Nov 24 2008
Guitar strings: Choosing a gauge
The gauge of a guitar string determines not only the tension it will be under when tuned to a given note, but also the width of the tone they will generate. Blues guitar players will often use a larger gauge of strings to get a ‘fatter’ sound, as light gauge guitar strings tend to produce tinnier, thin tones (also favourable among certain musicians). Lighter gauge string (a .009 for the E string) will have less sustain than a heavy gauged one (i.e. .011 for e string). This is due to the string having less diameter and mass causing it to vibrate for shorter periods of time.
A novice guitar player may want to use light strings because they are typically less difficult to play as less pressure is required. Although learning to play on heavier guitar strings will increase finger dexterity and strength.
Style also comes into play when choosing the gauge of strings for an electric guitar. If you are looking to play crunchy, distorted music on a high gain setting, it doesn’t matter if you are using light gauge strings because the overdriven signal will provide plenty of extra sustain. If you were looking to play raw, bluesy guitar in the style of some one like Stevie Ray Vaughn, you would want to use a heavy gauge.
When choosing a brand of thing it all comes down to personal preference. Most strings sound great brand new. Higher end ones tend to keep that nice metallic, ringy sound for weeks or even months. Cheaper strings will start to sound dead more quickly but can be useful when you’re in a bind and need extra strings fast. My personal favorite brand of guitar strings for the electric guitar are Ernie Ball, they have excellent playability. But I also like GHS Boomers for their tone and the price is also righton most occasions. When I need a cheap set of strings fast I usually ask the music store owners to point me to their ‘budget strings’ or I ask for Alice guitar strings.
TIP: Change your guitar strings as often as once per month. Keep your old sets and use them as spares in case you run into any emergencies where you need a replacement guitar string and can’t afford a new one.
