Strings of Rock Legends Part 1

[@curtisprice9806]

Changing to a lighter 1st string (8gauge) has been an eye opener to me....why was I fighting a 10 gauge (and losing!) for forty years?!!!! Repeated step and step and a half bends at the 22 nd fret of my guitars are so much easier to bend and control now! And they keep tune just fine and do not break!

[@TheGuitarShow]

Good man

[@chrisjones8592]

Amen!!!!!

[@theofficialdiamondlou2418]

I used Dean Markley lights for over 30 years. But then they became unavailable . So I found GC couldn’t keep ANY standard stings in stock except Ernie Balls which I hate. They always unwrap at the ball. So I called GHS ,and believe it or not . The owner answered the phone . We talked for about 20 mins. as I explained my problem. So he transferred me to an Artist Relations guy who put me on the Artist list , and we discussed strings for about an hr. I finally settled on MY own custom sets of Burnished Nickel Rollerwound. (Semi-flat wound) the sizes I use on all my guitars is 10/14/18/26/38/50 . I haven’t had an issue with strings in 10 years. And they almost never break. And it’s much cheaper especially when I order 20-30 packs at a time. LOVE GHS STRINGS !!! Great video 💪 🤠🎸🎶🤙

[@joehahn8817]

zZounds has Dean Markley strings. I just got six packs of Blue Steels from them about two months ago.

[@Mikebvanhalen]

GHS are the best they sound great when they are new. Played 'em the last 25-30 years....

[@solaris70]

do your strings have that sizzle ? or is that only on the ghs boomers ? i like them but i would break them pretty fast within a few weeks about a month back in the 80's

[@chasebeavers]

Daddarrio has been making dean markley strings for years. Dean markley shut down production years ago.

[@theofficialdiamondlou2418]

@@solaris70 not really sure about the sizzle 🤔 In my experience that usually is from an overtight truss rod. And to low action . But I play a variation of music so I keep my action a bit higher than most for clarity. Thanks for the question wish I could’ve been more help.

[@R.to-the.A]

9.5 gauge strings are really, really nice for me. Usually 10s, but i was introduced to 9.5 gauge on one of my strats, i find it's a really nice balance.

[@peteyoung7665]

Yes.9.5 are great for strats.I just change the low ones to 26,36,46.

[@dukeford8893]

I use 9.5's on everything.

[@ernestschultz5065]

I personally find light strings on a Les Paul scale (24.7 inches) are just a we bit floppy for my taste. On a Strat you can get away with 9s because of the longer scale (25.5 inches)

[@TheGuitarShow]

That's so true, it's only a small amount but that extra scale length counts for more stiffness

[@jasonzoellner7547]

Floppy 😂❤

[@LivingstonWard]

I use 9s on my Fenders, 10s on my Gibsons, and 9.5s on my PRSs (25” scale).

[@guitarista67]

I use 8s on my Les Paul and Strat.

[@smeagolmazurenko5238]

​@guitarista67 my man playing by sense of smell

[@Novotny72]

Super slinkys on a strat are just perfect for me. Rotosound pinks are also great. As BB King said, "Why are you working so hard ?"

[@TheGuitarShow]

nice!

[@sandordula5207]

Well B.B. just really needed that extra light strings for that insane shredding, yes? 😀😄 Don't get me wrong he is tasty and really one of the greats but I just don't really understand why he needed that light gauge string set. Probably with really thick picks. Every one of us is different, I prefer the normal gauge, 10 or 10-11 hybrid with flexible, thin or medium picks and I like to hit the chord or the note so aggressively and with large, wide movements that you just couldn't do with 1mm or more heavier plectrums because you just tear the strings very shortly. Each of his own, I can get that much.

[@MSicko]

They ALL work. Just keep 'em in tune !

[@TheGuitarShow]

Amen

[@ishko108]

Thank you so much, I've been wanting to know their gauges for decades and couldn't find the right info anywhere! This is gold!

[@jupitermoongauge4055]

I was never happy with my tone on a strat until I started using 12,15,19,28,38,54. I now use them on a Les Paul too. Eb on both guitars.

[@btbb3726]

Thanks for the video! 👍🏻 I bought a couple sets oh the Billy Gibbons .007 set and the high E strings would only last a few days before breaking. I was probably bending them a bit too much but it seems that for my playing .008 seems to be the practical threshold and I typically use .009.

[@rjlchristie]

Those atypical gauges on Santana strings are a brilliant way to corner a market by making yourself the only supplier and quite possibly getting some sort of patent/trademark protection as well. Basically a lot of the info was pointless without scale lengths and tuning pitches. Some info was supplied in this regard, but it wasn't comprehensive.

[@derekclacton]

Interesting research, Ramon! I still have my (now empty) Sound City Eric Clapton endorsed strings packet, purchased in 1978 - it has his face on the front :)

[@TheGuitarShow]

Thanks Derek!

[@gusthfs8272]

9-42 on all my guitars, Strat or Les Paul. D'Addario XL or (Made in Brazil) Giannini Electric Series when I'm running low on money.

[@leegunter5223]

Right on very informative! When I switched from 10's to 9's on my Les Paul, I had to learn to play lighter. I recently received a strat for Christmas and my 9 broke right away . Who knows how long strings have been on a new guitar. Hopefully on part 2 you show Zakk Wylde's strings but you did get all my heroes on part 1

[@donovankelly1966]

I saw a clip with SRV's guitar tech where he said Stevie used a set of 11's with the E strings from a set of 13's .

[@donovankelly1966]

A caveat to that story is , he would start a tour with 10's with 12 E's and work up to 11's and 13 E's . But remember Stevie played in E flat and the rule of thumb is ; every half step you tune down your guitar is like going down a gauge of guitar strings . So essentially , Stevie Ray Vaughn played 10 gauge guitar strings . So much for the myth that Stevie played 13's .

[@schumi9xwdc]

Eric Clapton couldn’t play SRV’s guitar

[@leonardocefalo2931]

Yep. He used something like: 13 - 15 - 19 - 28 - 38 - 58 Which is tough even in Eb

[@howandlightning]

Would be cool to see one of these type of videos about picks too, some players have used some odd stuff to play at with over the years.

[@Doowopsid]

I’m a bit of a string fanatic so I really appreciate your having put this video together. Thanks for posting it!

[@streamofconsciousness5826]

The Ernie Ball Super Slinky pink package is what I use now playing for myself at home, 9 - 42. When I was busking I used the Blue Steel 10 - 52, a lot of open chords and I wanted the Bass to really have power, to be its own voice. Both tuned to A440 I heard Billy Gibbons used a 7 or 7.5 on the advice of BB king who said, "why work so hard". Rudy Sarzo confirms that Randy used heavy strings, might have even been 11's for the high E.

[@TheGuitarShow]

great info, thanks

[@leesloan8216]

Rick Parfitt of Status Quo used 14-56 with s wound G on his number on white Tele in standard concert pitch.

[@paisteplayer1040]

Personally I dont give a rats ass what somebody else plays.. I play slinky 9's and always will

[@andrewcruz7595]

I use 9.5 and every one says just use 10's

[@paisteplayer1040]

@@andrewcruz7595 Play what you like, and ignore everyone else

[@petermontgomery8707]

🤘preach

[@yearginclarke]

It doesn't hurt to know a little bit about who uses what. It may help people learn what gauges work best for different types of playing styles. If you play SRV stuff with light gauge strings it just doesn't feel and sound right IMO. But if you wanna play shreddy stuff you likely won't be using heavy gauge strings.

[@paisteplayer1040]

@@yearginclarke Play what sounds and feels best to you...

[@rockthesix1679]

Strings are a matter of personal preference, what they feel sounds and feels good to just themselves. I'd find it hard to believe that anybody seeing a show from any of these people would make them say 'Damn, this would sound great only if Clapton used an 11 instead of that 10 on the low E". Also no concert goer cares if the guitar being played is a $125.00 Squier or a 10K Gibson. 99.98% of anyone that hears live music will never hear the difference between any string or equipment used. Only the true guitar nerds will comment, but in reality they cant tell the difference either.

[@beauhatman4395]

"Lighten up, Francis" 😊

[@Joe-mz6dc]

I love this. The string gauge issue is so underestimated among guitarists. People need to go out there and experiment more with their guitars and see what works for them. Don't just lock on to one gauge and continue to use it without trying others. Thank you very much for the wonderful video.

[@Gizzlefitz]

Exactly right. I've done a lot of experimenting with different sizes on different guitars. I have a Fender Strat, a PRS, two Aria Pro's and 1992 Yamaha RGZ, right now,(I've had many others in the past)and it took a while to figure out what size strings work best on each.

[@ljpass70]

Im digging the string joy 10’s or d’addario 10’s . Bendable, sturdy

[@BrianKlobyGuitar]

Cool info... I played Power Slinkys (11 on the top) for years but find I'm much more into the lighter gauges these days... 9-42's are what I like the most on my Strats currently... thankds for the video 🎸☕

[@markmarsh27]

I can't comprehend how it's possible for Billy Gibbons to play .07's and stay in tune.

[@beeemm2578]

I use em on one of my guitars. Its an acquired taste..lol.

[@FYMASMD]

It may say seven gauge but it’s really an eight. I use 11.

[@markmarsh27]

@@FYMASMD I heard Billy confirm in an interview that he uses .07's my friend. If they were .08's he would have said so. and P.S. I used to use .11's on my E flat Tele for playing Hendrix and Stevie Ray, but I finally realized the tone benefit was imaginary and the pain was REAL! No point to it. cheer Brother.

[@dukeford8893]

@@markmarsh27 Billy also likes to pull people's legs.

[@markmarsh27]

@@dukeford8893 I'm not talking shit my friend. Billy said he uses 07.'s now in a Guitar Player interview. He also said "if you're playin' anything thicker you're just workin' too hard." I don't think he was bullshitting: he's 75 years old - I'm 60 and I just switched from fighting with .10's on my Les Paul to LOVING .09's! I've got a Fender 'George Benson Hot Rod 4X10' amp I can make your ears bleed with, so the gauge of my strings means nothing when it comes to getting wicked tone.

[@Weegus]

Another great knowledgeable video✌️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@longlivebytor]

Interesting. This explains (at least to me) why Tony Iommi's guitar tone was so unique. I always thought it was mostly a pickup / amp combo.

[@derekclacton]

6:28I recall reading an interview where Gary said he went up a gauge during a longer tour, so he had to work harder - he hadn’t met BB King then! BB turned Billy Gibbons onto originality using 8’s :)

[@TheGuitarShow]

Yes I heard that also

[@GIGMUSIC-o6z]

Great legendary guitarist’s here… Three legendary guitarists not mentioned from the classic rock 70’s. Ace Frehley,Michael Schenker and Peter Frampton

[@GIGMUSIC-o6z]

Lesley West legendary

[@andrasczehlarik9180]

@@GIGMUSIC-o6z + Alvin Lee and Rory Gallagher.

[@mohany134]

Amazing episode and overlooked subject 👍 thank James Burton always

[@TheGuitarShow]

Many thanks

[@terrytrapp6036]

10s on fenders 11s on gibsons, evens the tension up for me so bends feel the same across the two scale lengths

[@TheRealBalloonHead]

Ernie Ball Slinky 10’s are the some of the best sounding strings I’ve played. They break and rust in days, yeah.

[@benoitnezan]

About Clapton, keep in mind that all his recents made strats are set with 6105 frets which facilitates the bend on regular gauges (10/46). I think both combos (vintage frets, 09/42 vs 6105 frets, 10/46) can be quite comparable in terms of feeling.

[@shaunw9270]

After playing around with different brands and guages in my teens I settled for regular Rotosound nickel 10's on all my electric guitars regardless of scale length. I think it's important to use whatever you find comfortable. I know guys that switched to 13's after getting into SRV and bragged about it like when people think they're the bigger man for eating the spiciest curry .

[@ChrisDefalcoblues]

👍10's are the best for bends, and spicy food gives heartburn and most of the best guitarists play 10's; cheers

[@chrississon5954]

I must say, I agree with Yinging. Heavier only matters on the low end

[@TheGuitarShow]

good point

[@Scottocaster6668]

😆

[@chrississon5954]

I do appreciate the video though. Cool concept and interesting to know. Saves us researching ourselves!

[@Psychodermia]

Not always. I use 11-52 D'Addarios. If I use lighter strings, I have a tendency to over bend the higher ones, so the heavier gauge ones sound better on mine. 👽✌️

[@chrississon5954]

@Psychodermia interesting. I would do that but only after switching gages. Once I've sat with them for awhile I adjust. Big problem I had recently on ibanez was lighter low end caused the low E to push right off the fingerboard so had to go heavier. Kept light high end tho

[@johnperiard9594]

Been using Super Slinky .09-.42 for quite a few years now on the Les Paul. Great info Ramon!

[@ColinDaviesGTR]

great idea for this series!

[@williampayne7678]

I use Earine Ball Costum Gauge 10s to 46. Which I love.

[@paulfrombrooklyn5409]

Great video. I am hoping there will be a follow up with other musicians string gauges.

[@GuitarLessonsBobbyCrispy]

If you want a good read about Tony's guitar string preference, check out 'Iron Man' by Tony Iommi. The book goes into great detail about the guitar strings that he uses.

[@TheGuitarShow]

Thanks

[@Anson120]

Randy Rhoads also loved small frets! Shows how good he was.

[@dalepiwek]

I love them too but because of the lack of height I just scallop the board 😂

[@BillBlazejowski]

He was like 5ft6.

[@davekiddie4467]

If you're correct, he would have to refret his les paul 😮😮😮

[@hydorah]

Interesting vid. That 'Yingee' fella looks a lot like Yngwie J Malmsteen (it's pronounced Ing-vay). I've been using 10s for ages but in the strength of Jimmy Page's comments you quoted I just bought some 9s. Dean Markley signatures. Thanks for researching all of this!

[@Lord_Raptor]

Haha. I think we've all mispronounced his name at one point or another. Took me years before I finally figured out it was pronounced "Ing-vay".

[@Neil_Morris]

Great video - thanks! Broadly speaking, I'd say use the strings you're most comfortable with, but if you like someone's playing and use a similar type of guitar it makes a good starting point to know what they're up to 🙂

[@JuanDaringMann]

I've tried a lot of different strings. but always favor Super Slinkys

[@michaeld2716]

Great historical photos, and informative. Thanks!

[@AshtonRogers-se1zj]

This video just popped up on my feed,and prior to this I've never heard of this channel. But I could immediately tell from the title of this video alone that need to be subscribed to the channel. It has never occurred to me to question what gauge strings these guys use. But since SOMEONE thought to do so,it sure as hell strikes me as an interesting topic that I want to hear about. Hell yeah. Subscribed! 🤘

[@TheGuitarShow]

Thanks so much!!!!!

[@chaoznofx]

great info

[@TheGuitarShow]

Many thanks bro

[@waynebridger4998]

Through my research, I found out that a lot of the strings were made from pure nickel. These are what I use (rotosound). They have removed some of the higher frequency ranges, so sound perfect for my needs

[@pjmtry7]

Such great info!

[@GRBAquatics]

Very Cool, Thankyou. Interesting, Informative and Entertaining Video. All the Best. Cheers

[@balke7935]

Another well put together vid! Cheers Goose.

[@philknight6844]

Have tried all gauges over the years. I use 9-42’s now. Charvel M6, old strat and a Les Paul. Use 12’s on the J45 and 16’s on my resonator. Great video.

[@stefanthorpenberg887]

When I was young I had different string gauges on my guitars. Thicker on gibson guitars and thinner on Fender length. Finally I found it tricky to have all those gauges, and now use a custom set of Ernie Ball 09, 11, 14, 22(w), 32, 38. It can be said to be ”8-set” with a 9 at the top, since an 8 is a little silent. These gauges makes almost the same resistance all over the neck, so you can bend the strings everywhere. And I now change my attack and playing for different guitars to get the sound and vibe I want, instead of putting on different strings.

[@stefanthorpenberg887]

Allan Holdsworth should not be forgotten. He used a set of 8-36s, perfect for his legato playing.

[@christoguichard4311]

Ive been using Rotosound 9-42s since 1977... You forgot to mention me 🤔 🤣

[@TheGuitarShow]

5 watt world guy gonna include you

[@Bryan-jd7os]

😂😂😂

[@TwoBassed]

Using Roto’s steel 9’s myself! Brilliant strings!

[@neonerbse.]

Great Video with a lot of Info. Thanks✌️🤓

[@extramile734]

Thank you for your hard work.

[@TheGuitarShow]

Pleasure

[@UseTheSupeRsonic]

10-48 guy here, D standard in 436Hz. It’s the perfect sound/timbre, and the perfect string tension for me.

[@Saori-chan74]

I love my 11-54 string gauge on Les Pauls, 11-50 on my SG, Strats, PRS S2 Custom 24 and Teles. Gotta love the strength of 11s that they stay in tune and have enough give for bends similar to 10s but aren't as rock solid as 12s

[@ville_salojarvis_lakewood_exp]

Great info, thank you! I must point out though that Steve Vai played Gibson and Dean Markley strings too, or at least he was in their ads. I remember the Gibson ads from the early '90's and Dean Markley ads were some years after that.

[@TheGuitarShow]

pleasure, thanks for watching

[@Lord_Raptor]

I use a relatively heavy gauge for my main tuning. 11-14-18-28-38-50 for Eb/Drop C#. I like a nice, solid feel for maximum, tight, fast riffage. 🤘🤘

[@leonleon3773]

very interesting thank you

[@waitin4winter]

2:01 anyone notice he said JHS instead of GHS? 😅

[@mr.timebombman2230]

Joe Piacente .11- 52 on D standard and drop D , .11- 54 on C tunings.

[@thesaj1110]

And last but not least! Optima makes the longest lasting strings ever! 20 yrs ago, I bought a gold plated set, used it for a while. I then took them off my guitar, coiled them together and threw them in the back of the trunk of my car! 20 yrs later, I cleaned the trunk and found them there. They looked like I just bought them a few days ago! Not one single tarnish on them!!

[@jamesorion1986]

Pretty much always been using 9-42 but I've experimented with 10-48 a few times. I got a relatively loose two spring setup on my Strat down tuned to Eb half step down. My strings have been called too damn loose by some "professional musicians" and I've been told my setup wouldn't work at all if not for the locking tuners I got on iI. Imo it's a damn dream to play and it feels and sounds perfect.

[@richresident4377]

When I do Albert King bends with 11s I get blisters on my fingers Thank you sir for this video!

[@TheGuitarShow]

Pleasure Rich - keep those bends up!

[@stolenlaptop]

Srv used fat strings and guitar world magazine assured me that ny sound would be huge. Well tried playing a solo and tore a tendon and couldn't play for months. Moral of the story play what feels good and the sound will follow.

[@BackToTheBlues]

I did read somewhere that late in his career he'd dropped the gauge down a bit as the tension was affecting his guitars!

[@michaelmcmillan3607]

Randy was my biggest idol as a kid, never bothered checking what strings he used funny enough i use the exact same set of ghs

[@bkmeahan]

Took me a couple tries to get used to them and some trial and error to find a mfg that I liked the feel but went to .007 on my strat scale guitars and .008 on shorter scale. Tried Ernie ball but they feel hard and sharp while the fenders feel like hairs and too delicate. Settled on Reverend Willy Mexican Lottery strings and love them.

[@thesaj1110]

Custom set after so much trial and error! 10-13-16-24-34-44 & 54 for my seven strings guitar. 🎸

[@deanbembridge8640]

I like nines to forty two gauge on every guitar I own , suits me because I only have small hands and I still get a good tone 🎸🎵🎵

[@LucasHaneman]

Cool video Ramon! I will echo another commentor and say a follow-up episode of about pics would be very interesting! I’ve gone from 11s down to 10.5 on one of my guitars just to try something slightly lighter, and it’s kind of nice! It’s also subjective as all of us have very different hands from one and other, but I am starting to realize how fun it is to experiment with gauges too.

[@Bill-yr2go]

Eddie with a .007 on the high E and .040 on the low really surprised me. The bass is really working for low end there

[@GoneToHelenBach]

Elixir Nanoweb 9-42 for me, nothing else lasts quite like them. The high E is prone to breaking after a few weeks but they still look, feel and sound like new when that happens, unlike most others which turn to rust within a week and Ernie Ball which break within a day or two. I tried Gibson strings a couple of times and the high E didn't survive one hour of playing. I used D'Addario for many years, they sounded great and wouldn't break, even when rusty, but therein lay the problem, they rusted just like all the others. Since switching to Elixir Nanoweb strings, I couldn't consider using anything else, I just buy extra high E strings and replace them twice before replacing the whole set.

[@jfrog1979]

Ernie Ball breaking within a day or 2?! Wth are you doing to that goddamn guitar man🤣 🎸💥🤛🤬

[@ivanbardov]

What's the humidity in your place? I mean strings usually should not rust like that unless you live like next to the ocean in tropics.

[@GoneToHelenBach]

@@jfrog1979 Just normal playing, nothing unusually dramatic, Ernie Ball strings were always just garbage to me.

[@GoneToHelenBach]

@@ivanbardov Hand sweat, nothing more. I carefully clean my guitars after every playing session but they still rust after a while. All metal components, particularly screws and allen bolts go rusty within a couple of years. Pickup pole pieces, volume & tone knobs and bridges last a little longer. Strings don't stand a chance, dull after one use, black after two or three uses, rusty by the end of the week. Only Elixir strings can withstand my corrosive sweat. Humidity here in north west England, UK, is not particularly bad.

[@ivanbardov]

@@GoneToHelenBach Oof, that's weird sweat, sir. More like an acid blood from Aliens in those movies. You sure you don't have any extraterrestial ancestors? 🙂 (Aliens in UK, I knew it, I knew it)

[@jameswyre6480]

Nice! I’m with Carlos on the 9.5 E Str and Yngwie on the bigger wounds. But that is on a nonlock trem Eb strat not a LP scale. Also enjoyed some cobalt 10s for a bit more volume as I often use passive singles but may see if those come in 9.5.

[@TheGuitarShow]

makes sense!

[@Mikebvanhalen]

7's and 8's what..? Wow that's wild, I've always used GHS boomers 10-46 it's 10 13 17 26 36 46 changed the same day as live performance. They sound bouncy lively and crisp. I love 'em. I always had heard Edward had high action on his setups, and with those light strings, I guess it makes a little more sense.

[@johnskerlec9663]

Now this is cool. Personally I use mostly 10 to 46 because they have a solid feel on a few of my guitars. My Strat has 11 to 48, because I make it work for its life (wammy bars make you do that) and I don't break strings. My Epi LP has 9-42, the HBs are standard classic wound but produce a tone that works with all sorts of stomps cranked into a beast amp. Each has its own character. Thanks for the post.

[@alexplorer]

I don't know of any players using "split sets" (for lack of a better term), but I had a great set of "mismatched" strings on several guitars: Heavy gauges on the bottom; standard gauges on top. I had them on a Gretsch Duo Jet, and it worked really well for rockabilly where you want a thick, heavy sound for power chords or the bass notes if you're doing hybrid picking. But the plain (unwound) strings were easy to work for everything else. It would sound great on a Tele as well, I would imagine. I can't remember who used to sell a set like this, but I mentioned this strange set to a friend, and he knew some metal guys who used a similar configuration for the same reason: Chunky lows, easy highs.

[@2500BC]

Clapton also used Picato in the late 60’s which he recommended to a young Ritchie Blackmore.

[@TheGuitarShow]

Thanks for this info

[@Antman-cy8ch]

I`ve fallen in love with Dunlop strings. Don`t know where their made but love the tone and durability.

[@andrewpappas9311]

I’ve always been an Ernie Ball fan and the main string sets that I use are 10-46 and 9-42 but I’ve also used 11-48 for when I want to tune down (I have a guitar that I have down in D Standard that has 11s) and 10-52, I recently decided to try 8-38 gauge strings and I honestly don’t know how guys like Billy or Yngwie could play those because it definitely took some getting used to, but I’ve since returned to my usual 10s. As for other guys I’d love to see Daron Malakian from System of a Down, The Beatles (either George Harrison, John Lennon or Paul McCartney or all three of them), Angus Young, Pete Townshend, Dimebag Darrell (Pantera), Stevie Ray Vaughan, Kurt Cobain, Chuck Berry or Robby Krieger

[@Tommyplanet]

Rene Martinez was SRV’s main gtr tech too 🎸

[@TheGuitarShow]

Yes bro thanks!

[@angustate1829]

I played 10s for years on all electrics then got into playing only acoustic guitars for awhile so after that when I switched back to electric I switched to .11s because playing all that acoustic guitar made my fingers and hands alot stronger.

[@delorangeade]

After breaking an 11 gauge high E when changing strings (24.75 scale length), I once replaced it with a 13 and I found it to be tonally better and more comfortable to play, as it's not a string I use much for bends or vibrato. So I think may be I was onto something now I know Ritchie Blackmore also used a heavier high E.

[@TheGuitarShow]

13s are great for Jazz playing and acoustic blues

[@davidsummerville351]

Good info, thanks.

[@terryoquinn8199]

Thanks for the info , it’s quite interesting !

[@stephenbridges2791]

That's odd that so many of those guys use such light strings. I switched to 10's years ago due to a partial amputation of the third finger. Just couldn't feel the lighter ones.

[@CJZM7777]

Not many using heavy gauges. Seems like 9 and 10 gauges set were popular. I use 10 on shorter scale and 9 on 25.5 scale. I may try dropping down to 9 and 8 respectively.

[@Bluesrockguy]

I must be crazy for recently adding a 0.12 for my high E...I've usually been partial to 10s. For some reason I quite like it. It's more difficult for certain runs or wide bends but if I have to slide up a few frets into a bend, I feel I get more traction and can feel my way into the bend better. The tactile quality of the heavier string influences my phrasing too. I have no delusions about becoming SRV but his strings were insanely heavy and despite what Yngwie says, SRV's tone is partially due to his strings imo.

[@TheGuitarShow]

good man

[@davekiddie4467]

Frank Marino 8,9,12,15,26,38 on a sg 24.75 scale 😅

[@geraldfriend256]

Wow a plain d. Never worked for me, crazy.

[@Desaulnierspf]

Hi, The Guitar Show , do you happen to know when ernie ball switched from pure nickel to nickel plated steel ? I know they make a rock and roll set now but did they made theirs like that in the early years ? When did they stopped repacking fender string and had their own made ? Finally , what abouth the core ? Where they ever roundwouds ?

[@eric2e220]

I'm surprised Jimi Hendrix was not mentioned in this video, he liked an interesting combination of sizes. Fender currently makes a set of strings called Jimi Hendrix Voodoo Child strings that are definitely worth a try.

[@riximus]

I always wondered what strings Yinging Malsteen uses

[@Aonghuis]

Rick Beto interviews him and Malsteen said he uses 8´s and has really high action.

[@mrrootytooty5797]

I normally play 8s and am fine with 9s. 10s seem a little heavier and not my preference and i wouldnt even bother with anything higher. I did put 7s on once, that dont work so good for me though 😂

[@barrywhite7741]

Any of these guys play flats? In terms of sound and feel, this is a bigger variance than the gauges imho

[@richardsemuta1089]

The banjo string thing is interesting. I prefer GHS strings myself. 9's or 10's.

[@stevenhearrell1564]

I use 14's on my 165 for use in jazz. I do not often bend on that instrument. On other instruments that play blues, rock, country, and so on, I used to like 11's, but have switched to 10's and in some cases, 9's, due to old hands (70's). To me, big strings=big sounds, however, you must work with your limitations.

[@TheGuitarShow]

Good man!

[@JimmyDevere]

I am confused as how could EC play Essex strings (8s) if according the JPage section of the video only 12 and 13 sets were available in the mid 60s? In telephone blues, recorded in the mid sixties (page produced and played rhythm) it seems to be in E position, but only if tuned down a whole step, which seems likely if only using a heavier set of strings to begin with, not the 8s supposedly asserted. Any comment?

[@baronvonchickenpants6564]

I love fender super bullets but they are expensive now

[@ChristopherOrth]

D'Addario makes a cool set that is 09s on the bottom and 10s on the top. I like it quite a bit.

[@thesaj1110]

I bought a Danelectro 2nd hand guitar at one point. The guitar had the best strings in feel and tone! But I couldn’t find out which ones were they, I was really bummed about that.