Start owners, a few questions

markj

just bought my first Strat. A classic player 60’s. firstly what gauge strings do you use? I’m used to Gibson scale length and the 10’s that are on it feel a bit floppy I might try 11’s. also give me a rough starting point for pickup heights. 

BRISTOL86

I use 10s personally 

Sporky

What do you use on the Gibsons?

For a given string gauge a Strat will have more string tension than an LP, but the tremolo can make it feel like less when bending and suchlike.

bbill335

Might be worth trying a 10-52 set. Strats sound good with a heavy low E (imagine playing Dick Dale tunes with a 38! no thanks).

kt66

And Hendrix used I think a 38 as E 

sweepy

kt66 said:

And Hendrix used I think a 38 as E 

The old Fenders set of 9’s used to terminate with a 0.38 as a bottom E. Personally I use 0.095 D’addario sets on my Strats and they cover all the bases for me 

Fishboy7

I liked 11s on my Strat (when i had one) but tuned down a half step

guitars4you

bbill335 said:

Might be worth trying a 10-52 set. Strats sound good with a heavy low E (imagine playing Dick Dale tunes with a 38! no thanks).

I prefer this option - thicker wound strings - so I can keep a low action yet if required still hit the low E/A/D without them rattling on say walking bass lines (SRV style) - less 'flopping' around with 52's over a 46

richardhomer

9-42 - I’m a wimp

Fretted at the last fret the pick-ups should be around 2.5-3mm below the bottom E and 2-2.5mm from the top E.

Once they are around this level, you may find you need to lower the neck pick-up and raise the bridge pick-up to get a good balance in all positions.

The neck pick-up in particular can cause nasty overtones (on the lower strings especially) if adjusted too close.

menamestom

I use 10's, they are a bit floppy after using 11's for years.  Now use 11's on my Gibson, for that reason I may try 10.5's on my Strat which I think should feel like 11's on the Gibbo.

thebreeze

I like ‘10’s on my Strat too.  I think with the ‘46 E but I’m going to return to the ‘52 as suggested above.  After experimenting around generally with lighter gauges I found them lacking in a band situation - harder to cut through. Probably a weakness in my technique but there were times when they made it harder to be in tune too (the riff in Ticket To Ride for example). Go with the heaviest that feel comfortable I reckon.

thegummy

I use standard 10s on all guitars but they feel looser on Gibson to me than Strat

Schnozz

I've got an SG in Black.

markj

Sporky said:

What do you use on the Gibsons?

For a given string gauge a Strat will have more string tension than an LP, but the tremolo can make it feel like less when bending and suchlike.

10’s. Might  try 11’s on the Strat. 

Neil

markj said:

Sporky said:

What do you use on the Gibsons?

For a given string gauge a Strat will have more string tension than an LP, but the tremolo can make it feel like less when bending and suchlike.

10’s. Might  try 11’s on the Strat. 

I do the opposite, lighter on a Strat.

The Strat definitely takes more effort to bend the same note as a LP.

57Deluxe

you sure is not the difference in neck profile/fret spec that is making you think the strings are floppier than the Gibson? There is a marked difference in the way Strats/LPs  tension up

Voxman

D'addario 009-42's is my usual tipple - but I do like GHS Boomers on my  (original)1969 hardtail Strat!  Strats are physically harder to play than Gibsons due to the longer scale-length so I certainly wouldn't want anything heavier. 

sawyer

10's on Les Paul and 9's on Strats for me.

meltedbuzzbox

11s on everything!

HAL9000

Neil said:

markj said:

Sporky said:

What do you use on the Gibsons?

For a given string gauge a Strat will have more string tension than an LP, but the tremolo can make it feel like less when bending and suchlike.

10’s. Might  try 11’s on the Strat. 

I do the opposite, lighter on a Strat.

The Strat definitely takes more effort to bend the same note as a LP.

Not really relevant to the thread but a Strat also needs more effort than a Tele despite both having the same scale length. Essentially due to the ‘give’ in the trem which means that strings need to be bent just that little bit further.

Oakie

I tend to use 11's these days.  As for pickup height mess around until you like it. Mine are in ascending height from bridge to neck.