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9s or 10s on your Les Paul?

LeonC

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 30, 2002
Messages
799
Lighter strings do break easily if you're not careful w/ them. I never had that issue cause I keep the bridge & nut lubricated w/ pencil graphite.
I'd used graphite back in the old days but switched to CarMex about 10 of 15 years ago. The issue is always string bends. I'm a boomer and I'm into boomer bends 🤡:eek:🤡! Most of my guitars are set up so I can can get at least a minor third; major 3rd on some and I can actually get 4ths in a few places on one or two of my guitars. The strings break where I'm bending them...not at the nut or bridge.
 

jrgtr42

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 24, 2005
Messages
2,308
Actually, does anyone use .008s anymore? I remember them being popular for a while when I was getting started playing. I tried them too, way back when in the 70s for a while...but ultimately decided they broke too frequently and I liked the sound better with the "heavier" strings.
I break through .009s like nobody's business. I'd probably tear .008s off the first strum I played.
 

SpencerD

Active member
Joined
Mar 11, 2016
Messages
910
Man, I ain't even bullshitting when I tell you I've been thinking about stepping out of my 9 gauge comfort zone on a couple of Les Pauls

😎

Gonna raise the action too! --- Like a fuckin' maniac! 😲
 

Jethro Rocker

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 6, 2022
Messages
273
On my shredders I use 9s but 10s on the LPs
I might try skinny top heavy bottoms or the 9.5s.
 

fernieite

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 3, 2010
Messages
609
I've tried a few different gauges over the years. (10s, 9.5s, and 8s once) I've settled on 9s on all three of my electric guitars now.

Try a few different gauges for yourself and see what YOU prefer.
 

stxrus

New member
Joined
Mar 21, 2015
Messages
24
After years and years of exclusively using D’Addario 10s I’ve tried the D’Addario 9 and 9.5s
My old hands really like the smaller strings.

String gauge is a personal matter and the best way is to play different sizes and decide what works best for you and your style of playing

FWIW, I think I like the 9.5s best but they don’t come in a 10 pack so I may go with the 9s
 

freddy78

New member
Joined
Dec 26, 2020
Messages
3
strings are personal preference, play what ever feels comfortable to you , i tried different gauges and types of strings ( steel ,nickel, hex core , round core ect.. ) over the years ( 11's , 10's ' 9's and some hybrid sets 9-49 , 10-48 , 10-52 ) following my long string quest i settled with Daddario NYXL 10's for LP's and 9's on the strat's
 

KoP

Member
Joined
Jul 11, 2016
Messages
62
Ernie Ball Rock n Roll 11-48, because I tune D standard, and sometimes to drop C. 10s were unstable for the lower tension and kept going out of tune.

11s in D feel like 10s in E to me. Not really much of a difference in feel. They’re also a little louder and thicker sounding.
 

Injam

Member
Joined
Oct 15, 2021
Messages
88
I have put on a set of sevens using the over the top method of stringing up a Les Paul. Should have done this long ago.
 
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