The BEST Strings to Enhance Your Tone

[@MartyMusic]

Thank you to D'Addario for sponsoring today's video! Check out some of my favorite D'Addario strings and guitar accessories here: ddar.io/marty

[@themacocko6311]

Back in the day I used to catch slack from the guys because I preferred light gage strings. Then I saw a video where Billy Gibbons talked about how BB King talked him into playing light gage instead. I felt bad about getting slack for it again.

[@jjtcrt1]

Just did my first Solo string change (using your videos of course) putting on a set of 11 guage D'Addarios. Brought my acoustic back to life. Thanks!

[@davideskelin8266]

Marty you are a great person to do this test! A player’s player. Not some technical thing, just someone I can trust his feel. Plus, I’ve been playing NYXL 9.5 strings for a long time and they are great! I break the others, but never a NYXL. If you have never tried 9.5’s you might be surprised. I was. The perfect balance between being too wiggly and controllable.

[@owenrist7840]

I 100% agree

[@thereallydeep]

I started playing on 9s and recently tried using 10-52 on E standard on a 25.5 inch scale length because that’s what Dave Mustaine uses to make those heavy rhythms like on Holy Wars easier. It’s made a huge difference to my rhythm playing. If you are a rhythm player you might prefer thicker strings. Cool video Marty!

[@ronc1017]

I play 9 and 10’s depending on what’s in the box when I’m changing strings. My tone comes from the way I hold my pick. I mainly play holding my pick on its side. I get big full tone this way, if I hold it playing the point it’s very bright. Acoustics guitars for me are a little different. To me med strings sound a lot better on my acoustics than lite ones, but the pick response is the same, flat side, big fat tone, pointed side bright and thin. And string brand is like “what’s for breakfast?” I love changing brands to compare to what I just had on. To each their own. It’s interesting reading what works best for other players.

[@tvandema]

So, I am new to guitar (playing 8 months). Just by chance, I changed my strings for the first time yesterday from the 11s my Donner came with to a set of 10s. Could not believe the difference in ease of play by just going to the lighter strings. Actually just played my first successful barre chords, which I credit to the lighter strings. This makes me wonder why my beginner came with 11s, and my wife's beginner (Fender Squier) came with 12s!? This doesn't seem conducive for learning, or encouraging new players to continue. Thanks for another great video and the insight.

[@MrBreezlyBruin]

I gave the NYXL strings a try and wasn't overly impressed. Went right back to my Ernie Ball Titanium Reinforced Coated strings. To me they feel and sound better than anything else. But like I said, that's just me and my own personal preference.

[@daveduffy2823]

The best gauge is the one that stands up to bends and how hard you press. For me 10-46 has always been fine.

[@Coopdog1911]

My teacher told me that switching to thinner strings would greatly affect my tone. I went to .009 guage ultralights and man I have never been happier. I'm 56 and arthritis is becoming an issue. I put some Billy Gibbons .007 on one of my effects, and I freakin LOVE it. You can make it up with your amp and effects, but in my opinion, it sounds just as good and three times easier to play. You old guys like me, check into some thinner guage strings, unless you have perfect pitch and a damn good ear, it won't make one bit of difference, other than you will be able to get a lot more flexibility in your guitar. Teacher couldn't take anything away from it, sounded very good either way.

[@joemom1012]

I'm 54 have arthritis and strum with fingers my types of techniques i use for my genres require a minimum of 9s prefer 13s and its like putting my fingers thru the cheese grater

[@stephenlandry9343]

I started in 75 I went with 8s because I thought it would make it easier. Within 5 years I went to 9s or 10s depending on what guitar I was. A couple years ago I had to go to 8s because of arthritis in my hands. I don't like it so much because I to liked my guitar to fight me a little. I also never was a low action guy. I found that bends were much easier with higher action. Super speed never impressed me that much. Great video Marty.

[@GuitarBailey]

I personally found Dunlop 9-42 to be my favorite but for tone wise to my ears ernie ball 11's were great as well. 9's are fun I truly believe the guitar chooses the strings for you and you accept the guitar knows best

[@Glicksman1]

The lightest strings you can comfortably play with will enhance any electric guitar's tone. Ultimately, tone is a product of the player's touch and general ability to make the guitar sound good.

[@owenrist7840]

'D'Addario NY XL strings ( the ones in the video!) are really nice on your guitar, and are really nice for bends. Id highly recommend!

[@mma1st105]

I use mainly 9's on my tele and 10's on my other electric guitars. I usually go heavy on my acoustic guitar. I will try anything once or twice and there are so many variables and I love them all. I also go back and forth playing with a pick or thumb pick and just fingers.

[@shield400]

I like the NYXL's but usually just go with whatever the manufacturer recommends for their guitar. Same with gauge, whatever gauge the guitar comes with is what I'll always use. The only time these rules will change for me is on acoustic guitars.

[@jcburger733]

Hey Marty, thank you for the demo on the best strings to achieve your guitar tone. Really appreciated!! My main strings for both acoustic and electric guitars are D'Addario.

[@bofa83]

A friend of mine recommended nyxl stings a few years ago and I’ve stayed with them ever since. I love them.

[@joshnorko5586]

I dig D'Addario strings. Good stuff marty!

[@SpecialReserve]

The 11's certainly rocked

[@Subliminal187]

I’m a huge Hybrid Slinky fan. My two favorite guitars of mine are a Fender Squier mini & a Fender Squier Strat. The Hybrid Slinky’s are just a little lighter than the Super Slinky’s but it completely changes up the feel and my ability to run up and down the neck easier.

[@georgejetson1923]

It is a tradeoff, heavy strings sound better but you sacrifice playability. There is no compromise.

[@dukefan37923]

Here's what I've found, 10s are great for chording. 9s are better for soloing and bends. But, sometimes it's completely dependent on the guitar. Sometimes you've just got to trial and error until you find what sounds best on that particular instrument.

[@FortinInk]

I use Stringjoy 9.5-46 for standard tuning on my 339 and their 11-52 set for my drop tuned prophecy Les Paul

[@diggersid456]

about 5 years ago i tried a bunch of different guage strings and found that i prefer 9s on my tele and 10s on my les paul

[@spacekadebt1641]

Interesting... I'm a new guitar player looking for advice on Les Paul string choices. I play blues and folksy stuff mostly, with some classic rock in there. Why do you say 10s? What music do you play with 10s usually?

[@diggersid456]

@@spacekadebt1641 i play blues and rock. 10s just feel right for me. i would try different ones and go with what feels best for you

[@grimper35]

I have been really enjoying some string sets recently that are a bit mixed up... the GBE strings are light (what you'd normally get in a set of 10s); the EAD strings are heavier (what you might normally get in a set of 11s). I think one vendor calls them 'Light Huskies'; another vendor called them 'Power Brights'. I'm really loving these. They weren't even an option back in the old days when I was first playing. Like everyhing else I guess... progress keeps marching on. I'm curious if other folks are using these and what they think of them.

[@NDSTraveller]

Great info Marty for a rookie like myself. I was under the impression that heavier strings are only for metal and power chords and lighter strings are for picking, but sounds like either do both....just differently. Sooooo because of this video, I'm gonna plug some thicker strings on my acoustic and see how I like them. I'll make sure to get D'Addario.

[@gypsyjones5876]

use 12 ernieball not even slinky gauge on my telecaster. love the feel 🌻

[@jeffreyjones3228]

No questions on different string material, and/or string core for wrapped strings?

[@BlackScreenGuy674]

Love your guitar lessons, you rock Marty!

[@AnthonyBurrito1313]

Tuned ones are pretty good for me

[@stephendavis5530]

If it improves my ability to get up and down the neck faster and easier bends, I would go for the lighter gauge strings like the 9's every time. 😎🎸🎸

[@markpub]

Marty is a bloody legend.

[@JimboDinan]

Would love this with your taylor

[@snowcamellion]

As you change around string gauge's - 10's to 11's or 9's - do you have to adjust anything with the setup / action?

[@kbhorst6740]

Depends on your guitar, hardtail bridges often dont give a s*** about changing gauges. vintage, floydrose or other floating tremolos will need adjustment for sure

[@kbhorst6740]

And be sure to watch the bending curve of your guitar neck on a regular basis

[@1329mac]

Thank you Marty for such a good vídeo, easy to hear and understand. I really enjoy these types of comparison videos. I've been using 11's on my acoustic for a good workout and tone depth and 9.5s on my electric to get some nice bends and fast action. Thanks again @Marty Music

[@MaximusM-ho4xu]

I’ve tried them all, and always seem to go back to 11s. Once the finger strength is up to speed, there is just no comparison IMO. Yes, they are a bit more work on Fender scale but slam those on a Tele and that’s just the way it supposed to be.

[@MrDrTheJniac]

The short answer is yes and no. Heavier gauge strings have more metal over the pickup, and thus are louder and will drive an amp harder, but if you perform careful volume matching, heavier strings will sound essentially identical to lighter strings.

[@solaris70]

mY Les Paul copy had a flat Junior type Agathis body with a Tele' type upper bout - string through hardtail with a brass nut and brass (70's Stratocaster style) adjustable saddles on the bridge the different manufacturers and gauges were very pronounced the GHS 💥 Boomers had a distinct sound but didn't last very long D'Addario lasted the longest and were consistent sound & quality

[@nostaticatall]

Cool. I've used almost nothing but D'Addario strings on acoustic and electric for... almost 4 decades? I don't know, it seems that standard electric string sets don't feel balanced to me. When I played .009 gauge I always went with .009-.046 but now for years I've been playing .010-.052. I like the way you can hit the bass strings harder without as much buzz, especially in the open position. I'm thinking of going back to .009-.046 because I'm old and tired now, haha. Phosphor Bronze .012-.053 on acoustic have always been my fave. D'Addario are awesome strings, I've tried others but I always immediately come back.

[@mikebehnka9097]

I am a long time user of Daddario exl125. they are a mixed set, 9s for the high three and 10s for the bottom 3, , easily 15 years on my strat. I recently got a les, custom . it still has whatever brand probably 10s. I will find out today what the mixed set sound like on the paul

[@nick2844]

Please do a second meeting with Jack Pearson! I loved that episode and his playing

[@allensale4809]

Marty I was following your lesson on Jessica I play a thinking tele with 10s and couldn't get the bends the way I should have

[@Greenleaves123]

people worry about toneeeeeeeee way too much . worry about being in time with the music and u will sound much better regardless of tone 🎸✌

[@scribeofsolace]

You really think so? So should I practice more with the time and metronome I have in my DAW instead of dabbling with the knobs haha..

[@Greenleaves123]

@@scribeofsolace haha u got it 👍😁

[@n33l85]

Tutorial for Pictures of matchstick men pls🙏

[@wilbrandt2298]

Please do an video on the needle an the spoon

[@toddp5026]

I've been playing for 40 years. It was clear that when you switched to heavier gauge strings you got a fuller sound, more vibrating mass. Simple. Period. No argument. No mystery. It ultimately comes to a subjective matter of preference. I use .11 to .54 and tune down a half step on Strats. Tuning down a half step stops my strings from breaking on bends. All the other pro tricks aside, it's the only reliable cure. I like heavier gauge strings because I like to work extra hard for my notes. For me a guitar that's too easy to play is something I don't want. At any rate, any gauge of strings can be compensated for with an EQ. In the end, determining string gauge ultimately comes down to, not a "trend", but a personal sensation of feel and touch.

[@sullycliftona123]

I have been needing strings for my guitar for a month ,time to get some tomorrow.and maybe put a order in in future of something different.

[@Djozer]

Marty, do you think the thicker strings had a subconscious effect of having to attack the strings a little harder, knowing they are thicker? I am the type who has a death grip no matter how much I try to keep a light touch. I definitely like my guitar to fight me. So I tend to use thicker gauges like 10's and 11's on my electrics to keep me from bending up too sharp.

[@keithh8661]

Thanks Marty 🎸

[@johnnyvickers4792]

MARTY MARTY MARTY please do a tutorial of how to play Trudy, the song originally by CDB covered by Tyler Childers

[@johnregan3732]

I switched to NYXL’s 9’s on the Strat. 11’s or 10’s on my 335. Tried 12’s and 13’s hated them. Felt like I was playing a bass.

[@jacobborks5711]

I lost my tips of two of fingers that I play with and it makes it very difficult to play is there anything they make that I can use to make up the length of my fingers?

[@fish-n-riffs]

Hey Marty, what gage do you like on your J45?

[@Kj-wz2zf]

The man himself the legend

[@johnsmith-ug5tp]

D'Addario 9 to 42 on my Gibson Standard. I have better things to do than fighting my guitar and f ing up my ligaments and joints. I am not lifting weights, No pain, no gain. haha Even 10's tuned down a 1/2 step is still too tight for me. I don't use a pick and my right hand/fingers and left hand/fingers love 9s. I haven't noticed a change in tone from 10's to 9's and as long as you file your nut slots correctly 9s stay in tune the same as the heavier gauge strings.

[@reinderlensink5574]

Hey marty can you do an tutorial on The rocker-thin lizzy?

[@Canadianwheelchairguitar]

I don't take my tone into consideration when changing strings, it's all about comfort for me. I use D'Addario 10-52 as my normal gauge for E, Eb, D on electric & Elixir 12-53 on Acoustic.

[@Canadianwheelchairguitar]

Anything from C# down is a heavier gauge 12-54 & then Baritone strings from B or lower.

[@MrRockNRoll]

Ive tried all strings and gauges, still keep going back to 9s. More specifically lately the Ernie Ball Cobalts or Paradigms

[@pauldncn1]

Marty great video thank you sir!!

[@adencopley4308]

Hey marty, i was wandering if you could do a video about psycho by puddle of mudd. Thx. Love the videos.

[@richardgardner8975]

9s on my Strat and PRS 24; 10s on my Gibson LP.

[@APPL3SL1CES]

I just realized that the daddario factory is 20 minutes from my house

[@paulcooper5748]

9-46 for me.🎸

[@mikerudolph2419]

Billy Gibbons used 7 gauge he said why work hard when you don’t have too.

[@ejxproductionsllc1916]

I changed from 10s to 11s a couple years ago. Better articulation with each note, chords push the tubes harder. Definitely requires more strength for bends, especially those SRV two and three string bends. My Strat sounds heavier, my Gibson 335 gets some really fat jazzy tones.

[@splashesin8]

Thanks! 🙂

[@mikerudolph2419]

I like 9’s myself on my Acoustic 10’s

[@V1nN___]

Marty can you please do a tutorial on (Have you ever needed someone so bad) by def lepard?

[@MrPeter924]

Very good music playing guitar 🎸 👍

[@1970sman]

Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath, had to use the very lightest of string gauges after he chopped the end of his fingers off.

[@rkoblues24]

Quit stringin'" me along, Marty. I'm "gaugein'" your KZbins. I'll stay "tuned!"

[@alexcorona]

I tried some heavy 11-50 recently and they were so hard to tune right.

[@ryankelsey9646]

The lighter the better. I play many songs that require quick full step bends and the thicker strings just make them unnecessarily hard. I do have fast but small fingers though, so I see why guys with bigger meat hooks and rhythm players would prefer thicker strings.

[@pyramix3049]

Please do monsters by all time low

[@stringspicksandfiddlestick6388]

I recently found that Strats sound more Strat-like with Ernie Ball strings. I use D'Addario on everything else.

[@henryfuller69]

What les paul is that 😋

[@savannahatchison1291]

PLEASE do a lesson on taking pictures of you by the kooks!!

[@dylanbill3624]

Hey Marty could you do a lesson on "Frances Farmer will have her revenge on Seattle" by Nirvana

[@shovel_head80]

Can’t substitute heavy gauge for the blues tone.

[@sjohnson_3355]

Marty I have a request!!!! You’ve helped me a lot with learning guitar and I didn’t see this on one your channel yet, If you would be up for it, would you show us how to play a part of “covered in rain” by John Mayer? The Song is absolutely beautiful !!!!!

[@subhamkalita7706]

Please teach through the fire and flames

[@beakmann]

LP + 9s, that's my setup.. feels like spaghetti, you can bend anywhere

[@borlongki3629]

Marty's always Da best😀

[@sense1240]

I think anything past 11s has diminishing returns in regards to tone . 48-10 is a nice balance.

[@JKCrane]

'' 9's are like taking the ankle weights off " lol

[@gigachadnumber7187]

yo could you do lost kitten by metric

[@Glensully]

take lead and rhythm such as ACDC. Malc played like 11 or 12 and Angus 9. There is a reason why they use different.

[@anonymousperson3986]

I love you 😍

[@lnugent1000]

The 11s sound better

[@bms-rules223]

Love it!!!

[@dr_tomK]

At first look I thought Brian was Mike Mills of REM.

[@rong648]

I noticed the same thing; it looked like you enjoyed playing 9's.

[@nyacoustics8373]

NYXL are way over hyped. tried a few sets i wont be going back

[@hotelseth]

It’s “toan”

[@liguy181]

Toan

[@uItrachile]

is that jerry springer....??!!

[@loomi5592]

Let's go

[@crunch_amp9282]

I've decided neither one of them know what the hell they're talking about 😂

[@josephberhanu5896]

Day 1 of asking for going to pasalacqua by green day

[@jonathanseabolt3683]

Me playing 8s on my strat🤡