my Strat back when I was heavily into SRV, and that style of playing. They were rough on the hands. Strat w/13s into a BF Bassman with an original TS-9 in the middle. It sounded great, but not easy to play. I then got into the playing of people like Greg Howe, smooth legato lines called for a much lighter string set, for me at least. These days, I go 9s on "Fender scale" guitars and 10s on "Gibson scale". It’s a nice balance, and my hands thank me everytime I play. I was watching a recent PG interview with YJM, he uses 8s with a scalloped neck. That seems like it would be hard to play in tune, but it works for him.

[twoheadedboy]

why fight it?

If you aren't fighting it, you have no excuse to do this:

http://www.guitarburn.com/images/faces/Stevie_Ray_Vaughan_guitar.jpg

[XmasTree]

I bend A LOT
bend, bend, bend
..with 11-49

...they strengthen your fingers/hands/arms
..you don't need 9's to bend/vibrato

Just sayin'

[Julia343]

I tried 8s once on my Legacy. Just because you can do a fourth bend doesn't mean you should.... *snap* so 9s work fine. with my tendon problems I don't need the stress of heavy strings.

[ToneBrokerBill]

I've never gone lighter than 10s, but am thinking I might give 9s a try to see how it goes.

[tapeworm]

I've always played 10's until recently when I switched to EXL115 Nickel Wound, Medium/Blues-Jazz Rock, 11-49 at the suggestion of my instructor. These are the only strings I will use going forward. For an 11 they are super slinky and bendable.

http://www.daddario.com/DADProductDetail.Page?ActiveID=3769&productid=23

[davecan]

To the OP, I'm a little surprised you made such a large leap from 11's down to 9's, while skipping 10's completely. I find 10's to be a nice compromise - not as hard on the hands as 11's and better tone and stability than 9's.

[Lucidology]

To the OP, I'm a little surprised you made such a large leap from 11's down to 9's, while skipping 10's completely. I find 10's to be a nice compromise - not as hard on the hands as 11's and better tone and stability than 9's.

That's the whole point of the thread ... :huh
10's are not necessarily better tone or stability to many of us ...
& in fact ... 9's facilitate certain techniques more then heavier strings ..
Again, to many who use them that is ............

[Roe]

I'm playing a slide sometimes and find 9.5 to be a ok compromise. its very hard to play slide on 8s or 9s

[dlguitar64]

9s feel terrible to my right hand when playing rhythm-i need more resistance.10s on fenders and 11s on gibsons(12s on my 175) work for me.