Poll: Preferred String Gauges for Electric Guitar

[244300]

I’m just curious about what people use from the perspective of the starting gauge. Multiple votes okay as I know some people use different gauges with a Les Paul than they would with a Tele or Strat. Poll only offered ten answers so my choices best reflect what I can post.

I use 9.5 gauge custom sets for standard tuning on both Gibsons and Fenders. And I use 10 gauge custom sets for Eb/D# standard and alternate tunings such as Open G.

 

[JazzEsquire]

I just voted 8 but I’m using a 8.5 on my tele right now. Next up to try is 7s. I used 11s for years and wouldn’t bother with that again.

 

[Alchemist XP]

Have used Regular Slinky's (10 - 46) on most of my electrics for many years.

 

[PatrickE_FenderADV]

I voted 10 and have been using them forever, but I am seriously considering moving to 9.5 as my hands just aren’t as strong as they used to be and I am starting to feel some arthritis moving in.

 

[JB6464]

9.5-44 for on all my guitars tuning a A440 .
I hate the 13 and 17 of a regular 10 set .

 

[Emigre]

I really like the feel of 10’s under my fingers, and use them most of the time.

I will occasionally drop down to 9’s on my strat or superstrat.

I’ll probably move to 9’s permanently 9n my superstrat.

But they feel somewhat thin under my fingers, I prefer the feel of 10’s.

 

[Bussman]

10-52. Since forever. On all electrics regardless of scale length.

 

[Guitarwiz007]

I just voted 8 but I’m using a 8.5 on my tele right now. Next up to try is 7s. I used 11s for years and wouldn’t bother with that again.

That's what I did. 8.5 - 40 lately. Used to use 10's a long time ago. Better tone out of the lighter strings.

 

[xyfer]

9.5-44 for on all my guitars tuning a A440 .
I hate the 13 and 17 of a regular 10 set .

You really HATE the extra thousandth of an inch on those two strings? You must have some sensitive fingers my friend.

 

[Chandyland]

My main sets for open C weren't listed.

They're 0.015" - 0.068", but they feel like balanced tension 0.011"s.

 

[ant_riv]

I used 0.010s for ~30 years.
Then I bought a used guitar that had 0.009s on it and realized that their was a ‘zing’ that I had been missing.
So most of my guitars have 0.009s now.

 

[ViperTim]

Went down to 9-46 on mine.
Easier in the fingers for a beginner like me.
Maybe I’ll go back to 10s and give it a try now that I’m getting used to the 9s. But I do like them.

 

[thebowl]

Ten round wounds on all except my Casino, which has ten flat wounds, and my Barney Kessel , which has twelve flat wounds.

 

[Oinkus]

Was ripping high Es off of a couple guitars decades ago and changed it up to 10s. When I started playing they didn't have numbers just were strings in a pack light,med or heavy. 10s are best for me but it took me about 20 years to figure it out.

 

[JB6464]

You really HATE the extra thousandth of an inch on those two strings? You must have some sensitive fingers my friend.

Yes , the 17 just flat out sucks for my playing technique .

 

[Benz2112]

Most of my guitars are on 10-48 Stringjoys now, I just put my Grosh S-style in Eb with a set of their 11-50's, which sounds fantastic. I also have a baritone that I tune to B, and use 13.5-64's, I have been tweaking the gauges on that guitar, which is easy with how customizable the Stringjoy stuff is.

 

[244300]

Have used Regular Slinky's (10 - 46) on most of my electrics for many years.

Same here. I just custom sets now where I sub the high e 10 for a 9.5 as that works a little better for me. Plus I up the low E to 48. I’m happy with the rest at 13, 17, 26 and 36.

I voted 10 and have been using them forever, but I am seriously considering moving to 9.5 as my hands just aren’t as strong as they used to be and I am starting to feel some arthritis moving in.

I can see that for sure!

That's what I did. 8.5 - 40 lately. Used to use 10's a long time ago. Better tone out of the lighter strings.

I often hear that heavier strings sound better and have more tone. I think it depends on a lot of factors and I’ve found 10s sound pretty damn good. But you can go to lighter gauges too and they will sound great for rock-oriented guitar.

Yes , the 17 just flat out sucks for my playing technique .

I can see that… I think trying out different gauges to see what works best is very worthwhile. You might like something like a pack with 9, 12.5, 16, 24, 34 and 46 more than 10s.

 

[zryder]

I used 10s for years believing that they were the best balance between a thicker sound and easy to play. Turns out 9s are even easier to play and the sound remained unchanged.

 

[Coopster]

Played 10's for years. Recently thought I'd try out a set of 9's on my Lester and found them to be too loosey goosey, I guess I have a heavy hand. Found out they have those in betweener 9.5's (I never knew!) and I'm really liking those. Don't have to fight them as much as the 10's and they've got a nice bounciness without feeling all floppy. So right now, 9.5's.

 

[RFire]

9-46 on EBMM JP12, tuned to E
9-46 + 56 on EBMM JP13 7-string, tuned to B
10-46 on LP, tuned to Eb
11-64 on Ibanez 7621 7-string, tuned to A