String Gauges & Tunings || Are You Getting It Right?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 ก.พ. 2025
- what is up guys! today i talk about the string gauges i use and what tunings i use with them!
#stringgauges #ErnieBall #Guitarstrings
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Great video! Could you please make a video where you show us how to adjust the truss rod properly and how to get the intonation right when down tuning? Please?
I began with 10-52 for Drop C in my Les Paul body type, then I said I need go heavier for MORE METAL, tried 11-56 I think. but then I had issues with my nut. C and G strings where always too sharp in first couple frets. So I went back to 10-52 and it works great for me!
Most helpful, thank you!
52 is too floppy for my Les Paul with Drop C .. Drop D is fine
I use 10-52 for D standard and drop C.. it does its work well
You can do that with 11-48 strings as well
Orel Arokidas anybody ever tried 11-52?
@@maconpittman9188 Yeah, I had one time used it for C sharp standard and even open D tuning, lol. It was pretty tight for open D, but I had like it. But I had months ago, swiched from 11's to 12s, so I currently have 12-59 for C sharp standard, works really nice(tension wise).
Does It Buzz
Macon Pittman yes, it works fine. i started with 11-52 for Drop C, but eventually moved to 11-54 as I like a bigger bottom. It's personal preference, try it out and find your balance. Some guys play 11-56 for Drop C too.
Personally I use 10-52 in E standard. I sometimes use them in drop D, E flat, drop C sharp and drop C. Drop C is the lowest I'd use them in so they don't get TOO flappy
Same here! 🍻
More people need to watch this, including yesterday me.
I use 10-52 in E standard on my les Paul and I use 12-56 in D standard on my Ibanez. They feel a little tense, but they have great tuning stability so that’s why I use those strings. And they do feel quite awesome.
This is a massively underrated topic.
Great video as usual!
I've always used the Power Slinky in standard tuning, mostly. I love them, I've tried other brands of 11-48 but never really got on with them. I've found the Ernie Ball strings much easier to play.
A video of setting up would be great! I'm tight and would rather do it myself lol.
One key thing in tuning down in string ages is your actual scale length a lot of people tend to not know this until they’ve actually played a baritone myself included very good breakdown brother appreciate it
I don't know why, I tried them all, but I always preferred D'addario.
They last forever as well.
I use 9-42 for standard E (great for bending), 10-46 or 10-48 for standard E or drop D (rhythm) and best fot drop C#, 10-52 for standard D or drop C and 12-62 when needed drop G
I pretty much just use 10-46 gauge, playing almost exclusively in E or Eb. It works alright in D, and seems to hold up relatively well when I want to play Minus Human in drop C#. It gets particularly bad going lower than that, but I also just don't change my strings for one song, so... I have been thinking about trying out 11 gauge for the better part of a year now, though.
i have used 11s 10s and 09 s. Now I use 08s. I can tune down a whole step down with no problems whatsoever. I use extremely low action and the neck straight as an arrow. i have discoverd that if your fretwork is perfect on your guitar ( I spend countles hours on any guitar I get to get to that point) you will play effortlessly with any string gauge. I play extreme metal and use lots of gain and distortion so I guess the tone is something that won´t be really affected by the string gauge.With a perfect fret job , even with 08's tuned a half step down, there is no fret buzz .I have a heavy attack for rhythm and a light touch for lead, I love shredding and I actualli enjoy the feelling of light strings as they make more enjoyable the experience of playing for me . I also have found that lighter strings do help to tighten the tone for metal.
8s a whole step down? My ass
@@stewartross13 I agree. The strings will be a floppy mess, lol.
On anything kess than 27" scale? You could polish and mold those frets to diamond shape, but you'll playing spaghetti noodles, sorry...
11-49 on a gibson scale tuned to E standard is heaven sent. I can barely see any woble on my pedal tuner
Great video as always mate ! Im using recently 11's for standard and lower as well. In the beginning it was quite hard and my hand hurt like the beginning of playing guitar but now Im very comfortable with that tuning.
When tuned a half step down, which is most of the time, I use a 10-52 set. In standard tuning, I go with 9-46. This is irrespective of scale length.
25.5 1/2 step down 10-52 is where I have stayed. Wondering and going to try the same one whole step down and go from there.
Another set up to try is going to be the .007's in standard, flat fret board no radius.
I also have a 30" scale full octave down...Ibanez SRC6 crossover .024 - .084 that plays nice.
Good video explanation here....
I use 11-64 for AGCFAD on a 25.5
I use 10-46 for E standard and drop D, for D standard and drop C I’m planning on switching to either 11-48 or 10-52. I also use 10-46 for D standard and drop C.
I find that if you are dropping to Eb on a Telecaster, you need 10's. 9's will cause tuning instability especially using a traditional Telecaster bridge. They might also become too floppy.
Great comment. I've been using 9's tuning a half-step down and the strings are too slinky and I can't press too hard or they go sharp. Time to switch to 10's. I am using an Ibanez Jem Jr with locking whammy and a Schecter Diamond Series C1-FR 2008.
Ive played with 7gauge strings. It was a 7 to 42 set i think
Edit: I play with the 10 to 52 gauge on my ibanez. For drop d, its a bit heavy but i love the extra tension
Maybe it's just a preference thing but I use 11s for drop B and drop A
I use D'addario 11-49 for D standard, and it works perfectly for me.
I use 11-48s in d standard and it’s a bit slinkier feel but holds tune perfect no complaints
Hey Matt! I put ernie ball's 10-46. And i have to say im impresed. They have nice mid range, they are trebly, bassy and they feell comfortable to my fingers. Awesome strings!!!!!!!
Awesome !! Nice one
I can't use 9's at all, it feels like there is nothing under my fingers, I generally use 10-52's for E and Eb as well as their respective drops then 11-60 for D standard and C# standard as well as their respective drops. for my 7 string I use 10-62 for B standard and Drop A.
I use 10-46 on strats in E standard, 10-52 in E standard in my Jackson king V, 10-52 in Eb or D standard. I tune the les paul up or down a half step from Eb depending....i do set the intonation but the neck hasnt moved very much,its just a half step. It was tuned in Eb from the begginning but i wanted to play Ghost songs and songs by Volbeat and most of them(but not all) are in D standard so i tuned it down a another half step.
I use Power Slinkys on an Epiphone Explorer 1958 Reissue for D Standard. Regular Slinkys on an Epiphone Les Paul Custom Prophecy Plus for Eflat Standard. Next is my Gibson SG tuned to CSharp standard with Power Slinkys. All the rest of my guitars get Regular Slinkys in standard tuning. Works great
Hi Matt ! I hope you do well ! That was a great video!
I'm interested to dig it forward with neck tension and tuning, now that you explain what strings to use in different tuning. Keep up the good work. You're awesome ! 👍🤘
I’ve found I like 9s on my Floyd Rose/Fender scale guitars and 10s on my hard tail/Gibson scale guitars. I almost always play standard or Eb with occasional drop D.
Nice video!
I use 10s in E standard on my Ibanez and 11-52 in Drop C sharp on my Epiphone
me: oh yeah id like 11-56
guitar center cashier: what tuning are you gonna do
me: C# standard
guitar center cashier: getr 12-60
me: but, im gonna keep it in that tuning though im not gonn go any lo-
guitar center cashier: get the 12-60
me: *sighs*
I brought that up to the techs. I have a semi-hollow Gretsch that I’d like for C standard and both of them suggested just using 11’s. Personally, I don’t even see how 11’s would work, but maybe I didn’t let them settle. Still, I just put on 12-60 gauge and I’ll see how it feels in a few days. I feel stupid though for not knowing about baritone guitars. Not my friends nor any employees said shit about this when I talked about c standard for stuff like Queens of the Stone Age.
@@Gaminating yeah i even told my guitar teacher at the time n he gave me a funny look bc he knew i didnt have the hand strength built up for it
Monolord's guitar player is tuned in B standard with 11-56 !!
Kirk Windstein (Crowbar/Down) : 13-56 for B standard too, so you'll be fine :)
I'm using 8 gauge while playing in drop C, I can tune as low as drop B before the high E string is as low as she goes
I use the beefy strings in E standard perfectly fine for me
My flying V uses the beefy slinkys for d standard and lower, and it's not failed me yet! I had to get the nut shaved down just for the strings before gettin' em put on, but the price was worth the wait, and the sound as said earlier has not failed me yet!
for me 11-52 gets Flappy around the Drop A mark or somewhere close there but still kinda plays okay but I'd prefer higher to a more 11-56 or thicker
I am waiting for a 12-60 or 11-60 gauge I gonna test
Well done, a subject often neglected and not well explained.
Helpful to many! Thanks for sharing brother!
Great and useful topic! Anyway, I use D'Addario 11/49. I used Ernie Ball 10/46 in my first years, but I sincerely feel better with D'Addarios
Do u use them for C standard?
The 11-49?
@@JamesIV97 never used C standard, but Drop C sometimes, with 12-54 😂
Best advice ever man
What do u recommend for B standard tuning? Not Drop B
Buy a bass
12-56
Wow dude... Thanks You very very much!!!!!
Anytime bud 🤟🏻🤟🏻
I'm using the skinny top heavy bottom set (10 13 17 30 42 52) and I have my guitar tuned to D standard. Tension is good and it feels good to play. I'm used to the power slinky set so I had to get used to using a 52 on the bottom instead of a 48.
What about 11-56 for C# standard and sometimes drop B ? Guitar scale 24,75
I use 11-52's on my Les Paul's for Eb, Drop D and D standard. Gives me that tight response like a 25.5 scale... So a little bigger to compensate for the shorter scale. I mostly use the Burly Slinky.
So for D standard tuning (1 whole step down) should I use power slinky’s or beefy slinky’s?
10-52 or 10-54 iam used to 10s for Metal on my Ibanez for C tuning, for my Hagstrom LesPaul iam using 10-46 for standard/drop D
aww man, I wanted to know more about drop fucking oblivion.
Great video btw :D
could I use 11-54 for E standard and D Standard ?
I have been using elixer 10-46 for E standard, E flat and D standard and it works well with e flat but d tuning it gets a bit loose but it's not too bad. I haven't changed gauges in forever because he Floyd rose is a pain to keep up with. I ended up blocking it haha
I use the beefy slinky’s on my les Paul and on my Jackson just works perfect
I use 12s for everything between e standard and drop a
8:33 apparently with an Evertune bridge you can use 10-52 and tune on D Standard...Ola Englund does...i don't see why not unless you got a 24.75 inch scale lengh guitar...but if is 25.5...it got you covered
I think, D'Addario's 10.5 are perfect for D standard
I've always used Power Slinky. They work well with all the tunings I need.
I just bought an Ernie Ball Hybrid Strings.... What tuning do you recommend? Thnx
What gauge hybrids? They make several sets. The most popular are 9-46 so light top med bottom.
Haha I've been using 8 gauge for ages and I'll even go a whole step down sometimes. But I would not recommend going further than that lol I used to use Power Slinky's in the beginning, but I took a liking to the lighter gauges so could bend and control my vibrato easier I guess. Billy Gibbons has his own brand and they're 7 gauge, which is crazy! Haha idk, imo it's personal preference I guess, and it probably helps if you have your guitar set up correctly for drop tunings and lighter gauges. Idk I never really looked into it that much, because what I've done has always just worked for me. 🤘☠️🤘
I use Elixir optiweb strings cause im to lacy to restring and i dont have the biggest wallet on earth. Thought about the coated Ernie Ball but i just cant find them anymore in stores ,used them in the past but since 2009 Elixir has been the choice for me. I have 11 guitars to restring but i restring ONE at a time guitar that really needs new strings. I could happen 1 or 2 times a year.
I use 10 to 52 on half step , and I love it
Try 11 - 48 power slinkys
I have , doesn't have that chug like a 52
True ...I love them for srv but totally different music
Do you like blackstar amps?
I use Ernie Ball Not Even Slinky's for Drop C, the Ernie Ball 7 Power Slinky for Drop B just don't use the highest string, and Baritone Light set from D'Addario for Drop A#/A
I remember reading you’re not a fan of open tunings but any recommendations for dadadd and open g tuning? Cheers dude
Hi, I am using dean Dave mustaine series V shaped guitar, is it good to use 11th gauge strings on it??? I heard it's not good to use thicker strings on guitars having long string distance from neck to bridge.
I use Elixir Optiweb 10 - 46 for C# standard. Is that okay/work with LTD Viper?
Yo uso calibre 13-56 para tocar en drop A, A#, B, c,c# y D pero en la afinación de drop D se sienten muy tensas y una cuerda se me partió, alguien sabe si el calibre 11-52 sirve para tocar en todas esas afinaciones?
Yo creo que para más bajo que B, el 52 se quedará flojo. Yo ahora estoy afinando en C# y en algunas canciones en drop B. Uso el Beefy Slinky 11-54 y va muy bien, aunque quiero probar unas Magnum 12-54 para ver si lo puedo bajar a B y drop A. He estado usando un calculador de tensión de cuerdas y la verdad es que según la guitarra que tengas, tendrás más tensión o las cuerdas quedarán más flojas independientemente del calibre de las mismas.
I used to use 11-48 on standard and everything else until I found drop c/b/a then I used 12-56 then 12-62 on drop b and a now I am using 11-56 on d/c# standard and drop c and b
i'm looking to drop one of my guitars to b standard/Drop A. i cant seem to get a straight answer on a suitable string guage. What would you reccomend? I'm going to drop my chapman v first then if i like the tuning i'll drop my les paul also. I'm seeing online that baritone is the way to go but i don't think i can convince the mrs i need ANOTHER guitar. i have 6 so she is staring to see through my excuses no matter how genuine they are LOL
Lol
Sorry, I'm not Matt but try a set of 12-56
You can try that but I highly recommend you to get a wound 3rd string
If you want a plain 3rd get a 22 gauge
That feels very nice in B standard
If you're planning on dropping to A well
You can try Mammoth slinky from Ernie ball
They're great!
Good luck, brother!
Can I use a regular slinky for C standard? Or what gauge I need for that tuning?
I’d say the beefy slinky would be good for that
@@mattriffmaster oh, thanks dude
im going Drop C with my Jackson KEX...sadly im gonna have to block the floyd (not permanent blocking, but, being honest, im not ready to use the whammy bar at its máximum) im going 10-52 or 11-54...
Hetfield uses Power Slinky 11-48. Sad But True is in D (full step down) tuning.
Very Good bro how was your gutair show juring last weekend
Was great mate yeah got some very exciting new to share with you all
My man I saw a video with Tyler from Music is Win do 7gauge on I’m pretty sure on standard e and it was insane
how about the new JH signature 11-50 , is great on E turning?
Video coming may 10th🤟🏻
I played 13s for a long time in Drop D damn i even recorded two albums but now fuck dat shit my fingers hate me for that.....now i play 7 string 26.5 scale Drop A with 9s at the top and a 66 on the low A and my fingers love me man hhahahaa
so you can you very tight riffs on the low strings, but solo and band easily on the hight stirngs right? both of two world, do you recommend then? ty in advance.
@@sanchiani9717 yeah man i recommend skinny top heavy bottom... It all depends on the guitar scale.... For me bending and solos are amazing with 9s on a 26.5 scale... Its more expressive
ima gonna set up my guitar in drop c with Ernie ball's Cobalt not even Slinky series 12-56. is it good?
Yo! Yeah I’ve used those before in that tuning
Aced It's great, but you may be going a little heavy their. Personally if you don't want to hurt your fingers, get 10-52. If you feeling then yeah, but mainly 12-56 are for Drop B
hey matt how was the guitar show
Hey! Was great mate I have some exciting news to share with you all
cool mann i went on sunday and tried alot of new things
do you think 10s will be alright with drop C#??
Will be too loose mate could use 11’s or try the beefy slinky’s the ones in the yellow packet
Matt The Riff Master cheers mate 👍🏻
What if i want to change my guitar tuning from d drop to b drop and then b drop to d drop again without changing string gauge. Coz i only have one guitar😅😅
Ha ha re string ha ha both tunings need different strings
Am I the only one who uses 8-38 and 11-52 on the same day (depending on how I'm feeling) in standard tuning?
I guess...
You don’t need to buy two sets of strings to make a set of light top/heavy bottom strings. In fact, you should know this, because I can see the 9-46 Hybrid Slinkies in the orange pack on the shelf behind you and to your left. On the same shelf I can see the red pack of Ernie Ball 10-52 Light Top/Heavy Bottom strings as well. What the heck is going on here? Just turn around and take a look at what is on your shelf. Why didn’t you just mention them instead of going off on a tangent? I use the 9-46 Hybrids on my electric guitars, only I replace the .011 B string with an .012 because the.011 feels a lot looser than the rest of the set. You probably should buy two sets to get balanced tension if you’re using DADGAD tuning. On electric I use the first, second, and sixth from a set of tens, and the third, fourth and fifth from a set of nines for that tuning. On acoustic I use the first, second, and sixth from a set of twelves, and the third, fourth and fifth from a set of elevens (phosphor bronze wound).
By the way, I know this video is four years old, and I hope you’ve worked on your preparation in the meantime. You constantly repeat yourself, and the same information could have been covered in half the time. If I were your teacher I’d give you a C-minus for this presentation. You should spend some time rehearsing and preparing before you make a video. Make notes if you have to, and read from them if you must, but in future please take pride in your work and show some consideration and respect for your viewers. I’m sure you’ll win more viewers and subscribers if you do.
how do you screw the screws for the trusrod?
I use 11-54s for Drop C all the way to Drop A#...
With what scale ? I use 11-54s for D standard , drop C , C# standard and drop B on my SG but it feels a little weird when I go down to C standard and drop A# even though " I like 'e-mail slinky " so to speak
You should mention scale length of the guitar. Makes a big difference.
So should I re Film this then?
@@mattriffmaster yes, or use a time machine.
Ahh mines in the shop… but Ernie ball loved this and shared it so I guess … success
@@mattriffmaster I enjoyed the video.
Appreciate it brother 🤟🏻🤟🏻
I am watching this video as someone who plays drop A with 11-49s
I use ernie ball 11-48 on my esp for drop d
So, pretty much the pop, safe thing going on here... Right, wrong.... It has to feel good to you, period. Experiment! I love 10-50 for D standard; not a very popular thing to do, right? The tension of the unwounded strings is just perfect, while the low strings have just enough tension to keep things tight enough where tight is needed. Plays like a fucking dream, too!
Help. What if I have 10s and would like to upgrade to 11s/48 string gauge will it affect my guitar setup? I have an epiphone plus top pro. Thanks.
Shouldn’t really affect it no it’s not a huge jump in gauge you should be fine
@@mattriffmaster Appreciate the quick reply. Follow up question. What string would you recommend if I were to choose between Daddario XLs 11s or NYXL 11s? The paradigms are expensive. Not sure if RPS Slinky's is an option sunce it is plain string set only.
Try the brand new ernie ball mega slinky gives you the low end from an 11 gauge and high ends from a 10 gauge set
@@mattriffmaster How's the tuning for Ernies's I was advised that Daddario has better intonation/tuning overall or what most of the guitar shop in our area advised me.
Everyone has opinion but I’ve used ernie ball from 15years and never had issues and always killer tone and never broke a string
awesome advice
How was the guitar show also when is the next live video
Show was great mate! Got some big new for you all so will be announced soon and hopefully go live this week mate if I can
I use 11-48 on my strat and LP recently in standard but mainly e flat tuning. Definitely feel the fatigue in my hand, even in my forearm, wasn't expecting that. Dig the fatter tone though!
Would you recommend 12 for cannibal corpse?
What tuning are they in? I’m not really familiar with their music
Matt The Riff Master All the way down to B
@@teamatfort444 Eb A# and G#
You really like blackstar huh?
Is it weird that I use 12's on standard?
Crazy mann lol
there are a lot of jazz guitarists that play with pretty thick strings in standard tuning, back when i played more jazz i used .14-.55 pure nickel flatwounds. they give you amazing tone but can cause you long term hand/arm injuries if you play a lot
@@whodatiscody Yes but Jazzer's use more slides instead of bends like blues and rock players. It's mostly about technique, but I'd never go that heavy.13's would be absolute max.
i guess being in drop a# with 10s isnt too good lmao
Suggest Drop B Strings
Tushen Debbarma probably 11-60 or 12-60.
11-56 or 11-54
jajaj I use 0.9 for D standard for years
drop fucking oblivion?
now im curious
11-54, drop D floyd rose
You have insulted my dropped A! How could you
Damn, I came here to learn about drop f**king oblivion
All in good time
Billy Gibbons uses 7's