We Need to Talk About Guitar Strings

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[@allthingsbigandsmall]

NO WE DO NOT, STOP IT

[@ThomasHope73]

🤣

[@eddiejr540]

I agree those “vintage” style tuners are the best…poke it down, wrap it around 👍

[@Fl4ppers]

It was locking before locking was a thing. No string slipping.

[@dividedwords]

Also, if you're worried about your fretting hand, take it from one who's got 20-odd years on you: give up the one-finger-per-fret bending; instead jam your three fingers together to bend. You'll avert an awful lot of pain and downtime that way.

[@MrSonicAlchemy]

What's amazing to me is how you can instantly play and bend in tune after changing to 8s. Pretty crazy!

[@AmericanNationalist852]

YJM 8-46s are my go to strat strings

[@johndeaux3703]

Do you play with your ears or simply rely on muscle memory?

[@MrSonicAlchemy]

@@johndeaux3703 Both, like pretty much everyone else does. Still it requires some adjustment when switching to lighter strings to avoid over-bending and pulling chords out of tune.

[@BeachJazzMusic]

I change strings when they either brake or won't stay in tune. I use to use GHS but they stopped making the set I liked so I switched to Curt Mangan and I'm glad I did. I like them a lot more. They feel and bend a lot better. Because I had hand problems I have to use an .08 - .38 set. It took a really long time to be able to play chord melody on such light strings but after a while I figured it out. I'm 71 and as you said as you get older your body changes and you can start develop hand problems from playing too heavy strings. That's how I got hand problems in the first place and I was in my late 20's. Since I changed gauges I haven't had any problems at all. My gauges are Curt Mangan Pure Nickel .008 .011 .014 .020W .030W .038 W They work great for playing pedal steel licks too.

[@ogmakefirefiregood]

I use a little fast-fret. It adds some corrosion resistance from you hand funk. Edit: get some locking tuners to speed up the process.

[@jimmcdougall9973]

I always find it interesting the different ways people wind their strings at the tuning peg. Some tying knots. I go once above the hole, then twice to three times below the hole. Thereby locking the string end in between the winds. Never had slippage issues in 45+ years. I have 8’s on my Red Special, but will be using them on the other guitars, where I currently use 9’s.

[@matiaspulkkinen1880]

I use 9´s now and used to play 11`s. First it was ackward but after you get your head around that you dont have to use that much power on strings it is great.

[@mchalespermanentbrew]

Recently acquired an original 72 Strat that came with 9.5 gauge strings. My usual strings have been 10s, but I’ve recently noticed my hands and fingers have started to fatigue a lot quicker as I’ve got older. Found myself enjoying the 72’s 9.5s so much that I’ve now swapped out my main workhorse to 9s ( didn’t have any 9.5) and I’m already starting to adapt to them and seen an improvement to my fingers. May experiment by going down another gauge. 🎸🤟

[@doubleuseven]

Interesting topic, John, and great you bring it up. I'm 64 now and growing up with 9's I switched to 10's for the tone some years ago. Better/fatter tone and intonation over all but harder to bend. Living in the jazz/rock zone I wanted strings for both worlds and ended up with 9,5 - 44. I can definitely feel the changes in my hands and stopped bending with my pinky. 8's seems a little drastic but must make things quite easier to play. The twang you get from lighter strings is of course a great thing too.Thanks!

[@timchalmers1700]

Yeah, I'm 73 and the arthritis hit my left thumb a couple years ago. I don't play near as much as people who make their living playing guitar. I've been using Slinky 10s on the 24.5" scale length guitar and 9s on the 25" and 25.5" guitars. Maybe it's time to drop another step.

[@eddiejr540]

What helped me the most was learning to play with the lightest touch possible…I used to squeeze the crap outta the neck…I retrained my hand and the pain is practically 100% gone…but I don’t have arthritis…so there’s that

[@Terrible_Peril]

I default to a pretty light (or, more accurately, non-stiff) set on guitar and bass. I find most instruments just kind of "sing" better that way, but everyone I know says "those strings pull out of tune" and I have to tell them that THEY pull them out of tune lol

[@timchalmers1700]

I also have been working on playing with lighter touch and using hand & thumb positions that don't hurt.

[@neal_laugman]

Thanks John.

[@picksalot1]

I use 10-46 on my Strat tuned down to 1/2 step to Eb Standard, and replace the 10 with a 9 to get a more balanced tension across the set. I change strings when they won't intonate properly, or break. I don't like the overly bright tone of new strings. A neat little trick you can do to see if your string tension is balanced in a "useful/natural" way is to use a Tuner. Bend each string with a comfortable amount of force that you'd use to arrive at a desired pitch. If you're significantly out of tune, you may be able to correct that by changing the string gauge to how you naturally play. That's how I proved to myself that a 9 on the first sting worked better for me.

[@Quarashi1]

Great video! I feel like another point worth making, and something all beginning guitarists could consider, is to experiment with string gauge and number of springs in the tremolo. (For those that use a tremolo-based guitar, and I mention it since you're using a strat in the video) You can really strike a balance of tone, slinky or stiff-feeling bends, ease of play, resistance vs. looseness of strings for alternate picking, etc. A set of 10's with 2 springs feels slinky like a set of 9's with 3 springs, for example. Some people may not consider the springs for anything but the feel of the tremolo. So, if you prefer having a thicker string under your fingers for overall feel and/or tone, but you want easier bending, this can be one of the ways of balancing feel/tone/slinkiness. One of the beautiful things about guitar is the customization one can do beyond the scope of comparing this guitar with that as well as adding amps/effects. It really does start with all things related to the setup of the guitar.

[@EdoLeonardi]

I am 73 years old and on my 2 guitars ( a Prs Custom22 and a Strat ) I use the 09/042 Elixir Optiweb. Being harder than other brands of strings they are great and I would never change. By the way, I heard that Luke has also been using 09/42s for a long time

[@stefjudd]

I’ve been using 9.5 D’Addarios for twenty something years, I find them spot on, tension-wise.

[@nmnjs]

Me too. Long lasting, solid feel, stable tuning despite low action and heavy trem use. Prefer them to the EB 9.5s. NYXL are also well worth a try.

[@stefjudd]

@@nmnjs yeah, been suing NYXL 9.5s for a few years now and can’t go back

[@strumminronin]

I have knuckle pains in my fret hand, so I went down the gauges. 8's have worked out really well. I have tried the main brands and Dunlop 8's from Amazon are my current favourite. I would like to go back up to 9's for the Roto pinks, but that's also because they're British, and they have that spare high E string.

[@mikewithers299]

Good stuff right there. After playing 11's on a Strat for several years i dropped down to 9's. Too much pain every week in my wrist. Now im going back to 8's where i started. On my LP's those will go from 10's down to 9's. Got to save my wrist from carpel tunnel

[@cliffords2315]

im 70 been using 9's since 69 when the first light guage strings came out

[@JaredCostello-cz5oq]

9-42 cause pain in my finger joints i like to play in drop D so I went ahead and switched 10-46 to 10-48 10,13,17,28,38,48 right amount of tension when dropping low E to D no more tuning issues and stays in tune.

[@karmadave]

I'm 59 and just changed from 10's to 9.5's on my Fender guitars. Gibson's remain at 10's. The shorter scale equals less string tension. It made a huge difference for me. YMMV...

[@tommywallberg]

Spot on!

[@HighLifeWorkout]

I'm changing to Flatwound strings, so I only have to change them every few years 😆

[@literalghost929]

Looked into them couple years back; my conclusion; they're super expensive and sound like dead strings when spanking new... So never actually puchased any! Am I wrong? 🤔

[@HighLifeWorkout]

@@literalghost929 nah, they just sound line your tone knob is way down

[@literalghost929]

@@HighLifeWorkout Isn't that exactly what old strings sound like? My tone knobs are 99.99% of the time all the way up, so much so I also considered just removing them...

[@HighLifeWorkout]

@@literalghost929 hahaha yeah. The truth is that only other guitar player can tell the difference in the sound. You can still adjust your amp setting (or use an EQ pedal) to get any sound you want

[@johnplaystheguitar123]

As an 8s user I am biased, but this has been your best playing in ages. 😅

[@GitShiddy]

I'm 37 and so much of John's anecdotal string talk is exactly how I have progressed as well. Started on 12s and played 11s for 15 years. During that time I broke strings constantly, they corroded quicker (teenagers diet), and had cysts in my wrist joints (presumably from smashing that high tension as hard as possible) with 1.mm celluloid picks (which would be useless in a week). Now I'm contently on 9.5s on 24.75 scale, never break strings from playing, they last the better part of a year (vegetarian adult diet), I barely hit the strings (and get way more out of them), and use 2-3mm acrylic picks (which last over a year). Now those 12s & 11s are for baritone guitars. Can't even fathom playing 11s in E it would be stifling...it probably was back then too.

[@EdBender]

wtf dude? you wear out 1mm picks in a week?? And 2mm in a year? Geesus, go easy, man. It's not the drums. My picks usually last until I lose them. I have a few dunlops that may very well be more than 20yo...

[@GitShiddy]

@@EdBender Material, & 20 years of maturity go a long way.

[@GitShiddy]

@aregeebee201 Body chemistry is a thing, different sweat equals different corrosion. Also the tone you want, personally I hate brand new strings too zippy. I sincerely hope if you're blitzing through strings like that you've tried coated, or flats, or boiling, or just general cleaning. Also record yourself using fresh strings and when you'd classify the strings trash & hear if there is any difference. Assuming you have & are content (my opinion) wasting money with that turn over, I hope you're recycling them strings.

[@GitShiddy]

@aregeebee201 You come across quite unlikable. Please don't talk to me.

[@KozmykJ]

As a life long bass guitarist who now mucks about on 'thin string' guitar as well, I often have trouble backing off and playing light enough even on 10s. I've seen the arguments for going lighter, (ref. Rick Beato and chums) but I don't think it's going to be for me. I'm coming up on 68 and have, mercifully, avoided trouble with my hands. 🧙‍♂ Yes my spine is a wreck but that's from my other job, PA Systems ...

[@davidriggs8196]

Speaking as a 71 year old I have been using 10s forever and still love them. (s feel like rubber bands for me. I have had bad tendinitis in the past but in my right hand. I think there is no reason to worry about guages, but just remember to warm up before playing. I thought you were going to talk about Round Core, Hex core, Pure nickel, and steel strings for different feels and playing experience. Of course Ry Cooder never likes to change strings as he likes the sound of older strings as do I.

[@fivewattworld]

I actually went to 8’s when I was working on bigger chords AND learned that Holdsworth used them. I find them much more expressive as well. Depends on the scale length of course.

[@wizdeas6064]

I used to play 5 x45 minute sets a night in 1979 and put on a new set every night. I think I have quite corrosive sweat! Now playing Elixir 10’s and clean them all the time, even after just playing for half an hour with Fast Fret - the original which lasts for years. At 65 I get arthritis a bit and I have tried 9’s but I’m not ready for them yet! “Rage against the dying of the light” and all that!

[@matmarchi]

I tend to go 9s these days. And it’s going great.

[@johnthursfield3056]

I have a mixture, my favourite strat has 10's, the others 9's, I prefer 9's. For the shorter scale of the Les Paul and Jaguar I could happily have 10's though the Les Paul I use for slide has 11's.

[@Pantalooj]

I'm 58 and have some hand and wrist pain ... just age related. I've spent far more time tapping away on a computer keyboard than playing guitar ... so any RSI or impact has probably come from my job. Anyway, I do need to be conscious of what I am doing with my hands now. So the sweet spot for me right now is 9.5s, from Curt Mangan ... 9.5 12.5 16.5 24 34 44. They don't feel dramatically different to 10s when playing, but AFTER playing, I found the difference to 10s pretty dramatic ... MUCH less pain and soreness. I had gone to 9s, which were fine, but intonation and tuning stability with the 9.5s is noticeably better. So ... 9.5s is the tipping point for me at least when it comes to hand health and playability ... on 24.75" to 25.5" scale lengths.

[@dcamnc1]

EB 9.5-44 are perfect for me.

[@TLMuse]

Re: machine heads, a few years ago I bought a (used) Journey carbon fiber travel guitar (acoustic) that the previous owner had put Graph Tech Ratio machine heads on, and I'm totally in love with them. The tuners are string-specific, with gear ratios that make them work so that the pitch changes close to the same amount per twist for each string. Also, the ratio they target makes precise tuning easier than for other (acoustic) tuners I've used (more twists per step). On acoustic I often use altered tunings, and these tuners are especially great in that setting. But I'm also thinking of putting them on my Yamaha SA 1100 semihollow electric. -Tom

[@Fl4ppers]

I used to change them every month on my main player. Not so much money for that these days, plus a few more guitars. For "hand health" I have a series of stretching techniques taught to me by a classical pianist that do the trick. I'm a couple of years away from 50. I like 12s or 11for D standard, but have a lot of 10s still that a local shop sold me years ago. You can make a set last up to a year if you wipe them down after every use. Flatwounds last longer than roundwounds, too, as they dont accumulate all the crap in the winds. Stretching is good if you have one guitar and need to play almost immediately. But if you have 2 or more you can tune up, let them settle for an hour. Tune it again, let it settle, leave it a few hours, and do this a few times over the next day or two. That tends to preserve the string for me as I'm not creating stress points through hand stretching. Its a more consistant intonation.

[@sEaNoYeAh]

I used to use heavier strings. 10s and 11s. Then I read that Hendrix used really light strings, 8s maybe 7s sometimes, which piqurd my interest because I thought heavier was better. Better sound, more metal etc. But also Billy Gibbons uses really light strings, and those two have amazing tone. And then I heard Paul Gilber "confess" he'd use lighter strings when he had hard parts to record, usually 9s and iirc occasionally 8s. Paul Gilbert is my technical hero, and I always found heavy strings easier to play fast because they reset their position faster due to the tension. But it was time to try light strings, and my god they were all right. Lighter strings sound better to me, clearer, more articulate. My heavy handed technique lightened and now I can sound like when I played really hard but with significantly less force. And I feel more connected to the instrument, like it responds better to my touch. Now I'm all about the lighter string gauges. My favourites are the blue Ernie Ball sets, Mighty Slinky 8.5-40. absolutely adore those.

[@colinjwilliams6149]

WE NEED TO GET OUT MORE

[@jturquoise]

Stop asking men out for dates. This is a guitar channel. Not tinder.

[@chrisgmurray3622]

When I first started on electric, 008's had just come out so I tried them. Using a strat, I found the 8's hard to control, and I couldn't get a stable bottom end to my chords on the E or A strings. Ever since then I've used 010's, and I've never felt like using anything else. 11's are just too heavy for me, although, of course, I use 12's always for acoustic. I'm 70, and 10's still feel fine for me; just thin enough to bend well, but still stable enough that my chords don't "float" out of pitch when I grip too hard. I've not yet had any trouble with either hand, except for once every year and a half, I had a temporary cramp on all my left hand fingers; but this was when I was playing acoustic strumming to accompany vocals, and after four or five hours of playing and holding down chords for as many bars as needed in a particular song. This sometimes happened if I had stayed up all night and gone out busking in the streets the next morning. Learning to relax my left hand and not being unconsciously trying to hold chords tighter than I actually needed to, was how I've avoided this for years. The only thing I've noticed after man😊y years ,is that all I have to do is make sure I get enough sleep and remain hydrated, and I still can happily play 10's without a problem. I realise you often use heavier strings, but much of your playing is runs of notes without much in the way of bending, except for a phrasebor two at the start or finish of a run.

[@ronmercer7766]

9.5 works great. I have moved back to 9 on a couple of guitars. I had to do 8 a few years back when I had a pinched nerve in my elbow and my ring a pinky finger didn't function well for a while. The lighter gauge does make you pay much more attention to touch and dynamics as a heavy attack can throw them out a bit.

[@rlennyr]

I am 46 and have gone through most heavy gauges. Have now landed on 9.5-46 if I am using Ernie Balls or 9.5-44 if I am using D’Addario. Definitely helps as you grow older. One thing I wouldn’t do is put strings in my mouth like you did because we don’t know how each one of us may be affected with the chemicals used in the process of making the strings. Playing with your teeth is different though.

[@mikeller]

Have used D'Add's 9.5-44 for more years than I remember. I wipe them clean with fingerease after playing, and, on my main gigging guitars change after 2 gigs in warmer weather humid weather, and 3 in the colder months

[@AlWellensMusic]

Interresting video but I wonder how you can switch from 11’s to 8’s without a full guitar setup, neck adjustment, intonation, and even the but if it has been cut for the 11’s. Did you make any adjustments on the guitar?

[@JamminJim42]

Hi John, this is important to think about as none of us can escape aging. I'm 64 and have been using 10's for the most part. If I play more then they are ok. If I go for a while without playing I find the tension of 10's a bit tough to deal with at first. I simply grab a guitar with 9's on it until I can go back to 10's. (I have a few guitars....lol) I did try using 8's but found it too easy. The tension of 10's is about right for me when I dig in and pick fast. It's odd but even at this age 9's are a bit too thin to use when picking fast. Maybe I just pick a bit too hard. lol I don't really notice loss of tone. Modern equipment can truly make up any perceived tone loss. (imho) I'm experimenting with lower tunings lately. (think Madison Cunningham or Mk.Gee) Apart from their creativity I think that the low tunings can really help us all with creativity and might be something you try. Cheers.

[@johnphillips752]

I started with 9's in the 70's. In the mid 90's I switched to 10's. This last year I switched to 9.5's and at age 67 it feels about right. But I keep 10's on my main home practice guitar just to keep my hand strength up. When I gig it's 9.5's and it feels perfect. I also prefer S.I.T. strings since they're cheap like Ernie Ball but a little more stable in tuning. I like their tone, also. And when I was in my early 50's I felt something like arthritis beginning in my hands. But instead of accepting it I decided to actually up my playing time each day. Maybe I was lucky, but it all went away over several months and never came back. I wonder what would have happened if I just gave into it and backed off? Would my hands have continued to stiffen up and get worse with less use? In my gut, I think so.

[@cbsaulren]

D'Addario xs 9s are my favorite but they don't last very long at all. Most coated strings are that way. The NYXLs are the best string I've ever tried. They feel a bit stiff at first but they last forever. Won't ever go back to Ernie Ball after breaking countless A strings during shows

[@nmcgregor1990]

Ive been using 10-52 sets to help me with stability on my fretting hand but intend to drop a guage once I'm a bit more practiced.

[@EdBender]

Hybrid sets are the best for me. Light top, heavy(ish) bottom. 9, 11, 16 for comfortable bends where needed, and 26, 36, 46 for that tout/snappy feeling that I like.

[@ThomasHope73]

Obviously, an alternative way to lessen tension is to de-tune. This may not be what you want, but I wanted to play baritone guitar so I dedicated a cheap acoustic to the cause (until I could afford a proper baritone) and really enjoyed the slack feeling and ease. So I’ve kept the acoustic tuned low (B to B). It’s a great tone for an old time blues, and string bending is ridiculously easy.

[@MrIantodd]

The finish on that strat is lovely!

[@serpensnovus9869]

Playing three or four hours a day - don't seem to have to change my strings that often. Strings are not that dirty underneath when I do. Guitar NEVER left in the case. When it is being transported I have a thick polishing cloth under the strings to protect the frets a little. "Washing" hands in talcum powder before (and during) playing keeps my hands dry and smoothly slippery on maple board. (old tabla player trick . . . I've seen Jeff Beck blowing a cloud of white dust of his hands which one assumes was talc :) )

[@nmnjs]

I went from 9s to 11s during my 20s. Played a custom 11-42 set for a while, before settling on 10s for convenience purposes. Tried 9.5s four years ago and haven't looked back since.

[@BillyTheKidsGhost]

You don't need a string winder you need a table 😄

[@Momentum88]

I use 10’s on standard tuning and 11’s on 1/2 and whole step down tunings. Always D’Addario. I may also adjust for scale length as well. 24.75 will get 11’s no matter the tuning.

[@sboy1955]

I run 10s on my Tele and 9s on my RevStar 620. Thinking of trying 9.5 and switching both to the same strings. Simpler 👍🏽

[@Double_0_7_Strings]

I actually just the past year switched from Daddario to Elixir’s. I’ve never tried coated strings, but it came on a guitar I ordered, and they refused to die for almost 2 months. I had to make the switch. They sound fine to me, although everyone says they’re less bright than Daddario.

[@musicmann1967]

I change strings when I notice the tone getting duller. I clean my strings and neck after every time I play, and they last a really long time. (I don't gig though) I use that stuff by D'Addario XLR8 to clean them. It leaves no residue and I also make sure I wipe under the strings as well. Keeps the gunk or sweat from corroding the strings. I use a mixed set 10-52 D'Addario XT nickel wounds on all of my 6 string electrics. I'm very happy with them

[@briandreger7006]

NYXL 9.5s is my favorite string gauge at the moment. Recommend trying

[@AmericanNationalist852]

YJM 8-46s for my strats. Those bullet ends really help tuning stability with a floated trem in my experience, plus they just feel awesome

[@jessenicholson1777]

I really enjoy the D’Addario 9-40 balanced tension set on a Strat. For guitars where I’m plying heavier stuff I use the 9-46 hybrid set.

[@literalghost929]

People tested the boiling thing, doesn't really work. Strangely, what actually worked tone wise was to lift up the string, then let it go so it slams on the fretboard, and repeating up and down the fretboard a few times, and that restored a lot of that new string twanginess, which is really weird.

[@MrDixonJohn]

How strings feel at home and on a stage makes a difference. I Played 10s for 45 years now, but recently tried 9s and enjoyed the feel. However, on stage, I seem to need the 10s to feel comfortable. Also, switching back and forth between acoustic and electric is easier when the string tension is similar.

[@robertj1303]

In Thailand the heat creates galvanisation so my Gibsons need replacing quicker than the strat style because they are closer to windows. Room temp normally 27C but one time in the afternoon sun may go on them if I forgot to pull the curtains so 40Cs. They feel scrapey to the touch and sticky and tone clarity disappears. So then I consider how many I want out and put them away. I am 75 have no problem with string gauge so I dont think it is age it is hand and fingers fitness. You are a youngster so I think wait until you age before blaming age. Cory Wong and David Mead do great exercises to keep your hands fit😅😅

[@iligyf]

i've gained so much experience changing strings on my 1st cheap floyd rose guitar, braked many (e mostly). one thing i found myself (which already existed million of years ago), is that i put my engineer brain to wind one top and the remaining winds downwards so the tension squeezes the string that protrudes the tuning peg. also take the old and new one side by side and cut them exactly the same length (more useful for floyd rose guitars cause you want it to stay on the same level). as for the brand and sizes, i try every brand i find just for the experience but i find that the elixir's optiweb (green) are for me. the stay way more alive than d'addario's. not nanoweb (orange) because the flake around the picking area. i tried 10-46 / 9-46 / 9-42 and i haven't settle for any particular

[@Cokes575]

It's the gunk that gives it the funk!

[@steadfastanddomino]

I use 9's but have tried 8's in the past. Lighter strings are much easier on the hands. Always chuckle when I see people going on about how much better heavier string gauges sound on an electric guitar...where you can adjust virtually everything and get exactly the same tone no matter the string gauge. A variation of the tired old "tone wood" argument, I guess. Nice one, John.

[@dannyllerenatv8635]

I always find myself going back to Ernie Balls or D'Addarios. I love the way D'addarios feels and sounds when broken in, but my sweat isn't on the same page. Ernie Balls can feel very stiff at first, but that changes after a few hours of playing. I enjoy DRs and Stringjoy from time to time as well.

[@theelderskatesman4417]

I hate changing strings so much I have been known to buy a new guitar just to avoid it

[@guitarplayer1994]

Friends told me they couldn't play D'addarios anymore because they felt old but I never noticed. Now that they said it, I kinda agree. Might be a bias though 😅

[@rafaelzengo5534]

Ive been considering going down from 10s to 9s. Used to play 9s for a long time but switched to 10s about 14 years ago. I think my vibrato was never the same after the change. Maybe vibrato is the area most affected.

[@fivefingerfullprice3403]

On a 25.5" scale length at standard tuning I use 9s, and 10s for E flat tuning.

[@keithb5612]

First World problems here.... I have Elixir and Dadarrio NYXL to compare with Ernie Ball strings....or should I just buy another guitar?

[@crm1492]

I have 11's on all but one of my electrics. I keep 8's on one for when my hands are bothering me. I am in my 70's.

[@serpensnovus9869]

Was that was the 0.008" set in the intro ? Seemed to sound less harsh at the attack with something sweeter in the sustained tone. Lovely playing - going to listen to the intro again right now :)

[@valdazis]

I got 2 guitars with 8s, love them

[@DylanODonnell]

CORDY'S OLD BOXERS TONE HACK REVEAL

[@nedludd3641]

Billy String uses 8s on his acoustic I think? Quite remarkable

[@tomcox875]

Playing lighter strings forces me to play a bit more relaxed in the left hand to keep chords in tune. I use 9-42 DR Pure Blues. But I would like to try 8s. I feel like I am beating up my hand less and hoping that preserves the old joints, so I don't develop any problems. I can't hear any difference in 9s and 10s. Change when they sound dull or won't stay in tune. I bet 8s don't last as long as 10s...

[@ericlitwin8685]

I like old strings.

[@sandoncrowder7839]

8s are my favorite for sure, no reason to work harder than you need to

[@TheMusicfan1996]

9.5-46 is a sick gauge! Actually love them.. my go to gauge 👌🏻

[@necroticpoison]

Standard sets from EB and DA are really not good, compared to even tension ones. Different tension per string is something most players are used to, but when you're already so light, making sure you don't have a wet piece of spaghetti and then a good string is pretty required. Most people would say there's nothing wrong with standard sets but until you've played an even tension set, don't brush it off. Stringjoy is the best for custom sets and good tension and thestringsource is another one but have preset sets.

[@BobGuido]

This is a beautiful sounding guitar. I always associate you with your Ice Blue Metallic K-Line Springfield, but this guitar has an openness and expressiveness to it under your fingers that the K-Line's don't have. Curiously, what pickup models do you have in this instrument?

[@blokproperties]

One of the best tones and tunes I’ve heard from your channel. 👌

[@yarbzag]

Absolutely stunning playing on this intro man! My fav of yours uet

[@chrisdaviesguitar]

I used to get a set 006's from Picato strings.

[@user-xk8xr8gs4f]

Well, the 8s sound great...

[@treastonschmuckley5111]

I use 11's on my D standard guitars with 24 3/4 inch scale. and 9's on my E standard 25 1/4 inch scale guitar they feel pretty identical with those string combos

[@benhj]

9.5s..? Didn't know fractional guages were a thing. I use guage 11 on my LP traditional and 10s on my tele. I'm an old bastard though (43) so might have to go lighter soon.

[@davidcortezon]

I use 8s for a long time. Easier to play with great sound. I don't wait for the strings to be degraded in any way because that tends to harm your fretboard. Usually I change every three months

[@monahantp3767]

Been playing 8's for about a year now, and have enjoyed the light gauge. Played 10s for several decades prior and never gave it a second thought. Because I still have a bunch of 10s sitting around, I've considered going back, but why? The 8s are easier to play and I like the sound, so... :)

[@davidbriggs9675]

Personally I like Ernie Ball Super Slinky 009 -042. I've tried other brands ...D'addario etc., but the 'pink', packet is for me. I usually change strings when I notice flat spots under the wound strings. Just saying.

[@afri-dancer9967]

Wow! That was a Blast.

[@gentrywhite4035]

I like the D'addario Balanced Tension sets, they are very nice.

[@josemanuelortizgonzalez2431]

man you are flying on these 8 strings!!

[@Senira322]

elixirs last me years

[@Annunaki_0517]

Me too. Switched to Elixers and they are well worth the price difference. Really like them and they seem to last me forever.

[@RefactoringRyan]

How much are you actually playing?

[@Senira322]

@@RefactoringRyan alot but i dont bend strings so i dont really snap them. i like em cuz they dont rust

[@brian_mccomedy]

I do Ernie Ball 11-48s. I don't know why but D'addario and NYXLs always seem to go dead a lot quicker for me. They also go rusty for me too. I never have that happen with Ernie Ball.

[@m.d.4949]

Nice playing, again!

[@kimmolingonheimo]

I tune very low , so maybe the bass strings wont get gunky so much as there is less stretch, plus I use the Dunlop 65 Conditioner lightly after every playing session...RESULT: my Daddarios last for months! mind you ,I do have a light touch and dont bang the strings...

[@VelezBiH]

I tryed 8ths years ago and they were to light I kept breaking the high E string. 9s are my perfect set for strats and I been on them for the last decade.

[@tbluesboye]

Been using 9's since arthritis started. Have you checked out Rick Beato's amplified tone comparison for string gauges? Very interesting

[@myhapylife]

I tried .007 on seven string! and flatwound set too, I am never going back to regular sets. John you are monster player sir!

[@sharkair2839]

i broke the 007 replaced it with an 008. so now i use 8's for both the E and B.

[@myhapylife]

@@sharkair2839 I tried to break 007 string by hand at the tuning peg, I almost gave up. But it is really tough string. Did you used standard tuning?

[@sharkair2839]

@@myhapylife yes i am in standard. it is a new guitar. it broke at the saddle. it may be a sharp saddle. may get a few graph tech saddle. i do not mind 8's for both strings at all. what i find odd is when someone uses 8.5 or 9.5. it is such a minute difference it makes no sense to me. i am waiting for amazon to deliver a dozen 008's today.

[@redcomn]

I only use 11-49 on my slide short scale 24” guitar The rest it’s all 42-9 or 46-10 Depending on guitar tho some guitar you just had to put 10 on em 😅

[@johnbaldwin2948]

Love those chords..."Senorita" uses them.