Who uses 11s on a Tele?

rico

I have got very used to 11’s on my LP and they now feel like 10’s and consequently when I go to my strat or Tele which have 10’s on, the strings feel a bit ‘flappy’. 

I was was thinking of trying 11’s or even 10.5’s (anyone other than D’addario make these?) but will they be monstrous to play?

GavRichList

I do. Gabriel Tenorio ones at that, so extra tension. Love them. 

mgaw

I do also GTS strings, really like having more ternsion, they certainy aren't monstrous, maybe take a little while to get used to them but extra control whilst bending, big tone makes it worth while IMO

ICBM

10-52 are the ultimate gauge for a Tele in my opinion. Easy country bending on the top strings and massive industrial grind and twang on the bottom ones at the same time. (Actually even more than with 11s, which usually only go to a 49.)

11s can feel a bit stiff on a Tele, but I like 11s on a Strat since I always set the bridge floating and that makes them feel lighter. 

10.5s would probably be a good call on both, but I've never tried them.

guitars4you

ICBM said:

10-52 are the ultimate gauge for a Tele in my opinion. Easy country bending on the top strings and massive industrial grind and twang on the bottom ones at the same time. (Actually even more than with 11s, which usually only go to a 49.)

11s can feel a bit stiff on a Tele, but I like 11s on a Strat since I always set the bridge floating and that makes them feel lighter. 

10.5s would probably be a good call on both, but I've never tried them.

I like the 10-52 combination a lot today - can keep a slick easy action, but more tort on the wound strings so a) they don't rattle if I hit a bit harder with those SRV style walking bass lines and b) they stay in tune better at the initial point of impact when you hit those big 'Who' style power chords

Megii

11's on everything for me - there is a tad more tension on the tele and strats with the longer scale length, but not enough to make much difference - bends and vibrato still fine. 10s are just too flappy.

sticker

I haven't played my electrics since my band folded 2 years ago but when I was gigging I went up to 11's on everything (tele/strat and VM  Jazzmaster) without any issues .

edwn

12-54s for my tele. Delicious! Unwound G string feels really smooth ... D'Addario EXL145  12p 16p 20p 32 42 54

I do downtune a half or even a full step though ...

IvisonGuitars

Me

Johnnyseven

I do. D'addario EXL115's, I use them on everything.

smigeon

Megii said:

11's on everything for me - there is a tad more tension on the tele and strats with the longer scale length, but not enough to make much difference - bends and vibrato still fine. 10s are just too flappy.

+1

BoopDeWoop

11-52 on everything for me, Telecasters feel great with more tension and I never break strings.

meltedbuzzbox

11s on everything!!

Loobs

I like 10-52 on a Tele. Easy enough to do pedal steel type bends on the unwound strings and absolutely pummel the low strings for punky rhythm stuff. 

Jonathanthomas83

Question, if I move up from 10s to 11s on something like a PRS, will things get tighter or more bassy and flubby?

11s on the Telecaster intrigues me

guitarfishbay

Jonathanthomas83 said:

Question, if I move up from 10s to 11s on something like a PRS, will things get tighter or more bassy and flubby?

11s on the Telecaster intrigues me

Physically tighter yes

Tonally is a bit more complex. Personally I would expect the plain strings to sound fatter with less attack, not a night/day difference but I prefer 10s for standard.

With the lower strings it might sound tighter because the tension is tighter so the attack is a little more controlled. The amount of bass may increase also though it isn’t likely to be overbearing.

There does come a point when the wound strings can be too thick and lose their attack. YMMV at that. I personally find in standard a .052 is too thick and lacks a little snap, but there are so many factors it’s hard to be prescriptive.

I prefer 10s for standard FWIW. From a playing feel perspective, also I prefer the sound of thinner plain strings to thicker, within reason. Depends on the sounds you use too - I find the more gain you use it ends up sounding better to use a thinner string, while the opposite can be true for cleaner styles

bingefeller

Greg Koch does amazing bends and stuff on 11s on a Tele.

antifash

.10s on Strats and Teles for me. My hands get tired when playing leads. 

Jonathanthomas83

Thanks @guitarfishbay , appreciate your response, mate. Think I’ll stick with 10s on everything but am considering 11s for the Tele.

ab2017

Daddario exl115 11-49 for 20 years. Anything lighter just is too bright for me on any guitar. However that makes trying out guitars in store not very viable for me.

Trotter

11's on everything here too. I did pick up a mates casino on the weekend though which is on 10's and it was just sooooo easy to play. I prefer the tension with 11's though, just feels more solid. All my teles love 11's, however an old Les Paul of mine that was stunning on 10's was an absolute dog on 11's. A set up thing I guess but it was the only guitar I owned that stayed on anything less than 11's.