STRING TALK - TUNINGS AND GAUGES FOR THE METAL!!!!
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- Опубликовано: 25 авг 2024
- STRING TALK - TUNINGS AND GAUGES FOR THE METAL!!!!
Diving into a very frequent question that comes up from a lot of you guys, so in this video I go over my tunings, string gauges, set-ups, intonation, picks, etc. All kinds of stuff in this one. I've been through a lot of trial and error with this stuff, and in some applications things may not work for you but hopefully this will give you an understanding on the subject if you are unclear when it comes to picking the right gauge for your set up. Thank you so much for watching guys, and the support means all. THANK YOU!!!!!
Hope you all had a great weekend and are experiencing the same for your Sunday!
Yeah man metal as fuck hope everything is going good for you🤘🏼
Kevin, you ever try using v picks? Or making your own plexiglass picks? I went to them and never went back.
Hey Kevin I'm 22yrs playing bass and I use only D'Addario strings ...love your content brother
Modern Metal with active pickups go with the Elixir strings!
Old school Metal with passive pickups go with Ernie Ball strings!
thx dude
Oh man I remember learning the hard way when I was younger. I attempted to put 10-52's on a guitar that was set up for E standard. You could have shot arrows with that guitar. haha great video Kev!
I love the ernie ball custom gauge nickel wound 11-52 for e standard, either on 24.75 or 25.5 scales, it feels really good for me being a bass player playing guitar. For drop A on 35 scale i play on a .176 and for B Standard at 34 i play 47 63 90 114 158. D standard 50 70 105 135
I find 10-52 perfect for Eb Standard or Drop D. It gets a bit floppy with Drop C# but I'd still use it.
I got baby hands
11-48 Ernie ball power slinky is what I enjoy the best for rock metal
@@BigMacSoss he only did that on one or two shows because he couldn't find a replacement high string, he typically played 11 gauge strings
You obviously never played guitar before...10 to 52 arent that heavy. Only the e a d are kinda heavy but still not that heavy...52 isnt heavy
I use 13-70 Cleartone heavy series in C# standard with really high string action on my Gibson V (24.75 scale), feels amazing, super tight, literally no buzz. Anyone that I've handed that thing to told me that it's completely unplayable for them, good.
Getting some sociopathic vibes here…..
@@reducedtoatoms3973 me too
Damn, that sounds brutal lol. I use a 66 gauge for B or Drop A on my 28.625” scale, and it took me months to get used to. It’s the equivalent tension of having a 75 on a 25.5” scale for that pitch. Definitely makes your hands/fingers strong as hell.
I use only D’Addario strings for all of my guitars. For standard to drop c I use 11-52. For my guitar that goes from Drop B to B Standard I use 13-56. For my 7 string I use 11-64. I prefer the NYXL over the regular nickel wound. The NYXL are just so damn expensive lol. So I only get those ever so often
Yea fr nyxl last so long for me, idk if he got a dud set or what but I like them
Personally when I started playing I used the Ernie ball slinky line 9-42 but when I got older I used 10-46 for standard sometimes when I was in d I jumped up to a 48 but if I needed something for drop b 12-56 If I go down to A 12-68 if I go to baritone levels 13-72 for DROP f the reason I loved em is because of my Floyd ride i would play with Dadario and break strings every other show
Totally agree with these suggestions, D'Addario seem to last longest with the only maintenance required just to pinch each string with a cloth and run it up and down the fretboard to clean.
I love floyd Rose guitars and I use 9-46 strings for speed and keep my guitar in E standard. For downtuning I highly recommend the Digitech Drop pedal as you can play almost anything with one guitar and keep your intonation, action, and string resistance consistent. Also saves money from having to buy more guitars for each tuning and a whack of time setting them up lol
The same, I need only 2 guitars one standard E, and one drop D, and I just let Digitech Drop pedal do the rest. Best purchase ever.
I've had a Helix LT for about a year now, and the poly pitch feature was a huge selling point for me. I've foregone learning certain bands songs because they didn't tune to E or E flat standard and I only had a few guitars. Now I can change the tuning in seconds and it's amazing. But now I need to learn all those songs I missed out on.
As a new metal player, i really appreciate your videos Kev. THANK YOU! \m/
Every tuning needs to have the right string tension.
I’ve been using Ernie Ball Paradigm 11-54 for C# Standard on my Schecter SLS Evil Twin. It’s got just enough give to where it doesn’t feel like I’m having to exert a lot of force whenever I pick, but they also don’t feel like wet noodles either. It’s a perfect pairing of give and tension.
Same strings I use 🤘🏻💯
They're just the greatest!
@@KevinFrasard my favorite brand now for 30 years playing...stay Brutal my friend!!! \\m//
Kevin frasard needs to go live on twitch
Thank you so much!!! Very informative well said. I have been rattling my brain over this topic.. thank you !!!!
Very very impressive.
Thanks for making this video
D'Addario strings are the way to go!!! I've been using those strings since I was like 16 or 17. I'm 41 now, and I've never found a string company so consistent with their different gauges. I use they extra heavy gauge D'Addario's now on my Les Paul, .12 to .60. Granted, I had to file down the nut on the low E to get it to fit I usually tune to D standard, but they sound boss!
thank you for this MUCH NEEDED video
this is exactly what I needed right now
I'm changing some things up on some of my guitars and wasn't to use some lower tunings
Nice Unmerciful shirt man! It's great to see you showing some love to Kansas City!
This dude is a ridiculously metal lookin dude. I can only aspire to be this metal 😂
Thanks for this video! I used to use blu steels back in the day too. I just bought some stringjoys as well but haven’t put em on yet. I got the 11-70 7-string for tuning G# standard. Having tuning stability issues with my current 9-62.
I actually first started with D’Addario strings (I actually just put in a 11-48 on my Charvel). I really love using Cleartone though. To me the Cleartone feel and sound excellent.
Kevin, please check out Swiss picks (They are out if California)! They’re sharp cheddar’s are like a cross between a classic Dunlop and a Jazz III, but with bad ass grip. They really are sweet.
I always use Ernie Ball Slinky strings 10-56 on my solar 1.7frc and 10-52 in d standard on my 6 string. I have tried every string company and saw that Ernie Balls lasted the longest and felt the best.
Awesome video dude. I play in different tunings on my three guitars and here's the gauges I use:
E Standard/Drop D - 10-46
Drop C - 11-52
Drop A 7 string - 10-46 + a 56
I use Ernie Ball's
Nickel or slinky strings? (for the E standard/Drop D Ernie Ball Strings?)
I only use Elixir Strings and Treated DR strings for the heavy gauges because for some reason my hand sweat/oil is just corrosive to any untreated strings. A set of untreated Ernie Balls are just completely unplayable and rusted out within 2- 3 weeks. Elixirs last me like 8-9 months before they need changing and that’s with playing everyday. On my standard E/Half Step Down guitar I use 10-46. On my D Standard I use 10-52 and my Drop C Drop B guitar i use 12-58.
Have you ever tried the Ernie Ball Cobalts? I tried them when they first came out and my jaw dropped at how awesome the sounded. Been using them ever since. They are notably brighter and have a more lively feel. They maintain that “new” feel longer than any other uncoated strings I’ve used. They have a bit looser feel, so you may want to jump up a gauge to have the same tension for the super-heavy riffing you do. Give them a try sometime.......I think you’ll like them.
D'addario string is my favorite too. It's so natural for me.
Yes they are the best love em
For my main axe I use those 7 string power slinky's you showed in the vid, leaving the middle string out and got it set up in C# with a custom floyd setup. works really well for me, got some taking used to for a while but I'm gonna stick with this for a long time probably. I tried the cobalt version as well, pretty decent too but I'm not sure if they're worth the extra cash.
If you have intonation problems. Check the nut first. Might need to be filed down if you changed to heavier strings.
Such a great video sir. Its nice just to hear what other people do and use. Thanks for the details!
My all time favourite strings are definitely... D‘Addario, Ernie Ball, Dunlop, Fender, Rotosound!!!
Especially D‘Addario and Ernie Ball, they just give an extremely sickening brutal sound that delivers to the ears perfectly!!!!
Dunlop is awesome for high pitched Metal playing I'd say! 🤘🤘
There's not many string manufacturers you've left out of that list.
Going to be saving this one in the useful playlist . Thanks Kev 👍
I love that you bring up the scale length thing at the end. People get crazy about that. I play a baritone because I just like the feel. But plenty of bands have been tuning down on 25.5 inch scale lengths. I know they are not death metal, but my favorite band is Sevendust. They have tunings down in G# and G and they play 25.5 inch guitars. Works great for them.
I personally use GHS Boomer light string 9's and Jimi Hendrix extra light custom 10's. You can mix match your string settings also. I like your channel. I just started playing again. I started a RUclips Channel. I'm in the process of setting up my Recording/Practice Studio. Keep up all the great work.
Late to the party, but as a bass player I really like 12-64 for eb standard/drop c# on guitar. Feels tight and precise.
that's really tight! Some people uss a 64 for drop A
DR 10 gauge is my go to string. Only do standard E and E flat now. When I had a BC Rich Warlock tuned B to B I used 12's on that one.
I like DR Strings a lot, been using them ever since I saw Dimebag used them. They're really nice for a fair price.
I use 12-60 for C Standard down to Drop A#. D'Addario Extra Heavy. I really want to try the La Bella Drop Tune DT-13, which are a 13-60 set.
How do you feel about 12-54 vs the extra heavy 12-60? Have you compared them on the same guitar with the same tuning? I'm feeling like the Extra Heavy's are not as balanced as I would like them to feel, and wondering if the 12-54 might be a solution to that problem.
Depends on what you mean by "balanced" - is it the top that has too much tension compared to the bottom, or are there weird tension discrepancies in the middle? I've tried those 12-60 you're mentioning and they weren't too bad, but the plain 3rd didn't feel great. My go-to for B or C standard are the D'addario EXL158 (13-62) because of how balanced they feel across the board.
I use LA Bella 11 - 70 for my 7 strong in drop A, best strings I've ever used.
Daddario 9-46 / 10-52 has been my favorite choice
The pro steels are amazing... bass player myself and i personally used the tapered 127 - 43 for a while but for bending purposes i went to the d'addario 125 - 40 NPS for playing some old school metallica especially pieces like anesthesia, orion, etc.
Excellent video. I mostly stay in standard tuning but will tune down to D (not Drop D) now and then. I prefer Ernie Ball 9 and 10s, sometimes a Hybrid set. I prefer their Cobalts because they are bright enough without being harsh and break in easily and stay in tune and they are strong enough for my playing. D'Addario XL's are my backup brand. I used GHS for much of the 80s but tired of them when they kept breaking and corroding really fast. D'Addario's lasted longer and I switched to those or some obscure European brands like Maximus Gold strings from Germany. I also liked Dean Markley's Blue Steels till I noticed they got kind of slack and twangy on the low strings. I started playing guitar around 1985 and was very influenced by EVH, Lynch, Demartini, and a lot of fusion players like Scott Henderson, Frank Gambale, Al Di Meola, John McLaughlin, etc. My challenge was to find strings that sounded equally good for rhythm as lead. I went through a real rabbit hole with pickups but generally like DiMarzios. As for Duncans I prefer their actives to EMGs. Blackouts are absolutely brutal, particularly the ceramics like the Mick Thompson set. When it comes to metal I say go for ceramics because they offer maximal thrust and impact. Strings and pickups have a particular symbiosis, so I often think of how they work together. I had an EMG set on a Schecter a while back and came to realize that bright strings worked best with that set.
I love Stringjoy. I play a PRS baritone in a weird F# tuning, and the custom string set is awesome. I can also tune my bass down and use Stringjoy, because they have a .165 bass string available. Pretty cool.
I have a prs baritone too. Did you swap out pickups?? I don’t like their stock pick ups at all
That Gutrot/Dysentery split is still one of the sickest splits ever released. Keep it low tuned af! Cheers man🤘
Also, I had an RG8 with 10-85 but was so uncomfortable, medium action but sounded great and tight. Sold it. my ESP B8 has stringjoy 10-72 and I also use it to drop my F to E! Serious playability and comfort with low action. That .085 was great for digging in to stay tight but sacred clarity in the higher end of the low string of that makes sense. That .085 was just ridiculous.
Nice, I love Stringjoy and I use their custom Gauges for my 8 string in the same tuning. I currently use 9-12-15-26-36-46-64-85 for Drop EA and Drop E, but next restring I'll try 9-12-15-26-36-48-68-90.
Ordered these strings, they are great!
yessssssss keep them coming brother your vids are awesome
Just have the same set of stringjoys waiting in the drawer. I have a bass .90 string as a lowest one. It fitted through the tuner barely, too bad they don't take that in to account. Looking forward on changing the tuners. I think that definitely with 8-strings you should go at least .80 gauge or thicker for lowest strings depending on the scale.
Good vid, more accurate to me as to other vids.
For E to D standard, I use D'addario 11-56, but I replace the 56 with a 54. I use Dunlop Max Grip 1mm picks.
I had a guitar with 9s on it from the factory and I had it set up to C standard for a while
I play guitar for 15 years and 14 of those years I've been playing D'Addario 46-10 strings and 52-10, I got guitar with Ernie Ball strings on and that's the only time I played other strings, they were ok, almost as great as D'Addario, but D'Addario just seem to last longer, so the first time I changed strings on that guitar I stringed it with D'Addario. Just the best strings in my opinion.
Years ago I used Dean Marley strings but they disappeared off the market. Very good sounding strings. So after trying different makes, now use 'addarios. One thing that has been noticed is this, the bottom string thicker than a 0.54 tends to go very floppy when tuned lower than C std.This is because the core wire is the same thickness but the windings are thicker. Should be the other way around. Dunlop strings make a few sets with heavy core wound strings especially for down tuning. I understand that Cannibal Corpse use these when playing live, 13-56 set for A# std tuning.
Thanks for the great content
I use a custom 12 - 76 (12, 16, 24w, 34, 48, 76) on a single 6 string 25.5 scale guitar for anything from Drop C# down to a Low alternate GGCFGD octave tuning, which is similar to Drop C but with the Low E string tuned to G and B string tuned Down to G also. though I primarily use them for Drop C, Drop B, Drop A#. I love the beefiness of the 76 for Drop C - A#... it actually feels like I'm playing a guitar and not strumming a noodle, I can beat the strings like crazy and it still stay's in tune and doesn't go too sharp on the attack. I tried the recommended 62, but it just felt too flimsy... I like really Tight Low strings
weirdly... I've had no issues with the Neck warping or intonation issues with all my changing of tunings and string tension across my guitar so I don't adjust my trussrod... I set up my intonation and string action while in Drop B a few months back and I don't know... just never been something I've personally faced issues with, intonation sounds great in all the tunings I use without having to adjust it.
I use D’Addario XL 9-42 in standard tuning. Been playing on those since I started playing in 2004 so I figured if it’s not broke don’t fix it.
That track playing around 7 minute, holy shit I need more
Modern Metal with active pickups go with the Elixir strings!
Old school Metal with passive pickups go with Ernie Ball strings!
Just subbed to your channel much love from Iowa dude
I use Ernie Ball strings. Super Slinky for E standard. Burly Slinky for C standard. Mammoth Slinky for Drop B.
I was having similar problems with strings and companies till I found the cobalts from EB. I absolutely love those strings!! I use them on all my 7s, and 6s. 6s are in drop b, and I use the 12-56 cobalts and my 7s I use 26.5 scale I use 9-58 fir drop A and 25.5 I’ll use 10-62 but I have my rev headstock 25.5’s with 10-58 also in drop A and it works perfect. It’s all about feel. But ya I love those strings, but your right ghs are just terrible. 8 string I used the super bright dunlops and they were actually really good.
I use ernie ball beefy slinks for d standard
The correct way to go definitely is:
1. E Standard - 10-46
2. D Standard - 10-52
Cannot say anything about other tunings because I have only 2 guitars. :D
Thanks Kevin! Do you play baritones and if so what strings do you use?
I use 12-64 for Drop A/#/G and even Drop B on 25,5 scale and 10-48 or 10-52 for Drop D/C or D/C standard on 24,5 scale
Hey there Kevin. Hopefully you can answer me a quick question. I have a Ltd George Lynch F-series Baritone with a 27" scale. I always use D'addario stings, but the set I have on there (don't remember guage) are a little floppy. I was wondering if you could recommend a sting gauge for a 27" scale length. Keep up the videos! You freaking Rock Dude! Thanks for what you do! - BIG J
As soon as I hear that slamming brutal angry guitar tone, it's like a Demon waking up inside of You, whispering... "Let Your hatred out!".
Dude, You're fucking getting better every time, man! 🤘🤘🏴🇺🇸
Bro, I haven't even watched the video yet, but I gotta say...Damn dude! You take that thumbnail right after a work out or what? You looking fucking jacked, son. Dang bro.
11s in drop A is my go to for brutal death metal / grind, for my other genres like black metal i stick to c standard with 11s, tempted to move to 12s for the really low stuff. however i don't wanna mess with my string nut
Stringjoy is based out of nashville i think . Couple hours from me . Got an update on them ? I was about to try them out
I'm not too fussy about string brands, but I am really particular about the gauges, and D'addario usually have the gauges that I like. My favorite tuning is B standard, so I use the D'addario EXL158 (13-62) for that, but I've also experimented with the Ernie Ball 2214 "Mammoth Slinky" (12-62). They are basically the exact same tension as a 10-46 set in E standard (bit lighter on the 1st in the case of the Ernie Balls), and they have a wound 3rd, which I love.
Yeah a plain 3rd is awful in low tunings.
Daddario makes regular XLs in the 11-56 gauge fyi way before they came out with nyxl. 13-56 seems a bit much for essentially c# standard on the first 5 strings other than the low b. Especially is you like 12-54 in b standard which would be way less tension. I use 10-52 down a half step on a Gibson scale and 11-52 in d standard on fender scale.
Whats your recommendation for B-standart (six strings) tuning?
If your gonna tune to drop f on a 6 string what Guage would you use
I'm pretty sure the ones I have are 13-60
Edit
I just checked
They 12-60
What do you think about Elixir strings? I always have great sound with Elixir on my acoustic. Curious on anyone’s opinion on Elixir electric guitar strings
Pyramid strings are amazing quality ❤
Standard D'Addario 11's do everything, including a bit of drop.
It's good to have low action but not too much when it notes start fading out I dont care for measuring it's the sound and feel when I adjust the saddle to neck
Thanks man
please cover the song "Fuwa Fuwa Time"
9/52 in E standard. Chugs and bends for days.
I’m in C# standard on my 7 string and my low G# feels loose. I’m using 11-52 guage strings with a low 62, should I move to a 64 or 68, or possibly a 70?
You need to try La Bella strings!
Awesome vid man. What would you recommend for a esp sct607b baritone tuned to A standard?
I USE JAMES HETFIELD'S ERNIE BALL 10/50.GREAT STRINGS FOR METAL STANDARD TUNNING.GREAT FOR BRUTAL RIFFING AND STRING BENDING ALA STEVIE RAY VAUGHAN
Have you done a guitar collection video?
I use D'addario 9 guage XL strings. I believe Paul Gilbert goes as light as 8 guage
12-68 for drop A / b standard for me on my les Paul, keeps amazing tension and is still bendable. Obviously you could go lower but I like the tension this set provides
My preference is 9.5 to 44 Eb
I'm curious about what string gauge you use for your bass in drop C. Also, what should be a good string height at the 12th fret for this tuning. I use D'addario 120 - 50 set, they feel quite good.
Are those your songs playing in the background, and can you give a tour of your basses and style with basses?
What strings do you recommend for c# standard on a gibson scale length? Because I just bought 11 to 54 ernie balls for my new dean coming in
i use 11-54 for c# and 11-60 for drop c, feels good in my charvel sk (gibson scale)
12-60 for anything below C Standard.
D'addario EXL115BT (11-50) or EXL116 (11-52) are my preference for that kind of tuning. I tried that Ernie Ball 11-54 set and didn't like it because of the plain 22 it uses for the 3rd.
@@SteelSkin667 I think mine 24 freta
@@Kasketthrash I mean the gauge of the 3rd string is .022" (the package denotes it as 22p), and on a shorter scale guitar thick plain strings don't feel super nice to play to me. It is also a little bit too much tension compared to the rest of the set. You should try them anyway though, everyone's hands and preferences are different.
Can you play something slow and melodic for your next video? I wonder how would you sound. Nice video btw.
Have you considered trying out the Ernie Ball Mammoth Slinkys?
Would you ever consider putting some tabs for some of your songs?
Open B tuning is godly for metal. B F# B F# B D#
Alternatively you can drop it down further and use A E A E A C#
Basically the drop tuning shape across the whole fretboard.
Thanks, I tried it and it's amazing. The diminished shape on the lowest 3 strings turns into minor when you just move it up one string, which provides everything you need basically
@@K_R_N. It's good fun to noodle around with. If you don't want it tuned so low, you can go with C G C G C E for a more stable tuning, that's the one I'm using the most these days.
Great info, thanks heavy metal Mel Gibson
GutRot!!!!
what is the song playing in the background at 14:35
What you recommend for drop D and standard E? I switch back and forth
i recently changed strings on my Ibanez gio from strings that came already on it to D’addario nickel plate and i absolutely hate the sound it sounds like the inside of a soda can
Im Wondering if you know what bass string guage could work for both C# standard and standard A tuning. Im fine if C# is tight and A is a standard feel.
strings talk yes !!!
I always love seeing what other players use, and I’ve been curious about your gauges for a while given how ferociously you play.
I’m on the slinky camp, with stupidly light strings from Stringjoy for the tunings I’m in. I’m talking 10-62 for a 7 string in drop F# and 9.5-50 in a Drop C six string, but the guitars are set up perfectly for my playing style and they feel effortless to play