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Gospel Instruments => Gospel Guitar => Topic started by: dfwkeys on May 10, 2007, 09:32:24 PM

Title: Guitar Strings
Post by: dfwkeys on May 10, 2007, 09:32:24 PM
What brand and size strings do you prefer using to what type of style you play?
Title: Re: Guitar Strings
Post by: jlynnb1 on May 11, 2007, 02:16:54 AM
For Electric, GHS Boomers 11-50. I tunes down a whole step though (D-G-C-F-A-D), so they aren't as heavy as they sound.

For Acoustic, D'Addario ELP's, 12's.

I play everything from Hillsong UNited type Brit Rock worship music to Israel Houghton to Choir music. in church anyway, in a session i play whatever is needed.....rock, funk, pop, country, whatever.

i have LP type guitars, a Tele, a few Ibanez superstrats.....and i'm about to buy a semi-hollow of some sort as well.
Title: Re: Guitar Strings
Post by: JayP5150 on May 11, 2007, 07:29:49 AM
GHS Boomer 10's for electrics (none of that sissy tuning down stuff for me--just kidding J lol).

Dean Markley 11's for my slide guitars (tuned open E--these are the only set of 11's I've found with a wound 3rd).

The acoustic gets GHS bright bronze 12's and the resonator gets GHS or Martin 13's (reso is tuned open E and open A)

Style? Umm... I'm still trying to figure out what that is myself. I guess it's rock/blues/hard rock etc. In church, it's basically a funky rip off of SRV (but not as good lol).
Title: Re: Guitar Strings
Post by: jlynnb1 on May 11, 2007, 12:27:54 PM
GHS Boomer 10's for electrics (none of that sissy tuning down stuff for me--just kidding J lol).

Dean Markley 11's for my slide guitars (tuned open E--these are the only set of 11's I've found with a wound 3rd).

The acoustic gets GHS bright bronze 12's and the resonator gets GHS or Martin 13's (reso is tuned open E and open A)

Style? Umm... I'm still trying to figure out what that is myself. I guess it's rock/blues/hard rock etc. In church, it's basically a funky rip off of SRV (but not as good lol).

i tuned down because of my vocal range....not because of weak fingers!! lol
Title: Re: Guitar Strings
Post by: KY Ratshooter on May 11, 2007, 01:20:10 PM
What brand and size strings do you prefer using to what type of style you play?

A question to ignite great controversy!

I use 9s on everything, acoustic and electric.  I have 8s on my Tele.

easier on me and easier on the instruments. 

I lost several good guitars to lifted bridges and necks warped beyond repair.

I often play for several hours a day and even after 50 years of callous buildup my fingers still get tender. 
Title: Re: Guitar Strings
Post by: JayP5150 on May 13, 2007, 01:27:49 PM
i tuned down because of my vocal range....not because of weak fingers!! lol

Oh, well, then, none of that sissy low-range singing for me! lol...

Oh, wait... did I just do a self-burn against my manliness? What I meant to say was that I tune standard, but I sing everything an octave lower than written... yeah, that's it...

Sorry, I'm in a goofy mood today (well, everyday, actually  ;D ;D ;D )
Title: Re: Guitar Strings
Post by: loftudad on May 14, 2007, 01:01:03 PM
Well as I am limited in my pursuit of strings and such without paying an arm and a leg soley because of the dollar to pound rate. I just bought a set of Ernie Ball Regular Slinky 10-46. I use a standard tuning and I play whatever the music minister ask me to. I prefer blues and jazz styles the most.
Title: Re: Guitar Strings
Post by: katstrat on May 14, 2007, 09:20:46 PM
I use .10-.46 on my electrics,.12-.54 0n my acoustics. LIGHT gauge on bass guitar,.45-105. Unsure about the classical.
Title: Re: Guitar Strings
Post by: GRIP805 on May 14, 2007, 09:30:52 PM
10 guage dean markley's is what iam using now in the past i have also like blue steel,
e-lixirs,
Title: Re: Guitar Strings
Post by: jlynnb1 on May 15, 2007, 12:35:34 AM
Oh, well, then, none of that sissy low-range singing for me! lol...

Oh, wait... did I just do a self-burn against my manliness? What I meant to say was that I tune standard, but I sing everything an octave lower than written... yeah, that's it...

Sorry, I'm in a goofy mood today (well, everyday, actually  ;D ;D ;D )

lol

i found that i was almost always singing songs down a whole step from where they were written, so it just made more sense to tune down. i hated having to play songs that were written in E in D, because they just didn't feel right anymore. same with songs that were written in G in F......you just lose alot of the cool open voicings. so i just tune all my guitars down a whole step now.....

i can't help it if i have a manly voice...... ;D
Title: Re: Guitar Strings
Post by: dfwkeys on May 15, 2007, 01:59:06 PM
Anyone play with 11's
Title: Re: Guitar Strings
Post by: katstrat on May 15, 2007, 03:26:14 PM
Anyone play with 11's
On acoustic or electric? I have used D'Adarrio Custom Lights on my acoustic,.11-.53.Sounded pretty good.Right now I use D'Addario EXP,.12-.54. Best coated strings I've ever tried by far! For electric brand I using Erine Ball Power Slinky's,.11-.48,tuned a half step down.I got rid of that guitar,but I liked the tone the bigger strings presented.I'm no Stevie Ray Vaughn,though,so give me the lighter strings!
Title: Re: Guitar Strings
Post by: JayP5150 on May 15, 2007, 09:12:21 PM
GHS Boomer 10's for electrics (none of that sissy tuning down stuff for me--just kidding J lol).

Dean Markley 11's for my slide guitars (tuned open E--these are the only set of 11's I've found with a wound 3rd).

The acoustic gets GHS bright bronze 12's and the resonator gets GHS or Martin 13's (reso is tuned open E and open A)

Style? Umm... I'm still trying to figure out what that is myself. I guess it's rock/blues/hard rock etc. In church, it's basically a funky rip off of SRV (but not as good lol).
Title: Re: Guitar Strings
Post by: jlynnb1 on May 15, 2007, 11:44:31 PM
For Electric, GHS Boomers 11-50. I tunes down a whole step though (D-G-C-F-A-D), so they aren't as heavy as they sound.

For Acoustic, D'Addario ELP's, 12's.

I play everything from Hillsong UNited type Brit Rock worship music to Israel Houghton to Choir music. in church anyway, in a session i play whatever is needed.....rock, funk, pop, country, whatever.

i have LP type guitars, a Tele, a few Ibanez superstrats.....and i'm about to buy a semi-hollow of some sort as well.
Title: Re: Guitar Strings
Post by: mt_spiffy on May 16, 2007, 07:29:19 PM
Elixir Polyweb 10s.  On my acoustic I use 11s.
Title: Re: Guitar Strings
Post by: dfwkeys on May 17, 2007, 07:38:21 AM
On acoustic or electric? I have used D'Adarrio Custom Lights on my acoustic,.11-.53.Sounded pretty good.Right now I use D'Addario EXP,.12-.54. Best coated strings I've ever tried by far! For electric brand I using Erine Ball Power Slinky's,.11-.48,tuned a half step down.I got rid of that guitar,but I liked the tone the bigger strings presented.I'm no Stevie Ray Vaughn,though,so give me the lighter strings!

on electric, i just recently purchased the D'addario blues/jazz size 11's, haven't used em' yet, but i was hopeing to get a deeper tone but i'll have to see how they feel as well.
Title: Re: Guitar Strings
Post by: JayP5150 on May 17, 2007, 08:21:54 AM
Heavier strings are going to be a bit louder, which may make them sound a bit fuller, but don't expect a drastic tonal change. Unless you are tuning down, they're going to be harder to bend than even 10's. If you're playing something with a Gibson (24 3/4") scale, it'll be fine, but if it's a 25 1/2" (like a Fender), they'll be pretty heavy-feeling.

Let us know what you think.
Title: Re: Guitar Strings
Post by: dfwkeys on May 19, 2007, 03:04:53 PM
Heavier strings are going to be a bit louder, which may make them sound a bit fuller, but don't expect a drastic tonal change. Unless you are tuning down, they're going to be harder to bend than even 10's. If you're playing something with a Gibson (24 3/4") scale, it'll be fine, but if it's a 25 1/2" (like a Fender), they'll be pretty heavy-feeling.

Let us know what you think.

okay i just used the 11's by d'addario.. i can tell a big differece in tone.  i love the sound especially if i used a dunlop jazz III pick or the 1.0 blue pick by dunlop, HOWEVER, i don't seem to play has fast on my scales probably because of the thick strings unless i use a size .73 (yellow pick) but it gives a crispier tone...

It's uncomfortable playing with the strings and harder to push down of course, but has far as sound i love it. Comfort and accuracy on it. i give it 2 thumbs down. 

What i will do is practice on this till the strings are worn and to see if there's any improvement, if not... i'll go back to the 10's
Title: Re: Guitar Strings
Post by: KY Ratshooter on May 20, 2007, 07:41:32 PM
you will not see and improvement.  They will not get softer or lighter.

Your practice sessions will get shorter due to sore fingers. 

I'll bet you can't bend them or do hammer-ons as well as you could with the 10s!

Life is trade offs.  This is one of them.
Title: Re: Guitar Strings
Post by: dfwkeys on May 20, 2007, 09:27:15 PM
you will not see and improvement.  They will not get softer or lighter.

Your practice sessions will get shorter due to sore fingers. 

I'll bet you can't bend them or do hammer-ons as well as you could with the 10s!

Life is trade offs.  This is one of them.

You probably right, but once i finish with these the 10's i'll probably play them with ease... i think i might use them only for practice and then hop on the 10's and see if they make a difference...
Title: Re: Guitar Strings
Post by: jlynnb1 on May 21, 2007, 12:06:47 AM
you will not see and improvement.  They will not get softer or lighter.

Your practice sessions will get shorter due to sore fingers. 

I'll bet you can't bend them or do hammer-ons as well as you could with the 10s!

Life is trade offs.  This is one of them.

it will make his hands. fingers stronger. he might not be as fluid at first, but it does have it's benefits. i don't think he was expecting that the strings themselves would somehow become lighter, but that as he used them his hands would adjust and it would feel that way.
Title: Re: Guitar Strings
Post by: dfwkeys on May 21, 2007, 08:04:21 AM
it will make his hands. fingers stronger. he might not be as fluid at first, but it does have it's benefits. i don't think he was expecting that the strings themselves would somehow become lighter, but that as he used them his hands would adjust and it would feel that way.

Yup, and i love the challenge that the strings give me... maybe i'll throw some 15's on it next.  ;D
Title: Re: Guitar Strings
Post by: jlynnb1 on May 21, 2007, 12:52:27 PM
Yup, and i love the challenge that the strings give me... maybe i'll throw some 15's on it next.  ;D

lol, good luck tuning those to tension and not snapping a neck,  ;D
Title: Re: Guitar Strings
Post by: ThatmanRo on May 25, 2007, 11:57:19 PM
I'm playing with DRs 10s, You all should try the DRs and tell me how u like them
Title: Re: Guitar Strings
Post by: jlynnb1 on May 26, 2007, 12:07:49 AM
I'm playing with DRs 10s, You all should try the DRs and tell me how u like them

i tried them once, couldn't stand them........but i've never liked anything other than GHS on my electrics. i'm less picky on an acoustic.
Title: Re: Guitar Strings
Post by: funkStrat_97 on May 26, 2007, 10:39:16 AM
Anyone play with 11's

I almost exclusively use GHS Boomers .011 - .050 (tuned down a half step).
Title: Re: Guitar Strings
Post by: dfwkeys on May 28, 2007, 11:41:27 AM
Okay here's an update on the guitar strings, after playing with a couple of weeks with the 11's i love the tone and with the right pic, i'm starting to get used to the picking. 

Yesterday i switched to using the 10's i found it difficult to pick the strings as if they were a little to light, i didn' have this happen before, however i can easily play chords with 10's rather then the 11's.

I'm thinking of switching back to 11's now :(
Title: Re: Guitar Strings
Post by: jlynnb1 on May 28, 2007, 08:31:05 PM
Okay here's an update on the guitar strings, after playing with a couple of weeks with the 11's i love the tone and with the right pic, i'm starting to get used to the picking. 

Yesterday i switched to using the 10's i found it difficult to pick the strings as if they were a little to light, i didn' have this happen before, however i can easily play chords with 10's rather then the 11's.

I'm thinking of switching back to 11's now :(

are you still using those little flimsy pics??  ;D
Title: Re: Guitar Strings
Post by: dfwkeys on May 29, 2007, 07:45:49 AM
are you still using those little flimsy pics??  ;D

no sir, the pics i use are made from me very own blood!  ;)
Title: Re: Guitar Strings
Post by: gcmrover91 on June 02, 2007, 07:13:14 PM
i play alot of rock, but i play alot of gospel also. i always use really thin picks, and my strings are never above .010 i have .009s on both of my electrics and medium lights on my accoustic. to me it feels more natural and not like i'm forcing the sound out of the guitar. but thats just me guys yall do what ya want ;D