What Electric Guitar Strings Would You Use to Play Rock As a Lead Guitarist? Like for Metal-rock?
What’s this week’s lead guitar question? Let’s dive straight in…
Question: What gauge strings would i use?
Answer: If you bend a lot, you should try 10s for les paul styles guitars with 24 3/4 scale length. or 9s for fender style 25 1/2 inch scale length. If you drop tune, use 11 or 12 on les paul scale, and 10 and 11s on fender scale.
I would suggest D’Addario EXL120-3D Extra Light Nickel Steel Electric Guitar Strings
D’Addario XL Electric Guitar strings are world-renowned as "The Player’s Choice" amongst guitar players of all genres and styles. XL strings are wound with nickelplated steel and are known for their distinctive bright tone and excellent intonation.
http://www.amazon.com/DAddario-EXL120-3D-Nickel-Electric-Strings/dp/B000CC4JFS/?tag=klnprk-20
String brand and guage are a very personal thing. I have used Ernie Ball, D’Addario, Elixir, etc. and I just don’t see the huge difference others claim to. As far a guage, most guitarist I know use 9’s or 10’s. Used to play with a guy that used 15’s. I like the tone of 10’s better and it seems I can get my action lower without buzz using 10’s but 9’s are a little easier to bend and are easier on the fingers if you’re playing a 3 hour gig. Personally I use Hybrid Slinky’s. The first 3 strings are from a set of 9’s (9, 11, 16) and the last 3 are from a set of 10’s (26, 36, 46). This gives me the ability to easily bend the G, B and high E while still giving me that fat rhythm sound on the lower strings.
It’s all very opinionated when it comes to strings, but ernie ball has some great strings. Very durable and last a long time (although, you still would want to change your strings every 3 months regardless of what shape they are in assuming you practice everyday).