Anyone use light top, heavy bottom strings?

[bendecaster]

I've always used D Addario 10-46, but have been considering the heavier bottom ones for a while. Probably will need nut filing?

[charlie chitlin]

I bought several packs of webstrings 9-46.
I'm still not sure why.
I think I wanted to go easier on my hands on long gigs (I usually use 10s or 11s...never used 9s until now), but still have some bass.
I DEFINITELY noticed (during a gig, of course) that I need to readjust my pickups for some balance!
The low strings really overpower the high.

[jklotz]

I'm using 9-46's on my hwy 1. Love em'. I'm a big fan of the DR pure blues.

[sentrido]

I use eb 11-48 (2220). Loves em.

[A.B.Negative]

Rotosound Roto Blues 10-52. No neck problems.

[PeterVV]

I have been using D'Addario EXL140 'Light Top/Heavy Bottom 10 - 52 ,for 20 years or so, love the thick rhythm sounds off the bottom 3, and they help ( so I have been advised ) eliminate some fret buzz.

[Telemarkman]

Originally Posted by twiggymac

i play ernie ball hybrid slinky 9-46 which sort of what you want but the next lighter gauge. i dont really feel like strings effect the tone too much, Brian May, Yngwie Malmsteen, and Billy Gibbons all use light gauge strings (Billy uses 7's.....) and i love all of their tones, save malmsteen....also tom scholz of boston uses a custom set of 8-44, and his tone is AMAZING.

just need a lighter touch, but play what makes you happy! i think Ernie Ball sells the set you are looking for as well.

I use the same gauge myself, and agree 100%. And I have tried the 10-52, 10-46, 9-42 and 9-38.

With 9-46 you get the best of both words.

[Cymro14]

After years of messing around with different string gauges I put on some D'addario light tops /med lows and think I have finally arrived at what drives me to play the guitar. Very nice!!

[fergus.wong]

I play more rhythm work so I play 0946 - great for palm muted power chords and stuff!

[Frontier9]

You can build your own sets at JustStrings.com. Single strings are available from a number of string manufacturers like D'Addario, GHS, DR Strings, Elixir and Ernie Ball. I usually buy a set of Ernie Ball slinky stainless 10s and substitute a couple of the plain strings with their house brand.

[hongaku]

I don't know about neck twisting from using such string gauges, seems like there would have to be some other factor involved...
I will say though that if your guitar has been set up optimally for 10-46, then you're likely going to need a new set up to optimize playability the heavier you go - no big deal of course, but just be aware that it might take more than simply readjusting the intonation and saddle height to get the most out of the new string gauges.

[Rhomco Guitars]

Before there was a name for them. We used to buy a "then" set of guitar strings and a Banjo .009/.010 string. We would chunk the wound "G" that came with all the sets and move the unwound strings up one string. All wound strings were nickle wrap back then. It is cheaper and easier today to do this with on-line string sellers like www.juststrings.com and you can buy the loose strings there too. Back in the day we got our strings at the local music store at full retail.
Rob

[WildcatTele]

I was using EB Skinny Top Heavy Bottom for a long time on my Tele, but I received a set of GHS Boomers 10's for free and decided to try them out on a lark. I remember way back in the 80's I went through a few sets of Boomers and hated them so I haven't used them since, but when I put these on I was absolutely floored. Incredible tonal character and color that has held on for a week and a half now of fairly heavy play and I don't even miss the heavy bottom. Think I'll stick with the Boomers for a while anyway, until the change bug hits again.

[Televised]

i switched from Daddario 10-46, which I really like to "David Gilmour GHS Blue Boomers", (10-12-16 - Steel, 28-38-48 - Nickel round wound), which I really really like.

[Abu Twangy]

One Tele is set up with .010-.052s; one with .009-.042s

I used EB Heavy Bottoms/Skinny Tops on most of my guitars for many years. I've been running lighter strings--even on my bass lately due to arthritis in my hands.

My hands are looking more like Keith Richards' hands lately.

[Paul in Colorado]

While I usually use a .0095 D'Addario EXL-120+ set on Teles and Strats, on my Esquire-clone I use Hybrid Slinkies. Great for country and blues bends with good twang on the bottom. I want to get a Strat to set up like that.

[bmutlu]

I prefer opposite.

[jkingma]

Originally Posted by Abu Twangy

I used EB Heavy Bottoms/Skinny Tops on most of my guitars for many years...

I use them on my Mustang and I love them... but I don't like them on my Tele.

[TeleKato]

I always get thrown with the whole bottom/top thing. It's like debits and credits.

That aside, I'm in with the opposites ... 11, 15 on the 1 and 2. Plus I play in Open-E pretty much everything (hey, I'm lazy). So with more tension on the 3, 4, and 5 strings I've actually gone down a gauge or two on them on the advice of counsel. And I like 44s, 45s, or 46s on the top ... er ... bottom. The big fat strings closer to my big fat face.

[Grease_Monkie]

I have Skinny Top Heavy Bottom on my Les Paul Custom, they're good but need a little nutwork to keep from string breakage. Other than that, they are good strings