Which size guitar strings to use?
I prefer 11’s, partly because they have a higher tension even when I tune down a little (Drop D down 1/2 step, ie Drop C#), partly because they have better sustain and tone, and partly because they stay in tune a little better than lighter gauges, but this is a heavier gauge, and many people don’t like to go up that high because its harder to bend. I don’t bend a lot, I prefer legato techniques (ie hammer-ons, pull-offs, etc) instead. More of a jazz player in that regards, I suppose. I think 10’s are in general ideal. I think 9’s are too thin, go out of tune too easily, and don’t have the thick, warm tone that I prefer getting. If you bend a lot, there are gauges that are called “customs” ie “custom lights” that mix thicker low strings with thinner high strings, ie 10’s on the bottom and 9’s on the top. This makes your rhythm a little thicker, but let’s you still bend easier. Whichever way you go, I strongly recommend getting your guitar setup, or doing a setup/intonation yourself (goo
