I've seen quite a few posts on here with folks changing strings or just bought another guitar and don't know what gauge strings are on it.
I keep a 0 to 1" micrometer with my stuff and just measure the string diameter if in doubt. Lately I have started using a small labeler and making a small label that I stick on the back on the trim claw cover to remind me of which strings I installed. I use about three different gauge strings on different guitars and this speeds the change. Small micrometers are inexpensive and can usually be found at the hock shop.

_________________
OK, I'll hum a little bit, got it now?

i just use a small sticker on the back of the guitar with the size of the strings on it...

_________________
blues - its a religion...

Hi S Bender: I can tell what I've got on my electrics by feel - and it will always be either 9s or 10s, so there's not a lot of doubt. But now you mention it I'm damned if I can remember what I put on my acoustic last time I restrung it. I think I went down a gauge for string bending reasons - but from what? 13s to 12s? Not sure.

I've got digital calipers so I'm going to pop upstairs right now and see if they can tell the difference between one string gauge and another.

Good suggestion - thank you!

Cheers - C

_________________

I've changed strings because I couldn't remember what I had on before=\

_________________

I keep the empty packaging.

Cheers

David

_________________
"Humans think they are smarter than dolphins because we build cars and buildings and start wars etc...and all that dolphins do is swim in the water, eat fish and play around. Dolphins believe that they are smarter for exactly the same reasons."

+1

_________________

Now on Facebook Too

I only use 2 gauges-8-38s or 10-46 with a wound 3rd so knowing which is which is a no brainer.The most useful thing I have come across and what I feel should be in every guitar player's kit bag -along with a good soldering iron-is a Cruz-Tools Groovetech guitar player's tool kit.This kit has everything to do your own setups,trussrod adjustments and everything else guitar related,all for about 50 bucks and it's well worth it as they are high quality tools-it even has a small LED flashlight for trouble shooting on a dark stage.

_________________
'65 Strat,65 Mustang,65 Jaguar,4 more Strats,3 vintage Vox guitars,5 Vox amps,'69 Bassman with a '68 2-15 Bassman cab,36 guitars total-15asst'd amps total,2 vintage '60s Hammond organs & a myriad of effects-with a few rare vintage ones.

I keep a notebook and record dates and changes I make to the guitars...
String gauge, manufacturer.

If I do any tweaking I note that as well. PUP change...

I did a measurement of the necks, at various spots, on my strat and tele and hamer in the depth of Winter with a micro I picked up for $15.
I'll take another set of measurements on the same in the depth of Summer.

I'm really curious to see how much the neck changes in size due to humidity. I already know it does. Now I'll have real numbers to compare.

Any tools I use, sanders, files, wood blocks, etc..I'm now storing together so I don't lose them with my tools for automobiles, woodworking and electronics. Never have enough tools...

_________________
-T

"You can't spend what you ain't got, you can't lose what you ain't never had" ~ McKinley Morganfield

Keep the front of the empty package in the case, dated with change-date.

And use .011s on electric and .012 on acoustic, for like ever....