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Post subject: Re: Perfect strings for Strat lead playing: 009-046 or 010-0
Posted: Fri Aug 12, 2016 6:21 pm
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Rock Star
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I've tried every gauge there is, but given that I have fairly strong hand, I don't really do well with anything less than .010s. Not enough control, I feel.

These were good enough for Jimi Hendrix and Brian May, and they do for me too:

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Extra bonus: These (and Ernie Ball Cobalts) are nickel free, so no finger irritation, even after long sessions.


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Post subject: Re: Perfect strings for Strat lead playing: 009-046 or 010-0
Posted: Sat Aug 13, 2016 5:47 am
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As a beginner you should probably be using .009" sets, but .010" isn't too much harder to play, and in my opinion sounds noticeably better. For hard rock the Skinny Top/Heavy Bottom strings are a good compromise, because you get fatter lower strings and thicker tone for the power chords combined with thinner higher strings that result in easier playability and bending on those strings.

The bending technique itself is also important- you want to be using more of a twisting motion in the wrist/forearm when bending strings rather than using the muscles in your fingers. Also you can use two or three fingers together to hit the really high bends. There are a ton of good instructional videos on YouTube to learn this, and it's much easier to watch and learn the proper technique than reading about it here.

Good luck!

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Post subject: Re: Perfect strings for Strat lead playing: 009-046 or 010-0
Posted: Sat Aug 13, 2016 10:40 am
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Miami Mike wrote:
The bending technique itself is also important- you want to be using more of a twisting motion in the wrist/forearm when bending strings rather than using the muscles in your fingers.

I beg to differ. It is easier to not use finger muscles, or prop using multiple fingers, but doing so prevents you from bending multiple strings different amounts, or bend non- adjacent strings. With time, it becomes an impediment. Same for vibrato.
The best musicians, almost regardless of instrument, tend to have one thing in common: They have great individual control of their fingers, not just as a group.

If you work on using your fingers, they will strengthen. Do not let the fingers buckle when you bend, and if you can't do a full bend or more, practice half bends or less until you can.
Doing scales bending every note to the next fret up is a good starting point. And doing power chords with 0, 1 and 3 frets apart instead of the normal 2, bending one string only to hit the fifth.


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Post subject: Re: Perfect strings for Strat lead playing: 009-046 or 010-0
Posted: Sat Aug 13, 2016 7:33 pm
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Starting out on acoustic, I used 12s then switched to 10s, which I loved the lighter feel of, but had to switch back to 12s as I kept breaking a high E at least once a week.

Upon starting to play electric, I began with 10s. Tried 9s and didn't like them on my hardtails. When I bought my Strat, it came with 9s. Felt pretty good, but I tried 10s and hated it.

Now I use 9s on my Strat, 10s on my PRS hardtail, and 12s on my acoustic. So, it's really gonna come down to whatever works for you in a particular application. Even when you find the size strings you like, I'd recommend trying different brands. I personally prefer Dean Markley classics but often buy whatever random 3 pack GC has a special on as something about my body chemistry destroys strings, causing me to change then 2 to 3 times faster than any of my friends. So, to each his own, with whatever motivation they do choose.

By the way, I've heard Billy Gibbons plays with something ridiculously small like 6s while Dick Dale used something akin to bridge cables. And I think they both get amazing tone. Whatever works for you, that's what works for you.

Happy playing!


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Post subject: Re: Perfect strings for Strat lead playing: 009-046 or 010-0
Posted: Sun Aug 14, 2016 6:15 am
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Yeah, it comes down to Personal preferences...

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