String Tech or "Size Does Matter"

[richieryan]

I'm pretty sure we have had a thread or two regarding string preference and such, but here's my question: How much does string size effect tone?
I'm using .011-.050 sets on most of mine at this point. When I used a .012-.056 set, I had to open up the bottom nut slots and raise the action. It was not as hard on my fingers as I expected. It was more difficult to play due to the string height that anything else. The tone was cool tunes to Eb.
At the time, this was on my SE, before I installed the GFS vintage Alnico pups.
Now I'm thinking it's time to try it again.
What say you, players and tone hounds??

[GukkanGwnarkill]

If you liked it then, you will prolly like it even more with the better pickups. Only one way to tell.

[pictoratus]

I use 10s on my Peavey which sounds pretty good. On my SE, I have 9s. I tried 10s on the SE but found it hard to intonate the low E. I suppose if I tuned it to Eb, I might have more success. Maybe worth noting I use a floating trem on my SE.

[Skribbles]

I currently use 10's (with an 11 top E, the original 10 top E broke).
Got another set of 10's on the way (GFS), although after this set is done I might try out some 11's (might try Ernie Ball Slinky's or Elixier next).
I prefer the 10's over the 9's on my CY Bullet Strat.

[dannyvawn]

The heavier the better for me. I use 11's exclusively but have used 12/13's in the past. I like the tone but found them hard to bend to pitch. It hurt too bad and never gave them a chance but i'm happy with what I use now. I say if you can utilize them, use them.

[moullineaux]

Originally Posted by richieryan

I'm pretty sure we have had a thread or two regarding string preference and such, but here's my question: How much does string size effect tone?
I'm using .011-.050 sets on most of mine at this point. When I used a .012-.056 set, I had to open up the bottom nut slots and raise the action. It was not as hard on my fingers as I expected. It was more difficult to play due to the string height that anything else. The tone was cool tunes to Eb.
At the time, this was on my SE, before I installed the GFS vintage Alnico pups.
Now I'm thinking it's time to try it again.
What say you, players and tone hounds??

I played 52/12's for years because I started on acoustic and found the change to electric easier. However, This year I switched to 49/11's with a wound 3rd. I personally won't go back. I can't say I have lost tone at all and I almost bent the strings off the neck the first time I tried them. I did have to take of a trem. spring[4 down to 3] but I haven't noticed any instability in tuning. I am sold on them and I can play much longer without finger fatigue.

[richieryan]

Cool. What's your take on the tone effects? I'm thinking more metal means more reaction via the pups.
here's some bits and pieces I found online:
http://www.gibson.com/en-us/Lifestyl...rs-stevie-ray/
A lot is also made of the fact that SRV used very large strings, usually gauged .013 to .058, and certainly bigger strings do transmit a bigger signal through the pickups. Note, however, that Jimi Hendrix used a relatively thin .009 set, but he didn’t sound small by any standards. Also, Vaughan tuned down a half-step to Eb, and lessening the strings’ tension to that extent equates to a playing feel of a string gauge lighter, roughly speaking.
http://www.stevieray.com/gear.htm
String guage: GHS Nickel Rockers .013, .015, .019 (plain), .028, .038 and .058. Stevie would use .011 E's when his fingers were sore. Always tuned down a half-step.
http://www.tangledupinblues.com/beforetheflood.html
The truly killer aspects of Vaughan’s playing are his fat tone and full-bodied clarity, which combined constitute one of the most formidable sounds in guitardom. Stevie Ray attributes his power to his picking technique, string setup and equipment. “Most people can’t bend my strings,” he states matter-of-factly. “The gauges I’m using now — .013, .016, .019, .028, .038, .O56 — are small for me, but if I use ‘em any bigger, I tear my fingers off.” Vaughan also has a habit of tearing his frets off. “The way I play, I go through a set in a year. So I put ’58 Gibson Jumbo Bass frets on all my necks.” To facilitate string-bending Vaughan tunes his guitar to E flat.
Equipment aside, one of the most crucial elements of Vaughan’s sound is the way he uses his fingers. ”Sometimes I slide ‘em, rubbing the sides of the strings,” he explains. “To get a big, fat sound that punches out I pop the strings with either my second or third finger. Usually I’ll hold the pick but ignore it, and get my second or third finger under the string, pull it and let go. Basically, it’s what modem bass players do — it gives me a real bright, peppier tone. But now I can get that same tone with my thumb, just by laying into the string a little harder.” Here Vaughan pauses to laugh at himself. “But like my brother Jimmie says, I play like I’m breaking out of jail anyway.”

[Skribbles]

Didn't SRV once make a comment about tuning to Eb because he couldn't sing in E?
Pretty sure I remember reading that somewhere.
Interesting bit about how he uses his other fingers aswell though.

[pictoratus]

Originally Posted by richieryan

“But like my brother Jimmie says, I play like I’m breaking out of jail anyway.”[/B]

I like that quote!

[itsallintheblues]

Originally Posted by Skribbles

Didn't SRV once make a comment about tuning to Eb because he couldn't sing in E?
Pretty sure I remember reading that somewhere.
Interesting bit about how he uses his other fingers aswell though.

I read that too.. but I think his guitar tech told that story..