String gauge?

[paul32]

Hi, time for a string change but before I buy any I would like some advice.
I currently have a set of 0.11s fitted, these are fine for my usual rock/metal riffing but Im starting to delve deeper into blues soloing and playing bends etc. I don't have any real problems playing bends now but I was just wondering if a smaller gauge would make things any easier, without affecting the metal side of my playing?
Thanks

[richardhomer]

Unless you are particularly heavy-handed, I would have thought 10s would be fine. Personally, I think heavy strings (beyond a certain point) don't improve electric tone at all. Different matter on acoustics, or arch top jazz guitars, but on solids the difference heavy strings make is more to do with feel than sound.

[Lustycourtier]

Even on my jaguar I only used 11s. 10s are fine

[thebeagle]

The 'light-top/heavy-bottom' string sets which most companies make now (usually 10-52 or 54) are kinda made for what you're describing.

[richardhomer]

The 'light-top/heavy-bottom' string sets which most companies make now (usually 10-52 or 54) are kinda made for what you're describing.

The only trouble with these is that if you do REALLY big bends (eg, Gilmour-esque 1 1/2 - 2 full tones) on the second or third strings, you end up hitting the D, which has more tension than a regular set of 10s. Worth a try, but for me they don't work.

[paul32]

The 'light-top/heavy-bottom' string sets which most companies make now (usually 10-52 or 54) are kinda made for what you're describing.

That sounds ideal, thanks for all the replies

[Big Paulie]

What's wrong with 0.011s for blues?

[ICBM]

I use 11s for everything. Any style, electric, acoustic, whatever. I just like the feel and sound of them.

If anything the conventional wisdom is that you want heavier strings for blues than metal, anyway.

[StuartBahn]

In terms of speed many people say thin is best. Malmsteen says he uses 8s; Paul Gilbert says here that uses 10s. So, maybe it's more about tone and personal preference.

[showermusings]

It's really a matter of personal preference. Billy Gibbons uses 7s and 8s, while SRV used 12s