What Gauge 3rd?

[Roger...]

Hi All,

I'm thinking of changing the strings on one of my Strats from 10 - 46's to 11 - 49's.

Of the sets that I'm looking at, some have the 3rd string as a plain 0.018", others have the 3rd as a wound 0.021".

Which is the preferred way to go?

Many thanks.
Roger

[Charlie Hall]

Hi Roger,
I think I'd go for the plain 0.018". A 0.021" wound might not be loud enough even if you have typical vintage staggered pickups.
Regards,
Charlie

[Roger...]

Hi Charlie,

Thanks for the reply. The main reason for changing is that I'm not too keen on the sound of the 3rd string on the 10 - 46 sets. The string size is 0.017". As the 3rd string of the 11 - 49 set is only one thou larger at 0.018", I wondered if it was worth the change, or whether it would sound the same.

(I do have vintage staggered pickups fitted)

Kind regards
Roger

[Charlie Hall]

Hi Roger,
I doubt that a plain 0.018" will sound much better than a plain 0.017", in fact the reverse could be true.
I remember a thread here some time ago where someone complained about a wound third not being loud enough. I think it was a 0.024" as part of a 12 set. I suggested a 0.026" and as far as I remember I think it helped quite a bit.
You will not be able to bend a wound 3rd anywhere near as easily as a plain 3rd. As long as you realise that, you could try the set with a wound 3rd and see if the 3rd is loud enough, if not, then perhaps consider going a bit thicker just for the 3rd, say a 0.022" or 0.024".
Regards,
Charlie

[Deleted]

i have just tried a set of 11 48s with a wound 3rd , and i had to take it off . it was very weak compared to the rest of the strings ,

[sixchannel]

FYI Roger
Elixir 11 nanoweb sets (my strings of choice) have an 18 plain third.
Cheers
Ian
Can't believe how cheap they are here is USA compared to UK) so have bought some to bring home.

[godzilla]

I had similar problems with volume on a wound third, but I like the mellow tone it gives compared to a plain, so I stuck with it. I have a MIJ Strat with 57/62 pickups (with staggered pole pieces). I generally use d'Addario EXL110W strings, which are 10-46 and have a .018 wound third. Having read Charlie's suggestions in an earlier thread some time ago, I experimented with a range of differnt gauges and makes for the 3rd string, whilst keeping the other strings the same and finally discovered that I get the tone and volume I like by using the d'Addario EXL110W set but replacing the 3rd with an Ernie Ball Custom 22W Nickel wound string (which is .022 gauge) bought as a single stringfrom Strings Direct.

So I would agree with Charlie that whichever set you prefer, just replace the 3rd with a heavier gauge wound 3rd (at least 2 gauges heavier that the standard wound 3rd for that set). It worked for me anyway.

Cheers

Keith

[rogera]

I've used D'Addario EXL115W strings - 11 - 49 with a wound 3rd (21 wound) for over ten years now and have always been happy with the balance across the strings and the tone.

Occasionally I have tried strings recommended by others but always regretted it and returned to the EXL115W.

The pickups on my Strat are Fender 57/62 and have staggered pickups.

I would add that I also use those same strings on my other non Fender electric guitars.

[Roger...]

Hi All,

Thanks very much for your replies.

Hi Charlie,
I was sort of expecting that there would be much difference in sound between the 0.017" and the 0.018" plain strings. I think you also may be right about the volume reduction with the wound 3rd. My finger strength is not the best at bending strings and by increasing the gauge too much I may be swapping one problem for another. Hmmmm....

Hi Dave,
Thank you very much for you information regarding your experience.

Hi Ian,
Thanks for the info on your Exilir 3rd string. I have tried Elixir nanoweb strings before and found then a little duller in tone than is my preference. Excellent strings though. I have heard that many things to do with guitars and amps etc., are cheaper in the USA.

Hi Keith,
Thank you for giving me your experiences in using a wound 3rd string. I suppose if I have a choice between the sound of it and bending it I suppose I will choose bending. It is an interesting concept though to us another make string. I may just buy one to hear how it sounds.

Hi Roger,
Thank you for the information and sharing your experiences with strings you've tried. I may just buy a set to try them out. After all it's not going to be a fortune is it.

My thanks once again to you all.

Kind regards
Roger

[twang46]

Hi Roger

I used a "24" wound string as the G with DaDarrio 11-49's with good results (for me)
Single strings are normally available without any difficulty.

Dick.

[Roger...]

Hi Dick,

Thank you for the information. 0.024" does seem a long way away from 0.018" doesn't it. I do have a slight worry about the 'bendability' factor.

Kind regards
Roger

[Stu's Dad]

Oct 2, 2014 7:51:20 GMT rogera said:

I've used D'Addario EXL115W strings - 11 - 49 with a wound 3rd (21 wound) for over ten years now and have always been happy with the balance across the strings and the tone.

Occasionally I have tried strings recommended by others but always regretted it and returned to the EXL115W.

The pickups on my Strat are Fender 57/62 and have staggered pickups.

I would add that I also use those same strings on my other non Fender electric guitars.

I'm with you all the way on that, Roger.

Regards,

Len

[keithinalps]

Hi Roger, i use Newt Elec Masters 12-52 w3rd 22 once you get usedto them no problem, but if your worried about bending use the trem to help

[bor64]

Roger, there is also a Newt Elec Masters set in 11 to 52 with a plain 17, nice balance with sound and bending is nice too.
I use the same gauge with Daddario's and it works for old and modern shads work.
Although I've 14 to 62 with a 32w G on my aug 58 strat and the sound is spot on too....and bending isn't difficult for me, but I eat my spinach regularly.... ;-)

[rogera]

Hi there bor64 - if you find 14 - 62 strings OK, and you can manage to bend them then I must start eating spinach !!

[twang46]

Oct 2, 2014 11:48:16 GMT Roger... said:

Hi Dick,

Thank you for the information. 0.024" does seem a long way away from 0.018" doesn't it. I do have a slight worry about the 'bendability' factor.

Kind regards
Roger

You can use the 11-49 wound set that Rogera uses I did use those but swopped out the 21 gauge G for a 24.........can't help with bendability unfortunately.
As has been suggested you can always do a "Hank" & use the trem to help with bending

Strings are a very personal thing witness the bewildering array of specs & sizes on sale today

Dick.

[Roger...]

Hi Len,
It looks like it's a tick in the box for the D'Addario 11-49's then with a 0.021 wound 3rd.

Hi Keith,
Thanks for that. I'd love to use 12-52's but I think they may be a bridge too far for my fingers. I'd also rather not use the tremolo arm to help me as I would have to completely change the technique in the way I play. At my age I don't think I've got enough years left.

Hi bor64,
I've never tried Newton Electric Masters so have no experience with them. I am fearful though as I am trying to get away from the sound of a 0.017" plain string as there's something about it I don't like. 14-62's.... stroooooth. I bet they sound fantastic. You fingers must be made of steel.

Hi Dick,
The consensus seems to be 11-49's. Probably with a thick wound 3rd. I think that I would have a problem with the bendability of that string.

My thanks you to you all. I now think I have enough information to start making my choice.

Kind regards
Roger

[bor64]

Roger,

I prefer 11-14-17-32-42-52 for most of my strats and other electric guitars, but sometimes I need something heavier.
As I wrote I use 14-62 on my 58 strat for some old tunes and I can bend the strings, but not as easy and high as on the thinner set.
I bend the strings on my Bass VI also when needed.....
Downside is when I play my Les Paul with 10-46 or "much worse" my Fender JD tele with 9-42 I have the impression that I can rip the strings off at any moment by mistake......

Cheers Rob

[Roger...]

Hi Rob,

Thanks for the information. With such a difference in string size I bet there's quite a psychological difference when you swap between guitars as well as a very different playing technique.

Kind regards
Roger

[bor64]

Well Roger,

Yes it is, but more when I go from thin to a thicker string gauge.... when I play Thing-My-Jig on the 61 Bass VI and directly after that on a strat, it plays so easy. Roger you know as I that even changing between strats with the same strings it's different.
But with 36 gits it's a mater of getting used to


Cheers Rob

[rogerbayliss]

have a set of EXL115W D'addario on my Vintage 57 reissue fitted with 57/62 PUs and have had no problems with 3rd string volume. I use EXL115 with a plain G (18) on my two other strats set up for flatter profiles on neck and PUs.

If you have a vintage stagger on the PUs then they are generally for wound 3rds and a plain 3rd will be difficult to balance the volume unless you raise the string and compromise with string height. A flatter PU profile works best with flatter neck radius and modern string sets with plain 3rds from what I understand.

[sandytuck]

Hi Roger, Like you say stick to the strings you know best,can waste a lot of money
changing strings. Just buy a few singles of different sizes and experiment.
The pure Nickel do sound nice, as far as wound strings go I like them on a guitar
like my Maton Accoustic. Sound better with a jumbo type big sound Box guitar.
All the Best
Regards Les.

[Roger...]

Hi Rob,
Yes I agree, All guitars are different. Even if we buy three brand new standard Strats from a shop they will all have their own characteristics.
36 Guitars...... Blimey, are you the curator of a museum? (only joking)

Hi Roger,
I have CS Fat 50s pickups fitted on two of my Strats which have the vintage stagger pole pieces. The two necks in question have a 9.5" radius. A while ago I purchased some D'Addario 0.018" wire wound strings to try out on my guitars due to the increased volume of the 3rd string. I found that although they balanced out the volume better, the bend-ability of the strings was very different to the plain 0.017" which were previously fitted. Shortly after the trial I reverted back to the plain 0.017".

Hi Les,
I do not have an acoustic guitar (I should buy one sometime) but can imagine that the pure nickel would work well with one. Yesterday whilst at a practice session with a few of our club players, I was kindly loaned a Strat with 11 - 50's on it (0.018 plain 3rd) to see what I thought. I played a couple of numbers and thought how much I liked them. I may just purchase a set to see what I think.

My thanks to you all.

Kind regards
Roger

[bor64]

Well Roger, I guess that you looked at my avatar and thought it looks like a museum
I wish I had a job as caretaker in guitar museum
Mostly all my guitars and basses get played regularly except four, a mini strat, my first guitar (a strat)a piece of sh#t made by Fred Flintstone, a cheap short scale bass and a very old hand build acoustic slide guitar about 90 years old with a neck made from tiger maple, with more stripes then a horde of zebra's......
So hardly a museum Roger

Cheers Rob

[Roger...]

Fascinating...... Thanks Rob.

Kind regards
Roger

[Deleted]

hi roger i use to have that same idea on heavier gauges but im happy with the same as you 10-46
but heres a set of 11-49 Daddrios www.the well known auction site.co.uk/itm/DAddario-EXL115W-Nickel-Wound-Blues-Jazz-Rock-Electric-Guitar-Strings-11-49-/141191123690?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item20dfa592ea 11s is the thickest id ever go up to now. because you have to think of the attention on the trust rod. all so re ajusting the bridge for tremolo and saddles on intonation .you have to remember the thicker the string when setting it up the higher the bridge lifts up . i had 9s on my Cv squier i set it up with 10s i did rase up the bridge just a fraction and its perfect for me . i am considering usinging 10-46 with a 3rd wound but not sure the poles on the pups are staggered .anyway good luck Richie

[alandjackson]

Hello Roger,

The advice from Keith is sound. Newtone Electric Masters 12 to 52 with a 22W third is the way to go but do order the strings with ROUND cores not hexagonal cores. You will get the big tone and, with round cores, they are easier to bend.

Best of luck!

Alan D. Jackson.

[Roger...]

Hi Richie,

A few days ago I changed the strings on one of my Strat's from 10-46's to 11-49's (D'Addario). This involved adjusting the neck relief, tremolo spring claw, and intonation, etc. Following the change I played the guitar for a hour or so and really liked the way it played. I had no problem with the string bending and also found a bonus in the slightly stiffer strings preventing me from overzealous over-bending. However, the next day when I picked up the guitar to play it again and this time I was not so enthusiastic about how it felt and played and stated to have niggling doubts about the change. Over the next couple of days these doubts come to the fore. So much so that I reverted back to my tried and trusted 10-46's changing all my settings back to their original settings.

I did not try the 11's with a wound third as I had tried the 10-46's with a wound 3rd (0.018w) a while back and didn't like the sound of it too much for the later type Shadows sounds. Also the 11's were slightly sticky in the nut slots and I didn't want to open them out I case I reverted back to 10's. The pickups on my Strat are the Fender CS Fat 50s and have vintage staggard poles. I think I'll stay with my 10-46's with a plain 3rd. They have served me well and like most players sometimes we feel we would probably like a change but now I've been through the exercise I'm happy again. Interestingly for what it's worth, a couple of years ago I was chatting to a very well reputed Luthier and it was his opinion that Strat owners should not go heavier than 10's on their Strats as a lot of Strats have quite thin necks and the strain is enormous. When I reminded him of the early sixties when Strats had 12's on them he replied "yes they did, but most of them didn't last long before their necks needed replacing".

Kind regards
Roger

[Roger...]

Hi Alan,

I would think that a guitar that's fitted with 12-52's would sound terrific, but I'm afraid my fingers just wouldn't cope with them. My son has an acoustic with 12's on it and I find it very difficult to play indeed. My fingers are more the piano or violin players fingers rather than the male masculine type fingers, also a bit arthritic, so horses for courses I suppose. I do take your point though and thanks for the post.

Kind regards
Roger

[Deleted]

Oct 12, 2014 10:24:13 GMT Roger... said:

Hi Richie,

A few days ago I changed the strings on one of my Strat's from 10-46's to 11-49's (D'Addario). This involved adjusting the neck relief, tremolo spring claw, and intonation, etc. Following the change I played the guitar for a hour or so and really liked the way it played. I had no problem with the string bending and also found a bonus in the slightly stiffer strings preventing me from overzealous over-bending. However, the next day when I picked up the guitar to play it again and this time I was not so enthusiastic about how it felt and played and stated to have niggling doubts about the change. Over the next couple of days these doubts come to the fore. So much so that I reverted back to my tried and trusted 10-46's changing all my settings back to their original settings.

I did not try the 11's with a wound third as I had tried the 10-46's with a wound 3rd (0.018w) a while back and didn't like the sound of it too much for the later type Shadows sounds. Also the 11's were slightly sticky in the nut slots and I didn't want to open them out I case I reverted back to 10's. The pickups on my Strat are the Fender CS Fat 50s and have vintage staggard poles. I think I'll stay with my 10-46's with a plain 3rd. They have served me well and like most players sometimes we feel we would probably like a change but now I've been through the exercise I'm happy again. Interestingly for what it's worth, a couple of years ago I was chatting to a very well reputed Luthier and it was his opinion that Strat owners should not go heavier than 10's on their Strats as a lot of Strats have quite thin necks and the strain is enormous. When I reminded him of the early sixties when Strats had 12's on them he replied "yes they did, but most of them didn't last long before their necks needed replacing".

Kind regards
Roger

hi roger i think i sort of tend to agree with your luthier. But you would think if tje trust rod is ajusted to fit and work with heavey gauge strings it wouldnt be a problem. Im with you roger i will stick with 10-46 but i think i will try them with a w3rd if it dont work for me fine i will just go bsck to same set with plain. All the best roger and keep us posted Rich