Looks like I'm the "odd man out" here. I use Argie 11's (from Michael), but the .11 is too thin-sounding/thin-feeling for me, especially when soloing. So I disregard the .11 and put on a D'addario .13 in its place. To my ear and hands, that makes a perfect feel & sound. When I play friends' GJ guitars with .10's, I can feel it right away and it seems to lack the power I seek in tone and feel that I perceive from heavier strings. But hey, if .10's were good enough for Django, that should settle it, right?
Interesting comments! I tried putting 10’s on my MD50 but got mostly rattles. I’m seeing some fret wear on a couple of the lower position frets under the treble strings so maybe it’s time for new frets/setup.
Just out of interest, how can you tell string gauge from watching Youtube videos? If I take for example Savarez .11 and .10 Galli Silk and Steel, the colour of the winding at the end of the bridge is the same (red), so what are other anchors for judging?
I've got one my guitars strung up with my hybrid set, and another one with the 11 Saverez strings. The 10s are much less stiff compared to the 10s (referencing the wound strings specifically). That being said, one of the Gaffiero's is Selmer scale (the one with 11s), and the other is a Busato scale (hybrid set). The strings feel like night and day.
It sounds really silly considering how close the sets really are, but I have found that by switching to the lighter gauge, the guitar is not stiff or fighting me. I can be more expressive and the bass tones are not as heavy sounding.
I've mentioned before that you can easily buy "10 1/2" gauge strings (.0105"). Surprising that not a single person seems to prefer that gauge, what with all the discussion of 10s vs. 11s!
Comments
Looks like I'm the "odd man out" here. I use Argie 11's (from Michael), but the .11 is too thin-sounding/thin-feeling for me, especially when soloing. So I disregard the .11 and put on a D'addario .13 in its place. To my ear and hands, that makes a perfect feel & sound. When I play friends' GJ guitars with .10's, I can feel it right away and it seems to lack the power I seek in tone and feel that I perceive from heavier strings. But hey, if .10's were good enough for Django, that should settle it, right?
Interesting comments! I tried putting 10’s on my MD50 but got mostly rattles. I’m seeing some fret wear on a couple of the lower position frets under the treble strings so maybe it’s time for new frets/setup.
If 11's became available in Django's years, I'll bet he'd have switched in a heartbeat.
10's and 11's are very close in size. I wonder if we could identily extra light and light in a blindfold test?
Gauge:
1610 Extra Light Ball End - 10 14 22 28 36 45
1610MF Light Ball End - 11 15 23 29 37 46
1510 Extra Light Loop End 10 14 22 28 36 45
1510MF Light Loop End - 11 15 23 29 37 46
Just out of interest, how can you tell string gauge from watching Youtube videos? If I take for example Savarez .11 and .10 Galli Silk and Steel, the colour of the winding at the end of the bridge is the same (red), so what are other anchors for judging?
I've got one my guitars strung up with my hybrid set, and another one with the 11 Saverez strings. The 10s are much less stiff compared to the 10s (referencing the wound strings specifically). That being said, one of the Gaffiero's is Selmer scale (the one with 11s), and the other is a Busato scale (hybrid set). The strings feel like night and day.
It sounds really silly considering how close the sets really are, but I have found that by switching to the lighter gauge, the guitar is not stiff or fighting me. I can be more expressive and the bass tones are not as heavy sounding.
Oh, good point, Tchangovidal, I think I just saw the red and assumed Argentine.
I use 10s from time to time on my main guitar (especially in Winter). My name is pretty long.
That top .10 string gets way too plinky for me. Gotta have an .11
The rest I don’t care.
Edgar Degas: "Only when he no longer knows what he is doing does the painter do good things.... To draw, you must close your eyes and sing."
Georges Braque: "In art there is only one thing that counts: the bit that can’t be explained."
I've mentioned before that you can easily buy "10 1/2" gauge strings (.0105"). Surprising that not a single person seems to prefer that gauge, what with all the discussion of 10s vs. 11s!