My new (to me) had a complete set up including a complete disassembly/reassembly, deep clean, fret level, re-crown and major chip repair session. In between the reassembly and the re-string, had to then spend a few days over in England which gave me time to ponder strings and, for some bizarre and inexpiable 'brain fart' reason, I took the notion to restring with eight thou strings instead of going up (which was my original intention) from nines to tens.
What a difference one step down in string gauge makes. I play with a really light touch and I'm really enjoying the change but the dilemma now is, do I change my Tele to eights as well?
Anyone on here play on eights (or lower?). Have you regretted it or never looked back?
Comments
so rare to sell 8's these days - I sell far more 10's than 9's - But as always each to their own and if it suits you then all well and good
Many of our hero's are in to such light gauge strings, so no issue if it suits you - Believe Billy Gibbons favours an 8 gauge and not many slate his tone
Not sure about 8's on your Tele - for big chords you might find it to slinky, both feel and tone - But for light touch then it might be okay
Funnily enough, I've just gone up from 10's to 11's on my Gibson scale length guitars and love the difference so much I'm thinking of doing that across the board.
My right hand knows no subtlety so 8s would be a nightmare for me - what I've liked with the 11's is the lack of compression on the note, very noticeable
Just restrung an Ibanez that I REALLY enjoy playing. Assumed they were 9s, but I had to do a set up to return the bridge, and they feel "tighter", so I'm guessing it was 8s on there when I got it. Loved how easy it felt, apart from the floppy bottom E.
Andy
Stevie Ray Vaughan .013 (.013 - .052)
Jimi Hendrix .009 - .038 (also .010, .013, .015, .026, .032 and .038)
Chuck Berry .008
Jimmy Page .008, .009
Jeff Beck .011 - .049 (also .009 - .052)
Brian Setzer .010
Eddie Van Halen .009 - .040
James Hetfield .009, (also .011 - .048)
Billy Gibbons .008
Kirk Hammett .010 (.011 set for bottom three string)
Buddy Guy .010
B.B. King .008 (.010 for signature set)
Slash .011 - .048
Tony Iommi (For D# tuning, from high to low): .008, .008, .011 (unwound), .018 .024, and .032. (For C# tuning, from high to low) .009, .010, .012 (unwound), .020, .032 and .042.
Dimebag Darrell .011 (.009 for standard tuning)
Mark Knopfler .009
Gary Moore .009 (also .010)
Eric Clapton .010 - .046
David Gilmour .010 - .048
Joe Perry .008, .009, or .010 (depending on guitar & tuning)
Angus Young .009
Malcolm Young .012 - .056
Al Dimeola .010
Zakk Wylde .010
Randy Rhoads .009 (also .010)
Steve Vai .009 (also .010)
Joe Satriani .009
Robbie Kreiger .010
Ace Frehley .009
Vernon Reid .011
Marty Friedman .010
Joe Bonamassa .011 - .052
Albert Lee .010
Alex Leifson .010
Keith Richards .011 - .042
Yngwie Malmsteen .008 - .048
Brian May .009 - .034
Trey Anastasio .010
Brad Paisley .010
Mark Tremonti .010 (.011 on bottom three)
Jerry Garcia .011
Kenny Wayne Shepherd .010, .011, or .012
Jerry Cantrell .010 - .046
Alexi Laiho .010 - .056
Eric Johnson .010 - .046
Frank Zappa .009 - .042
George Lynch .009, .010, or .011
Lenny Kravitz .010 - .052
Adrian Smith .009 - .040
Dave Murray .009 - .040
Plus two more!
Nancy Wilson .010 - .046
John Frusciante .010
Hand surgery in 2009 cured me of preferring heavy strings.
8's feel too light, as do 9-42's.
The main thing is having a lighter G string (oo-er, missus).
Studio: https://www.voltperoctave.com
Music: https://www.euclideancircuits.com
Me: https://www.jamesrichmond.com
I bought a set of 8s once, about 36 years ago, the first time I changed the strings on my Hamer Special. They were Gibsons, and I later realised that it was basically a standard 9 to 42 set with an 8 for the first string (which was a bit odd).
But anyway, I distinctly remember not liking them at all. The low tension meant the strings didn't seem to have enough energy to make the neck and body vibrate - it felt like the guitar had died!
It's been 10s ever since, although I certainly don't subscribe to the "heavier the better" theory. I've tried 11s once or twice and didn't like them. The 10s feel about right whether it's a 24.75" sale or 25.5" scale.
Put them on, played for about 15 mins. Took them off and binned them. Not for me!
I'm amazed that some people still play the macho card in terms of string gauge, seems a pretty ignorant thing if you ask me.
The added tension of 10's didnt do
Always taken the view that I'm playing guitar for fun, and when I work out thats when I'm not having fun, but building muscles that are more pleasing to see results with.
Then again I don't hear much difference in tone between string gauges for my style of playing. I Maybe one day I will.
So why make it harder?
Hybrid high 9-46 is my favourite.
Tension on the bass strings for chuggy riffs and fast alternate picking, but bendy enough on the highs for lots of playing without fatigue.