I’ve been spending the summer learning how to play the guitar. Last month, I bought a lovely Sire S7 and I’ve been having a blast playing it and learning guitar chords and playing with the modes on the couple of portable guitar amps I bought (The Fender Magnum Micro and a Positive Grid Spark Go). I know those amps might not sound that impressive, but like I said I’m still pretty new at this and when I get better, I’ll probably get an even bigger amp.
But that’s not why I’m here today.
I was on the Ernie Ball website thinking about picking up some spare strings (because I broke my little e string a few weeks ago), when I noticed they had different pack of string sets with different strings that were other than the typical 10-13-17-26-36-46 set, but had other gauges of strings.
Surely, the width of the strings would result in different notes as much as where you put your fingers on the fretboard, right?
So what would I be gaining or losing if I used a different set up strings? (I’m not planning on re-stringing my guitar any time soon, but it would be nice to know the significance of these other sets, what they are used for, and if there was a specific set ideal for playing certain genres or playing techniques.)
@RageAgainstTheSurge
Other posters already covered it but yeah, in standard tuning string thickness might give you a very slight, barely detectable difference if any at all. Thicker strings only matter when you’re playing in alternate tunings, and even then you have to tune quite aways down before regular strings hit their limit and become too floppy to use.
Outside of that? Strings aren’t meant to last forever! Try several different types and find what you like!