Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

jps wrote:A friend of mine uses 13s on his Eastman jazz box.

SRV was known to use 15's on his strat from time to time.

I put 12s on my full-scale guitars and tune them down a whole step. Capo if needed for open E, first position chords. It sounds great.

JakeK wrote:Evan, on what guitar do real men use 13s? I'd use them on a 325, no doubt.

Jake, like I said, real men use them to floss their teeth. It really helps after that charcoal-grilled steak!

In all seriousness, I snagged a couple of sets from Wes to string up my Jag. It has a chronically back-bowed neck. I have 12s on it now, and the neck is dead flat with zero truss rod tension. I find it tough to do whole tone bends, but it's got a great glassy chime, rather then the usual Fender twang. Just about every other electric guitar I own is fitted with 10s, though my Strat has worn 9s on occasions.

Far from achieving any level of fame from my guitar playing myself, but I tend to like lighter strings. I use T-I 10s on several instruments--but even as 10s, these strings have a light feel to them. I use T-I 12s on my 325s, but back off to 11s on my Jag and Mustang.

My Am Dlx Strat came with 9s, and I've used the same gauge ever since--the guitar feels and sounds good with them.

Horses for courses I guess?

Bill