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Post subject: What are the pros and cons of...
Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2008 5:52 pm
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heavy gauge strings on a Tele. I went from .009, .011, .016, .024, .032, .042 to .010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046 about six months ago, and they don't feel as heavy as they did at first. The tonal benefit was worth the initial pain. Does anybody use anything really heavy? If so, what are the benefits and what are some cons? I'm thinking about trying something heavier but don't want to mess with my setup too much right now if the cons outweigh the pros.

Thanks in advance

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Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2008 6:35 pm
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well I've got heavy strings on my strat 12-56's
Pros: "thicker" tone (to me anyways), not so easy to break, sure there are other good things that I just can't think of.

Cons: they will turn your fingers to hamburger meat :? , and you will have to get your guitar set up. this means you will have to get the nut slots widened (probably not with what you got but I had to with the 12's), the intonation reset, tighten down the trem claw, and other things ,action ect.

Don't let the cons scare you away, you can learn to do most of the stuff i've described (though I would never try to widen the nut slots) through google like I did. My cost for the nut slot widening was around $20. I had the 12's on my guitar for about a month before I got that done. The strings may pop out of the slots when you bend around the second/fourth fret if you don't have it done.

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Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2008 7:15 pm
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I also use 12-56 strings...... They truly do improve your tone......... once you get used to them the whole feel of your guitar is alot different...... I don't really like picking up guitars with 9's on them now.... it just feels weird..... Also... Heavier strings stay in tune alot better :) I hardly ever have to tune my guitar, even after big nasty 2 1/2 step bends aha...... they also increase the amount of sustain you get outta your guitar.... and volume :P...... play whatever gauge you have until they feel effortless to bend..... (and I mean everywhere... even at the second fret).... and gradually work yourself up to heavier and heavier :)


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Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2008 8:19 pm
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It's true I can't stand to play anything lighter than 11's now. On my friends guitar (10's) it buzzes like crazy when I play it, and he can't play mine at all :D
Stratwhore do you use Ernie Ball Not even Slinky's?

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Get away from the blind side of life - SRV

06-07 Fender Deluxe players strat.
85-89 sigma 12 string
2008 homebrew strat with dlx players body, tex sp pu's, and a custom neck
mid 60's Harmony tube amp


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Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2008 8:51 pm
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i prefer te ghs boomers low tunes 11-53. they feel great and stay intune great. have used them for a long time. they give me a big fat tone that i love


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Posted: Thu May 01, 2008 10:29 am
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'Thought heavy gauge strings were like an 014 on the 1st and then getting 'even more meaty'?

Personally, 'consider 9s, 10s 11s and 12s pretty much the same. 'Keep different guitars strung with different gauges according to 'what suits the instrument best.'


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Posted: Mon May 05, 2008 10:12 am
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For the tone, it is worth it. All the cons are listed except for the fact that it will be difficult at first to get a good bend or vibrato. It will come in time. :wink:


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Posted: Mon May 05, 2008 4:07 pm
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I just went to a set of 13, 16, 24p, 36, 46, 58 I've finally found my set. They give me the perfect tone I've always been looking for. I also heard that heavier strings might wear down the frets faster, but I don't know if it's true.

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Get away from the blind side of life - SRV

06-07 Fender Deluxe players strat.
85-89 sigma 12 string
2008 homebrew strat with dlx players body, tex sp pu's, and a custom neck
mid 60's Harmony tube amp


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Posted: Mon May 05, 2008 4:42 pm
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11-49s!

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