It is currently Mon Mar 16, 2020 4:56 pm

All times are UTC - 7 hours



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 5 posts ] 
Author Message
Post subject: Squier strat string gauge question
Posted: Sun Apr 25, 2010 3:16 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Sun Jan 31, 2010 6:29 pm
Posts: 11
I got a used Squier Affinity strat and I went ahead and changed the strings with 10-46 gauge strings before I realized that the stock gauge for strats is 9-42. What is the difference between using a heavier guage on the strat compared to the 9's? I realize that the 9's should be slightly easier to bend but what about difference in tone? Will the heavier gauge sound more or less bright? etc...
I mean the guitar sounds just fine with the 10's but I am just curious as to how it differs from stock 9's? Thanks.


Top
Profile
Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject:
Posted: Sun Apr 25, 2010 4:15 pm
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Mon Apr 21, 2008 6:17 pm
Posts: 1292
Location: Halifax Canada
Well, to start with, you will need to do a setup in order to ensure it's playing its best.

String gage is often a matter of preference. Tone is also a matter of opinion. Once you find something you are happy with, go with it.

I've got to reiterate though, if you are going to change gages, get a setup.

_________________
CREDO ELVEM IPSUM ETAIM VIVERE


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Sun Apr 25, 2010 5:08 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Sun Jan 31, 2010 6:29 pm
Posts: 11
I accidentally put 10's on the strat by not realizing that 9's are the stock gauge. I'm just wanting to know how will the sound differ now that I have 10's on it. I don't have a reference point to know how the guitar sounded when it was stock.


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Mon May 03, 2010 1:36 pm
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician

Joined: Sat Aug 23, 2008 2:01 pm
Posts: 1598
townsquier wrote:
I accidentally put 10's on the strat by not realizing that 9's are the stock gauge. I'm just wanting to know how will the sound differ now that I have 10's on it. I don't have a reference point to know how the guitar sounded when it was stock.


Okies...just my opinions as always.

The difference in sound and/or tone between .009's and .010's really isn't all that significant. I feel safe in saying that I think most well seasoned players will usually tell you that thicker strings do as a general rule tend to sound fuller and have "better tone" (although "better" is certainly subjective in and of itself). As such, to many people .009's sound better than .008's, .010's sound better than .009's, .011's sound better than .010's and so on...after all, SRV used 13's! Here's the thing though, at the end of the day, things such are your pickups, your amp and even the way you play are going to have a MUCH greater affect on something such as your tone than string gauge -every- will. I'll share a little truth with you...I've been playing guitar for nearly 30 years now and in all that time with all of the gigs I've played, while I have had people walk up to me and say "Dude, you're awesome" and even a couple who have said "dude...you suck", I have -NEVER- had a single person walk up to me and say "Dude...your tone sounds thin...you should switch from .009's to .010's", LOL!

Seriously...I played .009 gauge GHS Boomers for many years almost exclusively. In the past year I've started to switch my Strats over to .010 gauge Fender Super 250's...I guess my tastes have changed a little over the years. That said, when I sit down and play, I still sound like -me-...even with the heavier strings of a totally different brand. It's not something that's really worth obsessing over.

Either way, if you really want a reference, just take your guitar to your local Fender authorized music store and play it side by side with a brand new guitar of similar model...that'll show you how the stock Fender .009's feel and sound against what you have on yours now.

I would however reiterate what nicholsoni said there in regards to a proper setup. If you decide you like the .010's and your going to stick with them, you might want to have your setup adjusted accordingly. That slight difference between .009's and .010's -can- toss a Strat really out of whack...you'll want to check/adjust/have adjusted; the neck relief (truss rod), the intonation and action and it's possible you may even need to have the nut filed just a tich so the strings don't "catch" or bind if/when you use the trem (a poorly filed nut can cause huge problems with tuning on a Strat). Sometimes your ok but most often these things will need to be properly addressed. The setup can make the difference between a wonderful playing instrument and a complete turd...regardless of how much each cost.

Very simply, string gauge is really just one of those personal taste things...there's no real right or wrong here, only what the individual prefers. For me the main reason I started switching over I think is because I can never find .009 gauge strings for my acoustics (not that I'd really want to) so since I have .010's on my acoustics, it just seemed like time to put them on my electrics. The main reason I changed brands is that the Fender's sound a bit brighter to me than the GHS and that sound really seems to work well with my Strats. Pretty much just a matter of being practical...not like I went running around the house yelling "I'm using .009's...my tone's gonna suffer!", LOL!!! The .010 Fender strings just feel good to me and they sound good to me...nothing more.

The one last thing I will add is that once you find a brand and gauge you like...whatever they are...stick with them. You'll save yourself a lot of frustration in the future.

Again just my $.02 worth,
Jim


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Tue May 04, 2010 9:07 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Sun Jan 31, 2010 6:29 pm
Posts: 11
lomitus wrote:
townsquier wrote:
I accidentally put 10's on the strat by not realizing that 9's are the stock gauge. I'm just wanting to know how will the sound differ now that I have 10's on it. I don't have a reference point to know how the guitar sounded when it was stock.


Okies...just my opinions as always.

The difference in sound and/or tone between .009's and .010's really isn't all that significant. I feel safe in saying that I think most well seasoned players will usually tell you that thicker strings do as a general rule tend to sound fuller and have "better tone" (although "better" is certainly subjective in and of itself). As such, to many people .009's sound better than .008's, .010's sound better than .009's, .011's sound better than .010's and so on...after all, SRV used 13's! Here's the thing though, at the end of the day, things such are your pickups, your amp and even the way you play are going to have a MUCH greater affect on something such as your tone than string gauge -every- will. I'll share a little truth with you...I've been playing guitar for nearly 30 years now and in all that time with all of the gigs I've played, while I have had people walk up to me and say "Dude, you're awesome" and even a couple who have said "dude...you suck", I have -NEVER- had a single person walk up to me and say "Dude...your tone sounds thin...you should switch from .009's to .010's", LOL!

Seriously...I played .009 gauge GHS Boomers for many years almost exclusively. In the past year I've started to switch my Strats over to .010 gauge Fender Super 250's...I guess my tastes have changed a little over the years. That said, when I sit down and play, I still sound like -me-...even with the heavier strings of a totally different brand. It's not something that's really worth obsessing over.

Either way, if you really want a reference, just take your guitar to your local Fender authorized music store and play it side by side with a brand new guitar of similar model...that'll show you how the stock Fender .009's feel and sound against what you have on yours now.

I would however reiterate what nicholsoni said there in regards to a proper setup. If you decide you like the .010's and your going to stick with them, you might want to have your setup adjusted accordingly. That slight difference between .009's and .010's -can- toss a Strat really out of whack...you'll want to check/adjust/have adjusted; the neck relief (truss rod), the intonation and action and it's possible you may even need to have the nut filed just a tich so the strings don't "catch" or bind if/when you use the trem (a poorly filed nut can cause huge problems with tuning on a Strat). Sometimes your ok but most often these things will need to be properly addressed. The setup can make the difference between a wonderful playing instrument and a complete turd...regardless of how much each cost.

Very simply, string gauge is really just one of those personal taste things...there's no real right or wrong here, only what the individual prefers. For me the main reason I started switching over I think is because I can never find .009 gauge strings for my acoustics (not that I'd really want to) so since I have .010's on my acoustics, it just seemed like time to put them on my electrics. The main reason I changed brands is that the Fender's sound a bit brighter to me than the GHS and that sound really seems to work well with my Strats. Pretty much just a matter of being practical...not like I went running around the house yelling "I'm using .009's...my tone's gonna suffer!", LOL!!! The .010 Fender strings just feel good to me and they sound good to me...nothing more.

The one last thing I will add is that once you find a brand and gauge you like...whatever they are...stick with them. You'll save yourself a lot of frustration in the future.

Again just my $.02 worth,
Jim

Great response! Just the info I needed. Much appreciated!


Top
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 5 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 7 hours

Fender Play Winter Sale 2020

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
Jump to: