String gauge on Gibson v Fender

Lebarque

If I like 10-46 on Fender scale length, what should I get on Gibson scale length: 10.5 or 11? Cheers

Kurtis

I use the same on both. 

Yorkie

10-46 on a short scale can feel and sound fantastic, I would give it a try as you’ll probably have spare sets lying around. 

LionAquaLooper

Best to experiment. I use 9s on 22 fret strats and 24 fret PRS types but 10s on LP style guitars. Will totally vary from person to person. 

Litterick

Bending strings can be an issue with eleven and above, if bending strings is your thing.

StuartMac290

I'd keep to the same gauge and accept the difference in feel as being part of the character and playing experience of each type of guitar. They SHOULD be different.

OilCityPickups

A while ago I had a real thing for using 10-52 - namely D'addario light top/heavy bottom on shorter scale guitars. I may even go back to that on my new Gretsch: it gives a percussive and powerful bottom end while keeping bendability.  

Musicwolf

Personally, having tried guitar specific gauge setups, I now use the same gauge (hybrid 9-46) on all of my guitars, regardless of scale length.  I buy my strings a minimum of 5 sets at a time and there's never an excuse not to change a set when it's needed.

I did recently re-string my Rickenbacker (24 3/4" scale) with 10's and I couldn't change back fast enough.

guitars4you

Lebarque said:

If I like 10-46 on Fender scale length, what should I get on Gibson scale length: 10.5 or 11? Cheers

Off course a matter of opinion - Your set-up, action height and how you like to play (light touch or heavy) will all come into play

For a while now I've moved up to 10.5-52 from 10's - But that is mainly on PRS Guitars - Not so sure I'd use 10.5's on a Strat - However I do like a 52 on a Strat (use 10-52) gauge - Lower thicker wound strings give more meat when you handle those SRV style walking/shuffle bass lines - Strings are more rigid - Regular 46's can sound out of tune with heavy picking, as though the initial pick contact bends a more 'slinky' string at the initial point of contact 

Try 10-5's on the Gibson - Might need a slight truss rod tweak, but let the guitar settle down first then evaluate any neck relief a few days later

Grumpyrocker

I've experimented quite a bit with having 10s on Gibson scale, and 9s on Fender scale. But in the end I've just fallen back into 10s on everything. Makes buying strings simpler. 

I've got some 11s on one guitar, but that's because it's tuned to C# for Sabbath shenanigans. 

Alterlifeson

I'm a fan of heavy top skinny bottoms on 24.5 scales. Bass strings from a set of 11s, treble strings from 10s. Best of both worlds and really helps when you go to drop d which a standard 10 gets a bit floppy on.

I think EB calls them Hybrid Slinkys

Offset

9-42 on both (and everything else).

MagicPigDetective

I use 10-46 on  Strat and Les Paul, both..seems to work for me.11-52 on Jazzmaster.

mudslide73

9-42 EBs on Gibson and 9-42 Newtone round cores on Fender scale length. They feel the same due to the round cores having lower tension.

randella

9-42 on Strats, 10-46 on Les Paul and 335. I've had my guitars long enough to know the feel of the necks blind, in the past I've found that small frets can make strings feel heavier than they are.

All sorts of variables - buy a few sets and experiment. Make sure to chop and change playing the Fender and Gibson guitars whilst you're doing it or one will feel familiar and the other like boiled spaghetti (or the other way around).

Philly_Q

I use 10-46 on all scale lengths (well, regular Gibson, Fender and PRS, I haven't got anything short-scale or baritone).  I might go lighter eventually as I'm getting older and feebler.

elstoof

I use the same whatever the scale, I expect and like the different lengths to feel different

Grumpyrocker

elstoof said:

I use the same whatever the scale, I expect and like the different lengths to feel different

Yes after a lot of trial and error I decided I actually preferred my Fender scale guitars to feel a bit tighter.