What Changes The Tone: String Gauge Or Material | Guitar Tech Tips | Ep. 101 | Thomann
Let’s figure out what lets you tweak a guitar’s tone more: string material or string gauge?
I find the results of our test rather interesting. Enjoy Guitar Tech Tips and let me know in the comments what you’ve heard.
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Interesting bits and pieces:
0:00 Introduction
1:04 Round 1 | Comparing different string materials
2:17 Round 2 | Comparing different string gauges
3:29 Outtakes
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#Tone #String #Gauge #Material #Guitar #Tech #Tips #Thomann
Originally posted by UCtvgPVBJ_r1vjN4mRuHCbog at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X32ZnzUXPIw
Phosphor Bronze has a warmer more balanced tone with less finger Squeak than 80/20 bronze. That is why i prefer the phosphor bronze. String material affect the tone more than string gauge
Great video. I used all sorts of strings and gauges and I always find the feel and tone of Ernie Ball Super Slinky fits me best. Even though I play in D standard for my music. The little bit of flop in the biggest string isn't a real issue. Can barely hear it with an amp on. I've tried every brand and to me, Guage matters most. I have no experience with acoustics though. So amazing video
I see that I am somewhat in the minority, but I thought the straight bronze sounded better overall. Clearer, even in the bass notes, and rings out really well on held chords. I thought the 12.5's added some depth of bass, but not worth the added difficulty in playing. 11.5 Bronze the winner!!
String material will affect tone waaaaaaay more then guage ever will. Bottom line is choose your guage for feel and material for tone.
I preferred the bronze over the phosphor bronze and thought the lighter gauge was better; not so much for the tone, (which was similar) but because the flexibility came across as better
Yo diría, primero elijan la escala de la guitarra y afinación, después vean de buscar que calibre de cuerda les gusta, y al final recién empezar a buscar la aleación. Tambien la púa cambia el sonido, pero eso puede ser quizás la forma mas fácil de cambiar de tono sin hacer prácticamente nada.
Uso: Escala corta 24.75", A4=420, calibre 0.009 y de acero inoxidable.
String material
im with Bronze 11.5 because we need smooth and soft and sharp notes in recording acoustic guitar sound
Yeah, string material is propably more important than gauge. You could however argue that gauge has a bigger impact on feel and makes the player play somewhat differently.
dunno man, but you need to tie up the front of your t shirt for more authentic Madonna tone????
Hey guys I thought different string materials sound slightly different, ,and just wandering who wonthe Teleaster ? Congrats to whoever won..????
Definetly the string material changes the tone more.
I didn’t really hear much difference. Arghh my fingers are bleeding just thinking about using 12.5, or even 11.5. I use EB Earthwound 10’s with the silk wrap.
Also ehrlich gesagt nach den 11.5 er bronze war der test für mich schon gelaufen, die phosphor bronze klingen einfach nicht schön. hmmmypypypypyp so isses nun mal ????♂️
Der vergleich 11.5er bronze zu 12.5er bronze wär für mich schöner gewesen.
Aber wie immer tolles video,
Danke Chris ????????????????
Phosphor Bronze ALL DAY and ALL of the NIGHT!
The phosphor bronze has a more complex and soulful sound to my ear. Insofar as gauging is concerned, the heavier string has more mass and will therefore create more sound. The catch is playability, as the heavier strings require more strength and endurance to properly wield. I say that once you settle in on the material you like for the guitar you have and the music you play, keep installing progressively heavier strings until you reach the gauge that causes your playing to suffer a bit. Then go back one gauge size and have at it.
Just keep your overall health and strength in mind and as you get stronger revist this formula from time to time. Conversely, should you weaken from sickness or injury or age consider revisiting this formula with an eye on a lighter gauge.
30+ years ago I started on bass using ultra light roundwounds and have now worked up to medium gauge flatwounds. Today I have far more sound to work with as a result. Hope this helps, good luck.
i´d say both. Even coating changes the tone, I think. Sustain is also changed by the gauge.
I believe Rhett Shull has a test about that and the outcome was pretty flabbergasting since it was the opposite of what eveyone claims.
I'd love to hear the Bronze 12gauge version aswell…..more a fan of the "pure" bronze sound. Yes, Phosphor Bronze was warmer, but…….Can't help myself, I love the clearer, more defined sound more…
Material is more important, phosphor bronze is usually my favorite (though on a bass-heavy guitar the 80/20 may work better). I wish we could kill off the "heavy is better" myth. We have really inherited these standard acoustic string gauges from the jazz boxes of last century and most people find those gauges a little too heavy. 10 gauge is possibly too light on acoustic, but as a general rule anything that adversely affects playability generally results in a poorer performance. 11 gauge works great for most of my clients who want something lighter.
Hi Kris,
I used Elixir 1047 phosphor bronze on my acoustic and I discovered the nickel bronze NB1047 by D’Addario and ???? my guitar got a nicer tone (for my taste). And about the gauge I think it is a tone difference, but again is just about how every player like the tone. Cheers!
Material changes sound and gauge changes feeling. on an electric that is. on an acoustic in my experience gauges will change loudness
Id say thicker gauge had just a tad more bass response when soloing but the phosphor bronze were brighter overall than the bronze, better for those percussive elements of acoustic playing
I liked the warmth of the phosphor bronze more. The lighter gauge seemed to have more clarity and definition. The heavier set had more fullness but lost a little definition, to my ears at least.
it's not the gauge it's how you use it
On these cheap ear buds I can’t tell a difference, it’s pretty loud in here today too so many gonk droids running. We’ll be back to full power mid month , the sun powers the moon. New moon is low power week.
Especially when someone leaves the gravitational manipulation speakers on all night… Monkey I know it was you… is that mic still on!?!
To my own experience from experiment, only the string material changes the tone. A thicker gauge string only gives more tension hence better response and more volume. But you’re trading off playability as well as higher stain loading on the guitar which reduce the time between neck resets….
Through Youtube I noticed a bigger difference changing materials, where the phosphor bronze were a tad warmer. Changing string gauges was more subtle.
That being said, I changed from Daddario Phosphor Bronze EJ15 10 gaugeto Daddario Phosphor Bronze XS 11 gauge. I wanted to change gauges, and that’s what they had in store. Oh, man! Night and day! The first ones sounded super metallic and thin, unlike the XS which sound super round, full and lush! I don’t know what matters most in this case, the gauge or the type of strings. But I’m going to stick to it! ????
What make , model of guitar are you playing first and foremost..it's nice.
Kris if I say fingers matter more will I be in soooo much trouble?
I do find that any gauge below 10 with my playing “style????????” lack punch and seem to be very top end heavy
So for me it’s 10 gauge and Bad Fingers ( Pity someone pinched the name Bad finger could be my terrible stage name ????????)
Thanks as always Kris
The only thing I heard of significance was the strings with phosphorous squeaked a lot more when sliding to and fro.
Materials