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Preferred string gauge/scale length/tuning?


Holy Schnikes

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What are you guys using on what scale in what tuning?

I generally play in standard tuning, most dropped, and haven't found anything better than DR strings in terms of longevity. They sound and feel great for a good long while, far superior to the EB and D'addario stuff I used before.

I have a variety of scale lengths and no real preference. I'm more concerned with tension and feel. Seems I've been increasing gauge from day one until I finally backed it down a bit to 10s or 11s. All that time spent with heavier gauges makes me incapable of loving any set lower than 10-46 tho.


On guitar...

On my Maton 25.5" tuned to C# standard AND my LP Custom 24.75" tuned to D standard
DR Tite Fit EH-11 (11-50)

7WGEH.jpg


Mustang Special 24" tuned to E flat
DR Tite Fit MH-10 (10-50)

TN9GE.gif




On Bass....

Reverse Jaguar Bass 32" tuned to D standard
DR Nickel Lo Riders MH-45 (45-105)

5ZmXq.jpg

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for the LP in Drop B i'm still trying to find the perfect strings. they have to be steels and go from 12 or 13 to 60 with a wound G. if anyone knows any brand out there that does this please drop a line.

Try these: http://www.juststrings.com/daddariobaritoneguitar.html

I use the .14-.68 on my Strat for B and drop A. The .13-.62 should be about what you are looking for.

Other than that I prefer Ernie Ball Slinky Top Heavy Bottom .10-.52 on my standard tuned guitars.

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I used to run heavy on everything. I could care less about having similiar tension across different guitars, it's always been about having the string gauge feel the same thickness from guitar to guitar. I ran 13-53 on electrics and acoustics for years, but somewhere along the way I settled on the standard 10-46 on most of my electrics and 13-53 on my acoustics and my jazz box--both of which I rarely play anymore. I found that I had more control over dynamics with 10s compared to 13s. Although, I now have to change strings more often.

When I was running 13s, I only changed strings when the frets started wearing grooves in the strings. With 10s, I always break a plain string on my third gig, so I end up changing strings once a week on my number 1. I really like Alloy 52 strings like GHS Progressives, Sadowsky, or Sfarzo SFT Screamers, but I can't justify the extra cost since I change strings so often. I mostly use Dean Markley Nickel Steel now.

My electrics:
24" scale length on my Jaguar.
23-5/8" scale length on my Silvertone 1448.
24-3/4" scale length on my Casino.
25" scale length on my Aria Pro II PE-175 Herb Ellis.

Oh, and I mostly play in standard. Although I sometimes tune the Casino to CGCGBE or D Modal. I keep meaning to try out New Standard Tuning but I'd want a guitar dedicated to that tuning.

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Right now, it's an 11/12 hybrid set on an Esquire in standard tuning. They're all D'Addario XL's, but the low strings are pulled from an 11 set, and the high strings are pulled from a 12 set, so it ends up looking like this (from low to high):

49w
38w
28w
20
16
12

It was totally accidental (I tried to change the whole set to 12s, but the nut slots couldn't handle the thickness of the wound strings), but it actually sounds really great. The strings balance nicely from top to bottom and overall it feels good.

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9-46 on 24.75 and 25.5" scale in E, drop-D and (rarely) open G.
10-52 on 22" in standard.
40-100 on 34" basses in E and drop-D.
45-110 on 30" basses in standard.
130 low B on 34" 5 string basses.
35-90 flat wounds on 34" fretless basses with piezo pickups in standard.
25-95 on 30" scale 6 string bass tuned E to E.
22-28-32-22 on 18" ukulele tuned to open C6th.

edit: just measured my kala Ubass strings. The low E is a 19" scale 230! That's thicker than some of my speaker cables.

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Quote Originally Posted by hivedestruction View Post
I have DR 11-50's on all 3 of my electrics (2 Gibson scale, 1 Tele), also all are tuned a half step down from standard. I've used the DR 11-50's for about 8 years now. Tried a few other sizes, kept coming back to the 11-50's. I'm just super used to them I suppose.
My experience with the DR 11-50s is identical. I'm so used to 'em now that nothing else ever sticks. I recently learned it's an almost perfectly balanced set to boot. Not sure how much that matters but it can't hurt I suppose....


Quote Originally Posted by christianatl View Post
Fender scale, dropped C, 13-56.
You talking standard 25.5" Tele scale or 24" Mustang short scale? Or both??
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I use Rotosound 11-48 on an Ibanez RG with 25.5" scale length.

I love these strings; they are very nice. I've been using them for 3 years or so now. They last ages under my fingers, too; it's been months since I last restrung (I don't remember when it was) and they're still tolerable

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I really don't have any set rules with string/gauge and scale length. I just sorta check out the guitar and make the call.

I use 10's on my Charvels. (25.5") I use 11's on my Cyclone II. (24.75") Then I use 11's on my Fapocaster (modded MIM, 25.5")

I generally like 11's on Telecasters, and Semi's as well. 10's on most LP style guitars... though it's been awhile since I've had one, perhaps I'd like 11's more now. idn_smilie.gif

99% of the time I'm in E Standard tuning. Tried and true.

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