Different string gauges for different guitars?

I use the same on all of mine, but then my guitars are identical in every respect relevant to playing-feel; same scale length, neck shape, fretboard radius, tuning...

If I had any guitars of a different scale length, or that I used for a different tuning, I might use a different string gauge to "compensate".

 

I use Daddario NYXL 10-46 on my Strat and Telecaster, 11-49 on my SG and Gretsch Annie, and Ernie Ball Aluminum Bronze 11-52 on my acoustic. I use what works... for me. The choices were made for sound and playability. I have excellent setup on all of my guitars so I'm not using string gauge to make up for a setup deficiency.

 

I use 10's for the guitars I use when we're doing tributes (a custom-made 5-pickup offset and a paisley Tele clone); when it's just the band I use 9's and both guitars I use with the band are similar to the one in my avatar.

 

Keef gauges on my 5 string open G Tele.

9's and 10's on everything else. 10's on short(er) scale guitars, 9's on 25.5" scale.
Ernie Ball Slinky and Super Slinky.

Tried tons of different brands of strings.
Keep coming back to EB's.
They just work for me.

 

On a whim, I strung my Tele with the 'small' strings from a 12-string set...wasn't good for melody, but worked fine for rhythm chording.

 

I use heavier strings on my Eb guitars and on my shorter scale guitars, I like to feel roughly the same tension on all my guitars.

 

9's on Fenders, 9.5's on Gibsons and other 24.75 scale lengths

 

I've got a shredder with 09s, three guitars with 10s (one of which is a drop tuning), a Tele with 10.5s, and a 7-string with 11s. All have various tensions, scale lengths, fretboard radii, neck thickness and profiles...

Each guitar does some things better than the other guitars. But I can totally see the benefit of getting the muscle memory attuned to one specific gauge and instrument and being able to do more because of it.

 

10s on Fenders, 11s on Gibbys, 12s on archtops and acoustics

 

I use different gauges depending on scale length mostly. 10-46 on 25.5, 12-52 on 24.75 or 24.

 

D'Addario 10s on Teles, either the hybrid 10.5s or 11s on strats, 11's on Gibsons and 12s on the acoustics.

 

I’ve got quite a mixture...

• 9-42 on my Shergold & Strat (25.5” scale) and on my PRS SE245 (24.5” scale), which feels very loose on the latter
• 9-46 on my Tele (because I do some Drop D stuff and the heavier bottom string holds up much better even one tone down)
• 10-46 on my Jazzmaster (what Fender fitted it with and they feel so good I’m planning to change everything else over to this gauge)
• 11-52 on my 6-string acoustic — anything lighter just doesn’t work
• 10-46 on my 12-string acoustic (10,10,12,12,17,8,26,12,36,18,46,26 to be precise - D'Addario Regular Light for 12-strings)

Soon that will be 10-46 for electrics, 10-46 for 12-string, 11-52 for acoustic 6-string.

 

My fingers can't work like in former years so for me now ....
Strat & Tele = 9s
SG = 10s (but considering reverting to hybrid 9-46)
G&L Bluesboy (mainly slide in G) = 11s
LP Studio (only slide in D) = 12s
Yamaha acoustic = 12s (but am experimenting with 11s and am pretty sure theyll soon be a permanent option).

As for make ... Rotosound preferably ...

But ... Until 3 or 4 years ago I was 10s on any electric and 12s on slide and acoustic.
For purely slide work I still prefer 12s but if I've got to combine finger and slide playing ... These days I really don't like using 12s, even on the LP Studio.
Needless to say I have tried 10s and even 9s on slide but I, for one, haven't got the touch for those ...

 

I can't speak for most guitarists, but I use different brands/styles/gauges for different guitars/styles/uses.

 

D'Addario Pure Nickel 10s on everything. It keeps things simple.

Although I do have flatwounds on the semi-hollow

 

10's on 25.5 scale
10's or 11's on 24.75 scale
11's on 24" scale (jag)

 

9.5 on all my Teles. 10's on one Strat, 11's on the other Strat that is tuned down 1/2 step.

 

I use 10s more and more now on everything. The only exception is full hollow bodies and the Mustang, which get 11s. Jazzmasters used to get 11s too, but that’s totally unnecessary, even with a stock bridge.

 

I've been doing the gauge thing always. Default is 9s on fender scale length and 10s on Gibsons, but would have like a tele with 9s and a tele with 10s lying around. Never had 3 teles, but I I had the 3rd would get flats and so on.