I’ve been spending the summer learning how to play the guitar. Last month, I bought a lovely Sire S7 and I’ve been having a blast playing it and learning guitar chords and playing with the modes on the couple of portable guitar amps I bought (The Fender Magnum Micro and a Positive Grid Spark Go). I know those amps might not sound that impressive, but like I said I’m still pretty new at this and when I get better, I’ll probably get an even bigger amp.
But that’s not why I’m here today.
I was on the Ernie Ball website thinking about picking up some spare strings (because I broke my little e string a few weeks ago), when I noticed they had different pack of string sets with different strings that were other than the typical 10-13-17-26-36-46 set, but had other gauges of strings.
Surely, the width of the strings would result in different notes as much as where you put your fingers on the fretboard, right?
So what would I be gaining or losing if I used a different set up strings? (I’m not planning on re-stringing my guitar any time soon, but it would be nice to know the significance of these other sets, what they are used for, and if there was a specific set ideal for playing certain genres or playing techniques.)
It’s all about tension. You can theoretically tune any thickness of string to any note. But thicker strings will be tighter than thinner. Sets generally are made to have relatively similar tension across all the strings, but some folks like some variations, so you can get sets that have more tension in the lower strings, for example.
It makes way less difference to the sound than most people think. In a blind test with different string gauges, I think few people would be able to tell which is which.
Also be aware that changing string gauge also changes the tension. You will need to readjust intonation, spring tension (unless you have a fixed bridge), and possibly truss rod.
For a beginner, I would highly recommend sticking with the standard 10-46. Aside from the adjustments needed, heavier strings are also a bit harder to play. Even as an experience player, I find zero benefit of heavier gauges.
Beato put out a video on string sizes a few years ago, and there were some tonal differences. Not real major, and probably more to do with the how the players react to the feel of the strings.
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Play whatever is most comfortable.
Rick Beato did a detailed breakdown and tests on string weights…turns out breaking your hands to play .13s doesn’t get you any sound advantage.
String thickness is kind of personal preference. Thicker strings won’t give you different notes but they will sound more pronounced than thinner strings.
I find thicker strings really come into play when you’re doing alternate tunings. Especially drop tunings like Drop D, Whole Step Down, Drop C, etc. This is because when you loosen thinner strings for those lower tunings the notes won’t ring clear because the strings will be super loose and buzzy. Those tunings really only come into play for playing heavy metal. Some “metal” guitars are specifically set up for those lower tunings too.
I believe Steve Ray Vaughan was also rumored to play on .13s (.13 being the high E string thickness). So again thickness is kind of personal preference unless you’re doing low tunings. I think most people use .10s like you do.
String thickness will get you the same notes on the same frets, when tuned the same, but it will give you a slightly different tone.
However where thicker strings really come in play is drop tunings, such as D standard, C standard or even lower. If you take a set of regular slinky strings and tune them down to C standard they lose all tension and become seriously floppy. This impedes playability and makes the guitar very difficult to tune this low.
But slap some thick strings on, I use 12-56 for C standard, and the guitar tunes just fine and it retains a somewhat comparable string tension to regular strings tuned to E.
