Need some input on string gauges for a Jaguar

Justin J · Post by **Justin J** » Sat Feb 13, 2010 12:11 am

ekwatts wrote:Ernies break. I have not broken a string since I started using D'addarios. FACT. I don't know whether I just got better, or it was a combination of that and not using Ernie Bullshits, but that's just the way it is. I have not snapped a string in fucking years. Fuck Ernie Bullshits.

pretty much this. i used to play ernie balls until i switched to d'addarios and realized that strings actually can last more than five minutes. although these days i use dr, d'angelico, and infeld as much as d'addario.

Mages · Post by **Mages** » Sat Feb 13, 2010 12:27 am

I got some thomastik-infield "power brights" on my mustang right now. they are anything but. completely dull and dead sounding. the d'addarios on my MM are a world of difference.

Justin J · Post by **Justin J** » Sat Feb 13, 2010 12:52 am

i've never tried the power brights. only these:
[

Justyn · Post by **Justyn** » Sat Feb 13, 2010 2:45 am

I have 11s on right now

I think its a bit much so I tuned it down to C#. Good stuff

But next time around I'll probably go for 10s

hotrodperlmutter · Post by **hotrodperlmutter** » Sat Feb 13, 2010 3:50 am

Justin J wrote:i've never tried the power brights. only these:

what's the story with these?

i've never seen/heard of them but the name reeks of corksniffery. i must try them.

endsjustifymeans · Post by **endsjustifymeans** » Sat Feb 13, 2010 3:59 am

ekwatts wrote:Ernies break. I have not broken a string since I started using D'addarios. FACT. I don't know whether I just got better, or it was a combination of that and not using Ernie Bullshits, but that's just the way it is. I have not snapped a string in fucking years. Fuck Ernie Bullshits.

I beat the hell out of my strings and I have never broken my skinny top heavy bottoms, not once. Though I do occasionally snap the .10 when I'm stretching them after putting new strings on, but during play they never break. I like the D'addarios skinny top heavy bottoms too, but they don't quite have the shimmer as my earnies. So I stick with EB.

Justin J · Post by **Justin J** » Sat Feb 13, 2010 8:59 am

hotrodperlmutter wrote:
Justin J wrote:i've never tried the power brights. only these:

what's the story with these?

i've never seen/heard of them but the name reeks of corksniffery. i must try them.

tomastik-infeld is a pretty big name in the classical world. they are a very popular string maker for violins. i've never been to a store that stocks the guitar strings, so i have to order them online. they're a bit more expensive than other makes, and i'm not sure if they're worth the cost, but i like them. they're definitely not my regular string brand.

Armchair Bronco · Post by **Armchair Bronco** » Sat Feb 13, 2010 12:27 pm

I started out using heavier 11's on my CP Jaguar Special HH; I even used 11's with a wound G for a while.

Then, I slapped on some Gibson Brite Wire 9's in an emergency when I ran out of 11's, and I've been using them ever since. They're super slinky and bend-a-licious, but the Jaguar still stays in tune even with moderate trem use.

ellengtrgrl · Post by **ellengtrgrl** » Sat Feb 13, 2010 2:30 pm

I'll stick with 12s with a wound G, for the stiffness factor. I've been using 11s lately on my longer scale guitars. As it is, my Jag, was fitted with 9s, when I tried it out, and they felt like rubber bands to me!

DICHOTOMY · Post by **DICHOTOMY** » Sat Feb 13, 2010 6:29 pm

gaybear wrote:i used rope

true i recently started stringing my guitars with the veins of my enemies.

but if thats not your style id go 12s

but then again im a pussy..

Post by **dots** » Sat Feb 13, 2010 6:36 pm

all my shortscales get 11's, and i don't get intonation or neck issues.

hazelwould · Post by **hazelwould** » Thu Feb 25, 2010 6:35 am

I put Gretsch flatwounds on my duo sonic, and I love the sound. My intonation is all messed up now,and my actionis pretty high. I've tried adjusting and the intonation is still off, but much better. Action is still pretty high, otherwise I get severe buzz on higher frets. I should also mention that I put a graphite nut on. Should I sand the nut to shorten it?

I dunno, I've been racking my brain trying to get this thing right. Anyone have any tips? At this point I just want it to be properly inotated.

Ankhanu · Post by **Ankhanu** » Thu Feb 25, 2010 12:20 pm

I'm about to replace the 9s that came installed on my '66 Classic with some .11s... but I also want a wound G. I've been using Fender Super 250s on my Telecaster and Godin Exit 22, so I got a set of .11 Super 250s for the Jag... but the G was bare! So I need a new brand!

My history with both EB and d'Addario isn't a great one. I've only tried EB bass strings and found that they go dull in no time. d'Addario, on the other hand, I've used on both bass and guitar extensively, and I find they start to corrode pretty quickly. This is why I've been playing the Super 250s, in my hands, they stay bright and the surface stays smooth a long time.

Who else has a wound G in an .11? (and is easy to find without custom ordering)

hugh · Post by **hugh** » Thu Feb 25, 2010 4:22 pm

I bought a bunch of 12s. In standard tuning the high e only ever lasts a couple of days. But I'm a dick and use the whammy bar way more than I should. And I usually don't use a pick, but whack the strings pretty hard with my mishapen fingernails.

I've been tuning down to D standard or open D minor, and not breaking strings as often.

Noirie. · Post by **Noirie.** » Thu Feb 25, 2010 4:25 pm

Ankhanu wrote:Who else has a wound G in an .11? (and is easy to find without custom ordering)

I sometimes use .011-.050 flatwounds with a wound G. And i think d'addario make a roundwound set of .011s with a wound third.

glitchathon · Post by **glitchathon** » Thu Feb 25, 2010 4:45 pm

can you swap between same gauge flatwound and roundwound without affect on action? I have not tried flatwounds on my Mustang yet but interested in it.

Noirie. · Post by **Noirie.** » Thu Feb 25, 2010 5:55 pm

glitchathon wrote:can you swap between same gauge flatwound and roundwound without affect on action? I have not tried flatwounds on my Mustang yet but interested in it.

Yeah thats exactly what i did. I went from .012-.056 roundwounds to .012-.052 flatwounds (kinda similar) on my Jaguar and its been fine. I think flatwounds have a little tension but thats it. Also theres little or no buzz on my Jag since i switched to them!

I bought mine from Webstrings.com and they're cheap and gewd.

glitchathon · Post by **glitchathon** » Thu Feb 25, 2010 6:58 pm

Noirie. wrote:
glitchathon wrote:can you swap between same gauge flatwound and roundwound without affect on action? I have not tried flatwounds on my Mustang yet but interested in it.
Yeah thats exactly what i did. I went from .012-.056 roundwounds to .012-.052 flatwounds (kinda similar) on my Jaguar and its been fine. I think flatwounds have a little tension but thats it. Also theres little or no buzz on my Jag since i switched to them!

I bought mine from Webstrings.com and they're cheap and gewd.

thanks. cool i am going to try it. just checked out webstrings and they are real cheap!

tomin8r · Post by **tomin8r** » Thu Feb 25, 2010 7:38 pm

For my Super Sonic, I got a set of 12-56, with a wound G and the 12 replaced by a 13, Great feel and toan

Mind you, I'm a sucker for heavy strings, 13 Gauge on a strat tuned standard... Manland.

11s or 12s on a Jag should be pretty ideal if you can tolerate the stiffness of the strings.

ellengtrgrl · Post by **ellengtrgrl** » Thu Feb 25, 2010 7:55 pm

I prefer a stiffer feel in my strings, since I have a tendency to dig in when I pick. Looser strings drive me up the wall. I sold my Schecter Omen Extreme 7, 7-string guitar last week for some extra cash, due to a money crunch (I had to make ends meet until payday, which is tomorrow). I did have some cash left over after paying bills, buying groceries, and putting gas in my car, and I used it to buy a Squier Stagemaster 7, 7-string guitar (7-string guitars are a blast to play!) stupid cheap (only $99), from GC. Unfortunately, the scale length of the Stagemaster 7 is 25.5", unlike the 26.5" scale length of my old Schecter. As a result the 7th string (which I tune to low A for Dropped A tuning), feels like a rubber band! Also, the other strings seem to be a set of 9s. No thanks! I'm going to go to a heavier gauge (say 10s), and use a .062 or .064" string for the 7th, to get back the tension I want. By contrast, my Jag, with 12s, and a wound G, plays like butter!