I Tried .007 Gauge Guitar Strings

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 29 ต.ค. 2024
  • Well that was an experience.
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ความคิดเห็น • 281

  • @graysaw
    @graysaw 3 ปีที่แล้ว +21

    Being a player for over 50 years now, I’ve used the heavier strings in my younger days , but being on the upper end of 60’s now, the lighter Reverend strings are so much more forgiving on my fingers and accommodate the bends much easier with the hand strength I have now. I agree with your assessment and do exactly what you suggested by compensating tone through amp & effects settings! Great review

    • @damarisnadja
      @damarisnadja 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Wow, that's cool! What have you done to compensate for tone, if I may ask Sir..?

    • @notme810
      @notme810 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I think more gain and rolling the tone back would make the 7s sound better, I am hoping, I broke my shoulder and arm and plan to use 7s on my LesPaul for therapy.

    • @treybennett35
      @treybennett35 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I wondered if that's why Billy Gibbons uses these really because he has a full fat sound. But also like he said could be a higher gain but also maybe rolling the tone down slightly

    • @rickschneider3887
      @rickschneider3887 ปีที่แล้ว

      I had the same revelation you did David! Tone is controlled by your amp and equipment not the guitar and strings. String tension impacts how you play the instrument and express yourself. The better you express your feelings… the better you sound!!

    • @manuhonkanen2111
      @manuhonkanen2111 ปีที่แล้ว

      ​@@treybennett35 Billy Gibbons uses them by the idea of a Legend!
      th-cam.com/video/HyEPAZT3kzk/w-d-xo.html

  • @benstokes7964
    @benstokes7964 3 ปีที่แล้ว +12

    The smaller strings sound the best to me. The fatter strings are too bassy in my opinion. I love the cut and crunch of the thinner strings rather than the dull thud. LOL!

  • @rocknrollresignation93
    @rocknrollresignation93 4 ปีที่แล้ว +10

    8’s are where it’s at for me! Heavy gauge strings also seemed too muddy and woofy. Yes light gauge strings require a lighter touch but I feel the advantages are worth it.

    • @LucasFowler
      @LucasFowler  4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      I think a lot of it has to do with what you get used to. I'm sure if I restricted myself to 7's or 8's for a few months, my technique would adjust accordingly.

  • @Oilid
    @Oilid 4 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    The thicker the strings the thicker the bass frequencies.
    So thin strings sit better in a mix, less low cut to do.
    Overall I preferred the sounds of the 7.
    Thanks for your video. 😉👍

    • @LucasFowler
      @LucasFowler  4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      There was also a bass cut added in post to my guitar amp sound. I always roll off at about 60hz, since nothing very interesting happens under there. But I agree, most likely the bass cut I would apply during mixing would be similar to what 7's do naturally, though I think the higher strings on the 11's would still sound "thicker".

    • @Oilid
      @Oilid 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@LucasFowler Imo, 9's is the best compromise. :)

  • @erko8620
    @erko8620 2 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    I played on 8s for a very long time and moved to 9s for a short while. Ended up keeping 9s/10s on rhythm guitars and 8s on the guitars designated for solos. So far so good. Looking at 7s now, didnt even know they made them haha. Bytheway your guitar is absolutely gorgeous.

  • @johnpulaski3293
    @johnpulaski3293 4 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    I think this is the best video I’ve seen on this subject. While the feel of the strings and the tonal capabilities are very personal, you nailed it when you spoke about the brightness and low end difference. My ears definitely prefer the heavier stings. I switched from 9s to 10a recently and could hear the subtle difference. With all due respect to Mr. Gibbons (Clutch shoutout!) I’m sticking with 10s.

  • @strumbum946
    @strumbum946 4 ปีที่แล้ว +14

    7s immediately turned the humbuckers into single coils to my ears. I couldn’t imagine playing 7s on a single coil pup guitar. JMO

    • @LucasFowler
      @LucasFowler  4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      I thought the clean sound on the neck pickup with 7's was *very* single coil. Now to be fair, that is a very low output neck pickup, less than 7k, but still!

    • @strumbum946
      @strumbum946 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Lucas Fowler - Yeah if the hbuckers were higher output they could probably fatten up the 7s some but I still don’t think I would be able to give up my 10’s bottom end tone. Especially for my heavy handed picking style. 9s is about as far as I could go for lighter gauge strings. I’ve been playing 10s on all my guitars for a very long time and as I age I may start trying 9s again, but I don’t think I could handle too much of the brighter tone like ole Billy G does. Thanks for your vids and your informative demos...

  • @miggymystic
    @miggymystic 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    The lighter strings are producing more wild overtones that sound great clean but absolutely wild with gain, either clean or dirty it sounds cool but especially playing chords where each string note contributes its own overtones.
    The thicker strings have a clearer fundamental note and to my ear, a slight low end bump and chords sound more unified, I suppose the term pianolike wound apply.

  • @AntonioCavicchioni
    @AntonioCavicchioni 4 ปีที่แล้ว +12

    These strings are great. Back in the 70s we asked for strings and always were .008.
    And those were great strings very easy to play.

  • @terryhimes5052
    @terryhimes5052 4 ปีที่แล้ว +13

    I put a set of .007's on one of my Fender scale Guitars. I like them. I thought they might be toooo slinky on a Gibson scale length! I've not tried them yet on the 24.75 scale guitars... I did No adjustment to my Guitar for the 7's. It plays great. But I came from a .009 set! Not 11's... For us older folks getting some Arthritis etc. The .007's are an option to be able to keep playing.

    • @LucasFowler
      @LucasFowler  4 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      I thought these might be a great option for folks with hand injuries or arthritis, or even just sensitive finger tips. Whatever lets you play the best is what's good!

    • @treybennett35
      @treybennett35 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@LucasFowler amen to that I play 10's because that's where I'm comfortable. I've tried all kinds of sizes other than 7's and I had an older friend give me a few sets of these 7's. So I wanna try them out on a 50's style guitar set up for light distortion and like jazz or slow blues

  • @Jeremiah_NE
    @Jeremiah_NE 4 ปีที่แล้ว +10

    I've been using Reverend Willy's for years, if it is good enough for Billy, it is good enough for me. I still can't play worth a damn but I'll work on that, LOL

  • @alanhembra2565
    @alanhembra2565 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Thanks for doing this man.

  • @picksalot1
    @picksalot1 4 ปีที่แล้ว +23

    I preferred the 7s by far. The 11s sounded lifeless by comparison. Your guitar didn't sound as good with 11s. Thanks

  • @wolfgangwolflouvin1919
    @wolfgangwolflouvin1919 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Working man! Definitely awesome taste in classic music🤘

  • @ruebenblancas9115
    @ruebenblancas9115 4 ปีที่แล้ว +9

    At 3:58 the grin while playing 7s says a lot...

  • @outlaw560
    @outlaw560 4 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    I prefer the lighter strings. I've done this same experiment. I ended up with the Rev willie. 008 's. I came from using daddario 10-52's I didn't notice that I needed to raise the action.

  • @devinwilliams4038
    @devinwilliams4038 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    I really liked that you talked about the cons of the playability of the 7’s. I feel like those other channels mainly just focused on the tone being brighter and how that was so much better to them. Tone is great and all but if it’s full of buzz and going sharp every time you play the tone doesn’t really matter in my opinion lol.

    • @LucasFowler
      @LucasFowler  4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Playability has to always be the most important thing. If you can't play the guitar well, it isn't going to sound "good" anyway :P

  • @rogiemac
    @rogiemac 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I put these very .007's on my G&L Tele about 2 weeks ago. First time you go to do a bend, you almost laugh, its so easy. Made me think that cooked spaghetti would give more resistance. Fret buzz like crazy also, which like Lucas said, is probably due to the oscillation. I have the 6 individual saddle bridge, so raised all those as high as they would go and gave the neck a little relief. I'm 57, and like how much easier they are to play. Like BB King said to Billy G.....why ya work so hard?? I did just change them to the .008 set a couple days ago. Even compared to .009's, the 8's are just so easy.

  • @chucklee347
    @chucklee347 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I've seen this done several different times. And in every other case the lighter strings rung individually much better and clearer than the heavier strings. And the more gain used heavier strings just muffled out. You seem to be saying the opposite. I know you have ears. First time I ever saw you was when you blindly picked out men from women playing the guitar and got every one right. I was blown away. I think you did that a couple times and again got every musician right.

  • @neilpatrickhairless
    @neilpatrickhairless 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Nice Grand Funk riff from my favorite Grand Funk song 👍

  • @hijmestoffels5171
    @hijmestoffels5171 4 ปีที่แล้ว +28

    I prefer the lighter sound of the 7’s to the muddier sounding 11’s.

    • @LucasFowler
      @LucasFowler  4 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      I think 11's might be a tad too much for that guitar. I'm going to try 9's and 10's and see if it likes those better. I find I have to let the guitar tell me what kind of strings it likes.

    • @icestorm40
      @icestorm40 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      Ditto for me but I'm 60 and my hearing isn't what it used to be.

    • @CharleySuede
      @CharleySuede 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Took the words right out of my…thumbs 🤔

  • @andrewlee3037
    @andrewlee3037 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    ive always used heavy gauge strings because i tend to play 'moderately heavy' riffs, BUT my go-to pick is a light thin flimsy .50 mm. Now im really wanting to try these .007s because i imagine it would make playing feel like rubbing your hands with butter and almost effortless if paired with my pick gauge. cant wait to test it out

  • @simonnotthepieman1581
    @simonnotthepieman1581 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    A while back after watching the same videos you did, I switched from 10s to 9s and haven't looked back. Immediately my confidence went way up.

  • @gerryloughran1676
    @gerryloughran1676 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    7s give much quicker response to the pick attack, also the ring out was much better on the low end where the 11s sounded flat and the timing was a little out !... cool review maybe try 8s !

  • @ThinPicks
    @ThinPicks หลายเดือนก่อน

    The most noticeable things that affect a guitar's tone (apart from the player) are the pick (material, thickness, shape) and action height. A lower action will accentuate the midrange and be more amenable to a rock sound, a higher action gets a bit closer to an acoustic set up and can become a little bit "clanky", and eventually muddy too.👍

  • @craigttc
    @craigttc 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    First part of the video I agree the 11's are as you describe but as the video continues the 7's sound better to my ear. I cut a couple fingertips off years ago but still played 10's on Gibsons and 9's on Fenders and I now know I should have gone light a long time ago.

  • @ChrisMaloneMusic
    @ChrisMaloneMusic 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    I use 8s thanks to nerve damage in my left side. I can confirm this is all true! Lol
    Also any imperfections in the fretwork are amplified massively with stupid light strings as I’ve learned over the years unfortunately

    • @LucasFowler
      @LucasFowler  4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      I would have never thought you have nerve damage from hearing you play dude.

    • @ChrisMaloneMusic
      @ChrisMaloneMusic 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Lucas Fowler I’ve gotten pretty good at faking it lol
      Half the time I have almost no feeling in my ring/pinky.
      I just work around it..
      Upside is my bending has gotten really precise lol

  • @phereracer
    @phereracer 4 ปีที่แล้ว +49

    The lighter strings sounded better to me

    • @scottcummings8602
      @scottcummings8602 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      They always do.

    • @garbygarb31
      @garbygarb31 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      No they didn’t

    • @alex-vr2ll
      @alex-vr2ll 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@garbygarb31 shut up fat fuck

    • @user-dz9yx3et9y
      @user-dz9yx3et9y 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@alex-vr2ll they dont sound better if they did all guitar players would use them, its up to preferrence YOU IDIOT

    • @jangroots2978
      @jangroots2978 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      10 gauge sounds crap

  • @alexandercook9614
    @alexandercook9614 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Awesome demo!!!! I used to use the willys 7’s before they seem to sound pretty good in the mix and there great if you want to effortlessly bend gilmour’esque notes. These strings seem to fret out pretty easy with 9.5 or lower radius necks are better with these strings. Just try them out.

  • @generalawareness101
    @generalawareness101 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I have a hereditary problem as my body destroys calluses, and by that I mean we (my family) don't get them. They start to form then go to bed to wake up with them 90-100% gone. It gets so bad that when I try to practise it feels like I am playing on razor blades and immediately have to stop. So much pain I am seven months in, and you wouldn't know that I wasn't in my first week. I play 10s, and I wonder if 8s (I am afraid of 7s, lol) would help at all? For the first month I was on 9s.

  • @jcoulter43
    @jcoulter43 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Both sounded good. I personally use .09-.46 hybrid on everything I own except my jazz box. Not too heavy, not too light. Love your playing man. God bless and rock on 😎👍🎸

    • @LucasFowler
      @LucasFowler  4 ปีที่แล้ว

      Thank you!

    • @elonmust7470
      @elonmust7470 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      09-.46 feels the best on my ebmm for sure.

  • @Aldo-Music-Channel
    @Aldo-Music-Channel ปีที่แล้ว

    The 11s have a noticeably warmer tone, excellent video and content 👍 thanks for sharing 😎🎵🎸

  • @thedanksavatron7782
    @thedanksavatron7782 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    11s all-day!🍻
    I play usually in D standard & drop C so 11s tention just feels & sounds right! GHS Boomers & DaDarrios are my go to brands! I find Ernie Ball strings just don't last long & loses their snappyness too quick! But everyone has their favorite so ya gotta do the rounds to find that sweet sound 🎸🍻

  • @rickschneider3887
    @rickschneider3887 ปีที่แล้ว

    I’ve been playing 35+ years myself and I recently went from 13’s at 440hz way down to 10’s and I love the change. I’m thinking about going down further to 9’s maybe even 8’s. I could actually hear the difference in the string tension as he played. 11’s we’re definitely stiffer and louder like playing on piano wire. For better clarity and less muddy low frequency overtones I prefer the lighter strings by far!

  • @jonoakley11
    @jonoakley11 4 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    11s to 7s , pretty big difference! , to me the 11s sounded a little.....muddier?.....the 7s sounded a little clearer, but it wasn't a huge difference, I recently switched from 10s to 9s on my Les Paul , not much sound difference, but easier to play.....anyhoo , you are a great player and I enjoy your vids man , keep it up!

    • @LucasFowler
      @LucasFowler  4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I have to agree, the 11's might be a little much for that guitar and it's pickups. I'm going to try some 9's and 10's and see how those do. It's interesting how that works, my DGT doesn't sound good with anything *but* 11's!
      Thanks!

    • @_MOORE_1986
      @_MOORE_1986 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      I agree, I've always used 9's

    • @yosemitesam4549
      @yosemitesam4549 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      Feed the algorithm.

    • @LucasFowler
      @LucasFowler  4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      My Dad almost always uses 9's and his tone is consistently huge.

  • @autodidacticprofessor869
    @autodidacticprofessor869 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

    It's interesting to note that Billy Gibbons rolls the treble and presence all the way down on his amps and JMP-1 module he uses live. I think, as you said, you can compensate for the obvious brighter tone and lack of bass with amp settings, EQ's, etc. But one important note: Pearly Gates still has the original frets on her and it's still quite playable. That reality alone is why I'm going with lower gage strings and changing my approach. I hate having to do fretwork. Also, arthritis.

  • @shaunw9270
    @shaunw9270 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Lucas agent 007 . You did it ,so we don't have to lol . To me the 7's sounded ok , a little treblier than the 11's but didn't sound so good when you hit them harder, because of what you said about the strings going slightly sharp ,very very briefly ,slight , but it can be heard. Great test ! I'll stick to 10's on my Les Paul but tomorrow I plan on changing one of my Strats (standard tuning) down to 9's ,see how I get on 😉

    • @LucasFowler
      @LucasFowler  4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      9's on a Strat always feel good to me in standard, provided you aren't beating it to death playing SRV licks :P

    • @shaunw9270
      @shaunw9270 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@LucasFowler Ha ha ,not on this guitar no 😊

  • @6oundStudio
    @6oundStudio ปีที่แล้ว

    hey man your playing is awesome, and I really like your hat. thanks a lot for the comparison

  • @Andreorsel
    @Andreorsel ปีที่แล้ว

    Great comparison!
    What is also important, to me at least, is the vibrato. With lighter strings you can do so much more with the vibrato.
    Use to play 009’s till i switched to 10’s. After playing those for years am gonna switch back to 009’s again because of that.
    007’s would be def be to light for me.
    The tension also depends on the brand. Ernie Ball’s seem to have less tension then for example D’addario.
    I am using the D’addario XT right now. Theyare coated but are less stiff the coated Elixir strings i used for many years.

  • @spy-v-spy1848
    @spy-v-spy1848 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    When I switched to sevens I had reset up my guitar intonation adjust the truss rod switch fat bottom skinny to these Reverend willy's best decision I have made guitar wise sense learning how to master & tame a floating bridge.

  • @dvdpz89
    @dvdpz89 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    I went from using power slinky’s for years. Then to 10-52 and wish I had done it way sooner. It made bending so much easier. I’m tempted to go 9s. I bought a pack of 9 hybrids by Ernie ball. Gonna try them soon.

    • @LucasFowler
      @LucasFowler  4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I'm really starting to adopt the policy of letting the guitar tell me what kind of strings it likes. I'm going to try some smaller gauges on the Greco and figure out what works best, because I think 11's are a little too much for the pickups and the short frets that guitar has.

    • @dvdpz89
      @dvdpz89 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      Lucas Fowler I agree. Great idea. My Les Paul Junior has lighter strings. Seems to work well with chunky necks.

  • @joemaddock5387
    @joemaddock5387 ปีที่แล้ว

    I honestly really like the “tightening” sound from lighter strings… also how you can hear the vibrato and character of the player more. I think they’re more expressive.
    The only downside for me is tuning stability… on wound strings especially…. So a hybrid gauge (8-42, 8-46) is kinda the best of both worlds, IMO.
    I’m trying the new Hyper Slinkies from EB… also curious about the Fender Yngwie strings… but I’ve been building custom gauges similar to what Zappa used (8, 11, 14, 24, 32-36, and 42-46)… feels like the perfect fit to me… on an SG.

  • @tito.tarantula
    @tito.tarantula 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Great riffing and wow, that Greco! Looks and sounds ace. I use 9's and 10's depending on the guitars and find that even 10's on a very well built guitar with optimal setup, feel like butter. I couldn't even imagine what 7's feel like, but is slinkier necessarily better? Maybe I'll get a set just to test them out. The sound of the 11's was more to my liking and I have nothing against feeling a bit of tension when I play. In the end, it all comes down to preference and playing style of course. Thanks for the review, well done.

  • @ShineAqua
    @ShineAqua 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    The 7s are crisper/brighter sounding, and the lower gauge allows for higher bending of notes, I use 9s but I might go down to 7s and practice my EABBAE tuning with them.

    • @retorgere3718
      @retorgere3718 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Not really . I tried them on my guitar . They don’t have a hood bass and low end . I removed them after 4 days from the installation

    • @ShineAqua
      @ShineAqua 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@retorgere3718 I would up going to 11’s, but I had to hella down tune, lol, I’m about 4 full octaves down.

    • @retorgere3718
      @retorgere3718 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@ShineAqua wow that’s a lot

  • @wolfgangwolflouvin1919
    @wolfgangwolflouvin1919 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    When.you began playing Heartbreaker,I was like ok,this dude is different and very ok In my book🤘

  • @hearpalhere
    @hearpalhere 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    Awesome job with this comparison Lucas! You can really hear quite big differences. I actually liked the sound of the 7's on clean settings but I suspect if you adjusted the EQ with the 11's, you could have pretty much achieved the same sound. For all the distortion parts, I thought the 11's sounded better.
    I started on 10's and played them for about 2-3 years. After that I changed to 11's and have used them since. I like that you have to get a bit physical with them and they seem to last a long time as well. I like your overall message in that I think people should play whatever they feel comfortable with. With time, I'm sure you can get used to just about any gauge and find your sound.

  • @chrisCANguitar
    @chrisCANguitar 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I’m really like rockin 8’s as of late on my Charvel.

    • @DatMetalBoi75
      @DatMetalBoi75 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      On a shreddy guitar like that I bet that feels like home

  • @alba9507
    @alba9507 4 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Love that Greco 🎸👍

    • @LucasFowler
      @LucasFowler  4 ปีที่แล้ว

      It's very cool. Instant 70's rock!

    • @edwardvara9993
      @edwardvara9993 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@LucasFowler my 1979 les Paul looks exactly like your Greco.
      Too bad Gibsons quality nowadays is bad. I'll bet your guitar plays better than any new Gibson these days.
      I've used 8s on my lespaul since the first string change. Ernie balls strings are the best to me.
      Cheers

  • @NCtrailX
    @NCtrailX 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    Good exercise and interesting observations. Check out the Rhett Shull vid on strings. After playing heavy strings for years he did a thorough test of different string weights and ended up going back to 9s.

  • @TheAdambright
    @TheAdambright 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I love the sound of the sevens...bright, crisp, with plenty of punch...but the clarity!
    11s sound like listening with ketchup in my ears!

  • @kolchak357
    @kolchak357 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I thought the 7s sounded much better. But it seems like you are much more comfortable with the 11s and aren’t “thinking” about your playing as much (playing more naturally). Maybe split the diff with 9s?

    • @LucasFowler
      @LucasFowler  4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      That's my thought too, I've got a pack of 9's I'm going to try and see how they sound. I definitely think 11's are a little much for that guitar's pickups and the frets are short so they are a bit hard to bend :P

  • @caseylee12
    @caseylee12 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    #9 Super Slinkies on my strat, hybrids on my Tele, 10s on my Les Paul,..BUT.., I just ordered 2 sets to give it a try., Gibbon's a great player. What the heck, might as well give it a shot.

  • @justie1220
    @justie1220 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    I use D’Addario 10-52s on my Les Paul Copy.. I find with my loss of feeling in my fretting fingers, being able to have a bit more purchase is invaluable.

  • @damarisnadja
    @damarisnadja 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    AWESOME video Sir! .. The 7s sounded way better in the clean setting to me - more sustain, livelier, more exciting. With distortion, I was missing some of that girth that the 11s gave. Hope that makes sense. @Lucas Fowler I would find it extremely interesting to see you experiment with pickup types/settings, amp settings etc., to try to make the 7s sound thicker and fatter. I know Satriani plays 9s. His tone surely doesn't sound thin at all, at least to my ears.. personally, I have very low muscle tension. That has given me trouble with all kinds of things physical - playing drums included.. so for me thin strings are a godsend. I've been playing and practicing like crazy for some time and could never get my muscles to perform any lick with lots of bendings very fast. So for me I would rather sacrifice some tone than not being able to cross that threshold. I've found custom sets with 8s for the high strings, and 10s for the low strings to be a very happy middle ground. Fender Yngwie Malmsteen for example. That's a 8-46 gauge custom set. I will try 7-46 next. Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be a set like that, so I'll have to combine sets, which is very unfortunate. But if that works best for me, I'll just do it. I would like to encourage anyone having that same problem as me, to try a 8-46 set. (Beware though - the Fender Yngwie Malmsteen set has bullet ends, and will not work on a Kahler type tremolo). Don't make your life unnecessarily hard guys. If you're not having that problem - enjoy your 10s/11s, whatever.. but don't make the same mistake as me, and think you have to torture yourself, just because so many guitarists swear by thicker strings. Do what works for you :-)

  • @neekopv
    @neekopv 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Nice guitar man. Nice nice.

  • @D.Guitar
    @D.Guitar 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    Yeah. 7's on a shorter sçale Guitar It'd be crazy bendy. I played 8's on my heavy metal Strat. 25.1" scale length. So 7's on a 25.5" might be ok. Just for reference. I use 9-46 hybrid guage set on Most of my Guitars. 25.5" scale. But I've used 10-52 on my 24.75" scale Guitars

  • @ghost79ish
    @ghost79ish 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    That's a huge jump. I'm definitely interested in trying out some 8s on my les paul someday and 7s probably just for experimenting... I think I've found my happy medium with 9.5 guages. It would be nice if I could afford several guitars for specific purposes but right now I'm stuck with one les paul and a Mexican strat... Definitely not complaining, they're both great and accomplish different things.

    • @LucasFowler
      @LucasFowler  4 ปีที่แล้ว

      Absolutely you can get almost any sound you'd ever need out of those two guitars :)

  • @jimmyjames2022
    @jimmyjames2022 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    I wonder if the brighter 007s will sound better with youtube's audio compression compared to the 011s. I use D'Addario 009s but I'm thinking of going to Billy Gibbons 008s, already bought and sitting on my table but not yet installed. Will it need a truss rod adjustment going from 009s to 008s? I have pretty low action already.

    • @LucasFowler
      @LucasFowler  4 ปีที่แล้ว

      It's possible. "Low" action is kind of relative to the player. What I consider low my Dad considers medium.
      The way to check if you need relief in your truss rod is by placing the first finger of your fretting hand on the 1st fret of the low string, then the pinky of your picking hand on that same string, around the 14th or 15th fret. Then use the first finger of your picking hand to tap on the string in between where you are fretting. You should see a little "bounce" between the string and the fret. If it's laid completely flat against the frets, you need to loosen the truss rod. If you there is more than about 2.0mm in between the frets and the string, you probably need to *tighten* the truss rod.
      A lot of that comes down to personal set up preference. If you aren't buzzing out on the first 4-5 frets and the guitar feels good to you to play, then I'd leave it be :)

  • @57stratkat
    @57stratkat 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    wow. that first bit.......Grand Funk Railroad (Heartbreaker). Haven’t heard that since about ‘73!

    • @LucasFowler
      @LucasFowler  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      I love GFR. They were my first concert, 1998 on the reunion tour!

  • @tommyvercetti5802
    @tommyvercetti5802 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    I like the sound of 11's more in this demo. But being able to play comfortably is way more important. What's the point of playing with good tone if you can only do it for 10 minutes before your fingers hurt? Nothing has ever helped me more with my playing than switching from 11's or 10's to 9's and 8's.

    • @damarisnadja
      @damarisnadja 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      I can only echo that.

    • @LucasFowler
      @LucasFowler  3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Absolutely. Never sacrifice playing for "tone" because ultimately tone is about what you play. For me 11's are usually where I live, but some guitars(like this one) I've discovered seem to prefer different strings. I generally use 9's on this guitar now.

    • @tommyvercetti5802
      @tommyvercetti5802 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@LucasFowler For me I have to have same strings on every guitar of mine. Going from gauge to gauge throws me off :D

  • @GoNorthDesign
    @GoNorthDesign 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    RUSH and Aerosmith riffs in the same vid? SOLD! I really want to buy a pack of these. (I have Billy’s guitar picks tin.) BUT I started learning guitar with an acoustic and I think that gave me a harder grip. I’d probably sounds awful on 7s.
    Keep up the fun content! \m/
    P.S. Is the he said she said series toast?

  • @Wildman9
    @Wildman9 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    I kinda go 9s on 25.5 inch necks (Fender) ,on 24.75 guitars (Gibsons) I use 10s.sometimes 9s.But lately I've been using 8s on my strat.👍🎸

  • @marvinbush7304
    @marvinbush7304 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    Yes indeed Josh, you are a great guitarist. And going from 11's to 7's I would have thought that you were crazy if you hadn't said what you did about the differences between the two. I myself habitually and preferentially play 9's, I would never play 7's. I think I know what I'd be letting myself in for.

  • @inquisitor4635
    @inquisitor4635 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    9s on a strat tuned down a half step for me.

  • @designstudio8013
    @designstudio8013 ปีที่แล้ว

    I went to 8 gauge on a squier Stratocaster and it was like pushing thread around.

  • @satamique
    @satamique 11 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    The chords sound better with the 11 and single notes sound better with the 7 i noticed, and thank you for that riff at 5:04 i learned it and its fun to play! :)

  • @frantisca
    @frantisca 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    Did you have to reset intonation, or you just mounted them and played ? The 7's sound a bit clearer, but I would overbend all the time... Besides, having to re-adjust pitch all the time is a pain. I've played all guages from .8 to .13. My best compromise is 10-46 or 10-48 for guitars that need more oomph in the lows. I need to feel some resistance :)

    • @elonmust7470
      @elonmust7470 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      The 7s sounded buzzy so probably not.

  • @DannyRayMilligan66
    @DannyRayMilligan66 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    question for you, since you did such a big gauge jump: did you change your intonation and action with each string change?

    • @LucasFowler
      @LucasFowler  4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      I had to adjust the action a tiny bit higher and put some relief in the neck for the 7's. I tried to get the action and relief as close to each other as I could with both sets. I didn't check the intonation with a tuner to be ultra precise, but it was close enough to sound pretty in tune to me. If I was going to leave 7's on the guitar I would go ahead and check it to be sure though.

    • @robertseavor4304
      @robertseavor4304 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@LucasFowler How about splitting your signal and putting one feed through an octaver set to a lower volume to give your sound some oomph?

  • @ClaySmith
    @ClaySmith 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    I've been using a set of Ernie Ball's newer strings called "Turbo Slinky".
    They're 9.5, 12, 16, 26, 36, 46.
    I'm really digging them.

    • @LucasFowler
      @LucasFowler  4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Plus they have a great name :)

    • @ClaySmith
      @ClaySmith 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@LucasFowler Right!?

  • @tonyruiz1976
    @tonyruiz1976 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    Don't know but i thought they sounded the same to me thanks for the video pretty cool guitar as well

  • @Wolferal
    @Wolferal 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    7s sounded very good. 11s sounded dull in comparison.

  • @ljmiller96
    @ljmiller96 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    The 7s sounded better than the 11s. They were more musical and dynamic. I'm thinking they're really good for studio work, though you might want a thicker string for live gigs (to reduce breakage).

    • @LucasFowler
      @LucasFowler  4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I would most definitely need to use a thicker string for live, otherwise I'd have to stand a still as a statue!

    • @ljmiller96
      @ljmiller96 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@LucasFowler I wrote that reply after listening to you play but before you went over your own observations. It makes me wonder if this is related to what Tim Pierce says, that the best guitar recordings are made by diming the amp then "playing quiet" at high volume. Obviously you can't play quiet and loud at the same time. But if you mute carefully and attack delicately it has a similar effect: The same things you had to do with super-ultra-light strings. It certainly seems that artificial constraints can bring out extra focus in us and that may be where greatness comes from.

  • @GuitarsZnuff
    @GuitarsZnuff 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    If you had to choose between the Eastman and the Greco which one would you pick?

  • @mattdyck9931
    @mattdyck9931 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I've found that the further I've gotten into my guitar playing, the more I appreciate clarity and brightness. Those 7s sounded much more musical to my ears (less of a wall of sound, more clear distinction between notes). I'll probably stick to 9s like I have for ages just because that's what 'feels' best to me, but maybe I'll try something else out one of these days just for the heck of it.

  • @robertclarkguitar
    @robertclarkguitar 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Now for the strat 11s to 7s test! Hehehe

    • @LucasFowler
      @LucasFowler  4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Oh lord the sound of 7's on my strat would be non-existent!

    • @robertclarkguitar
      @robertclarkguitar 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@LucasFowler 😆 🤣 😂 indeed

    • @DarthCiliatus
      @DarthCiliatus 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@LucasFowler I use 8s on my strat and it sounds amazing. The lower tension helps make the neck pickup sound particularly good.

  • @chrissylloyd1
    @chrissylloyd1 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    What's the song at 5:42 please? I feel I've heard it before but can't place it.

    • @LucasFowler
      @LucasFowler  3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      That would be Cream's version of "Crossroads". Classic riff :)

  • @boctok55
    @boctok55 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    Working Man! Nice!

    • @LucasFowler
      @LucasFowler  4 ปีที่แล้ว

      Playing Rush riffs is always worth the demonetization risk!

  • @cool555breeze
    @cool555breeze 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    I use GHS CL's, 9 - 43. I think I'll give these a shot and see how they sound on my "78 Greco Custom.

  • @barbaraepsaro2718
    @barbaraepsaro2718 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I wonder what the techs and builders say about it. I was allways curious about the stress on a guitar with heavy strings. Does it matter

    • @graysaw
      @graysaw 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Phil McKight does a good review too

  • @backlom
    @backlom 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    Great review!! I’m in the 9-10’s area. I wonder if the 7’s are as durable. Thanks dude.

    • @LucasFowler
      @LucasFowler  4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Good question. I can definitely say that before winding the strings, when they first come out of the pack, you need to be extra careful with that .007 so as not to kink it!

    • @backlom
      @backlom 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      Lucas Fowler makes sense. I liked the sound of the 7’s. They probably all come with pros and cons

  • @stevenespinoza7735
    @stevenespinoza7735 19 วันที่ผ่านมา

    can you tune to Eb with these ?

    • @LucasFowler
      @LucasFowler  18 วันที่ผ่านมา

      I would not recommend it, but you may be fine if you're extremely light handed.

  • @WoodyNWUK
    @WoodyNWUK 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    Interesting to see this on a Les Paul. I watched Tyler's video where he did it on a PRS I think. And I had the same immediate response to both - where'd all the low end go? Mids and highs didn't seem dramatically different but the loss of low end was noticeable. Maybe desirable on a Strat or similar but on a Les Paul it sounds all kinda wrong. Robs it of its grunt.

    • @LucasFowler
      @LucasFowler  4 ปีที่แล้ว

      It definitely felt really weird to me. Maybe on the longer 25.5" scale it would feel more usable?

  • @scottcummings8602
    @scottcummings8602 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    All I've played for years is the 7's Dunlop Gibbons.... 9's and 10's feel like barbed wire to me. 11's are rebar. Playing just isn't fun with that hard to bend and vibrato shit. Most of us wish SRV wouldn't have made that one off the cuff remark in 1983 about "trying 13's" as that myth has stuck around now almost 40 years..... Rene Martinez would be the first to tell you by the 5th show of any tour, SRV was using 11's (10's in 1989/1990) tuned down a 1/2 step. Basically 9's in standard tuning. Your guitar pick (or picking with fingers) will effect your sound 100x more than string gauge.

  • @YakBoss
    @YakBoss 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    It would have been cool to hear it in a mix. I tried the Billy strings on an S-type guitar. Fun to bendand sounded a little brighter, but I prefer a little bit more substance. 9s on 25 1/4 and 10s on 24.5.
    Play what feels/sounds good to you.

    • @LucasFowler
      @LucasFowler  4 ปีที่แล้ว

      Definitely, the most important thing is how you play. If you play the best on ultra light strings, then that is the way to go!

  • @eddiejr540
    @eddiejr540 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I’ve played 9’s my whole life...I figure, if it’s good enough for van halen, it’s good enough for me!!!

    • @LucasFowler
      @LucasFowler  4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Nothing wrong with that philosophy. IMO, Eddie is, and will forever be, the king of electric guitar.

    • @chuckm9603
      @chuckm9603 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      I’ve always used 9’s fender, EB,super slinky’s, d’addario NY XL which are speedy. I just put on EB slinky 10’s on my Tele, kinda like those. I have the super slinky 9’s on my strat.

  • @ClaySmith
    @ClaySmith 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    Are those Planet Tone pups double cream?

    • @LucasFowler
      @LucasFowler  4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      *Technically* no. Dimarzio has a patent on double cream bobbins so Planet Tone can't make them. But I took some pure white bobbins and "aged" them to make them cream, then Jose wound the pickups with those bobbins as a favor to me :)

    • @ClaySmith
      @ClaySmith 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@LucasFowler Very impish. Well played sir.

  • @JanLaw84
    @JanLaw84 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Did you have to change intonation after change to 7’s??

    • @backlom
      @backlom 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Excellent point.

    • @LucasFowler
      @LucasFowler  4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I didn't check the intonation specifically. I didn't notice any intonation issues while playing and my ear is very sensitive to tiny changes. If I was going to put 7's on the guitar permanently, I would double check that intonation, but I didn't have any noticeable problems that made me want to check it.

    • @DerEchteBold
      @DerEchteBold 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@LucasFowler
      I also heard that from other people who did similar tests, surprisingly there wasn't any adjustment necessary.

  • @kacperkrosnicki363
    @kacperkrosnicki363 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    What is This first song?? Ty

    • @jdasman54
      @jdasman54 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Heartbreaker by Grand Funk Railroad

    • @kacperkrosnicki363
      @kacperkrosnicki363 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@jdasman54 sorry 2:25 song

  • @rifleman7313
    @rifleman7313 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Would 7's be too light for blues and jazz ?

    • @LucasFowler
      @LucasFowler  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      No, you can use any gauge for anything you like. It's all personal preference.

  • @hustlinc3540
    @hustlinc3540 6 วันที่ผ่านมา

    playing 8/38 lately on a 25"scale. man, should have done it ages ago

  • @joshdeal575
    @joshdeal575 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    I feel like 9s would have struck a happy medium. The tension is a bit tighter than 7s, but might not be as thin sounding. I didn't like how thin they sounded.

  • @MurrayWilliams
    @MurrayWilliams 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I liked the 11s better. They sounded meatier. It comes down to personal taste.

    • @LucasFowler
      @LucasFowler  4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I agree, definitely a personal preference thing. I think 11's may actually be a little too much for that guitar and it's pickups. I'm going to try 9's or 10's on it and see how it likes those.

  • @TheMegalodonGaming
    @TheMegalodonGaming 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    I like the sustain more on the 11's but if I was going to play pop I would probably use the .007's for metal i will stick to my 12's

  • @Mr.56Goldtop
    @Mr.56Goldtop 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    The 11s certainly have a darker tone. IMO 7 are just too light, but 9s are the sweet spot! I've used 10s for the last 40 years, but I have switched to 9s. Why work harder then you need too!?

    • @LucasFowler
      @LucasFowler  3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I've been using 9's as of late on my Greco, it seems to like that gauge.

  • @everlancer3362
    @everlancer3362 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    love you buddy

    • @LucasFowler
      @LucasFowler  4 ปีที่แล้ว

      Oh shiiiiit Al I didn't know you had a TH-cam! Subscribed, love you back!

  • @MathewsGuitarWorks
    @MathewsGuitarWorks 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    That’s why I play 10’s On everything.

    • @LucasFowler
      @LucasFowler  4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I'm going to try 10's on the Greco. I think 11's might be a hair too much with those pickups.

  • @CA10Z
    @CA10Z 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Sevens have a better over all tone and string separation.

  • @bungopony
    @bungopony 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    Sounds to me like you struggled more with the 11s, but the 7s came more natural and sounded cleaner.

    • @LucasFowler
      @LucasFowler  4 ปีที่แล้ว

      11's are a little harder for me to play on that guitar since it has very short frets. I can't get under the string quite as easily as I can on something like my DGT with jumbo frets. I'm going to try some smaller gauges on the Greco and see what it likes.

  • @mikecampbell6011
    @mikecampbell6011 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    I prefer 9.5 sets on all my guitars. I've tried .008's but have this sensitivity thing where I don't think I can feel the high E string under my finger. Probably all in my head but freaks me out none the less.

    • @LucasFowler
      @LucasFowler  4 ปีที่แล้ว

      Yeah the .007 almost didn't register under my very calloused finger tips. It was bizarre.