The Light-Ass Strings Bridgade are onto something

Prometheus · 11-30-2007, 03:32 AM

So, been playing 11-49, with a 65 bass string, tuned to Bb. Recently, my fretting elbow (weird mental image there) began to hurt, which freaked me out. So, I wondered if maybe it was my recent string gauge upgrade from a 59 to a 65 that was the cause of it. Anyway, while I was deciding what to do, I thought about Dino, who uses a 52 or a 54 in A, which I always assumed was ridiculously unworkable. So... I tuned the 49 down to B. And here's the kicker... it takes a bit of adjustment, but it works! Suddenly, I was djenting like all hell! Riffing like a demon.

Paradigm shift!

So, I've been wondering if maybe I've been totally misguided all these years. The popular wisdom was that heavier strings=better tone, which, as I've discovered in my ripe old age, might not be the case. I'm thinking maybe 9-42, with a low 54 or a 56, might be well worth trying out. Dudes, opinions? Anyone else have a similar experience?

ibznorange · 11-30-2007, 03:39 AM

better tone is subjective, totally.
i have one 6 strugn with 11-58,s and one strung with 10-47s
and they both work fine, just a different sound

Prometheus · 11-30-2007, 03:44 AM

Not so much the tone, per se, as the overall feeling of the lighter strings. I'm just really, really liking how that 49 feels. Slinky as all hell, and awesomely djenty.

Naren · 11-30-2007, 03:46 AM

You don't need something as heavy as 65 for a Bb. I use 58 or 59 for B and it sounds fine at 58 or 59 in A (I used to tune down to A in my old band using a 58).

And, yes, tone is subjective. I've met some 7-string guitarists who use a 52 gauge for their low B and it sounds fine.

Prometheus · 11-30-2007, 03:55 AM

The reason I upped the gauge from a 59 to a 65 was because the tension felt off. But, maybe Zimbloth and his optimum tension crusade is right - it would have felt fine, if only I lessened the gauges of the other strings. Worth a shot, I think. New strings this weekend!

I'm just amazed that something I always thought was completely unworkable, for me anyway, is actually totally playable. It's causing me to rethink everything.

Apophis · 11-30-2007, 06:02 AM

In tension and gauges everything is personal preferencies imo

Durero · 11-30-2007, 06:44 AM

The gage/tension issue also relates to your touch - some folks really bash on the strings while others just feather them.

Personally I like a light tension, and I mostly use a light touch.

John_Strychnine · 11-30-2007, 06:51 AM

I hit the shit out my strings and use 10-59 in Bb (dadgad tuning)

and also Ab.

Apophis · 11-30-2007, 06:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Durero

The gage/tension issue also relates to your touch - some folks really bash on the strings while others just feather them.

Personally I like a light tension, and I mostly use a light touch.

Me too.......
But I was using in past some heavy gauges also, I tuned to high G at 25,5" using 011

Slayer89 · 11-30-2007, 06:53 AM

I use a 9-58 set and I love 'em. I used to be all about heavy strings, but I've come to love the thin ones. Like all have said, it's about what works best for you. Good to hear you're finding what it is that does work for you.

	sevenstring guitars		sevenstring registry		photo gallery		merch

11-30-2007, 03:32 AM	#1 (permalink)
Prometheus Oh no, no you don't! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Cape Town, South Africa Posts: 114 Real Name: Marc Main Seven: Ibanez RG7321 + M7 Rig: UberMetal->Marshall Thanked: 0	The Light-Ass Strings Bridgade are onto something So, been playing 11-49, with a 65 bass string, tuned to Bb. Recently, my fretting elbow (weird mental image there) began to hurt, which freaked me out. So, I wondered if maybe it was my recent string gauge upgrade from a 59 to a 65 that was the cause of it. Anyway, while I was deciding what to do, I thought about Dino, who uses a 52 or a 54 in A, which I always assumed was ridiculously unworkable. So... I tuned the 49 down to B. And here's the kicker... it takes a bit of adjustment, but it works! Suddenly, I was djenting like all hell! Riffing like a demon. Paradigm shift! So, I've been wondering if maybe I've been totally misguided all these years. The popular wisdom was that heavier strings=better tone, which, as I've discovered in my ripe old age, might not be the case. I'm thinking maybe 9-42, with a low 54 or a 56, might be well worth trying out. Dudes, opinions? Anyone else have a similar experience? "My education was dismal. I went to a series of schools for mentally disturbed teachers." - Woody Allen

11-30-2007, 03:39 AM	#2 (permalink)
ibznorange Chief Officer/RHLC © Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: AZ Posts: 7,661 Real Name: Max Main Seven: Ir now Sevenless :squint: Main ERG: A Dead Cat Rig: Mesa Rectoverb Combo Thanked: 47	better tone is subjective, totally. i have one 6 strugn with 11-58,s and one strung with 10-47s and they both work fine, just a different sound Reverse Headstocks or Bust Dude...i just got a spam email that was titled "Funky date rape trick" -Zepp88 I just got another funny email "Her pussy smiled at me" -Zepp88 Don't tell me you haven't heard of Raptor Jesus It's important that you know this information :headnod: It will decide your fate when we are pwned. -JoeOvChaos I was going KAT KAT KAT KAT and you were going KAT... chk... KAT... chk-die. -TomAwesome

11-30-2007, 06:53 AM	#10 (permalink)
Slayer89 The Demon Barber Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Turlock, CA Posts: 964 Real Name: Alan Main Seven: Schecter Loomis NT Rig: 5150 -> V30's Thanked: 42	I use a 9-58 set and I love 'em. I used to be all about heavy strings, but I've come to love the thin ones. Like all have said, it's about what works best for you. Good to hear you're finding what it is that does work for you. There's a hole in the world like a great black pit And it's filled with people who are filled with shit And the vermin of the world inhabit it But not for long ...

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Welcome to sevenstring.org! You are currently viewing the site as a guest which gives you limited access to most features.

Most ad placements do not show to registered members. Register Now!

11-30-2007, 03:44 AM	#3 (permalink)
Prometheus Oh no, no you don't! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Cape Town, South Africa Posts: 114 Real Name: Marc Main Seven: Ibanez RG7321 + M7 Rig: UberMetal->Marshall Thanked: 0	Not so much the tone, per se, as the overall feeling of the lighter strings. I'm just really, really liking how that 49 feels. Slinky as all hell, and awesomely djenty.

11-30-2007, 03:46 AM	#4 (permalink)
Naren OldschoolGhettostyle Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Tokyo Posts: 12,526 Real Name: Eric Main Seven: RG1527-GK Main ERG: RG7EXFX2-IPT Rig: GNX3000 Thanked: 36	You don't need something as heavy as 65 for a Bb. I use 58 or 59 for B and it sounds fine at 58 or 59 in A (I used to tune down to A in my old band using a 58). And, yes, tone is subjective. I've met some 7-string guitarists who use a 52 gauge for their low B and it sounds fine.

11-30-2007, 03:55 AM	#5 (permalink)
Prometheus Oh no, no you don't! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Cape Town, South Africa Posts: 114 Real Name: Marc Main Seven: Ibanez RG7321 + M7 Rig: UberMetal->Marshall Thanked: 0	The reason I upped the gauge from a 59 to a 65 was because the tension felt off. But, maybe Zimbloth and his optimum tension crusade is right - it would have felt fine, if only I lessened the gauges of the other strings. Worth a shot, I think. New strings this weekend! I'm just amazed that something I always thought was completely unworkable, for me anyway, is actually totally playable. It's causing me to rethink everything.

11-30-2007, 06:02 AM	#6 (permalink)
Apophis ROTER CUSTOM GUITARS Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Poland Posts: 8,856 Real Name: Sebastian Main Seven: I need more strings :) Main ERG: RCG 9 & 10 string Rig: Line6 Thanked: 46	In tension and gauges everything is personal preferencies imo

11-30-2007, 06:44 AM	#7 (permalink)
Durero prototyping... Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Vancouver, B.C., Canada Posts: 3,544 Real Name: Leo Pedersen Main Seven: Raven 7 - my design Main ERG: Ergo 10, Ergo 9, Stick 8 Rig: 2101LTD>TS100>2x1936 Thanked: 36	The gage/tension issue also relates to your touch - some folks really bash on the strings while others just feather them. Personally I like a light tension, and I mostly use a light touch.

11-30-2007, 06:51 AM	#8 (permalink)
John_Strychnine I Was Once Groove. Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: England, UK Posts: 837 Real Name: Browne Main Seven: Ibanez 2127x/2077xl Main ERG: Ibanez RG2077xl Rig: Engl Invader/2120/XT Thanked: 24	I hit the shit out my strings and use 10-59 in Bb (dadgad tuning) and also Ab.


	Powered by vBulletin 3.7.3 Copyright ©2000 - 2008, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd. LinkBacks Enabled by vBSEO 3.1.0 "777" Logo © Darren Wilson Content © 2008 Sevenstring.org LLC - Privacy Policy Affiliate Links Directory

» Sevenstring Guitars

The Light-Ass Strings Bridgade are onto something