Do Most Guitarists Play 9s?

[CaptainCrunch]

Ernie Ball strings didn't last for me, those will rot and get fuzzy just sitting in the case. But the D'Addario's have that little bit of nano-cote or whatever they call it, and they only seem to wear out from actual use.

Also I'm really more of a tolerable drummer, a questionable bassist, and a fairly lousy guitar player, and play most often in that order. But I don't break sticks/heads/cymbals, and bass strings are never to be changed ever. I feel like Lennie from "Of Mice And Men" most of the time, so I try and be gentle with my gear.

[JSett]

Yeah, I'm heavy with my gear but never break strings...just the chemical structure of my hand sweat just kills them dead in no time at all and I hate them when they lose their sparkle.

I've managed to extend a sets life from a week to two by remembering to wash my hands first then wipe them down thoroughly after playing.

[garyptaszek]

wash your hand you filthy grunger!

Ain't got time, they're always on your mum

no wonder they're so filthy...

[DeathJag]

the chemical structure of my hand sweat just kills them dead in no time

Dang! What happens to the strings? Corrosion or just a duller sound? A lot of people including myself prefer strings a little dull. I should send you a few sets so you can dull them up with your hand chemicals! I am super curious about the science behind this. You and I have similar diets but obviously completely different chemical make ups. You could also slather your sweaty hands all over some cymbals and make them darker in a good way I bet!

[JVG]

Yeah, I'm heavy with my gear but never break strings...just the chemical structure of my hand sweat just kills them dead in no time at all and I hate them when they lose their sparkle.

I've managed to extend a sets life from a week to two by remembering to wash my hands first then wipe them down thoroughly after playing.

(Perhaps you should stop wiping your strings with sulphuric acid?)

Have you tried coated strings? I don’t dig them myself, but they could help you get a bit more life out of a set.

[JSett]

the chemical structure of my hand sweat just kills them dead in no time

Dang! What happens to the strings? Corrosion or just a duller sound? A lot of people including myself prefer strings a little dull. I should send you a few sets so you can dull them up with your hand chemicals! I am super curious about the science behind this. You and I have similar diets but obviously completely different chemical make ups. You could also slather your sweaty hands all over some cymbals and make them darker in a good way I bet!

Its particularly bad on the plain strings, they corrode and go black like normal people might see after 3-6 months but in 1 week they're noticeably less bright, end of week two they sound dead, week 3 they're basically black/rusty.

(Perhaps you should stop wiping your strings with sulphuric acid?)

Have you tried coated strings? I don’t dig them myself, but they could help you get a bit more life out of a set.

I use coated on my acoustic and they work great but D'addario (who's the only brand I'll use these days after decades of woes with other brands) don't make coated electric strings above 11 and I'm a 12-54 kinda guy.

[tequila_in_teacups]

10–46 on everything for me – though I only have the one guitar. I hate the sound of new strings. I only change them once a year.

[Futuron]

So funny. I don't change strings for years, and hardly ever break them. Maybe once a year. My fingers get really oily.

(I also don't break cymbals or drum heads despite the hard hitting. Sticks get shredded in the middle from the rim-shots, they snap after a few hours of use. Meanwhile Kenny Aronoff breaks more sticks in a week than I ever will in my life. Could not believe the piles of boxes he takes on tour.)

[tammyw]

At one point in my life I decided I was "done" with 9's. I actually gave away a couple spare sets I had lying around. It might have lasted a couple years before I started diversifying back into light strings again.

[JSett]

though I only have the one guitar

HEY, PEOPLE! I'VE FOUND THE UNICORN!!

[garyptaszek]

though I only have the one guitar

HEY, PEOPLE! I'VE FOUND THE UNICORN!!

FRREEEAAAK!!!!
*brandishes pitchfork*

[tequila_in_teacups]

though I only have the one guitar

HEY, PEOPLE! I'VE FOUND THE UNICORN!!

FRREEEAAAK!!!!
*brandishes pitchfork*

I had a Mustang and a Telecaster a year ago. I love a Tele, but I don’t have much interest in anything without a vibrato anymore.

Really liked the Mustang too. It was my first experience with one. I sold it so I could move house. I’m really content with my Jazzmaster. More guitars would be nice, but I’m happy with what I’ve got – which is a privileged place to be.

[enricosonic]

I guess I started out on 9s but that’s a distant memory. I went to 11s but then settled on 12-52 sets. I play lead and do solo but I like to really rake on the strings and love the resistance and stability of heavier gauges.

[BoringPostcards]

I put 9s on my Mustang recently and am really liking it. It doesn’t feel much slinkier than my SG did when it had 9s (it has 10s now, might go back to 9s now).
The Jazzmaster has 10-52 on it and feels great. My new Jag also has 10-52 and feels good.
I have a somewhat light touch, so these gauges have been working fine for me.

[thisisnickpaige]

I put 9s on my Mustang recently and am really liking it. It doesn’t feel much slinkier than my SG did when it had 9s (it has 10s now, might go back to 9s now).
The Jazzmaster has 10-52 on it and feels great. My new Jag also has 10-52 and feels good.
I have a somewhat light touch, so these gauges have been working fine for me.

Dude, started rocking a set of 9-46s (EB Hybrid Slinkys) on my SG. Makes a WORLD of difference having that thicker bottom on such a punk rock guitar as an SG.